The Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California, is renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, thanks to the region’s cool climate and unique terroir. This list of the 15 best winery tours was curated based on wine quality, unique tasting experiences, scenic beauty, and customer reviews. Information was gathered from Wine Tourism, Wineroutes, and other reputable wine travel sources to provide a comprehensive guide for wine enthusiasts.
Wineries Reviewed
- Inman Family Wines
- Croix Estate
- Hook & Ladder Winery
- Enriquez Estate Wines
- Russian River Vineyards
- Balletto Vineyards
- Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
- Kistler Vineyards
- Iron Horse Vineyards
- DeLoach Vineyards
- Williams Selyem Winery
- Lynmar Estate
- J Vineyards & Winery
- MacRostie Winery and Vineyards
- Merry Edwards Winery
1. Inman Family Wines
Location: 3900 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Website: inmanfamilywines.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Rosé of Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Inman Family Wines offers an intimate tasting experience often led by the winemaker, Kathleen Inman. Known for sustainable practices and high-quality wines, this is a must-visit for Pinot Noir enthusiasts.
2. Croix Estate
Location: 5700 River Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Website: croixestate.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Croix Estate offers a focus on perfection in winemaking with a variety of wines, including unique red blends. The modern estate provides a luxurious tasting experience.
3. Hook & Ladder Winery
Location: 2134 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Website: hookandladderwinery.com
Best Known For: Zinfandel, Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: Walk-ins welcome
Why Visit: Founded by a retired firefighter, Hook & Ladder Winery celebrates the diversity of Russian River Valley wines with a family-friendly atmosphere and a wide range of varietals.
4. Enriquez Estate Wines
Location: 5960 Eastside Rd, Forestville, CA 95436
Website: enriquezwines.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Tempranillo
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Enriquez Estate Wines offers a personalized and intimate tasting experience, with a focus on small-batch production and unique varietals.
5. Russian River Vineyards
Location: 5700 Hwy 116 N, Forestville, CA 95436
Website: russianrivervineyards.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: Reservations recommended
Why Visit: Nestled in a historic estate, Russian River Vineyards provides a charming setting with excellent wines and a welcoming atmosphere.
6. Balletto Vineyards
Location: 5700 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Website: ballettovineyards.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: Walk-ins welcome
Why Visit: A family-owned winery known for its estate-grown wines and friendly staff, Balletto Vineyards offers both indoor and outdoor tasting options.
7. Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
Location: 10701 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Website: garyfarrellwinery.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Known for its elegant wines and scenic views, Gary Farrell provides a sophisticated tasting experience in a stunning hilltop setting.
8. Kistler Vineyards
Location: 4707 Vine Hill Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Website: kistlervineyards.com
Best Known For: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Kistler Vineyards offers exclusive tastings of its highly regarded wines, emphasizing a Burgundian winemaking style.
9. Iron Horse Vineyards
Location: 9786 Ross Station Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Website: ironhorsevineyards.com
Best Known For: Sparkling wines, Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Famous for its sparkling wines, Iron Horse provides an outdoor tasting experience with breathtaking views of the vineyards.
10. DeLoach Vineyards
Location: 1791 Olivet Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Website: deloachvineyards.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: DeLoach Vineyards focuses on biodynamic farming and offers a holistic tasting experience with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
11. Williams Selyem Winery
Location: 7227 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Website: williamsselyem.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Renowned for its world-class Pinot Noir, Williams Selyem provides an exclusive tasting experience in a beautiful setting.
12. Lynmar Estate
Location: 3909 Frei Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Website: lynmarestate.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Lynmar Estate combines exquisite gardens with high-quality wines, offering a serene and picturesque tasting experience.
13. J Vineyards & Winery
Location: 11447 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Website: jwine.com
Best Known For: Sparkling wines, Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: J Vineyards is celebrated for its sparkling wines and provides a refined tasting experience with a focus on food pairings.
14. MacRostie Winery and Vineyards
Location: 4605 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Website: macrostiewinery.com
Best Known For: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: With a modern tasting room and stunning views, MacRostie offers a luxurious tasting experience featuring award-winning wines.
15. Merry Edwards Winery
Location: 2959 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Website: merryedwards.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment
Why Visit: Merry Edwards Winery is known for its exceptional Pinot Noir and provides a welcoming and educational tasting experience.
Conclusion
The Russian River Valley offers a diverse range of wineries, each with unique experiences and exceptional wines. Whether you’re interested in sustainable practices, historic estates, or simply enjoying world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this list provides a comprehensive guide to the best winery tours in the Russian River Valley for 2024.
