If you're visiting Sonoma Square, Obsidian Wine Co. is a hidden gem worth seeking out…read more It's literally tucked away behind a residence just off the Square, so you won't necessarily notice it walking by. They can't really advertise from the street, and I probably wouldn't have found it without Yelp! The wines are excellent and come with a great story. One detail I especially loved is that they age their wines in Hungarian oak, which gives them something a little different and special. Gwen, the tasting room manager, was fantastic. She was welcoming, knowledgeable, and really took the time to tell us the story behind the wines and Obsidian. The tasting room has only been at this location for about two years, but it feels like one of those Sonoma spots you're glad you discovered. The space itself is small, modern, relaxed, and friendly. There's outdoor seating for beautiful Sonoma days, but if it's really hot, I recommend sitting inside and enjoying the AC. Definitely worth seeking out if you're around Sonoma Square. Great wine, great storytelling, and a wonderfully low-key experience.

Obsidian Ridge Winery has been one of our favorite wineries for years, and it continues to impress…read moreevery time we visit. We were first introduced to them back when they had their tasting room at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma. The setting there was incredibly welcoming--especially with our three young kids at the time--and between the atmosphere and the wines, we were hooked from the start. The wines are consistently outstanding. Their Lake County lineup really stands out, and the Volcanic Estate Cabernet has been a go-to in our house for years--it's always been reasonably priced and somehow overdelivers every single time we open a bottle. On the other end of the spectrum, the Half Mile is more of a special occasion wine for us, and it never disappoints. Winemaker Alex clearly knows what he's doing--his reds are fantastic across the board. The Cabernet, Petit Verdot, and Malbec from that volcanic Lake County fruit are bold, expressive, and incredibly well made. We've been wine club members for years now, which says a lot. Great wines, great people, and a place that's been part of our family's wine journey for a long time. Highly recommend.

Been here a couple times and each time was a lovely time. My friend invites us here and he puts…read moretogether a brunch in the picnic area which is a pretty cool setup. And the Nicholson Ranch is such a beautiful property. And has great views. I couldn't tell you about if they served food or anything because each time we visited we would first do picnic brunch then wine taste. The wine is also lovely. They have great selection of wine but I loved the Pinot Noirs. The service is awesome. All the staff are friendly and welcoming. I don't know if our wine pourer was a sommelier but she had lots of stories about wine and the Ranch. Forgive me I didn't write her name down but she was very nice and can keep great conversation.

Hubs scheduled a wine tour in Napa & Sonoma Valley for 02.15.25, and what a beautiful experience…read more The weather was cool, and brisk, the su was shining & the wine was phenomenal!!! I'd say this was a perfect day They put us in small groups, there were five in our group. I believe our wine aficionado was - Amy....please forgive me if the name is wrong. However, she was super engaging, very enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable. The winery is beautifully decorated with picturesque views from every corner....and the wines sampled were all delectable!

We enjoyed the Sip and Soar Package at Sangiacomo Family Wines. Unfortunately our hot air balloon…read moreride had to be rescheduled with Sonoma Ballooning, although we were expecting this due to the weather and are looking forward to rescheduling this at a later date. We were so grateful to still be able to experience our wine tasting here. Leane reached out to us prior to our visit and let us know what to expect on the day of our tasting and asked if we had any dietary restrictions. The hospitality at Sangiacomo Family Wines is one of the many things that makes this wine tasting experience extra special. We were warmly welcomed by our wine tasting host and educator, Vlada, as soon as we arrived. We enjoyed a splash of Sauvignon Blanc that was amazing. Everyone that works here was so friendly and welcoming. Along the visit, you will see a collection of other wine labels from other wineries in Sonoma County and Napa Valley that get their wines from Sangiacomo vineyards. The amount of different wineries that get their fruit from Sangiacomo vineyards is impressive. Before being seated, we soaked in the stunning views of their vineyards on the property. We enjoyed a delicious spread of pastries, cheeses, and charcuterie, which we enjoyed as part of our visit. This winery is known for their exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Everything we sipped was absolutely amazing, and we loved all the wines we tried. Vlada was an exceptional host and we learned so much about this winery. We learned that this is a family owned winery that started out as a pear farm. It changed to a winery and love that it has remained a family owned winery over the years. Our tasting was cozy and we loved all the festive decor. The property has rustic trucks and a tractor on the property that they decorate during the different seasons. We were blown away by how much we loved all of their wines. We purchased a few bottles of wines to enjoy at a later date. An all around exceptional wine experience in Sonoma! Highly recommend to all!

