A Guide to Exploring California's Sonoma Wine Country by Cruise 

California’s Wine Country is world famous for its Michelin-star restaurants, luxury resorts, historic architecture, and, of course, its wineries. With over 800 wineries in Napa County and Sonoma County combined, the area is a hot spot for tourism whether you’re a huge wine lover or just like to dabble. Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in adding a visit to Sonoma Wine County to the itinerary next time you’re in the area.

Sonoma County is the northernmost county in the San Francisco Bay Area region. Thanks to its wide range of soil types and microclimates, from the redwood forests to the valley to the mountains, Sonoma County is one of the most diverse wine-growing regions in the world.

If you want to learn more about wine and maybe even find your new favorite bottle, Sonoma County has a lot to offer. The perfect itinerary is up to you, but a cruise can be a great way to travel up the coast and check out some of the most popular regions and their must-visit wineries. Our Sonoma County & Wine excursion is designed to give you a thorough introduction to the region and all it has to offer.

The 18 wine regions include:

• Alexander Valley
• Bennett Valley
• Carneros – Sonoma
• Chalk Hill
• Dry Creek Valley
• Fountaingrove District
• Fort Ross – Seaview
• Green Valley of Russian River Valley
• Knights Valley
• Moon Mountain
• Northern Sonoma
• Petaluma Gap
• Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak
• Rockpile
• Russian River Valley
• Sonoma Coast
• Sonoma Mountain
• Sonoma Valley
• West Sonoma Coast

Sonoma County is an industry leader in the production of a wide range of wines. The most common grape varieties planted in the region are chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir with merlot and zinfandel as less prominent but still popular options.

If you already have your favorite, choose wineries that specialize in those varietals. If you’re looking to try something new, here’s what you should know about the wine you can sample in Sonoma County:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: A red wine grape variety grown in every major wine producing country. It is a full-bodied wine with high tannins and acidity that contribute to its aging potential. The black current notes are accompanied by green bell pepper, mint and cedar which becomes stronger as the wine ages.  
• Chardonnay: Made from green-skinned grapes with a neutral taste. Grown in California, it often comes with fig, banana, and mango notes.
• Pinot Noir: Grown in cooler climates and used to make red wines as well as some sparkling wines. While younger wines can have aromas of cherries, raspberries, and strawberries, as they age, they can take on more vegetal aromas.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Preferring cooler climates that get lots of sun without the extreme heat, sauvignon blanc has been a staple of California wine country for decades. They generally have grassy undertones with citrus and passion fruit notes.
• Zinfandel: Ranging from robust reds to semi-sweet rosés, Dry Creek Valley produces the second most zinfandel in the state.
• Merlot: Originally used as part of a blend, merlot has grown into a stand-alone option. California merlots can range from simple and fruity to more complex as it is aged.

It’s impossible to visit every winery or even every region in a single trip, but if you’ve never been to Sonoma County before, a California wine country cruise is the perfect opportunity to begin your exploration.

Here’s how to decide what wineries to visit and plan a day (or two) enjoying some of the best wine the United States has to offer:

Every winery is unique in the types of wines they offer and what is included in their tours. If you’re planning to visit multiple wineries, make sure you’re giving yourself enough time at each one to avoid feeling rushed. Generally, sticking to 2 or 3 wineries per day is recommended. Choosing a few options in proximity can help cut down on travel so you can maximize your wine tasting time.

If you prefer a certain type of wine, make sure you’re choosing wineries that are known for it, so you aren’t disappointed.

The wineries in Sonoma County are popular among tourists and wine enthusiasts and some of them have limited capacity. To avoid wasting time at wineries that can’t accommodate your group, make sure to pre-book your spots whenever you’re doing a tour or a tasting. Opting for a wine tasting excursion like ours as part of your cruise is one way to ensure you’ll be able to experience multiple wineries with a single booking. Explore all our wine tour excursions available to book as part of your Pacific Coast cruise.

Wine tours aren’t just about the wine. They can also be about the food pairings and enjoying the beautiful scenery the region is known for. Make sure at least one of the winery stops provides snacks or gives you the option to order a meal. You’ll need the energy to enjoy the rest of the day!

There’s nothing wrong to sticking to the classics, but there’s something to be said for getting outside your comfort zone on a wine tour. With so many wines and so little time, a wine tour is the best chance to try something new. If you generally go for reds, try a zinfandel to mix it up—you never know what your next favorite might be.

Want to explore beyond the borders of Sonoma County? From the Temecula Countryside to Santa Barbara and Los Olivos, we have a number of other excursions available to book as part of your Pacific Coast cruise itinerary.