SONOMA VALLEY
This is historic Wine Country, with some of the region's oldest wineries. A lush, vibrant valley that's home to the towns of Glen Ellen, Kenwood and charming Sonoma in addition to the appellations of Bennett Valley, Sonoma Mountain, the Carneros and of course the sprawling Sonoma Valley.
DRY CREEK
About 90 minutes north of San Francisco, Healdsburg is the jumping off point for theDry Creek and Alexander ValleyAppellations. Though neighbors, the two regions have very distinct personalities -- the Western Valley being home to big zinfandels and syrahs and the eastern valley a hot spot for chardonnay. Great restaurants, hotels and activities abound.
RUSSIAN RIVER
Straddling the cool Sonoma Coast and warmer inland, the Russian River and Green Valley AVAs are all about pinot noir. Santa Rosa is the bustling county seat, but the surrounding towns of Windsor, Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville and Guerneville have country charm to spare.
NORTH NAPA VALLEY
The charming hamlets of Calistoga and St. Helena anchor the northernmost reaches of the Napa Valley. Diamond Mountain and Spring Mountain AVAs host many small, artisan cabernet sauvignon makers.
CENTRAL NAPA VALLEY
Central Napa is Big Cab country where you'll hear plenty of talk about Rutherford dust and cult cabernet makers. It's also where some of Wine Country's best restaurants can be found, in the blink-and-you'll-miss-it village of Yountville. Well-known AVAs includ Rutherford, Oak Knoll, Oakville, Yountville, Mount Veeder and Stag's Leap.
SOUTHERN NAPA VALLEY
The town of Napa is the focal point of the south Napa Valley, along with the fabled Carneros AVA where pinot noir and chardonnay make their mark.
