If you're visiting Sonoma Square, Obsidian Wine Co. is a hidden gem worth seeking out…read more It's literally tucked away behind a residence just off the Square, so you won't necessarily notice it walking by. They can't really advertise from the street, and I probably wouldn't have found it without Yelp! The wines are excellent and come with a great story. One detail I especially loved is that they age their wines in Hungarian oak, which gives them something a little different and special. Gwen, the tasting room manager, was fantastic. She was welcoming, knowledgeable, and really took the time to tell us the story behind the wines and Obsidian. The tasting room has only been at this location for about two years, but it feels like one of those Sonoma spots you're glad you discovered. The space itself is small, modern, relaxed, and friendly. There's outdoor seating for beautiful Sonoma days, but if it's really hot, I recommend sitting inside and enjoying the AC. Definitely worth seeking out if you're around Sonoma Square. Great wine, great storytelling, and a wonderfully low-key experience.

Obsidian Ridge Winery has been one of our favorite wineries for years, and it continues to impress…read moreevery time we visit. We were first introduced to them back when they had their tasting room at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma. The setting there was incredibly welcoming--especially with our three young kids at the time--and between the atmosphere and the wines, we were hooked from the start. The wines are consistently outstanding. Their Lake County lineup really stands out, and the Volcanic Estate Cabernet has been a go-to in our house for years--it's always been reasonably priced and somehow overdelivers every single time we open a bottle. On the other end of the spectrum, the Half Mile is more of a special occasion wine for us, and it never disappoints. Winemaker Alex clearly knows what he's doing--his reds are fantastic across the board. The Cabernet, Petit Verdot, and Malbec from that volcanic Lake County fruit are bold, expressive, and incredibly well made. We've been wine club members for years now, which says a lot. Great wines, great people, and a place that's been part of our family's wine journey for a long time. Highly recommend.

The staff member who assisted us was extremely knowledgeable about the wines we were served, the…read morearea, and the wine business in general. He was also friendly and warm, making our group feel welcome. The cheese board was delicious and a nice size. We also really liked the wine and ended up ordering some to take home from our trip. Convenient location in Sonoma Plaza in a neat old converted building that was once a general store.

Pangloss wins you over with the tasting room before the wine even arrives. Tucked in Sonoma Plaza,…read morethe historic space had exposed stone walls and a quirky but luxe steampunk, stagecoach feel. I had the $60 Texture Flight, featuring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while my spouse opted for the $70 Repris Flight. Lindsay was a good wine educator, knowledgeable, engaging, and unhurried. Since we visited midweek, we were given time to linger and enjoy the experience. The $30 cheese and charcuterie board was actually a pretty good value, although the five Rustic Bakery crackers allotted felt pretty insufficient. An additional cheese selection and some good bread would have made it feel more balanced. There were some really annoying flies in the tasting room, which were difficult to keep off our board. The wines were good and the education component was excellent. But at $60 to $70 per tasting, plus food charges, the value was not quite there for us. I'd give it 3.5 to 4 stars. A nice place to linger in Sonoma, particularly if you appreciate a tasting room on the town square, thoughtful wine education & strong AC on a hot Sonoma summer day.

What a beautiful and serene winery! The thing that I've commonly needed about Sonoma wineries if…read morethat they're more down to earth than Napa wineries but the wine is just as good! The friend that took us here mentioned how she likes that you never feel rushed. I see why people purchase wine club memberships now. As a Pendulum wine club member she gets wine pick ups, discounts, and unlimited tastings with three guests. The setting is beautiful! So many flowers. Nicely shaded picnic benches with umbrellas. They have a large fish pond and it's 25 cents for a cup of fish food to feed the turtles and koi. This is one of the most family friendly wineries I've seen. Many people bring their kids. They have corn holes too. Fancy and Pudding were the highlight! I reached out and felt like a Disney princess having one of them come to me for pets. The restrooms were very clean as well! It was fun browsing the store too. And of course the tasting and charcuterie board were a fantastic experience. I loved the cheeses and almonds they had. We had the option of deviating from the tasting menu. But everything we tasted was great! I think you can also bring your own snacks. It's a great winery experience. Nothing for praise for Cline Cellars. The day we went it looks like they were setting up a wedding later in the day. But that didn't negatively impact our experience at all.

