7 Best Small Wineries in Sonoma 

The best small wineries in Sonoma are boutique wineries – those which make less than 5000 cases annually – are more high touch than high-tech. These places are labors of love. Wines are hand-crafted with exceeding attention and care. There’s freedom to experiment here with different styles and varietals. An approach that looks to expand your palette instead of stultifying it.

It’s less about the glitz and glam. There’s no mass-production assembly line or corporate sponsorship. In fact, small wineries often partner with philanthropic organizations to advance causes they are truly passionate about. 

These wineries are run by the vintners themselves, living the viticulture dream, sharing their knowledge of soil. These are intimate, authentic, unpretentious wine tasting experiences. Wine tastings experience often occur in the same estate that the winemakers and their families call home. They are off the beaten path. Down an unmarked gravel road. Surrounded by lush vineyards and extraordinary natural wonder the region’s known for. Here are 7 of our top picks. 

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Map of Small Wineries in Sonoma

Small Winery #1 – Halleck Vineyard Sebastopol Winery

(707) 738-8383

3785 Burnside Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Open 11am – 4pm, Thursday – Sunday. By Appointment Only.

Small Winery Wine Tasting Reservations

Tasting Fee:	$65 per person
Label:	Halleck Vineyard
Varietals:	Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, White Zinfandel
AVAs:	Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley,
Dog-friendly:	Yes

The wines of Halleck Vineyard are small-batch luxury wines made by Ross Halleck and Jennifer Halleck. They host small, unpretentious wine tasting salons at their hilltop Sebastopol Vineyard Estate Winery, which has sweeping views of the Russian River Valley. Located on the western border of the Russian River Valley, this delightful small winery is just a 10-minute drive from the Barlow in downtown Sebastopol on Bodega Avenue. If you’re in Bodega Bay, it’s a breathtaking 20-minute drive on Highway One to the Bodega Highway. Here’s a map:

This is your chance to get off the beaten path and see what fine wine and the Sonoma Coast lifestyle is all about. Their Pinot Noir was judged Best Pinot in America three years in a row. The Sauvignon Blanc judged Best California White Wine. And their Dry White Gewürztraminer judged Best White Wine. Tour the viticulture roots of the best California Pinot Noir. Get a chance to buy hard to find wines that are not available in stores. Taste 8 different award-winning wines poured with stories about how they’re made. Paired with delectable, single-bite delicacies made from locally sourced ingredients including triple cream truffle brie and Pinot Noir infused chocolate. Bring your dog for a play date with their African Basenji Franki, a non shedding, hypoallergenic dog who enjoys hosting other pups. The estate is 100% fenced to prevent deer from eating the grapes, so bring your dog twhen you come for a wine tasting and let your pup run free. Only 16 guests per tasting and advance reservations are required.

Small Winery #2 – Dutton Estates Vineyard Sonoma Winery

(707) 829-9463

8757 Green Valley Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Open Daily 10am – 4pm. By Appointment Only.

Tasting Fee:	Rates vary from $25 per person to $70 per person
Label:	Dutton Estate
Varietals:	Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
AVAs:	Green Valley, Russian River Valley
Dog-friendly:	No

Dutton Estate Winery is four miles northwest of Sebastopol on the Gravenstien Highway. For six generations, the Duttons have been making small-lot wines.

The family cultivates 1,200 acres of vineyards that encompass a variety of microclimates. It allows them to produce distinctive wines that nonetheless share a cohesiveness with other wines produced in the Green Valley AVA. The region’s trademark fog and Goldridge soils result in particularly unique Pinot Noir. Their wine tasting room itself is in a Spanish-style estate with a surrounding Chardonnay vineyard. Tasting options range from cheese and charcuterie pairings, chocolate and red wine pairings to seated tastings in the garden. Club members receive discounts and complimentary tastings. As an added bonus, Dutton Estate Winery has a spacious vacation rental on the grounds. They also grow 200 acres of certified organic apples and produce a small-batch hard cider.

Small Winery #3 – Red Car Wine Sebastopol Winery

(707) 829-8500

8400 Graton Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Open Daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

Tasting Fee:	$25 to $55 per person
Label:	Red Car
Varietals:	Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
AVAs:	Fort Ross – Seaview
Dog-friendly:	Yes

Also located on the Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol, Red Car Wine Co. is an environmentally conscious vintner. It shows in their wines. They are bright, food-friendly, single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.

Produced using native yeasts and minimal intervention. They practice organic farming, and promote biodiversity and water conservation. A laid-back, informative tasting will guide you through this array of wines that are only available for purchase at the winery. Don’t pass up the stellar Cabernet Sauvignon. For a deep dive experience, take the tour around the seven-acre property. Here, iconic coastal redwoods and vibrant avian life have their home. Regular tastings occur in a small salon. There are several comfortable outdoor seating areas where you can relax, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. 

