RYME Cellars

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $20-60

  • Main varietals: Italian reds and whites. Vermentino, Aglianico, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv

  • Tasting fee: $25, waived for members

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

I recently found out about this winery from the wine loving community and wow, it checks all of my boxes and I can’t recommend this place enough. Small family owned (husband and wife team) winery in Sebastopol Sonoma, where they make wines they love and I love all their wines. Wines are all so good and well-priced, easy to drink and unique! No fancy building or vineyard but super cute tasting garden. We ended up joining the club and can’t go back. If you are in Sonoma/Santa Rosa and want to taste a variety of good wines other than Pinot or Cab (although their Cab and Pinot are good as well), highly recommend. Their wines have become my go to bottle any night of the week.

More about Ryme: Website, Yelp , IG

Hamel Family Wines

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $80-200

  • Main varietals: Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, good rosé!

  • Tasting fee: $75

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

Hamel Family Wines is located in Sonoma and has a great view of their own vineyard from the chic and modern tasting room. Experience feels fairly private with a dedicated host for your party who takes you around the property and cave. They have an in-house chef for their wine pairing meals and while I can’t speak for the meals, the house-made ricotta cheese and cracker was amazing. Wines and the experience itself is not cheap but you get what you paid for here. Recommend if you like Cabs and looking for a bit more elevated experience in Sonoma.

More about Hamel Family Wines: Website, Yelp, IG

BR Cohn Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30-70

  • Main varietals: Variety of reds and whites. Merlot is one of the easiest drinking weekday wine!

  • Tasting fee: Currently have $35 flight for two. Waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

Located in Sonoma, the ground is beautiful with an elevated view of the vineyard. They have a huge picnic/outdoor area that we frequented. They also sell varieties of olive oils (used to have free olive oil tasting room but is temporarily closed due to COVID) that are really good! Their Petricka Vineyard Merlot is actually one of my go to weeknight wine, super easy to drink without food. I think the highlight of BR Cohn is definitely the view! Makes you want to sit there and drink wine all day.

More about B R Cohn: Website, Yelp, IG


Cline Cellars

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $20-60

  • Main varietals: Variety of reds, whites, and sparkling

  • Tasting fee: $15 Waived with a purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 3.8

Great to visit with a group of friends for a casual picnic/tasting. All of their wines are affordable with most bottles ranging from $15-$20 and the super affordable tasting fee of $15 is waived with purchase. I wouldn’t say the wines are my absolute favorites but really can’t beat the price for the experience you get there.

More about Cline Cellars: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail photo from Cline Cellars' IG

Chateau St Jean

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $20-100

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Pinot, Sparkling, Whites

  • Tasting fee: $45 for reserve tasting. Waived with membership (not with purchase)

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 3.8

Chateau St Jean is one of the larger wineries that distributes number of their wines to retailers. You can see their wines at most grocery stores but I would say highlight of their tasting experience is the beautiful building and the grounds. Their outdoor patio is super cute and looks out to the vineyards and a large grass area that looks like an outdoor event space. You are greeted with a glass of sparkling rosé (great casual weekday or weekend brunch sparkling) and they have a good selection of Cab, Pinot, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux blends. They used to offer two different tasting experiences but now only seem to offer reserve outdoor tasting. Recommend if you like trying different varieties of wines and want to take cute photos at the winery!

More about Chateau st Jean: Website, Yelp, IG