There are loads of fun things during a Sonoma County weekend or a longer, more leisurely vacation. With breathtaking scenery, must-see sights, and more, the area offers many Michelin-starred restaurants, quaint cafes, outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and those very popular Sonoma ballooning adventures.
Including a wine tasting session or two and a winery tour is a natural objective. As the true birthplace of the California wine industry, Sonoma County boasts over 425 highly regarded wineries throughout the region. Attempting to narrow that list to just a few favorites is a daunting task, but the staff at Sonoma Ballooning has enthusiastically grasped the challenge and is prepared to share their opinions.
But First, A Little History Of The Sonoma Wine Business
The birth of the California Wine industry can be traced to California’s oldest commercial winery, Buena Vista Winery, and the longest-running family-owned winery, Gundlach Bundschu.
Visitors to Buena Vista Winery can see the original winery press house built in 1862 as well as the building that houses their historic 1857 Tasting Room only one block off Sonoma Square,
Gundlach-Bundschu is still owned and managed by the 6th-generation of the Bundschu family, having revived the original 1858 growing and winemaking operations that were curtailed by Prohibition from 1920 to 1933.
Today, one of the truly fine things to do in Sonoma County is to visit the Gundlach-Bund historic vineyards and winetasting room of this landmark family-owned winery.
Sonoma Ballooning’s Staff Favorite Wineries
Following your group’s early morning Sonoma Ballooning adventures, one of the most fun things to do in Sonoma County is to head out for a winery tour and wine tasting. Advance reservations are always necessary.
Cline Cellars
24737 Arnold Drive, Highway 121
Sonoma, CA 95476
Toll-Free: 800-546-2070
Tasting Room: 707-940-4044
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
24724 Arnold Drive
Sonoma CA 95476
Toll-Free: 866-522-8693
Tasting Room: 707-931-7516
Larson Family Winery
23355 Millerick Road
Sonoma, CA 95476
Main: 707-938-3031
Meet the winery dogs behind their Three Lab Cab. This is a dog-friendly winery, of course!
Scribe
2100 Denmark St.
Sonoma, CA 95476
Main: 707-939-1858
Gundlach Bundschu
2000 Denmark Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
Main: 707-938-5277
California’s oldest family-run winery!
Artesa Winery
1345 Henry Rd.
Napa, CA 94559
Main: 707-224-1668
Calmere Estate Winery
2750 Las Amigas Rd.
Napa, CA 94559
Main: 707-302-1160
Sangiacomo Family Wines
21545 Broadway
Sonoma, CA 95476
Main: 707-934-8445
Viansa
25200 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476
Main: 800-995-4740
Meadowcroft Wines
23574 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476
Main: 707-934-4090
Three Fat Guys Wine
20816 Broadway
Sonoma, CA 95476
Main: 707-938-7211
Start The Day With Sonoma Ballooning Adventures
Memorable, thrilling, and safe, a Sonoma Ballooning adventure is the perfect prelude to a Sonoma winetasting outing. As you and your group greet the glorious morning while floating gently above the vineyards and estates of beautiful Sonoma County framed by incredible scenery, you and your party will capture magnificent views of the surrounding hillsides and even glimpses of San Francisco Bay.