Best of Sonoma

IntoWine asked our panel of experts to share their recommendations for the best Sonoma County white wine for the price: Sonoma’s reputation for making ultra premium wines does not come without merit. Sonoma has history of making focused, sumptuous wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux varieties. Recently, I came across Leo Steen’s Chenin Blanc. The wine proved to an honest expression of the classic French variety, with hints of citrus and island fruit. The palate is rich, with a clear acidity that carries through to the finish. The grapes for this wine come from a small sustainable vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley. The sandy, stony soils contribute to the vitality of this unique white wine which would pair well with just about any seafood, salad, or chicken recipe. (About $20) – Ben Spencer is a diploma student with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and an IntoWine Featured Writer.

IntoWine asked our panel of experts to share their recommendations for the best Sonoma County red wine for the price: Sonoma seems to always have an uphill battle as its sibling, Napa, constantly gets the spotlight. But there are exceptional wines coming from this region. The Clos Du Bois Reserve Tempranillo ($22) is ripe with blackberry, black plums, soft and spicy blackberry, blueberry and black cherry positioned correctly with oak and acid. One-fourth of this wine is cabernet sauvignon, which builds a dense, strong structure most tempranillo’s do not have. Layered with a juicy fresh crushed dark fruit mouth feel, this is a surprisingly commanding wine that at first blush seem like it might have come from Napa. But no, Sonoma wines stand on their own. - Michael Cervin , Wine Judge, Restaurant Critic, and IntoWine Featured Writer

California's Sonoma County has a near-perfect climate for growing cool-weather grapes. Fog banks that creep over the hillsides from the Pacific Ocean and relatively cloudy weather during key months (Californians call it "June Gloom") make many parts of Sonoma an ideal place to plant pinot noir and chardonnay.

Dog lovers are always on the look out for places they can easily take their four legged friends. IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the wineries that lay out the welcome mat for dog owners to bring Fido along. The list below is in no particular order. Taft Street Winery Sebastopol - The winery has an industrial feel to it. The tasting room sits across the driveway from the actual production facility. This is not a winery with vast gardens and scenic views. It's a production facility. More...

Looking to take a guided tour of a winery production facility or the vineyards themselves? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the wineries that offer tours. The list below is in no particular order. Benziger Family Winery Glen Ellen - Benziger is a must see destination spot for people planning a Sonoma winery tour. Beautiful, with a "Garden of Eden" feel to it, Benziger offers just about everything you can want in a winery experience with great wines, beautiful gardens, grand views, bio-diversity, hourly tours, picnic grounds, and even a playground for the kids. More... .

Taking a large group or even hiring a bus for a trip to Sonoma? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the wineries best suited to host large groups. The list below is in no particular order. Imagery Estate Winery Glen Ellen - The vibe at Imagery is one of wine, art, and nature. Imagery is a biodynamic winery so a huge emphasis is placed on preserving and embracing nature. Nature lovers will love walking the grounds to discover and encounter the bio-diversity. The tasting room is as much art gallery as it is wine bar as dozens and dozens of paintings adorn the walls. Imagery is known for its unique artist-commissioned wine labels so it is a must visit for label collectors. As for the wine, Imagery is a biodynamic farm with an emphasis on rare grapes and diversity in their wine offerings. More...

There are some Sonoma wineries that simply have the good fortune of being located in a prime spot for visitors to take in a grand view. IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the wineries that are worth checking out if only for the view. The list below is in no particular order. Marimar Torres Estate Sebastopol - Nestled in the rolling hills of western Sonoma County, Marimar Torres Estate off the beaten path for winery hoppers but worth the trek out of the way. The grounds and the views at Marimar Torres are splendid, particularly during the Spring/Autumn seasonal changes. More...

Some Sonoma wineries do a fantastic job of displaying art from both local and national artists. IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the wineries that devote time and attention to displaying art. The list below is in no particular order. Imagery Estate Winery Glen Ellen - The vibe at Imagery is one of wine, art, and nature. Imagery is a biodynamic winery so a huge emphasis is placed on preserving and embracing nature. Nature lovers will love walking the grounds to discover and encounter the bio-diversity. The tasting room is as much art gallery as it is wine bar as dozens and dozens of paintings adorn the walls. Imagery is known for its unique artist-commissioned wine labels so it is a must visit for label collectors. As for the wine, Imagery is a biodynamic farm with an emphasis on rare grapes and diversity in their wine offerings. More...

Interested in the history behind Sonoma County and the evolution of the wines you are tasting? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the wineries that devote attention to the history of Sonoma wine country. The list below is in no particular order. Bartholomew Park Winery Sonoma (City) - Bartholomew Park Winery is -as its name implies- park like. Set in the rolling hills a few miles Northeast of Sonoma Plaza, Bartholomew is quaint, breezy, green, and soaking in Sonoma history. Picnic tables are strewn throughout the grounds making Bartholomew an ideal place for a cozy picnic. Word has it the Wall Street Journal named it Sonoma's best place to "pop the question". More...

Looking to enjoy the beautiful Northern California outdoors on your trip to Sonoma? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the wineries best suited for those seeking to soak up Mother Nature while they sip Chardonnay. The list below is in no particular order. Matanzas Creek Winery Santa Rosa - Scenic and beautiful with the ubiquitous smell of lavender permeating the grounds, Matanzas Creek Winery is a "must visit" for people looking for a great -off the beaten path- tasting experience. More...