To start I want to say our first visit here was amazing. The staff in the tasting room were really…read moregood and suggested some really good wines which we were able to taste as well. We ended up buying 6 bottles back then. Also the kids liked feeding the fish in the pond. This time we visited during the Labor day long weekend on a Sunday. There were considerably more people here compared to our last visit. The staff member in the tasting room was disinterested from the start. We told her that we really loved the Cashmere Black last time and wanted to get that and some more. She just handed us the wine list and waited for us. There was an awkward pause. I requested if we could taste a couple of the recommended wines to which she hesitated. I tried addressing the situation by asking her why there was some resistance and also assured her I would pay for a tasting if that was an issue. She did end up suggesting some good wines (and taste a few). We ended up buying 5 bottles this time. The tone and experience of the overall interaction this time was unfortunately not a very pleasant one specially compared to our previous visit.

Friendliest people. Cool story/history. Local wine that's beginning to age in really cool ways. The…read morelineman is to go to blend but every new release has me questioning because there's some great stuff! This is a great place to chill and I believe they're dog friendly. Bring your own snacks!

I LOVE three fat guys (ok out of context that is such a wild thing to type). We've been talking…read moreabout this place ever since we first visited back in the COVID times. Our most recent visit was on a rainy day, but with their patio set-up, we were still able to sit outside which was really nice for us coming from constantly cold Chicago. Everyone who works here is incredibly passionate about the story behind the wine, as well as the wine. I loved talking to the staff about the different wines and being able to hear fun facts. There's a ton of different seating outside- the inside is pretty small, but don't let that fool you. there is plenty of space for everyone here. While we opted for the tasting, as we haven't been here in several years, if you're looking to just get a glass- do yourself a favor and try the chardonnay.

My go-to when visiting Sonoma! The outdoor patio area is so relaxing. The tastings are casual and…read moredon't feel rushed. I always grab a few bottles of Picpoul and Pinot Noir to bring home. Cochon is on the square, so there are plenty of other small businesses nearby to explore.

What a lovely tasting bar in the heart of Downtown Sonoma! It's quaint and clean, and is decorated…read morewith photos of the vineyard and the family who owns it. You feel the warmth when you walk in. Carlo was a very kind and charming tasting room manager. He knows the wines, grapes and regions very well and captivates you with each story of the bottle he is pouring. He even explains the glassware. There are 3 different wine flights to try and you can taste by the class. The bar can also accommodate a flight that suits your preference. I was looking for an all red flight, and Carlo happily created one for me that I would for sure enjoy. For Designated Drivers, there are two non-alcoholic sparkling wines from Italy to try so no one feels left out. The tasting menu has light bites to complement the wines such as a charcuterie board, cheese plates, and chips. Carlo lets you know what goes well with the wine you're having. And for after tasting, a variety of coffees. The wines I tried were all delicious. I purchased 3 bottles. (Note: You can ask for a "dump bucket" but you don't need one because the wines are very good.) 1. Old Vine Rosé - So good and very popular that they have it on tap! 2. Whole Hog - A delicious Rhône! 3. Eleve Cabernet - drinks like a Bordeaux. When in Downtown Sonoma, please stop by and give them a try. It's a nice break from shopping or a good place to sit and chat with friends for the afternoon.

Pro Tip: aim to arrive early because there is limited street parking nearby and the building is a…read morehistorical home and not clearly marked. A friend in the industry recommended this place and made our reservation. We were ten min late due to parking/finding the place. The home is in good condition and quite nice inside. Our journey was just through the home, as our tasting was outside. The courtyard style backyard is really nice. Many plants and a few distinct seating areas. There is a bathroom out there and it's super clean and well decorated. The tasting was spectacular. We ordered bottles to be shipped home. We enjoyed the cheese/nut/cracker pairing they included. The tasting was not rushed and we enjoyed sitting in their garden. It was just me and my husband which was nice. It was the first tasting of the trip and it was no pressure, all questions allowed, relaxed and wonderful. I would recommend this experience. I would like to know more about the historic home. We did not become members because it was the first tasting of our week and we didn't know what we were in for. But I'm glad we ordered bottles to be shipped to our home so we can enjoy their wine again and again. We ordered the Chardonnay and three of their Pinot noirs, in various quantities. Thank you for hosting us, Nick.

