I went to Sophie's this weekend and was reminded of why this is one day of my favorite places to drink wine in the Russian River. The space is so cute, and Alice the owner is so kind and authentic and knowledgeable of the area. I will forever take my out of town guests here, because they always leave feeling like they got the perfect Russian River experience. Thanks Alice! read more

Stumbled in after walking the Village here - and was so pleased. This is a quaint and uber friendly spot to celebrate all of the finds of the village. Cheese boards for the win! While sipping a beautiful glass of wine! read more

Sophie's Cellars - So many options-delicious each and everyone of them! - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

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A lovely Saturday at Sophie's Cellars! Alice is a gracious hostess and made a wonderful cheese board- the honey and apricots were the perfect complement to the Chardonnay. A must visit if you are in Duncan's Mills. And who could ask for more? Live music from the Bohoss Boogie Boys, sunshine, and Cows! read more

Sophie's Cellars - Bohoss Boogie Boys pure sound on patio of Sophie's Cellars. - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

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Walking in thought the place looked nice & cozy. Met some friends at the bar and was offered a taste of a Cab. Didn't care for it.. no biggie, thought I would just try another wine...but was given a rude comment from a lady who told me she was the owner, I got a snarky "Ive been doing this for 40 years", and gave me a very rude look. I wasn't trying to offend just didn't care for it. The kicker was 5 minutes later when I watched her take a full glass of white wine, turn around at the bar and poor it back into a bottle and put a cork in it. Some in our party viewed this too and we couldnt believe it. In all my years, I have never seen that one. And so blatantly! Was trying to support a local winery, as we always do....wont be back to this one unfortunately.... read more

OK. So if i only had 1 thing to say....... She (the owner) stood in front of us at the bar and POURED wine from a wine glass BACK into the bottle. Does anything else need to be said? read more

It's a small wine bar, cute. The owner is nice. The cheese was yummy. However, Her wine selection was small and wasn't very good in my opinion. The worst part for me was watching the owner recycle wine from a glass and pour it back into the bottle. That really grossed me out. I've never seen anything like that. So I Purchased a new bottle just to make sure I wasn't drinking recycled wine. Don't think I will go back. read more

I wish I could add more stars here. 5 is not enough. Sophie's Cellars, owned by Alice, is a true gem in historic Duncans Mills. Alice is the consummate host, offering an exceptional selection of Sonoma wines--a perfect expression of the region's remarkable winemaking. Her curated gift selection is always impressive, making each visit a delight. Sitting outside with artisan cheeses, sipping wine, and watching the world go by while enjoying Alice's warm company and the vibrant local scene is an experience not to be missed when you are visiting this area read more

We were on a drive and decided to pull in to see all the shops, wine options, tea room, bookstore and more at Duncan Mills. The first place we visited was Sophie's Cellars, and it was such a great experience. We found beautiful and unusual gifts and cards. While we didn't taste the wine or cheese, we will be back. Alice is, without a doubt, one of the warmest, kindest, and personable shop owners I have met in a long time. Great parking in front, tables for picnic lunch or a glass of wine, and beautiful plants to inspire gardeners. Definitely worth visiting! read more

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Haven't been to Sophie's in several years but after a day at the Pacific Ocean we stopped at Sophie's on the way back for a glass of wine. Happy to report that nothing has really changed. There is a new owner but Sophie's still serves a nice variety of white, red, rose and sparkling wine. Good pours and fair prices. We both decided on a crisp Albariño and relaxed on their outside patio and seating area. We had a late lunch so just ordered wine but ordering a cheese plate is an option. Maybe next time. Sophies's is located in the hamlet of Duncans Mills, population a whopping 84 people. Don't let that fool you. Beside the wine bar there are several gift shops with a variety of items as well as restaurants and a coffee shop. If you are in the area be sure to stop at Sophie's and enjoy a glass or two. read more

Sophie's Cellars - Enjoying Albariño on the porch - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

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Service- 5/5 Ambiance- 5/5 Wine- 5/5 Such an adorable place for wine shopping and relaxing moment. Lovely to taste local wines. Wonderful and caring owner. read more

