Dry Creek Winery Directory
Our favorite dry creek wineries
Dry Creek Valley is a unique winegrowing region located in northern Sonoma County. With over 150 winegrowers and 70 Dry Creek wineries, Dry creek Valley is the perfect place to get away and get lost in the premium wines offered by this special region. While the area has many varietals, it is best known for its world-class zinfandel. Within this 16 by 2 mile valley, there are of a variety of soil types, elevations, sun exposure levels, and wind and water variance, creating the perfect environment for a mix of varietals and grape quality.
A Little History
Dry Creek Valley traces its winegrape growing roots back 140 years. After the California Gold Rush, settlers were attracted to the region for its fertile land around 1849. By the 1880s, there were nine Dry Creek wineries and 883 acres of vineyards – with the majority of them being Zinfandel. With prohibition came the ending of this wine boom and only two wineries, Frei Brothers and J. Pedroncelli, remained after its repeal in 1933. The valley produced prunes and pears mostly until the California wine revival in the 70s. By 1983, Dry Creek Valley was the first California wine region to be recognized as an official American Viticultural Area (AVA).
Today, 9,000 acres of vineyards and over 70 wineries, mostly family-owned, make up this charming AVA. Just 16 miles long and 2 miles wide, Dry Creek is a must visit wine country destination. Other than enjoying amazing wines form Dry Creek wineries, visitors can expect to experience agritourism, 5-star food and wine parirings featuring foods from lcoal land, and easy access tot he charmign town of Healdsburg.
If you’re looking to explore Dry Creek Valley wineries, look no further than a PLatypus Wine Tour. Our North Sonoma join-in wine tour may venture off into Dry Creek Valley, but if you want to guarentee you’ll visit some of these incredible wineries in Dry Creek, plan a private tour with us through the region. Check out some of our favorite Dry Creek Wineries below and start planning your adventure!
Make a Platypus Wine Tour reservation online now or call (707) 253-2723.
Here is a handy directory of many of wine country’s best wineries. You can use this directory while creating a custom, Private Tour. Please note that Small Group Join-in Tour wineries are selected by our experienced guides.
Forman Vineyard
Grapes are gently handled from harvest through fermentation. Small stainless steel fermentors for red wines and new Burgundy barrels for white seem fitting for the need to pay close attention to detail during the winemaking process. Deep caves have been constructed which maintain a cool dark and humid environment in which to age red wine in new French oak barrels. The wines literally age in the soils from which they grew. The integration of the small stone cellar settled in the hillside surrounded by a courtyard and in touch with the deep caves below sets a mood which would recall that of a tiny European estate.
Fortunati Vineyards
Derived from the Italian pronunciation of “Lucky” and the owner’s last name “Luchtel”, [say “For-too-not-ee”] you are warmly invited to share our good fortune!
Frank Family
Voted “Best Napa Winery” seven years in a row, our wines span from Sparkling Wine to Port and everything in between.
Freemark Abbey Winery
Freemark Abbey is the quintessential Napa Valley winery. From the first female Napa winery owner on record in 1886, to their landmark recognition leading up to “The Judgment of Paris” in 1976 and beyond — their story is full of firsts.
Frias Family Vineyards
Frias Family Vineyard was founded with their first official vintage in 1991. With 100 acres purchased in 1977 and only 5 acres planted in 1985, they focused on producing the finest Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon along with a small production red blend, Sauvignon Blanc and Rose. The operation is small and family owned. Everyone helps carry out this labor of love by participating in nurturing the vines, blending, bottling and (of course) quality control!
Frisinger Family Vineyard
They’ve created a boutique winery that makes premium estate grown wine, and the wine press that appears on their label was on the land in 1981 when their family first purchased the property. It is a representation of the tradition they so greatly value. Paying homage to the rich land and culture of Napa Valley, visitors are invited to enjoy tasty and memorable experiences with their loved ones.
Frog’s Leap
“Time’s fun when you’re having flies!” Since 1988 they have been farming organically and believe that great and historic winese have been made from non-irrigated grapevines.
G&C Lurton Estates
Seeking outstanding terroir, the owners relocated from France to California with their children for three years. They found the ideal environment for Bordeaux grape varieties to thrive in the sunny Californian microclimate. The “Acaibo” project, spearheaded by Gonzague and Claire, aims to create exceptional Californian terroir wine. This involves mastering the unique components of the terroir, including the soil’s volcanic origin, comprised of clay loam atop compacted ashes, reminiscent of Mount St. Helena.
Gamble Family Vineyard
Founded by third-generation farmer Tom Gamble, Gamble Family Vineyards farms approximately 175 acres of prime estate vineyards from several of Napa Valley’s most respected AVAs. The Gamble family has been farming the Napa Valley since 1916, and every wine we produce is cultivated with their dedication to the land in mind.
Gargiulo Vineyards
The very first vintage of Gargiulo Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was 2000, and since then Gargiulo Vineyards has quietly taken its place among the most highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon producers in Napa Valley. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Jeff, Valerie, daughter, April and son in law, Mitch and the entire Gargiulo Vineyards’ team continue to strive to make Gargiulo wines the most pure and breathtaking expressions of their two esteemed Oakville vineyards.
Gemstone Vineyard
The Dornbusch family is honored to be the stewards of an incredible vineyard that prides itself on refining the wines that truly reflect the extremely special 25 year history of Gemstone.
Gentleman Farmer Wines
Gentleman Farmer, small production wines. Each wine tells an authentic story of the seasons and traditions that surround them. Food focused wine to enjoy with food and friends.
