As a wine blogger who loves exploring Sonoma County, I was on a quick weekend journey to explore this wine region. This time, however, the circumstances were different. Tagging along on my husband’s work trip, I had limited time to explore, but I was determined to make the most of it. My mission was to visit several wineries I had written about but never personally visited or new wineries I hadn’t written about before. With over 425 wineries spread across 19 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), Sonoma County always has something new to offer.

We kicked off our adventure at the newly opened Smith Story Wines tasting room, which has relocated from Anderson Valley to Healdsburg. Having previously visited their tasting room and met Ali in Anderson Valley, I was excited to see their stunning new space. It was also a pleasure to finally meet her husband, Eric, and to catch up with their charming dog, Lord Sandwich, along with his new brother, Soup. And of course, we drank some great wines. And I realized I needed to write an update. More to come here.

The next day we started at Robert Young Winery, located in the Alexander Valley. Robert Young is a family-owned estate with a rich legacy dating back to 1858. Known for its stunning views and hospitality, the winery has recently gained attention for its commitment to crafting exceptional wines and its sustainability effort. The family has been growing grapes for many years and has 448 acres of land but decided in 1997 to start a winery.  They still sell the vast majority of their grapes to other growers as their grapes are highly sought after. Robert Young Winery not only produces its wines but also sells grapes to other well-known wineries in the region. We had a fabulous food/wine Scion food and wine tasting in the historic original family house.

CAST Wines is a boutique winery nestled in Dry Creek Valley. I had the chance to tell the Dallas founders’ story at the end of 2023. Founded in 2012 by Jack and Ann Seifrick, along with their partners, CAST Wines has quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality, handcrafted wines that reflect the unique terroir of Sonoma County. Known for its commitment to stewardship and innovation, CAST Wines offers a diverse selection of varietals, including Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, crafted from estate-grown grapes as well as fruit sourced from vineyards in the region.

Joe Foppoli, the neewly appointed Estate Director and Owner/Investor at CAST Wines, took us through a fabulous tour where I failed with a saber, many times, and we drank some great wines (sometimes you just must check your ego at the door, rinse and repeat :).

The stars aligned again with a visit to Dry Creek Vineyard, which I recently covered .  Dry Creek Vineyard was established in 1972 by David Stare, is a cornerstone of the Dry Creek Valley wine region and has played an important role in revitalizing winemaking in Sonoma County after Prohibition. As the first new winery built in the area post-Prohibition, Dry Creek Vineyard has a rich history marked by numerous industry firsts, including being the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc and label a wine as “Fumé Blanc” in Sonoma County. Today, under the leadership of Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, the winery continues to thrive, producing a diverse portfolio of wines such as Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon from its 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. With a focus on terroir-driven wines and a dedication to preserving its family legacy, Dry Creek Vineyard stands out as a beacon of excellence in the ever-evolving wine industry.

We then visited Patz & Hall. which was founded in 1988 by James Hall, Donald Patz, Anne Moses, and Heather Patz, who had a passion for Burgundian-style wines. The winery’s origins trace back to Hall and Patz’s collaboration at Flora Springs Winery, where they discovered a shared passion for crafting high-quality wines from specific vineyards. Over the years, Patz & Hall built strong relationships with esteemed growers, which became a part of their success. In 2016, the winery was sold to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, but in 2024, James Hall and a group of investors made the exciting decision to reacquire it. Today, Patz & Hall continues to thrive as an independent producer, dedicated to sourcing grapes from top vineyards and maintaining its legacy of quality. I had a chance to write more about it last week.

We then went for a fantastic lunch at Lancaster Estate. Lancaster Estate is a family-owned winery situated in Alexander Valley. Established on 53 acres of volcanic hills, the estate is dedicated to producing high-quality wines exclusively from classic Bordeaux varietals. The winery’s commitment to excellence is evident in its meticulous vineyard management practices and the crafting of wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. With a stunning estate winery and underground caves that enhance the wine aging process, Lancaster Estate emphasizes sustainability in its operations and serves an amazing lunch. These are wines that we cannot wait to cellar, we wish we could speed up time, and try many years down the road.

Our final stop was at Stonestreet Winery. Stonestreet Winery is situated in the rugged eastern highlands of Alexander Valle and is known for great wine that reflects the unique mountain terroir of Sonoma County. Established in 1995 by the Stonestreet family, the winery spans over 5,000 acres, making it one of the largest mountain estates in California. Stonestreet is dedicated to sustainable farming practices and produces a diverse range of varietals which are site specific.

Stand Out Restaurants

Valette and The Matheson are two of my favorite restaurants. Valette was founded by brothers Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini, Valette is in a historic building where their grandfather once owned bakeries, offering a contemporary 23weAmerican menu that showcases Sonoma County’s finest local ingredients. The restaurant, which earned a Michelin Plate designation, provides an intimate dining experience with charming decor and a commitment to highlighting local farmers, winemakers, and artisans.

The Matheson is a concept from Chef-Owner Dustin Valette. The restaurant features an upscale farm-to-table menu that highlights the best of Sonoma County’s seasonal ingredients. There are a variety of dining concepts, including an elegant main restaurant, a sushi kitchen, and a rooftop cocktail lounge called Roof 106. The restaurant also offers 88 wines on tap,

Drivers

My Napa Valley Driver offers a great option to explore wine country at a fraction of the cost of many drivers. Because they drive your rental car, you pay a flat fee of $50 an hour for groups up to six. I can’t recommend them highly enough and we really enjoyed our driver Barry and his knowledge of Sonoma.

A special thank you to Jennifer Scott, Nora Feeley and Anna Miranda for helping me coordinate details.

As my quick weekend in Sonoma County ended, I was reminded of the region’s charm and the remarkable stories behind each winery I visited. From the stunning new tasting room at Smith & Story to the rich history of Robert Young Winery, every stop offered a unique experience that deepened my appreciation for this vibrant wine community. The warmth of the people, the dedication to quality, and the breathtaking landscapes made for a lot of unforgettable moments. With so many wineries still on my list — even after all this time, I left Sonoma eager to return.

The post Sonoma Sojourn: A Wine Lover’s Quick Adventure appeared first on DallasWineChick.com.