Despite its many world-class wineries and restaurants, Sonoma County has continued to maintain its rural, homespun charm. Sonoma wine country is easy to access. Traveling from San Francisco to Sonoma takes just over an hour by car, or you can fly to Santa Rosa airport, right into the heart of wine country.
We’ve put together a dreamy one-day winter itinerary, featuring delicious bites, heart-pumping hikes, boutique shopping, and, of course, amazing wine tasting. All you need to do is make reservations, where noted below, and your perfect day awaits!
8:00 am – 9:00 am Dierk’s Mid-Town Cafe in Santa Rosa
Start your day at Dierk’s Mid-Town Cafe. Voted “Best Breakfast in Sonoma County” by the Press Democrat six years in a row, Dierk’s features a plethora of sweet and savory breakfast and brunch choices that will fuel you for the day ahead. Word has it that Grandma Sophie's Pull-A-Parts put donuts to shame. Note: Dierk’s is closed on Wednesdays. Allow 30 minutes to drive to your next stop.
9:30 am – 11:30 pm Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen
Work off breakfast with some exercise at Jack London State Historic Park. Many know Jack London as the author, but few realize he was one of America’s earliest organic farmers. Depending on the weather, you might choose to hike one of the many trails (wear boots in case of mud), visit the museum and London’s cottage, or download the augmented reality app from their website in advance and conduct your own digital tour on site. Allow 35 minutes to drive to your next stop.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm The Barlow in Sebastopol
Replenish your energy stores before wine tasting with a quick stop at The Barlow in Sebastopol. Pick from several local eateries, including Acre Pizza or The Farmer’s Wife. The Barlow is an open-air marvel of thirty of the region’s best chefs and local artisans who work side by side to create products and experiences unique to Sonoma County.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Matanzas Creek Winery in Santa Rosa
Drive through the breathtaking Bennet Valley to Matanzas Creek Winery for a relaxed, seated wine tasting of their sustainably farmed wines. Advanced reservations are required. Winter is the perfect time to try the Comparative Tasting, which features five wines that show the Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot that Matanzas made its reputation on, as well as other assorted varieties. Or opt for the Collector’s Tasting, during which you will sample the current release for six wines alongside their library vintages to taste firsthand how the wines develop complexity over time.
Allow 90 minutes for either tasting, with 30 minutes or so after to shop the estate-grown lavender products and stroll through the lavender gardens (they won’t be in bloom, but you can dream). A leader in sustainability, Matanzas Creek recently launched a Conscious Container program. When you return one of their bottles to the winery—aka, your excuse to go back—the bottles are washed, sanitized, and reused for future bottlings at participating wineries. Allow 30 minutes to drive to your next stop.
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Healdsburg Plaza
Head to the quaint town of Healdsburg to stroll the main square for a little shopping therapy and dinner. Named by Travel and Leisure as one of "America's Most Beautiful Town Squares," Healdsburg Plaza features close to 40 tempting merchants, from tasting rooms and home goods, to clothing, books, gifts, antiques, and restaurants, such as Roof 106 at the Matheson, Baci Café & Wine Bar, and Bravas Bar de Tapas. Reservations recommended.
Final Word – If you choose to spend the night, Healdsburg has several luxury hotels and inns. We love Hotel Trio, which is not on the main square, but offers a free shuttle to the plaza and has excellent accommodations. Pro-tip: Uncork a bottle of the new 2022 Sonoma County Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc in bed, and watch your favorite movie before nodding off to la-la land.
We hope you enjoy your perfect day and would love to share in your journey. Make sure to tag us in your posts @matanzascreek and let us know what you think.