Wonderful cute little stop‼ Momma and I are on a road trip to the coast. It was literally 5'oclock Momma loved red Syrah while I enjoyed a white . We chose three Bree, Gouda & Sheep and were so thankful Sophie offered gluten free crackers for my mom to enjoy with me. Honey was definitely a perfect pairing. Mahalo Sophie read more

Sophie's Cellars - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

Had a really nice time sitting out on the patio with my husband and dogs. We got a glass of brut and a beer as well as a cheese plate. The woman working was so sweet and gave us 3 cheeses when we ordered 2. We asked her to select for us and were happy with the choices. Also had dried apricots, nuts and a jalapeño jelly along with crackers. Was nice and relaxing with good seating and nice umbrellas. Would definitely come back read more

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We did a road trip from Guerneville to Goat Rock Beach, the famous spot where the final scene of The Goonies was filmed. Before making our way back to Guerneville, we had a wonderful stop at Sophie's Cellars back in Duncan Mills. We grabbed an indoor table where we sampled the best wines from Sonoma (obviously some Pinot Noir and a Rose) and noshed on a cheese plate. They offer seating outside, but it was a chilly day so Kevin and I were more than happy to cozy up. They even had blankets for us. We were in the area for a wedding and totally lost track of time enjoying this wonderful little spot. I looked at my watch and realized somehow an hour passed! We definitely didn't want to be THOSE people and show up late. Plus, one of the grooms even called me while I was drinking the wine to help corral the guests onto the shuttle. We closed out our bill and made the quick drive back to Guerneville. And in case you're wondering, we made it back in time. And I did the very important job of getting everyone on the shuttle. Phew, no pressure! We definitely want to plan another trip to this area and the wine bar is on the top of our list. The worker was super friendly and even told us about a lovely Airbnb that is run by the owner of this establishment. In addition to wine, they also serve a nice cheese board with crackers and delicious pepper jelly. It's a treat and well worth the stop. read more

Alice was our host and she was wonderful. She gave us advice on which wine to taste and gave us recommendations on food where it's dog friendly. Will be back the next time we are in town! read more

Sophie's Cellars - a woman pouring a glass of wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

I drove through the town of Duncan Mills, CA, while I was on a quick getaway trip. I drove by Sophie's Cellars and saw they had wine and cheese to offer, which are two of my favorite things! This was on a Tuesday, and as I drove into the parking lot, the owner, Alice, was taking some things in from her car. She advised she's normally closed on Tuesdays, but she opened the shop for me all the same. She had great recommendations for a glass of wine and a small cheese plate. I was so taken by the fact she provided service on her day off! The wine and food was delicious and the conversation was truly enjoyable. I would definitely recommend stopping here when you're in the area. read more

A Little Slice of Heaven should be the name for this place. She has good wines and the setting is gorgeous: relaxing and peaceful read more

The cutest wine bar and shop. The owner was friendly and welcoming and gave us some great recommendations. I can tell she really enjoys her job and the people who visit her shop. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine and beer on the patio where the table was set with fresh flowers! The gardens were lovely and we even got a surprise visit from the neighboring cows out to graze! We purchased a bottle to take home and enjoy. If you enjoy wine or beer, you must check out this place! read more

Sophie's Cellars - Beautiful garden and patio. - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

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Great wine and cheese boards. Alice is a wonderful lady and a delight. Sit outside and enjoy the view, cows, blue herons and more.

Thank you for a Beautiful wine tasting ! It just doesn't get any cuter then this gorgeous place. What a find ! Delicious wine, excellent tasting, beautiful setting, and exquisite charm. Loved our service and got to know a little bit about the history. Please Stop by this lovely place and soak in the sun with the smell of roses and Chardonnay. We will be back !!! read more

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Great little store! We stopped by here for some more information on local wines and tasting. Spoke to David (a fellow Brit that moved to California 20 years ago) and he was really helpful in suggesting the best Wineries for a tour along with some leaflets and a map of the area. He even gave us advise on which wineries give free samplings for customers of Sophie's Cellars! They have quite an extensive selection of wines and a fair amount of cheeses and crackers. If you are staying in the area whether it's for wine tasting tours or just a short break I definitely recommend a visit. read more

