Why you should visit wineries in Sonoma Square
This blog post covers the best wineries in Sonoma Square, California.
The best wineries in Sonoma Square are easy. They’re easily accessible because their tasting rooms are a short walk from one another.
And they’re easily drinkable. The Sonoma Plaza wineries on this list make natural wines that are fresh, vibrant, and insanely quaffable.
Sonoma Square is the historic town plaza at the center of the charming town of Sonoma.
Nearly two dozen winery tasting rooms are situated within a short walk of the plaza. But that’s far too many to visit in one afternoon. Instead we offer you this list of five wonderful wineries in Sonoma Square that make natural wine and organic wine.
These family-run wineries make small production wines from carefully grown grapes. They source from vineyards that are farmed sustainably, organically, or biodynamically. Minimal intervention allows the wine to shine.
If you’re a natural wine lover these are the best wine tasting rooms to visit in Sonoma’s downtown area. And if you’re unfamiliar with organic wine, give it a go. You may discover something new to love.
How to access wineries in Sonoma Square
The best wineries in Sonoma Square are within easy walking distance of one another. But of course you have to reach Sonoma first. And that usually involves a car.
The town of Sonoma is situated within the Sonoma Valley just a short drive from several big cities. I’ll use Sonoma Plaza as my marker since this is a list of the best wineries in Sonoma Square after all.
- Oakland is 48 miles from Sonoma Plaza, which is located at 453 1st Street East. The drive from Oakland should take about 56 minutes.
- San Francisco is 45 miles away. It’ll take about 1 hour and 5 minutes to drive from San Francisco.
- Sacramento is located 68 miles away and the drive should take about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- San Jose is 95 miles away and it’ll be 1 hour and 35 minutes by car.
If you already live in one of these four cities, then great! You can easily hop in your car and drive to these Sonoma Square wineries.
But if you live out of state then you’ll need to fly into one of the cities above, rent a car, and drive from the airport to the wineries on this list.
You have one more option when it comes to airports: Santa Rosa. The Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa is located 37.5 miles from Sonoma Plaza, which is a relatively short drive. It should take about 45 minutes by car. The Santa Rosa airport has daily nonstop flights from major Pacific Coast cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, and Portland.
The best Sonoma Plaza wineries for organic wine, natural wine, and minimal intervention wine
Auteur Wines
Auteur Wines crafts Burgundian-style wines with California roots.
This boutique winery specializes in small-lot wines, specifically Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded by husband and wife team Kenneth and Laura Juhasz in 2003, Auteur Wines is meticulous about their process.
Auteur Wines sources grapes from vineyards along the Mendocino coastline down to Santa Barbara. Grapes are grown using a mix of organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming practices. The grapes are then harvested at night and naturally fermented using native yeasts. The result? Wines that reflect the region’s unique terroir.
Auteur Wines offers two distinct tasting experiences at their Sonoma Square tasting room. You can book both tasting experiences via the Auteur Wines Tock profile.
The first tasting option is the Appellation Series tasting, which is called “Auteur Appellation Series Exploration” on Tock. For $40 per person you’ll taste four wines that showcase different appellations. Each wine represents a unique geological history or microclimate.
The second tasting option is the Single-Vineyard Series tasting, which is called “Auteur Vineyard Designate Tasting Experience” on Tock. For $60 per person you’ll taste wines that reflect the Northern California vineyard in which they began.
Winery Sixteen 600
Winery Sixteen 600 makes small-lot, single-vineyard wines from certified organic vineyards.
Winegrower Phil Coturri had a vision over forty years ago: to apply his “back-to-the-land” hippie mentality to wine. He converted Dos Limones Vineyard to organic viticulture and discovered that organic farming allowed the grapes – and wine – to blossom.
Phil Coturri works with grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Zinfandel, Viognier, and Sémillon.
The Winery Sixteen 600 World Headquarters (their tasting room) is located one block from the historic Sonoma Plaza.
Everything about the space is fun. There are antique theater seats and a turntable playing their eclectic collection of vinyl records.