Stop 3 on our Sonoma wine trip didn't disappoint. Our guide Jillian provided a great mix of family…read morehistory, company background and viticulture. The lovely wine terrace was the perfect place to enjoy a Sonoma morning while sipping on their delicious Chardonnays and Pinots. Our guide did a great job of engaging us in conversation while allowing the time and space to enjoy the wine and scenery alike.

whewww, what an experience! I had the pleasure of visiting Scribe as one of my gal pals is a member…read morehere. What a standout winery! It's members only (plus entourage) and we were able to enjoy a bites pairing with our wine tasting on their hacienda. Upon checking in, we were given a complimentary "splash" (it was more than that) of their rosé of pinot noir, then shown to our table. The grounds are gorgeous- it feels very secluded and the design and layout was spectacular. We were served by Fran, who was so knowledgeable and had some super cool tattoos that my friends and I were in awe of. We tried the sylvaner, chardonnay, syrah, and pinot noir. The light bites were delicious as well and were filling for our group of 5! They brought out a salad with rosemary roasted almonds, anchovy vinaigrette, fried olives, blistered shishito peppers, green beans and gigante beans, and toast with roasted tomatoes, dill, basil, and a cheese(?). Everything was so fresh and such a delicious pairing with our drinks. We also got a splash of their vermuth at the end. We were told that Scribe acquired some of the property next door so they'll be focusing on estate wine creation. This was such a delightful experience and I'd love to return to check out the small shop they have onsite (it was closed when we visited). Thanks Scribe!

I can honestly say this was probably the BEST winery experience I've had in wine country. I've done…read morea few wine tastings around the area and nothing compared to this! My girls and I went for my best friend's birthday and we honestly had such a wonderful time. When you call and inquire they tell you that non-members can only book on weekdays, so my girls and I made a reservation on a Friday. You pay up front for the total amount of people, which also includes tax and service tip, so when you arrive on the day of your reservation, no payment whatsoever is needed! It was $85, and with tax and service fee it came out to $111 each. When my girls and I arrived, we were greeted by a host named, Justin. She was immensely warm and inviting, basically sunshine in a person, and made us feel so welcome and comfortable!! She poured us a welcome glass of rose, and my girls and I were able to walk around the property (which was truly stunning) with our glasses. When we were seated, we were served rosemary almonds, and our server came up and introduced the history of the venue, as well as the menu, and wine. The menu was set, and it was absolutely incredible. This was the first time I felt as though this experience included an actual MEAL rather than an array of small bites or a small charcuterie platter: 1. fried olives 2. tomatoes and cucumbers with whipped feta (MY FAVORITE) 3. Prosciutto, melon and basil 4. Braised butterbeans with SCRIBE olive oil 5. House-made flatbread (so delicious) The wine was amazing, of course. We received about 4 glasses of 3 oz pours, which was enough for us. The Chardonnay was definitely my favorite. If you're ever in the Sonoma area, I HIGHLY recommend making a reservation you honestly WILL NOT REGRET IT.

Ella and the whole TFG team are top notch and the wine is FANTASTIC!! Such a fun vibe!! Thank you…read morefor such a wonderful time!

Friendliest people. Cool story/history. Local wine that's beginning to age in really cool ways. The…read morelineman is to go to blend but every new release has me questioning because there's some great stuff! This is a great place to chill and I believe they're dog friendly. Bring your own snacks!

An Unforgettable Napa Experience - Hudson Ranch Winery On…read moreour recent trip to Napa, my friend and I visited Hudson Ranch Winery in the Carneros Valley for the first time, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The property is absolutely stunning--a vast, private ranch and winery known for its award-winning wines. Beyond the vineyards, they also grow unique fruits, vegetables, flowers, and even raise livestock, including goats. The attention to sustainable farming and the beauty of the property make it feel like so much more than just a winery. From the moment you arrive, the experience feels exclusive. The entrance is gated, and they open it for you upon arrival. As you drive up the winding road, you're surrounded by vineyards stretching across both sides before reaching the main estate, where there's plenty of parking. We visited on a Thursday, and it was wonderfully peaceful--it was just the two of us. We booked the wine tasting ($100 per person) along with the optional guided ranch hike ($20). The hike is a three-mile loop through the property. While it was beautiful, I wouldn't recommend starting it at 1:30 p.m. in the summer like we did! It was very hot, with several steep uphill and downhill sections and limited shade. Thankfully, Hudson provided complimentary water bottles and even hats for guests who needed them. There are also benches throughout the trail for resting, and white rock markers make it easy to stay on the correct path. After the hike, we were welcomed into a beautifully designed tasting salon that felt like a reward after all those steps. Each place setting was personalized with our names and a welcome card, which added such a thoughtful touch. We enjoyed a curated tasting of four wines--two reds, one white, and one rosé--paired with artisan cheeses, popcorn made right on the ranch, and continuously refilled ice-cold water.My fave wines were the Lady Bug and Grenache. Relaxing in the air-conditioned tasting room after the hike was exactly what we needed. Following the tasting, we explored the succulent garden along with the ranch's fruit and vegetable gardens. It was fascinating to learn about the many unique varieties they grow. The gardens were bursting with colorful flowers, including several varieties of sunflowers. One of my favorite discoveries was learning that Hudson grows a giant pumpkin each year to compete in the Monterey Bay pumpkin competition--a fun and unexpected tradition. Every detail of the experience was thoughtfully planned, from the personalized tasting to the beautifully maintained grounds. The setting is elegant without feeling pretentious, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome throughout our visit. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but in our opinion, it was worth every penny. Between the incredible wines, breathtaking property, personalized hospitality, and memorable hike, Hudson Ranch Winery offers an experience that's far more than a typical wine tasting. If you're looking for a unique and elevated Napa experience, I highly recommend adding Hudson Ranch Winery to your itinerary. Just one tip: if you're planning to do the hike, book an earlier morning time slot during the warmer months!