Small Winery #4 – Freeman Winery in Sonoma County

(707) 823-6937

1300 Montgomery Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Open Monday-Saturday 10am–5pm; Sunday 10am–4pm. By Appointment Only.

Tasting Fee:	$40 per person
Label:	Freeman Winery
Varietals:	Pinot Noir, Chardonnay,
AVAs:	Green Valley, Russian River Valley
Dog-friendly:	Yes

Freeman Winery specializes in cool-climate wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Known for their attention to detail, as many as 50 individual clonal fermentations are managed each vintage to make just six Pinot Noirs. Their vineyards and wine cellar is situated in Green Valley Viticulture Area, which is inside the Russian River Valley. It’s the coolest part of Sonoma County.

Guests can choose to have their tastings in a cool, serene wine cave on the property next to the vineyards. Tastings are directed by the winemaker, so no question goes unanswered. After a tasting, there’s a chance to walk through the vines and visit the adjacent Gloria Vineyard. It’s their first estate vineyard property. And since Freeman Winery values biodiversity, nature-loving guests will be awed to see the owl-boxes and redwood groves on the property. This brings a bit of natural magic to the experience. Tasting fee waived if purchasing six bottles or more. 

Small Winery #5 – Inman Family Sonoma Winery 

(707) 293-9576

3900 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Open Thursday – Sunday, 11am. – 4pm. By Appointment Only.

Tasting Fee:	$30 to $50 per person/waived with purchase of two or more bottles
Label:	Inman Family
Varietals:	Pinot Noir, Old-vine Zinfandel, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
AVAs:	Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley
Dog-friendly:	Yes

Inman Family Wines commits itself to environmentally responsible viticulture practices and family-style hospitality. They make wines without any added tannins, water, acid, or enzymes.

And fermented using only native yeast. As part of their commitment to sustainable viticulture, nearly 100% solar energy powers the winery. All production vehicles, including forklifts, are electric. Their tasting room looks out over a lovely Pinot Noir vineyard. Wine tastings are tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of each guest. Private tastings with the vintners can be arranged. Be sure to book these in advance. For regular tasting, patio and picnic tables are available for outdoor seating. 

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Small Winery #6 – Kelly & Young Sonoma Winery

(707) 535-9955

119 S Cloverdale Blvd #3709, Cloverdale, CA 95425

Thursday: 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Friday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Walk-in welcome, Reservations Recommended

Tasting Fee:	$10 – $15 per person
Label:	Kelley & Young
Varietals:	Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Malbec, Bordeaux-blend Rosé
AVAs:	Alexander Valley
Dog-friendly:	No

15 minutes north of Healdsburg on ther 101 freeway, you’ll find Kelley & Young Wines, a family-owned winery established in 2007.

Their grapes are grown and harvested under the backdrop of the Mayacama Mountain Range with sweeping views of the Alexander Valley. Tastings are lively affairs that take place on the patio to the accompaniment of live music. Sample some snacks provided by the winery’s talented chef. Besides tasting flights, wines are also available by the glass. For those looking to extend the experience, stay at Kelly & Young’s elegant Queen Anne Victorian mansion right next door. Each room of the Inn is decorated with fine antiques, collectibles and Asian artifacts. There are even private baths and a koi pond. A free wine tasting is included in your stay.

Small Winery #7 – Smith Story Sonoma Winery

(707) 494-5575

14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Open Thursday – Monday 11am – 4pm. Walk-in welcome, Reservations Recommended.

Tasting Fee:	$25 per person
Label:	Smith Story, Lord Sandwich
Varietals:	Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
AVAs:	Anderson Valley, Sonoma Coast
Dog-friendly:	Yes

In the Dry Creek winegrowing region of Headldburg, Ali Smith and Eric Story conceived of this winery in 2014, during their Hawaiian honeymoon.

Smith Story Wine Cellars produces restrained, balanced, and elegantly crafted small-batch organic wines. The tasting room is located in Bacchus Landing. It’s just minutes from picture-perfect downtown Healdsburg. This is one of the newest wineries on the list. But the owners bring over 40 years of combined experience in wine to the table. Get a bottle and head outside to the small fresco wine garden. Purchase delicious small bites at the Bacchus Market right next door. There’s also by-the-glass pours available for all the wines Smith Story makes. This is a relaxing and laid-back wine experience. And they’re expertly co-hosted by the chief canine-in-resident, Lord Sandwich. Be sure to keep all dogs on leashes at the property.

Best Small Wineries in Sonoma Wrap-Up 

Guests of boutique wineries receive a more authentic wine experience. They’re dedicated to expanding the community of wine lovers one customer at a time. It’s a chance for deeper personal connection than if you visit a glamorous and overcrowded corporate counterpart.

By supporting these wineries, you can really see where your dollar is going. It makes the purchase much more meaningful and worthwhile. So take a brief hiatus from a world increasingly dominated by global supply chains and artificial intelligence. The best small wineries in Sonoma offer something a mass-produced company can’t: real human connection.