Sonoma Valley is one of the prettiest and most diverse wine country regions in the United States. From rolling hills to the scenic Pacific Coast, to redwood forests, and quaint towns surrounded by vineyards, Wine Enthusiast rated Sonoma a top USA wine region in 2019.
A paradise for foodies, Sonoma is not only a wine region, it’s also known for organic farms and dairies, and fresh catch from the coast. Wine and food pairing experiences in Sonoma range from wine country casual to Michelin guide restaurants.
With over 400 wineries to choose from, Sonoma Valley is the perfect destination for gourmet wine experiences in northern California, and for those exploring Sonoma County via a cruise along the Pacific Coast.
Here are 7 Sonoma County wine and food experiences to satisfy your senses.
Pan seared halibut at Valette, Healdsburg.
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Valette, Healdsburg
A Michelin-star destination restaurant, Valette is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. The menu sources from the bounty of Sonoma County. The wine list features small boutique wineries and has been on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list.
Chef-owner Dustin Valette earned his chops working with the best of the best in the hospitality and restaurant industry. He was most recently at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen and Acqua in San Francisco, before opening Valette with his brother Aaron Garzini in the space that was once their grandfather’s bakery.
It’s been a minute since I was at Valette, but I still remember the Day Boat Scallops en croûte–they were moist and rich. You can get the recipe here.
Valette is always full, but there is bar seating and a fun cocktail menu. Corkage fees are $25 if you bring your own bottle.
You will want to make reservations well in advance and plan to spend large.
Food is art. Gravenstein apple dish at Single Thread Healdsburg.
Single Thread, Healdsburg
Single Thread is a three Michelin-star restaurant serving a 10-course fixed menu. The owners also have a biodynamic farm, an inn, and a concierge service. I haven’t been to Single Thread yet but wow, I’m ready to book now. Here’s what the website says:
In the heart of downtown Healdsburg one of the country’s most accomplished chefs, Kyle Connaughton, along with Head Farmer Katina Connaughton, bring you SingleThread—a 3 Michelin-star restaurant with five luxurious guest rooms.
SingleThread’s focus is to provide its guests with an unparalleled hospitality experience in the center of Sonoma Wine Country.
And here’s what the Michelin guide says about the inn: It’s obvious how a farmer’s ethos manifests itself in the restaurant. But farm-to-table finds its way to the guest rooms too, with cut flowers straight from the farm arranged daily and complimenting high-ceiling rooms made with redwood beams and exposed brick.
Kyle and Katina spent some time traveling the world, living and working in the English countryside, and Japan. Single Thread combines their experience abroad with the bounty of Sonoma.
Interior of the adobe at Three Sticks, Sonoma
Three Sticks
Three Sticks is located in the Vallejo Castendada Adobe, built in 1842. Located off the square in the city of Sonoma, a visit to the adobe is a little bit of time travel into the history of Sonoma County.
Three Sticks specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and offers several tasting options. For something different, I recommend the Rosé experience that includes their seasonal release, a wine that is a field blend of Rhone varietals plus a rosé sorbet, and a strawberry tart made by their chef. Sounds lovely doesn’t it?
St. Francis Winery
St Francis is known for phenomenal food and wine pairings it is always voted the best wine and food experience in Sonoma. Reviews often compare the food to Michelin-star restaurants in the area. The wines are fruit-forward and balanced. Varietals include chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot. If you are a philanthropic sort you can feel good that a portion of dollars spent at St. Francis is donated to one of the many charities they support.
Donum Estate
Donum Estate focuses on producing elegant wines with minimal intervention. Organic and sustainable farming practices are at the heart of their wines. They are hyper-focused on the growing season in the vineyard and use native yeasts for fermentation.
Located in the Carneros AVA, Donum produces no less than eighteen bottlings of Pinot Noir! Go and do a vertical tasting. This tasting experience also caught my attention:
Donum Experience: The experience begins with a refreshing splash of one of our award-winning wines, followed by a guided walking tour of our open-air art sculpture collection, working farm, and picturesque landscape. After the tour, enjoy a tasting featuring seasonal wines, based on availability, from our Estate vineyards. As you savor our wines, indulge in a selection of carefully paired canapés made with fresh ingredients from our Estate gardens.
Outdoor dining at Flowers Winery, Sonoma.
Flowers Vineyard and Winery
For elegant pinot noir and chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, a visit to the Flowers Vineyard tasting room in Healdsburg is a must. Yes, you will find a lot of good Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Sonoma but not many wineries have estate vineyards within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean. A wine-tasting experience is a chance to taste the unique terroir of the Sonoma Coast. Flowers also offers a tasting with small bites arranged by their house chef. This is a small boutique winery and reservations are a must.
Flowers chardonnay.
Viansa
You can’t miss Viansa—styled after a Tuscan villa it sits atop a hillside overlooking the Sonoma landscape. It’s one of the first wineries you’ll see when you enter Sonoma Country from the south.
It’s the first winery I visited in Sonoma over 20 years ago. What I liked about Viansa then, and now, is the many options for food and wine pairing and guided tastings. Viansa is responsible for my interest in food and wine pairing today!
Something Viansa offers that is rare in the USA in general, is Italian varietals. The fruit is grown in California but the varietals are Italian: nebbiolo, dolcetto, primitivo, barbera, pinot grigio. Food at Viansa is casual: Think wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie. For a day outside with great views and good food and wine, I think Viansa is a good choice. Viansa is very touristy but if you are new to wine, as I was then, it’s perfect.
❓ FAQ: Wine & Food in Sonoma County
Q: What is Sonoma County known for?
A: Sonoma County is famous for its world-class wineries, farm-to-table dining, and stunning landscapes. It offers more diverse wine regions than neighboring Napa, making it a top destination for food and wine lovers.
Q: What wines is Sonoma County best known for?
A: Sonoma County produces outstanding Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. The region’s varied microclimates also allow winemakers to craft Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and sparkling wines.
Q: When is the best time to visit Sonoma wine country?
A: Fall harvest season (September–October) is especially lively, but spring and summer bring beautiful weather, fewer crowds, and vineyard events. Winter is quieter and perfect for cozy wine-and-food pairings.
Q: Do I need reservations for Sonoma wineries and restaurants?
A: Yes. Many top wineries and restaurants require reservations, especially for special wine and food pairing experiences. Booking ahead ensures the best availability.
Q: How is Sonoma different from Napa Valley?
A: Sonoma tends to be more laid-back and spread out compared to Napa. While Napa is known for luxury and Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma is prized for its diversity—both in wine varietals and in casual to upscale food culture.
Q: Can you visit Sonoma wine country without a car?
A: You can, but you’ll have more flexibility if you have a car. That said you can explore without one by utilizing wine tours, private drivers, or shuttles. Some towns, like Healdsburg and Sonoma Plaza, have walkable town squares.
1 comment
great pleasure and great information