Sonoma Winery Tips

Do not overdo it. Two or three max in a day and take rest days from wineries. Start with whites in the morning and reds in the afternoon.

Talty isn't a place with spectacular views or beautiful tasting rooms but Michael is a winemakers' winemaker. No pretension or fuss; simply incredible Zinfandels in Dry Creek Valley

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Rombauer and Trefethen

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Are not in Sonoma.

True. True.

Hanzell is nice if you can get in--may need to be with a member.

If you get in, do the library tasting.

I hang out on the Napa side, so can't help with Sonoma.

Go to Napa instead. Stay in Yountville

Platypus tours are solid for first timers.

I visited Wine Country last month with the wife. We visited Del Dotto in St. Helena, and did the cave tour and barrel tasting. It was an awesome experience. I have done other tours that weren't nearly as in depth as this one. We then stopped for lunch at Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the valley poking into different places. There are a million stops you could make, but if you are looking for something first class, informative, and not "stuffy"- I highly recommend Del Dotto.

I actually prefer Sonoma over Napa but that's another conversation.

Christopher Creek. Amazing views and very reasonable tasting fees around $15 per person. Their Dolcetto is one of my favorite wines in Sonoma though they are more known for pinot. Appointment required.

Limmerick Lane. A small tasting room with an outstanding syrah called "Hail Mary." Their rose was also the highest rated in the valley by Parker a few years back. No appointment needed. It's on the same street as Christopher creek.

Lasseter Family Winery. They have a boring story (super rich guy buys a winery in Sonoma, how original) but their wines are some of my favorites. Mostly bordeaux blends. They also have an excellent rose. Thought about joining their wine club for a hot minute but decided against it. Appointment required.

Skipstone Ranch. Super high end. Amazing views. Very much off the beaten path. If I had to recommend one winery in either Napa or Sonoma, it would hands down be this place, but you are going to shell out some bucks. Best viognier in the valley.

Porter Creek - lots of different shite. You are going to have lots of pinots and zin in Sonoma. This place has those too but also a variety of other wines. I really liked their carignan. This place is literally a hut on the side of the road. No appointment necessary.

Baciagalupi - close to Porter creek. This is probably my favorite spot for zin. Their pinots are also great. No appointment needed.

Eric Ross - we always stop here when we are in town. We grab a sandwich from the local market right down the street and then eat on the porch of the tasting room. They also have interesting wines - my favorites are the albarino and the tempranillo. Their viognier is also solid. No appointment needed. It is in the heart of Glen Ellen so no grandiose views here but still an awesome spot.

MacLeod - This place has an awesome sauv blanc and merlot. The winemaker actually did our tasting outside. Small lot stuff. Off the beaten path. Appointment needed.

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There are a lot of recommendations in this thread that have NOTHING to do with Sonoma County, its vineyards or its eateries.

Great recommendations but completely off the mark for the travel advice requested.

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I was just adding my experience for OP's use/disuse. It's not like Sonoma is on an island.

I got back from Napa yesterday. I’ll reserve comment ITT