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The Sonoma Valley
While no one can argue Napa owns the best California Cabernets, Sonoma offers a more laid-back experience and lower tasting fees. At each tasting room, you will receive more individual attention from your host or hostess. Many of Sonoma's best vineyards are located in Healdsburg, a charming town right next to Highway 101. Healdsburg is easy to reach and makes an excellent destination for a relaxing weekend. Let's consider some wonderful wineries in Healdsburg that should not be missed: Located near the north end of Healdsburg, Ferrari-Carano boasts some of the most beautiful grounds of any winery in America. Picture an Italian villa surrounded by gorgeous landscaping including lush gardens and flowing fountains. Ferrari-Carano produces a wide variety of wines from their consistently good Fume Blanc, which you can find in many wine shops and supermarkets nationwide, to several limited reserve Chardonnays available only at the tasting room. No tour of Sonoma is complete without a stop at Ferrari-Carano. Stroll the grounds and enjoy your visit! Zinfandel lovers will savor their visit to Seghesio. Seghesio's selection and quality of Zinfandel is unmatched in Sonoma.
For those who know only Seghesio's Sonoma Zinfandel with its recognizable blue foil, you can enjoy Seghesio's numerous Zinfandel varieties, some available only at the winery or to club members. Their small-production bottles average about $35 per bottle, certainly affordable for small California bottlings. If you love Zinfandel, you might find it hard to resist joining their Centennial Club to receive quarterly shipments right to your front door. Chateau Souverain produces many popular wines and ranks as one of Sonoma's most affordable, yet quality, offerings. Chateau Souverain moved its tasting room from its old location in Geyserville (now belonging to Francis Ford Coppola's Rosso and Bianco Winery) to downtown Healdsburg. A bonus is the tasting room's closing time (6 pm) is an hour later than most Sonoma vineyards, which gives you a chance to squeeze in one last stop before dinnertime.
Well, what are you waiting for? Sonoma is located about an hour north of San Francisco or Oakland via Highway 101. The region has no shortage of small, charming hotels, particularly in the town of Sonoma, near the south end of the region, or further north in Geyserville and Healdsburg. Take a wonderful day trip to the Sonoma Valley from the Bay Area or spoil yourself with a longer, memorable vacation.
The Sonoma Valley (top of page)
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Wine lovers owe it to themselves to visit wineries in the Sonoma Valley, California. Sometimes overlooked by visitors who go only to nearby Napa Valley because of Napa's reputation, Sonoma offers a great experience to vacationers and locals alike. Being close to the Pacific Ocean, Sonoma's cooler, wetter climate imparts slightly more acidity than most California wines. Don't worry-- Sonoma receives most of its rain in winter, so visitors in summer or during the fall harvest should be treated to beautiful, sunny weather. 
