California is at the heart and soul of winemaking in the United States. The very first vineyards were planted here all the way back in 1769, and ever since, California’s wine regions have flourished. Today, the state is responsible for over 80% of all wine produced in the US, bottling everything from chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon to zinfandel and pinot noir.
Napa Valley and Sonoma County are the stars of the show when it comes to Californian wine regions, but it often leaves people with the question: which is best? At Incredible Adventures, we visit both of these stunning regions as part of our Tours from San Francisco. We’ve spent a good deal of time here tasting (many) wines, visiting restaurants, and exploring the surroundings.
Our team created this guide to help you decide which wine region to visit based on your own personal tastes and preferences. But the good news is that many wineries in Napa and Sonoma are less than an hour’s drive apart, so you can visit both regions if you decide! Keep reading for our insights, or feel free to contact us about any one of our tours.
Napa Valley: For a Premier Experience
Napa Valley is world-renowned, its name frequently mentioned in the same breath as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Tuscany. While this compact region spans just over 35 miles, it boasts over 400 wineries. Napa Valley is regarded as a prestigious and upscale destination, featuring luxurious tasting rooms, high-end resorts, and Michelin-starred restaurants. So if you’re looking for the finest wines and a taste of opulence, Napa Valley is the place to be.
Best Wineries in Napa Valley
Napa Valley’s Mediterranean climate gives rise to a number of varietals, but the region is best known for its cabernet sauvignon, as well as chardonnay, merlot, and sauvignon blanc.
While you’ll doubtless enjoy any winery you visit in Napa Valley, these are some of the most unique and unmissable in the region:
Stags’ Leap Winery: An icon of Napa Valley, Stags’ Leap Winery is one of the reasons behind the region’s fame. The winery catapulted Napa Valley to the fore when it outranked French wines during the 1976 Judgement of Paris, and its cabernet sauvignon remains one of the most coveted wines.
Pine Ridge Vineyards: Located in Stags Leap District, Pine Ridge Vineyards is particularly well-known for its exceptional cave system where you can enjoy a truly unique wine tasting. You can join a tour of the caves before sitting back in Cellar 47 for a sampling of their cabernets.
Sterling Vineyards: Perched 300 feet above the town of Calistoga, Sterling Vineyards is home to Napa Valley’s only aerial gondola. Enjoy the scenery as you ride to the top of the hill, where you’ll find the perfect setting for a wine tasting accompanied by charcuterie and small bites.
Castello di Amorosa: With its imitation 14th-century medieval castle, Castello di Amorosa transports you back in time and brings to life the rolling hills of Tuscany. But while this winery makes for a dreamy photo opportunity, its wines are not to be underestimated.
Domaine Carneros: If you’re in the mood for some bubbles, Domaine Carneros specializes in delectable sparkling wines perfect for any occasion. And with its chateau serving as the backdrop to your tastings, this winery is a Napa Valley landmark.
Visiting California’s wine country is one of our picks for Fun Places to Visit During Summer in the Bay Area. Read our blog for more!
Things to Do in Napa Valley
Besides wine tastings, Napa Valley offers everything from fine dining to hot air balloon rides! These are some of the most unique things to do in the region:
Ride the Napa Valley Wine Train: Journey through picturesque vineyards while indulging in gourmet food and wine aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train! This trip takes place onboard a luxurious steam train, immersing you in a vintage atmosphere.
Take a hot air balloon ride: For a truly romantic experience of Napa Valley, you can take a sunrise hot air balloon tour for breathtaking views of the rolling vineyards and mountains.
Indulge in Michelin-starred dining: Napa is an epicurean paradise, home to famed Michelin-starred restaurants like the iconic French Laundry, Auberge du Soleil, and Kenzo.
Visit the Oxbow Public Market: Napa Valley’s excellent food starts with its supreme produce, which you can discover at the Oxbow Public Market.
Walk or bike the Vine Trail: If you want to burn off all that wine and food, enjoy the outdoors by walking or biking the Napa Valley Vine Trail, a scenic 47-mile path that’s completely car free.
Sonoma County: For a Laid-Back Affair
In contrast to Napa Valley, Sonoma County is larger, more diverse, and offers a laid-back, rustic charm. Home to over 400 wineries across 19 distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), Sonoma produces a wide range of unique wines, from cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay in the Russian River Valley to rich zinfandel in Dry Creek Valley. With rolling vineyards, coastal influences, and charming small towns, Sonoma offers a more relaxed and budget-friendly wine-tasting experience.
Best Wineries in Sonoma County
Sonoma County’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean contributes to its cooler climate, making it an excellent location for sustainable and organic winemaking. Here are some of its best wineries:
St. Francis Winery: Nestled beneath the Mayacamas Mountains, the St. Francis Winery boasts a delectable range of wines best savored alongside its seasonal menu. For a unique tasting experience, you can join one of their trolley tours where you go rolling and tasting among the vines!
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards: With its Tuscan-inspired architecture, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards takes the Italian influences further with its wines, offering everything from Prosecco to malvasia and sangiovese bottles, taking you on a tasting journey across the globe.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery: As one of the older family-owned wineries in California,
Gundlach Bundschu Winery has retained six generations’ worth of winemaking knowledge and experience. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, you can enjoy your tastings to the sounds of live music.
Buena Vista Winery: Dating all the way back to 1857, Buena Vista Winery is regarded as California’s first premium winery. Continuing that legacy, you can expect deluxe wine tastings set against the backdrop of history.
Hamel: With its vineyards growing in volcanic soil, Hamel produces wines unlike anything else you may find in Sonoma County. They offer a limited selection of wines that have been refined to perfection, and best relished in their modern and exclusive setting.
Things to Do in Sonoma County
Before or after your easy-going wine tasting experience, you can enjoy a number of relaxing activities in Sonoma County:
Stroll around Sonoma Plaza: This historic town square is home to charming tasting rooms, boutique shops, and excellent farm-to-table restaurants. Visit Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of California’s 21 Spanish missions.
Hike among the redwoods: Visit Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve to walk among towering ancient redwoods for a peaceful escape in nature.
Enjoy outdoor adventures: Kayak along the Russian River, go whale watching off the Sonoma Coast, or take a horseback ride through vineyard landscapes!
Relax at the spa and dip in the hot springs: Unwind at Osmosis Day Spa in Freestone or enjoy a mud bath experience and swim in the hot springs in Calistoga.
Visit Both Napa and Sonoma with Incredible Adventures!
If you’re still not sure which you’d prefer to visit after reading this, don’t worry, because you can visit both as part of our Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Country Tour! We visit three wineries during this excursion, and include stops at other Californian landmarks along the way. Better yet, we take care of the driving, so you can enjoy your tastings! If you have any questions about our, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