Our visit to Hudson Ranch was the absolute highlight of our trip! A huge thank you to Jesus, who…read morewas an amazing host he was so much fun to spend time with and shared so much fascinating information about the property's history and operations. The grounds here are simply stunning. We loved exploring everything from the intricate succulent gardens to seeing the sheep grazing near the beautiful lake. It feels like a true, thriving ecosystem rather than just a tasting room. Beyond the scenery, the products are top-tier. Their olive oil was really good, so fresh and flavorful. So happy to go home with a bottle of TiTi's Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a bottle of their 2023 Syrah. If you want a high-end experience that feels authentic and grounded, this is the place to go!

Super welcoming and a lively atmosphere. Beautiful setting and facilities…read more The outdoor bar guy was extremely welcoming and sold us two glasses of wine. A dry gewurztraminer and a rose. Both very decent. The glass of wine pours were a good 6 ounces not like some other wineries selling skimpola pours wbtg. We were told if we walk up the hilltop there are some shaded picnic table with nice views. They didn't lie. Very nice indeed. Definitely worth a stop if in the area. Thank you!

Overall this winery was a beautiful place. The scenery is gorgeous and they make it accessible with…read morea nice "trail" and many picnic benches to enjoy a glass/meal overlooking the vineyard. Our actual tasting was the let down... the sommelier came across as super unprofessional and just rushing through the whole thing. When he brought out the pours there was not an accompanying explanation/short anything. He couldn't really answer any questions either. Our 90 minute wine tasting ended up being 30 minutes. He kept bringing glasses before we even finished the previous pourS yes multiple glasses still untouched and he was just coming the surrounding tables weren't experiencing this so I'm sure other sommeliers were more courteous but unfortunately it really affected my thoughts on the experience.

First time I came here, Jake was working and he told the beautiful story about the firefighters…read morevineyard who makes the Rosé and I fell in love with it! Second time we met the owners and they were the most kind hearted people and met an older gentleman who told us the story of how he invented Pepper Jack Cheese!!! Then today we came in and finally did their tasting with their me membership and and Olivia described each wine with the most colorful names! I'm obsessed with this place, every time I visit NorCal I make it a point to come visit!

As a wine enthusiast, I was looking forward to exploring the wine selection, but unfortunately the…read moreCabernet Sauvignon was a disappointment. Rather than showcasing the complexity, structure, and depth typically associated with the varietal, it came across as overly sweet and one-dimensional--more reminiscent of grape Kool-Aid than Cabernet. The venue itself was undeniably charming, with a cute and inviting aesthetic. However, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly loud. The energy felt geared more toward a sports-bar or "jock crowd" experience than a setting where guests could comfortably appreciate wine, conversation, and the nuances of the tasting experience. If you're seeking a lively social scene, this may be your place. If you're looking for a refined environment to savor wine, you may find the experience lacking.

Had a different tasting experience than most who have visited Patz & Hall because they were in a…read moremoving phase during our visit. Instead of tasting at their property, which they no longer had, we tasted in their chardonnay cellar/production facility before their official move into downtown Sonoma. This made for a fun experience getting to see the barrel room and even try some barrel samples! Patz & Hall does chardonnay, pinot, and bubbles. I'm not sure how many different sparkling wines they offer, but they do have a good variety of both chards and pinots. The tasting menu had two of each when we were in, but they had some extras of each open so we did get to try a little more variety. We were helped by Jonny who gave great hospitality, had wonderful knowledge of the winery, and even gave us some good dinner recs! Not my favorite wines of the trip, but everyone in the group liked it enough to go home with at least one bottle of wine!

Great find in Sonoma for an afternoon of wine tasting. My wife and I love Pinot Noirs, so in doing…read moresome research, Patz & Hall Winery came up on quite a few searches. Glad we chose this winery. We had Grant take us through the history of the winery and a great tasting of the various Pinot's that Patz & Hall has to offer. We loved quite a few of them and came home with 4 bottles to enjoy at a later date. I would highly recommend Patz & Hall.

What a fun experience! Highly recommend this fun trolley tour!…read more We had an intimate group of 8 people. Two honeymooners and two mom daughter duos. We were all laughing and have such a great time together! Our guide Paul was hilarious and had lots of great knowledge of the area. Everyone is small business owned at the places we stopped at and also felt very natural and warm. The interactions with everyone was fun and I definitely got some wine knowledge too! We stoped at four places. One beautiful vineyar with spectacular views, a food terrace and wine tasting area, a winery and makery, and another wine tasting bar. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend!

No small bites at the wineries visited by wine trolley. Some people need to eat somewhere with…read morewines. Wineries should provide cheese and crackers at the very least