Harvest season in Wine Country typically runs from August through October, but 2025 is no ordinary year in Sonoma Valley. This year, the region is popping corks to celebrate its 200th harvest.
Two centuries ago, Father José Altimira and Indigenous workers planted the first vineyard in Sonoma Valley. While the grapes primarily produced sacramental and table wine for the Sonoma Mission, it’s recognized as the birthplace of the California wine industry.
From moonlit al fresco dinners to grape stomps and sparkling soirées, these five wineries offer a unique opportunity to raise a toast to 200 years of winemaking in Sonoma Valley.
Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery
(Courtesy of @bartholomewestate)
Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery, which dates back to the planting of California’s first private vineyard in 1832, has a storied history that includes the collapse of the world’s first corporate wine venture in 1879; conversion to a country estate in 1883; and then—over a half a century later in 1943—the purchase of the run-down ranch by Frank “Bart” Bartholomew as a birthday present for his wife, Antonia.
The couple replanted the vineyards and restored its historic structures and, today, the property encompasses a 375-acre private park with more than three miles of hiking trails and an award-winning winery producing estate-grown varietals including sauvignon blanc, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah. Savor them in the historic mission-style building or outside with views of the sustainably farmed vineyards and the surrounding hills.
This year, Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery’s Harvest Celebration will include grape stomping, live acoustic music, tastes of current and library wines, and savory and sweet bites.
// Harvest Celebration is Oct. 5th from 2 to 4pm at Bartholomew Estate Vineyard, 1000 Vineyard Lane (Sonoma), bartholomewestate.comKenwood Vineyards
(Courtesy of @kenwoodvineyards)
The historic tasting room at Kenwood Vineyards is housed in the original building of the Pagani Brothers Winery, a stone cellar built in 1906. John Sheela and brothers-in-law Mike and Marty Lee acquired the property in 1970. These days, the winery devotes 125 stainless steel fermenters, large oak uprights, and 20,000 French and American oak barrels to its signature “small lot” wines.
Building on its rich heritage, Kenwood is also the exclusive producer of wines from the historic Jack London Ranch in Glen Ellen, which was once farmed by the famous author himself. This vineyard produces award-winning cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, merlot, and syrah—which you can sip in Kenwood Vineyards’ historic tasting room.
At Kenwood Vineyards’ harvest celebration, you’ll indulge in their latest vintages, admire views of the winery, enjoy live music, and dig into delicious paella.
// Paella Harvest Celebration is Sept. 13th from 6 to 8pm at Kenwood Vineyards, 9592 Sonoma Highway (Kenwood), kenwoodvineyards.comDry Creek Vineyard
(Courtesy of @drycreekvineyard(
In 1972, after falling in love with French wines, David Stare moved his family west to Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley and planted the region’s first sauvignon blanc, paving the way for the development of one of California’s premier wine regions.
More than five decades later, Dry Creek Vineyard remains proudly family-owned and operated under the leadership of Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, and her husband, Don. The estate, which is known for its flagship Fumé Blanc and Dry Chenin Blanc as well as standout zinfandels and Bordeaux-inspired blends, encompasses 185 acres of 100 percent certified, sustainably farmed vineyards.
To celebrate the harvest season this anniversary year, bubbles will meet caviar in a festive garden party where you’ll toast with sparkling chenin blanc and savor seasonal bites.
// A Sparkling Affair: Bubbles & Caviar is Oct. 4th from 12 to 4pm at Dry Creek Vineyard, 3770 Lambert Bridge Rd. (Healdsburg), drycreekvineyard.comAlexander Valley Vineyards
(Joe Berroteran/Courtesy of @alexandervalleyvineyards)
When Harry and Maggie Wetzel bought the Cyrus Alexander homestead in Alexander Valley in 1962, they didn’t just buy land—they acquired a piece of history dating back to the 1840s. For more than six decades, the Wetzels planted vines, raised their family, and wove themselves into the fabric of Sonoma’s winemaking story. Today, four generations later, Alexander Valley Vineyards is still very much a family affair.
The estate now spans more than 700 acres, with vineyards on both sides of Highway 128 between the Russian River and the Mayacamas Mountains. The winery is renowned for its cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and merlot, and each bottle reflects the valley’s unique terroir.
While the winery embraces sustainable farming and modern practices, visiting still feels like stepping back in time. This is especially true when on a tour of their wine cave—Sonoma’s largest—where you can taste directly from the barrel.
Alexander Valley Vineyards has a busy lineup of harvest events starting on September 13th with Let’s Crush It, a celebration featuring a blessing of the grapes, grape picking, grape stomping, a barbecue meal, and, of course, plenty of wine.
// Let’s Crush It and other events take place September 13th through October 4th at Alexander Valley Vineyards, 8644 CA-128. (Healdsburg), avvwine.comViansa Winery
(Courtesy of Viansa Winery)
Viansa Winery, founded in 1990 by Sam and Vicki Sebastiani, is a fourth-generation family legacy known for its Italian varietals. The estate, perched atop a hill with panoramic views, is surrounded by olive groves, rolling vineyards, and a 97-acre wetland preserve.
This year, Viansa Winery will mark Sonoma’s 200th harvest with the county’s annual Vintage Festival and Harvest Dinner. Tuck into a three-course meal by Park Avenue Catering chef Ari Weiswasser and taste a selection of current releases and rare library wines from legendary and emerging winemakers of Sonoma Valley, including some of the region’s oldest estates.
// Harvest Dinner: Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is Sept. 26th at 5:30pm at Viansa Winery, 25200 Arnold Dr. (Sonoma), viansa.com