Sophie's Cellars - Some of the cheese selection - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

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Sophie's Cellar is a delightful place to visit. Lots of local wines to try and a lovely proprietress named Alice who has owned the shop for about 6 years. It's a pretty spot to take a break and enjoy a glass of wine from one of the wineries near by. You can taste and then purchase wines to go. Alice is extremely knowledgeable about the wines and their producers. A definite "must see" place if you find yourself near Duncan Mills (an adorable town with lots of fun shops). read more

Day trippin in Sonoma.......Great spot on your way to or from the coast to sip wine or purchase bottles. Cheese sampler is a very pleasant addition. read more

I had such a lovely afternoon here with my friends. The setting is magnificent. Well kept gardens with hummingbirds and beautiful flowers surrounding the patio we sat on. Quaint shops surround the location. All 5 of us had tasting flights, which can be personalized for each person. We got to choose from a selection of wines, making our the $10 price point absolutely unbeatable!. We also got a cheese plate which was a great snack with our wine. John was so extremely welcoming, knowledgeable and an absolute delight to interact with. Would recommend this stop for any visitor or local of the Russian River Valley! read more

Sophie's Cellars - Wine Bars Near Me - Duncans Mills, California

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What a perfect afternoon at Sophie's Cellars Wine Bar. It's this picturesque little spot in Duncan's Mills with a sunny patio overlooking a meadow. The new owner Alice introduced me to some local Sonoma County boutique wines (an excellent Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc) which she sells by the glass and created a custom cheese plate for me to complement the wines I selected. I ended up being there for 3 hours, purchased a couple of bottles, and joined her Sophie Sippers Wine Club. I'm hooked. This lady knows Sonoma wines and treats customers like friends. read more

The owner John provides excellent wine recommendations paired with the best cheeses around. The selection of wine is local and robust and the ambiance makes you feel completely relaxed. We will be coming back in the future. read more

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Great hidden gem in Duncan Mills! My husband and I biked to Sophie's Cellar from Monte Rio via Moscow Road. It was our "reward" for biking there. The owner is very nice, friendly and knowledgeable about wines and cheeses. She made us a lovely cheeseboard which we inhaled, along with our wine! Reminds me of eating at a cafe in Europe in the afternoon. read more

Alice, the owner, was amazing! She recommended so many good things to us. We had a group of six and she was able to meet all our taste buds' needs! She really is a gem and so is this little spot tucked in the hills! Definitely check it out! read more

What a treat this place is. Alice the owner is lovely, the selection of local wine, beer and cheese is excellent, and the beautiful setting makes you want to just sit down and stay awhile. Highly recommended. read more

Stopped by today after an amazing hike at the Jenner headlands. We were looking forward to sipping our wine outside in the sunshine, but the fog had blown in. No problem! Between the heat lamps and colorful blankets that our hostess graciously provided, we were warm and cozy sitting outside in the garden. Wonderful friendly atmosphere and nice people. We had a glass of Pinot Noir and Cabernet with a cheeseboard. Loved it all! read more

We visited this quaint and pretty little tasting room on a family trip. My mom, my sisters and I decided to leave the family for a little bonding time. We brought my sister's 4 mo old perfect baby with us since the fellas and big kids were playing. The owner (?) sent us away because this angelic perfect baby not making a peep was not 21. Most wineries and tasting rooms are family friendly so we assumed this would be the same. We offered to sit outside (which we did anyway!) but she was not allowed on site. 15 minutes later my sister returned after taking the baby back to our camp I asked about the tasting fees. "Are tasting fees waived with bottle purchase?" The guy responded like I asked him something insane "OH NO!" He said. And laughed. We bought a bottle to share had our drinks and left. I wouldn't go back. We stayed across the street at a campgrounds. If it was a little more welcoming I would totally see tasting and buying multiple times during our stay. read more

