Wine Country Weekend - July 2020

Sonoma Weekend #SonomaWineTasting #WineCountry

Napa and Sonoma are two of my favorite places to visit, and we’ve been numerous times in past decade. There’s always something new to discover and more wine to drink.

This post covers our most recent trip (July 2020) where we did some tastings in Napa and some tastings in Sonoma. If you haven’t been to either destination, I’d recommend a couple of days in both places. They each have their own unique personality and spirit! In Napa, you’ll find a lot more Cabernet Sauvignon and in Sonoma, you’ll find tons of Pinot Noir.

Take a look through this post if you’re looking for a sample itinerary and some excellent restaurant recommendations. I also included links to some of my other blog posts related to Napa/Sonoma. Cheers!

Wineries Visited

Ashes and Diamonds (Napa // Oak Knoll)
- This is a “newer” winery in Napa and the best way to describe it would be “hipster”. I love all of their wines and they make some incredible Cabernet Sauvignon. They have a beautiful tasting room and outdoor space and it’s a great spot for photos.
Frank Family (Napa // Calistoga)
- Frank Family does a great job representing what Napa Valley is all about. Their winery is beautiful, and they make you feel right at home. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is amazing. Be sure to try the Patriarch if you get the chance. It is one of the best wines I’ve ever had.
Littorai (Sonoma // Sebastopol)
- This is a very private and intimate experience tucked away from many other wineries. You’ll be tasting 1:1 with your host, and it’s a very elegant tasting experience. If you love single vineyard Pinot Noir and cool climate Pinot Noir, this is the place for you. It’s a great experience for couples.
Red Car Winery (Sonoma // Sebastopol)
- Red Car is pretty casual and has a good mix of wines. This is a great winery for a larger group of people or couples. They make an excellent rosé and they even have a rosé wall in their tasting room. I was very impressed!
Skipstone (Sonoma // Alexander Valley)
- Skipstone is a great winery to visit if you’re a seasoned wine drinker and someone who loves Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a private 1:1 experience and you’ll be guided through a few different wines during your visit. I’d say the Skipstone wines are more “collector” wines, but you could certainly drink them young as well. Their property is gorgeous and has incredible views of their vineyards.
LIOCO (Sonoma // Downtown Healdsburg)
- While you won’t get vineyard views at LIOCO, this is still very much a must visit. Their wines are incredible and we loved everything we tried. They make some killer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and all of their wines have great acidity. The owners were super inviting and knowledgeable, so this is definitely a great winery to visit.
Robert Young (Sonoma // Alexander Valley)
- Robert Young is always one of our favorite stops in Sonoma. We love their story, and their wines are fantastic. This winery has been in the family for over 5 generations, and they will tell you some neat stories during your tasting experience. Their views from the tasting room are to die for! Also, be sure to try some of their Bob’s Burn Pile Cabernet when you visit.
Flowers (Sonoma // Healdsburg)
- If you want an intimate experience, a beautiful setting and great wine, Flowers is the place for you. They make excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast. Their tasting room is only a year old and the interiors are stunning. They also have a beautiful outdoor space with vineyard views.
Reeve (Sonoma // Dry Creek Valley)
- Reeve is a great winery to visit if you want to be outdoors and away from the crowds. This beautiful tasting room is tucked away amongst the trees in Dry Creek Valley. Reeve makes quite the variety of wines including Riesling, Vermentino, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and many other varietals. They only make about 2,000-3,000 cases per year, so they can still focus on quality over quantity with these wines.
Sonoma Coast Vineyards (Sonoma // Bodega Bay)
- If you make your way out to the Sonoma Coast, be sure to check out the Sonoma Coast Vineyards tasting room in Bodega Bay. It’s near several other shops/restaurants in the area, so it’s very easy to find. It’s right on the Pacific Ocean, so you really can’t beat the view! Also, their Pinot Noir is to die for. Be sure to try their Freestone Pinot if you get a chance.
Fort Ross Vineyard (Sonoma // Fort Ross)
- This is another winery on the Sonoma Coast located in Fort Ross. This is about an hour drive from Healdsburg, so it’s not terribly far. This winery/tasting room is located on top of a hill that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It is quite the view! Fort Ross is making some great wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a Pinotage. Check them out if you decide to venture out to the coast!