There is nothing better than enjoying a glass of wine overlooking a gorgeous vineyard this time of year. In every trip we have taken to Sonoma and Napa we try to balance the trip with some fantastic wines, along with wineries that have beautiful views. Here are a few of our favorite wineries for their views and ambiance.
Domaine Carneros has one of my favorite views and ambiance in Napa and Sonoma. It is on CA-121 N , the road leading into Napa from San Francisco. We typically stop here on our first day as it is on the way into wine country. The winery itself is beautiful and looks like a french chateau. The views of the rolling vineyards surrounding the tasting room are even more breathtaking. They are open daily from 10 am- 5:30 pm and they do require reservations. We always make reservations for the terrace to enjoy the wine, fresh air and landscape. You will have table service. My advice is to plan to spend some time here and definitely snap a few pictures (or more). We first visited their winery back in 2013 and have been back numerous times. They are known for their sparkling wines and pinot noir. These are not typically my favorite varietals but they do such a good job with them and the experience is worth the stop.
This winery has not only gorgeous views, but a beautiful pool, cinema, dining, numerous tasting experiences and more. It’s worth a visit if you are looking for a non-conventional winery or just one with some additional flare. They allow short self-guided walks through the vineyard to explore and enjoy the views. The tasting room in Geyersville is open 11 AM to 6 PM daily.
We were lucky enough to visit this winery on one of our wine tours through Sonoma. The Estate is located at the top of a hill and has unbelievable views over the Valley of the Moon. It truly does remind you of an italian hillside with vines growing up the hills in all directions. Their tastings now take place in a wine cave. Petroni is open from 10 AM to 4 PM, but reservations are required. The drive to the top of the mountain is windy and narrow, but worth the trip. In addition to the ambiance they have some big bold red wines, Proprietors Reserve was my favorite.
Ferrari- Carano Vineyards and Winery
This winery is picturesque and very well groomed. The grounds are kept in pristine condition and it is a great place to stop and enjoy a glass of wine. There are two tasting rooms, one on the main floor and another in the underground cellar. Limited release wines are served in the cellar. In addition there is a terrace that overlooks the gardens and grounds, if it’s a nice day that is where I would be. Ferrari- Carano is open 10 AM to 5 PM daily. If you stay at Vintner’s Inn mentioned in my previous post about where to stay in Sonoma and Napa, you will receive a free tasting.
Viansa Sonoma Winery & Tasting Room
Viansa has a great view and terrace. Plan to stop here on your way into Sonoma and Napa or on your way out. They have an expansive terrace with several tables to enjoy the views and even some areas reserved for private tastings. In addition they have two large bars on each end of the tasting room. In the middle they have a large selection of souvenirs and wine paraphernalia. They also have a marketplace where you can buy food, cheese and charcuterie boards to enjoy a picnic inside or outside on the terrace. My favorite wines are their Reserves. They are located on CA-121 N which you can take in from Sausalito or San Francisco. They are open 10 AM to 5 PM. This is another great place to snap some beautiful pictures. There are several rows of vines where you can get pictures of the grapes up close or just a good look at them. We first visited this winery in 2012 and almost every trip we have made back to wine country we have stopped back in.
This winery has two tasting rooms. One is in Kenwood and the other is in Russian River Valley. Unfortunately the tasting room in Russian River Valley was burned by the terrible fires in 2017. They are currently rebuilding the tasting room and are slated to have it open in November 2019. When they re-open this location it is definitely a winery and view I would not miss. The views from the terrace are breathtaking over the vineyards and you can even see the ocean in the distance. The experience of sitting on their terrace overlooking the vineyards is not one I will soon forget. There is also a large steel sculpture of the word LOVE that is located below the winery, which is another great photo opportunity. We have been to both locations over the years and their wine is fantastic if you like that big bold delicious red. In the meantime stop by their Kenwood location open from 11 am-6 pm, their wine is well worth it. We love their Rockpile Cabernet.
This winery was recommended on our last trip to wine country. We were staying in Healdsburg and asked the concierge for suggestions of nearby wineries known for their reds. They had suggested Ridge Vineyards, which is located in Healdsburg. They have a nice tasting room with a covered outdoor terrace that overlooks their vines. The view is gorgeous! Be prepared to enjoy some good reds, beautiful views and definitely snap a picture or two too! They are known for their Monte Bello, which was made famous from the Judgement of Paris. We enjoyed their Zinfandels. Ridge is open 11 AM-4 PM (Monday-Thursday) and 11 AM-5 PM (Friday-Sunday). They also have a location in the Santa Cruz Mountains, their Monte Bello Estate.
Please note, I did not receive any compensation, gifts or royalties from these vineyards to write this post. As always these reviews are based on my own unbiased opinion.