Alice is SO kind and helpful. We had a group of 6 of us and had the absolute best afternoon there. Alice hand creates these fantastic cheese boards, recommended the best wines, and is such a fun presence. Thank you so much for a wonderful afternoon! So sad we dug into the wine and cheese too fast to take a picture, but the other review pictures definitely do it justice. read more

This place was wonderful. Such a cute little location. The owner was super sweet. I would highly recommend enjoying an afternoon at Sophie's. There are heaters to keep you warm, so don't let the Winter deter you. read more

This is one of those times when I wish Yelp had a "half star" rating as I really want to only give Sophies a 3.5. But, I'll default to four. ____________________________________________________ I popped into Sophie's in pursuit of a Zinfandel after perusing their selection online. When I walked in the door the sole employee greeted me and asked me what I was looking for. He didn't even let me start to browse. He was on me like white on rice. I said that I wanted a Zinfandel. He asked me if I would be bringing it to a restaurant. I said no, that I was cooking. He then asked if I wanted a Zin that was more red fruit or black fruit. I said I was unsure but that I was leaning toward the 2004 Carol Shelton Wild Thing at $28.99. He then offered up a Douro at $8.99. I said that "I've never had a Douro so I don't know what I am getting myself in for." "A wine pairing," he snapped. Damn, Sam!!! Step off!!!!!! I ended up taking the wine I had come in for. When he rang me up, he asked "What phone number do I have you in our system under?" I said that I wasn't in their system. He then prodded, "But you live here" "No, I am renting a house." "Oh, well, I'll give you the locals' discount anyway." The locals' discount is 2%. Despite my perhaps overzealous attendant they do have a wide selection of wines. And, at the bottom of the receipt is a list of 8 local restaurants where you may bring your wine purchase and not be charged a corkage fee. There is a one bottle limit. One restaurant is in Monte Rio, 3 in Guerneville, and one each in Occidental, Forestville, Jenner & Bodega. read more

The two guys were super sweet and helped us pick a delicious Tempranillo to go with the Elk we had for dinner...Not only that, but they also helped us pick this amazing cheese- Goat, Sheep & Cow from france that went perfect with the freshly baked baguette they had! Will make sure this is a stop every trip to Guerneville! read more

Super cute and cozy winery . Great wines and tasty cheese platters. Had a wonderful experience. Would definitely go back!

Friday evenings at Sophie's, friends and family happily schmoozing on the decorous patio, inhaling the finest wines in the neighborhood, noshing on exquisite treats and feeling like you're in some French country inn - sea-kissed breezes, everyone feeling bubbly, happy, content and nurtured - and then the cows in the adjacent meadow come slowly ambling up to see what we're sipping and what's making us feel so friggin' good. Maybe it's the Duncans Mills location that sets the tone for this hedonist's delight - but the tasty blend of food, drink and company John features at Sophie's is virtually unbeatable. read more

Cheese = great selection/variety for such a tiny place. Wine = yummy. Need I say more? Service = great. They were so friendly and helpful! Prices = what you'd expect to pay for good cheese and wine. We splurged, as we were on a mini-vacation! read more

This review is solely for the cheese selection. They appeared to have a ton of excellent wine choices, but my trip here was only for cheese and I was sooooooo disappointed. The only reason I gave 2 instead of one star is that they had a few harder to find cheeses. But, overall, there were maybe 20 cheeses all together and only ONE blue cheese, which was the Pt. Reyes, which can be found anywhere. Maybe my expectations were unreasonable based on the hype about this place, but I do expect more than one blue cheese (come on, even Safeway has more than that!). I left empty handed and sad. read more

A must if your passing through Monte Rio and you like wine. Super nice Sommelier, nice selections of wine, and a few really good beer's. There is also a small refrigerated section of yummy eats too. I like the simple, open lay out of the store and the friendly service by the owner/sommelier. he has great local knowledge of the wine and food industry. read more

John is very knowledgeable, and a certifiable sweetheart. He knows the region and knows his wine. He was able to recommend wineries to visit based on our budget and flavor profile - which made a huge impact on what wineries to go to. Definitely will visit again when I find myself floating by the russian river. This is one of those places that my little self dreams of having one day when i grow up. Love, love, love this place. read more