Wine Country awaits. Sonoma County is just a short jaunt up north for San Franciscans seeking an authentic wine country experience that blends the rustic traditions of agriculture with world-class drinking and dining. This is your guide to the best food, wineries, hotels, and services the area has to offer.

Ancient Oak Cellars
The essence of Ancient Oak Cellars: real dirt, real people, real wine. Their vineyard is harvested by the newest generation of the family that planted it, with a level of sustainable farming and personal attention that produces wines of integrity and connection to the land. 637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, 707-536-1546.

Buena 
Vista Winery
Before Napa and Sonoma were household names, and before there was
a California wine industry, there was Buena Vista. Founded in 1857, California’s first premium winery is reborn today under the vision of Jean-Charles Boisset. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266.

DeLoach Vineyards
DeLoach Vineyards has been a pioneering producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley since 1975. Set on a 20-acre organic farm, DeLoach is a certified biodynamic estate. Taste limited release wines and cheeses from Sonoma purveyors. 1791 Olivet Rd., Santa Rosa,
 707-526-9111.

Gary Farrell 
Vineyards & Winery
Gary Farrell Winery helped put Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the world stage. Enjoy these acclaimed wines in their tasting room or on their intimate outdoor terrace with spectacular views below. 10701 Westside Rd., Healdsburg, 707-473-2909.

Ram’s Gate Winery
Sonoma’s most alluring, new destination winery, Ram’s Gate Winery embodies the convergence of great wine, stunning architecture and design, food pairings and hospitality. A 35-minute drive from San Francisco, they offer worldclass, 
single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-721-8700.

White Oak Winery
With over 700 acres of proprietary vineyards in three of California’s premier winegrowing appellations—the Alexander, Napa and Russian River Valleys—each White Oak varietal yields the perfect fruit from its ideal terroir. White Oak’s Mediterranean-style estate was founded in 1981. 
7505 Hwy 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-8429.