Sonoma County

It’s often overshadowed by neighbouring Napa Valley but this region on the Californian coast should be on every wine-lover’s bucket list.

the firSt thing to know about Sonoma County in Northern California is it’s big – even larger than any Australian wine region. With some 24,000 hectares under vine and more than 425 wineries, the region is 10 times the size of the Hunter Valley, five times bigger than Margaret River and more than twice the area of the Barossa. It’s also 30 per cent larger than its famous neighbour, Napa Valley.

So why is its size such an issue? Because driving the vineyardlined roads through valleys thick with cypress and oak trees, past farmland and undulating terrain, takes time. Many people plan to visit for a couple of days (after all, it’s only an hour or so from San Francisco) but beware: a weekend is barely enough time to scratch the surface.

First planted in the early 1800s, Sonoma County has 18 distinct appellations (American Viticultural Areas or AVAs) with their own microclimates, tending maritime-like on the west coast and in the south and more Mediterranean to the north and inland. Cabernet sauvignon is generally accepted as the star but pinot noir, zinfandel and chardonnay are also strong players. Like visits to most wineries in the United States, expect to pay for tastings. And while you don’t always need reservations (unlike in Napa Valley), it’s smart to phone ahead.

It’s worth noting there’s more than wine to keep you occupied, including beautiful beaches, state parks containing centuries-old redwoods, quaint towns, breweries, the California Cheese Trail (cheesetrail.org) and a thriving dining scene. Yes, you’ll definitely need to extend that weekend.