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.
Caves at Soda Canyon
A unique winery housed entirely in a cave, this is home to four distinct family owned wineries. The acclaimed wineries ar Waugh Family Wines, Patland Estate Vineyards, Buoncristiani Family Winery and Lobo – Wulff Vineyard.
Caymus Vineyards
Since 1972, The Wagner Family has been producing Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at Caymus. They have gained renown and expanded into other varietals. Tastings feature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel as well as wines from the family’s other labels Mer Soleil, Emmolo, and Conundrum. Caymus has a relaxed, intimate tasting in a beautifully landscape garden setting.
Chappellet
Don and Molly Chappellet founded the winery in 1967 on a slope of land known as Pritchard Hill located off a rural road in St. Helena. The area is now regarded as one of the best growing regions in the world for Bordeaux varietals, and Chappelet wines reflect the exceptional conditions. Experience incredible views looking down on Lake Hennessy, enjoy the barrel room for a tasting or tour through the actual winery facilities with one of the knowledgeable staff.
Charles Krug
The first tasting room in the oldest winery in Napa Valley has evolved into a modern world-class tasting experience. Owned by the iconic Mondavi family, they have introduced winemaking practices to the Napa Valley that still influence the industry today.
Charter Oak Winery
Charter Oak Winery & Vineyards in St. Helena, takes pride in being the “most original, old-world,” winery of some 500 wineries in Napa Valley. The reason to visit: See how early wine pioneers lived and made wine in Napa Valley — and taste wines which hearken back to those simpler times.
Chase Cellars
The vines are over 115 years old, they’re wise and storied — they are the heartbeat of Hayne Vineyard, and the soul of the wines produced. While the vineyard has been around for five generations, it was Andy, who developed the Chase Cellars brand back in 1998. Katie took over the day-to-day operations in 2012, with the goal of maintaining the legacy of the vineyard through sustainable farming, and business practices, so they can ensure the integrity of this place survives for generations to come.
Chateau Montelena
A historical stone castle carved into a hillside overlooking a Chinese garden, lake and vineyards reaching out to the base of Mount St. Helena. History was made when the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was announced the winner of the 1976 Paris Tasting.
Chateau Potelle Winery
The core of the VGS experience lies in vibrant, inviting cottage in which our attitude resonates throughout – lighthearted, easygoing and (though sometimes irreverent) certainly never pretentious
Chateau St Jean Winery
Nestled in the heart of the stunning Sonoma Valley, the Chateau St. Jean estate offers wine lovers an idyllic getaway to soak in the Sonoma wine lifestyle. With incredible vineyard views, a dramatic mountain backdrop, lush gardens and the elegant 1920s chateau, our guests are invited to experience the award-winning Chateau St. Jean wine collection at their leisure, while enjoying the breathtaking ambience of the estate.Founded in 1973, Chateau St. Jean was conceived as a true fine wine estate in the European style, where wines from individual vineyards were kept separate to fully capture individual character of each site. The wines received immediate critical acclaim, and Chateau St. Jean was soon recognized as a leader in single vineyard designated wines.Today, our winemaker Margo Van Staaveren calls upon 35 years of vineyard and winemaking expertise at Chateau St. Jean to highlight the stunning vineyards we work with.
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock has two distinct features in addition to their delicious wines. The original 180 acre parcel included a golf course which was subsequently planted to vineyards, and the buildings on the property are all in the Cape Dutch style of the Western Cape of South Africa.
Clif Family
Clif Bar co-owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford have married their passions for cycling, food and wine into one great destination. Come for the bike ride, stay for lunch at their Bruschetteria food truck and enjoy a tasting of their wines sourced from some of Northern California’s finest vineyards.
Cliff Lede
Located in a charming 1931 Craftsman-styly bungaloo, this tasting room combines traditional winemaking with a rock and roll edge.