The typical tasting includes five different wines from their organically farmed vineyards. This Tasting House Reservation lasts 90 minutes and costs $42 per person. You can make your reservation via the booking form on Winery Sixteen 600 website.
Darling Wines
Darling Wines makes minimal intervention wines.
In 2017 Darling Wines began with a mere two barrels of Syrah. Popular Napa Valley restaurant Bouchon Bistro picked up their Syrah and it quickly sold out. Owners Tom and Ashley Darling decided to go all in.
The Darling family makes Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay from grapes grown in coastal vineyards in western Sonoma County, Marin County, Anderson Valley, and Mendocino Ridge. They only work with vineyards that are sustainably farmed. Many vineyards go a step further and farm organically, biodynamically, or regeneratively.
For Tom and Ashley the goal is to make wines with character and energy that showcase the site from which they came. Darling Wines eschew synthetic additives and perfecting agents in favor of minimal handling and very little sulphur.
The Darling Wines downtown Sonoma tasting room is the ideal place to sample their wines. Their modern tasting room is open Thursday through Monday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The tasting fee is typically $40 per person. They are open by appointment, so you should make a reservation via the Darling Wines Tock profile. But they do accept walk-in customers when possible.
Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah!
Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! makes delicious wines with a “decidedly natural bent.”
Their name is playful and so is their attitude. Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! views their wines as little “spaceships” that’ll transport you to a new place where nature and luxury meet.
Husband and wife team Hardy Wallace and Kate Graham run Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! They focus on Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Sémillon, and Chenin Blanc. Many of the vineyards they source from farm organically.
The Extradimensional tasting room is located in the Sonoma Court Shops on the Sonoma Plaza. The tasting room is open by appointment on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
You can book a tasting appointment via the Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! Tock profile. Tastings typically cost $45 per person and are available from 12:00 PM to 4:15 PM. By the way, their Sonoma Plaza tasting room is kid and pet friendly.
Kamen Estate Wines
Kamen Estate Wines makes excellent wine from grapes grown in their certified organic vineyard.
The Kamen estate vineyards are located in the Mayacamas Mountains in the Moon Mountain District AVA. The steep hillside vineyard is known for its unique volcanic soil.
Kamen Estate Wines produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Kamen Estate Wines tasting room in downtown Sonoma drop-in customers and reservations. Their downtown Sonoma tasting room offers three tasting experiences.
At the Tasting Bar you can enjoy a “Signature Flight” ($30 per person) or the “Premiere Flight” ($50 per person). If you’d like a more intimate experience pick the “Seated Immersion,” which costs $75 per person. This guided tasting will teach you about the winery and the estate vineyard’s appellation. Plus your four wines come with a cheese and charcuterie board.
The most involved experience is the “Sky Deck Chef’s Pairing.” You’ll indulge in four wines with pairings prepared with seasonal ingredients all while sitting atop a deck at the Kamen Wines estate, which has sweeping views from the San Francisco Bay to Sonoma Mountain. Sounds like the perfect place to spend the afternoon!
Similar wine regions to explore
Sonoma County and Napa Valley destinations
Sonoma Square offers over two dozen tasting rooms within a small radius.
Downtown Napa offers the same convenience as downtown Sonoma. Our list covers over two dozen downtown Napa tasting rooms that are within walking distance of one another. Walking between downtown tasting rooms is a safe, easy, and convenient way to sample Napa wine.
If you want to see wine at the source then head to these boutique wineries outside downtown Napa. Boutique Napa wineries offer tasting experiences that are intimate, personalized, and in-depth.
Yountville is a popular destination for good reason. It’s a paradise for fine wine and food. Our list of the best wineries in Yountville will start you on the right path.
Healdsburg is a more relaxed wine country experience than Yountville. This Sonoma County town has world-class wine and charm in abundance. The top wineries in Healdsburg are stylish yet approachable. It’s the best of both worlds!
Natural wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley
If you’re interested in the natural wine industry then I think you’ll like the natural wineries spread throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
Our guides cover the best sustainable and organic wineries in Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, and of course Santa Ynez.