For me personally, Three Sticks makes the best Pinot in the area so if you're around the plaza and…read morelove Pinot, you should absolutely plan a visit. They own two iconic vineyards, Durell (famous for its Chardonnay) and Gap's Crown (famous for its Pinot), among others. The property is absolutely stunning - even though it's only a couple blocks off the plaza, it feels like you've been transported away from the hustle and bustle of the main square into a quiet retreat where you can escape the Sonoma heat and enjoy a nice lineup of wines. For me, this is always a solid experience, albeit on the pricier side for the area, but a couple of things would go a long way to improving the experience. (1) Making reservations is a pain, which involves submitting a request, waiting to hear back from someone in the tasting room, then using a payment link sent to you to confirm the booking. For a winery offering such an elevated tasting experience (and price point), you'd think they would be able to support live availability and instant booking like basically all other wineries in the area. Additionally, they made kind of a big deal about getting the names of everyone in the party, but then never once greeted us by name. (2) The tasting experience itself felt a lot more hands off and our host didn't seem as knowledgeable. This was immediately after Auteur, where the host was incredibly knowledgeable about the various vineyard sources and pretty much all aspects of the vinification process, so perhaps our expectations were a bit elevated. Still, it kind felt as if the wines were poured, a brief (and basic) explanation given, then we were on our own to enjoy the wines. We may have been checked in on only a couple of times over 2 hours. (3) Purchasing wine is just as frustrating as making a reservation. This is insane IMO. They can't swipe a card so instead, we have to write all of this down on a slip to be processed later? It just feels antiquated and if I'm to be 100% honest, not all that secure. In terms of value, you get essentially 5 tasting pours - 1 rose, 2 chards, 2 pinots, which IMO, isn't a great value at $85/tasting. Compare this with Auteur where for $60, we had 1 rose, 3 chards, and 4 pinots :)

Wonderful tasting room in downtown Napa. It's a small and personable brand. The wines are fabulous…read moreand they have a great variety. Shamus did our tasting and was lovely. The brand is so approachable for new and seasoned wine drinkers alike.

Take you time and relax here. The view is nice and you can ppl watch. Wines are very nice and…read moretasty. If the owner is here, take advantage talking to him.

Great spot in Sonoma for an afternoon with kids. Service was impeccable, wines were decent and food…read morepairings were delicious. They have a slide and cornhole for kids to stay busy. Low key awesome spot.

This place gives off cozy and relaxing vibes! Small winery with plenty of tables to sit around to…read moresip and dine. Winery is more of a casual and less uppity-feel compared to surrounding wineries in the area. Came here for a tasting with a few friends. We ordered a charcuterie plate and some bites to share. Family oriented and pet-friendly winery with a small play area for the kids. Parking lot is kinda small, had to park across at some other event that was going on.

Honestly, we went to multiple places and Roche was our favorite! Definitely request Sharon when you…read morego- she is super knowledgeable and explains everything from a consumers point of view. Also you can feel good knowing you had good wine for a reasonable price here. 100% recommend for your next Sonoma visit!

We were exploring Sonoma and saw a sign for a brewery, so we headed on over. An indoor/outdoor…read moretasting room with wine and beer makes this a great stop! Some street parking available, but also off the main drag in Sonoma, so it's very walkable from wherever you find parking. We chose to hangout on the patio, so we didn't really see inside. The patio is spacious, well-decorated, and has a bit of shade to escape the California sun. The staff was really friendly and conversational during our visit! They have a few beers and plenty of wine available to sample! We tried a few of their brews during our visit! They were refreshing and crisp. Nothing to blow you out of the water, but a great alternative to all the wine throughout Sonoma.

First time I came here, Jake was working and he told the beautiful story about the firefighters…read morevineyard who makes the Rosé and I fell in love with it! Second time we met the owners and they were the most kind hearted people and met an older gentleman who told us the story of how he invented Pepper Jack Cheese!!! Then today we came in and finally did their tasting with their me membership and and Olivia described each wine with the most colorful names! I'm obsessed with this place, every time I visit NorCal I make it a point to come visit!

As a wine enthusiast, I was looking forward to exploring the wine selection, but unfortunately the…read moreCabernet Sauvignon was a disappointment. Rather than showcasing the complexity, structure, and depth typically associated with the varietal, it came across as overly sweet and one-dimensional--more reminiscent of grape Kool-Aid than Cabernet. The venue itself was undeniably charming, with a cute and inviting aesthetic. However, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly loud. The energy felt geared more toward a sports-bar or "jock crowd" experience than a setting where guests could comfortably appreciate wine, conversation, and the nuances of the tasting experience. If you're seeking a lively social scene, this may be your place. If you're looking for a refined environment to savor wine, you may find the experience lacking.