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.
J. Rickards Winery
J. Rickards Vineyards and Winery, run by the Rickards family, handles both grape farming and wine production. Situated in the northern part of Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, the vineyards have been expanding for over 40 years, alongside the original 1908 Zinfandel vines. The winery emerged in 2005, spurred by friends who appreciated their small batches of handcrafted wine dating back to 1991.
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
The Jacuzzi trek to America started in 1907, when Valeriano and Francesco Jacuzzi, the second- and third-born sons of Giovanni and Teresa Jacuzzi, immigrated to Washington to work on the railroad. A warmer climate beckoned and the pair eventually made their way to southern California. Years later, they were joined by four other brothers and eventually all went to work in the aviation industry. Soon they would make American history
James Cole Winery
“We are passionate people. We have extended ourselves at times—physically, emotionally, financially. But the hard work and dedication has been worth it. We are raising our daughter and son on the land that we’ve so carefully, diligently—and yes, passionately—nurtured over the years. And we are humbled by the opportunity to share a little of that with you through the wines we offer.”
Jarvis Estate
A visit to Jarvis Estate is an extraordinary journey, like no other, into the world of exceptional winemaking. Visitors to the country’s first winery built entirely underground are offered an intimate glimpse into the meticulous steps that go into producing our lush Chardonnays, rich Cabernet Sauvignons and velvety Merlots, among others. The tour concludes with an intimate, seated experience.
Jayson by Pahlmeyer
Every vintage of Jayson by Pahlmeyer is meticulously made with the attention to detail for which Pahlmeyer is known and trusted, while capturing the spirit of its founder whose huge personality, humor and joy for living are an integral part of the Pahlmeyer legacy.
Jericho Canyon Vineyard
The wine is made in the Bordeaux style. Hand-crafted in small lots, the juice is blended to create a full-bodied, complex wine with well balanced tannins.
Jessup Cellars
The Jessup Cellars story is one of passion, family, hard work, resilience and, of course, fantastic wine. Over the past two decades, Jessup Cellars has earned a loyal following for its ultra-premium wines of distinction and a word-of-mouth reputation for hosting one of the friendliest tasting rooms in all of wine country.
John Anthony Church Vineyard
From an early age, John remembers looking out at the empty church property next to his parents’ vineyards and dreaming that one day he would plant it with vines. In 2003, he founded Church Vineyard at last. The Los Carneros AVA has a distinctly maritime climate, with winds from the San Pablo Bay and shallow clay and loam soils well-suited to Bordeaux varietals. This idyllic vineyard has proven its quality with every vintage. Two acres planted to the high-toned and aromatic Western clone and two acres planted to the deep, rich Musqué clone enable John to create two different styles of Sauvignon Blanc from the site, which John purchased in 2018.
John Anthony Vineyards
Elegant tasting lounge is located in downtown Napa. Enjoy a glass of wine, a flight, or share a bottle of our current releases. Choose the Reserve Room for a private tasting, perfect for the wine enthusiast interested in adding our wine to their cellar. Each exclusive tasting will pair you with a John Anthony team member who will tell you the story and show you their portfolio of wines.
Jordan Winery
Established in 1972, Jordan Vineyard & Winery was inspired by the great wine estates of France and created as an homage to the timeless connection between food, wine and hospitality. A relentless commitment to this tenet helped make Jordan one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon brands in California.
Joseph Cellars
As a family-owned Winery and Vineyards; they grow their own grapes and craft some fantastic wines. The focus is hand crafting wines from their 32 acre property located in the Northern part of Napa Valley. The Estate Cabernet is grown 100% on property. The Bartholomew Family Vineyards are hand farmed using sustainable farming practices. Their property encompasses two AVA’s, the newly formed Calistoga Appellation & Diamond Mountain Appellation.
Joseph Phelps
In the spectaularly remodeled tasting room, several tasting options are available. Home of the legendary Insignia, California’s first proprietary red Bordeaux-style blend.
