When you think of California’s wine country, do you think Napa Valley?
While Napa Valley is home to hundreds of famous wineries and Michelin star restaurants, its sister valley, Sonoma, has its own unique charm nestled into a quaint, small town-like intimacy.
I highly recommend making Sonoma your home base on your next trip to wine country to take advantage of the square, the hotels, and the proximity to some incredible wineries.
Sonoma Plaza:
Sonoma Plaza is the perfect center spot for your wine country vacation. Home to shopping, world class restaurants, tasting rooms and bars, Sonoma Square has offerings for both day and night.
The Sunflower Caffe is probably the most popular breakfast spot on the plaza. While this is a MUST when visiting Sonoma, be prepared to wait in line during peak season and on the weekends. Even with the wait, you won’t regret this meal. We went not once, but twice, during our last visit.
While I have not had the great fortune of trying The Girl and the Fig, this French-inspired restaurant is at the top of my list for my next visit. If you are unable to get a dinner reservation, try their lunch option. It will be less crowded, and you will still be able to sample delicious French-inspired offerings.
The vast array of tasting rooms is another great reason why Sonoma Plaza needs to be your wine country hub. The convenience of being able to hop around to different tasting rooms in one evening, or try a different tasting room before or after dinner each night, is something that is hard to find in Napa Valley. Pangloss is one of my favorites. Only sold in Sonoma, you can do flight-style tastings, as well as order wines by the glass or bottle.
Sigh is an Instagrammer’s dream tasting room. This champagne bar is one of a kind and a must-do when visiting Sonoma. On less busy nights, Sigh offers champagne flights from both France and California. But even if you can’t get a flight, the owners here know just how to help you pick from their large menu of options.
And finally, if you are looking for a fun party crowd to cap the night off, be sure to hit up Murphy’s Irish Pub or Steiner’s Tavern.
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Hotels:
Most hotels in Sonoma offer great amenities and proximity to the plaza. One of the best amenities most hotels offer is free transportation to the square and nearby wineries. This was a huge lifesaver on my last visit to Sonoma, but that story deserves its own blog post (stay tuned).
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort and Spa are two of my recommendations if you want to treat yourself. Both hotels offer amenities such as free wine tastings, on-property dining, bike rentals, free shuttle service, and spa packages. Fairmont would be my choice for a couples’ getaway, while The Lodge offers rooms and cottages that can accommodate girls’ weekends.
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Nearby Wineries:
My favorite winery to visit while in Sonoma is Gundlach Bundschu. It has a homey vibe, which offers a different feel than most wineries you visit in Napa Valley. With a rich history and a wide variety of grapes, Gundlach can accommodate anyone’s taste. I enjoy coming here to do a tasting and explore the property, and I never leave without buying a bottle.
Other top wineries in Sonoma:
If you are making Sonoma your hub, you are anywhere between 20-40 minutes to the wineries in Napa Valley. You can book Napa Valley wine tours to pick you up at your Sonoma hotel, or use ride share services such as Lyft as your transportation for the day (use code MEGAN965807 for $5 in ride credit).
If you are driving yourself, be sure you have a designated driver to keep you safe while you winery hop.
Cheers to your next wine adventure!
