Craving something a little more off-the-beaten path? Sonoma County is well known for its independently owned wineries, but we’ve curated a list of smaller producers to put on your radar. When you visit these boutique wineries, you’ll get the chance to sample small-lot, limited-release bottlings in a more intimate setting (something that many larger wine producers simply don’t offer), while still enjoying the laid-back vibes you’d expect from this notoriously relaxed wine region.

So, want to try something new the next time you’re in Sonoma? Pop into any of these boutique wineries for an experience you won’t find elsewhere in Wine Country.

Freeman Winery

The brainchild of dynamic duo, Ken and Akiko Freeman, Freeman Winery focuses on blending the Old World traditions of Burgundy with New World ingenuity, producing Sonoma favorites like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with distinctive complexity. Perfecting the art of cool-climate grape growing is at the core of Freeman Winery’s philosophy—that and the idea that the more difficult the growing conditions, the better the wine. Their vineyards span Sonoma from the foggy, coastal Yu-Ki Vineyard to their Gloria Estate Vineyard, which you’ll see on a visit to the estate. The property alone is a magical place for wine tasting in Sonoma, surrounded by towering redwood trees and with interesting nooks and crannies to explore, like their wine cave. Tasters get a tour of their small-lot vineyards and have the chance to enjoy their sips subterranean.

Tasting Fee: $40 per person
Visit: 1300 Montgomery Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Contact: (707) 823-6937
Reservations: Required

Coursey Graves

A winery with lush gardens that are modeled after Claude Monet’s Giverny? Sign us up! Perched on Bennett Mountain with jaw-dropping views, Coursey Graves produces carefully crafted French-inspired wines. This small production winery only offers one kind of experience, their Signature Tasting, where guests can sample Bordeaux-style wines (like their Estate Syrah made from grapes that are hand-picked on steep slopes) and munch on perfectly paired local cheeses. You’ll also get the chance to stroll around the property, enjoying the sprawling views and flowering gardens, complete with the quintessential Japanese bridge.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $75 per person
Visit: 6860 Serenity Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Contact: (707) 867-1888
Reservations: Required

Dutton-Goldfield Winery

Dutton-Goldfield Winery has been perfecting cool-climate wines since 1998. What was once an area thought to be too cold for grape growing is now a thriving vineyard that produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with an extra special spark and complexity. The dynamic duo of Dutton-Goldfield, one a grower and the other a winemaker, welcome you to their Sebastopol tasting room for classic tasting experiences and fun, seasonal events. During the Pinot Noir Road Trip, try your hand at tasting the vineyard’s distinct terroirs as you sip five single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and compare soils. Or opt for the Discovery Tasting, a private experience that will have you delving deep into Dutton-Goldfield’s collection of fine, limited-production wines.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $40
Visit: 3100 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Contact: (707) 823-3887
Reservations: Reservations encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome pending availability.

Iron Horse Vineyards

Nestled in Sonoma’s Green Valley AVA, Iron Horse Vineyards is one of California’s premier sparkling winemakers. Their Blancs de Blancs were served at the White House for decades, a further testament to their delicious bubbles! If you’re not into bubbly, they also produce still wines including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tastings are just $35 per person but must be scheduled in advance, and do call ahead as this winery is popular with locals and out-of-towners alike. Once there, be sure to try the Oceans Reserve, and consider taking a bottle or two home, as each bottle sold contributes $5 to marine protected areas and the fight to end global overfishing.

Tasting Fee: $35 per person
Visit: 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Contact: (707) 887-1507
Reservations: Required

Moshin Vineyards

Moshin Vineyards is one of the best-kept secrets in the Russian River, where premium wines express the unique characteristics of the region. Founded by Rick Moshin and his family, this small Healdsburg area winery puts sustainability front and center, from their sustainable farming practices to their gravity-flow, solar powered winery. Though they focus on estate Pinot Noir, they also make a wide variety of Sonoma County wines, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel, to name a few, which can be enjoyed amid the relaxed environment of their inviting tasting room.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $30
Visit: 10295 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Contact: (707) 433-5499
Reservations: Walk-ins welcome

Sangiacomo Family Vineyards

Founded by three generations of the Sangiacomo family, this iconic vineyard operation has been rooted in Sonoma since 1927. Sangiacomo Family Vineyards is the family’s small wine label, celebrated for its sustainable farming practices and vineyard-driven wines that capture the unique character of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in Sonoma County. With beautiful scenery and a welcoming atmosphere, a visit here is a chance to experience authentic Sonoma Wine Country heritage in a relaxed and intimate setting.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $40
Visit: 21545 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476
Contact: (707) 934-8445
Reservations: Required

Hawkes Vineyards and Winery

A father and son operation, Hawkes Vineyards and Winery has inviting locations in both Healdsburg and in downtown Sonoma making it easy to stop in and try their wines. For over 40 years, they’ve been growing grapes in the Alexander Valley and have specialized in small-production wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. Many of their wines are limited production and reserved for club members, but they do have wines available online should you be interested in trying them at home.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $35
Visit: Estate: 6734 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448; Downtown Sonoma: 383 1st Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476
Contact: Estate – (707) 433-4295; Sonoma – (707) 938-7620
Reservations: Required at the Estate; encouraged at the Sonoma tasting room.

Schermeister Winery

Rob and Laura Schermeister are the husband-and-wife duo behind Schermeister Winery, a small-production winery focused on unfiltered Pinot Noir and Rhône wines. Located in the historic Jack London Village, Glen Ellen’s oldest building, a visit to their inviting tasting studio is a treat. Led by Rob, who is also the winemaker, tastings are held inside or out on the serene patio and include five wines paired with small bites.

Tasting Fee: $35 per person
Visit: 14301 Arnold Drive, Studio 28, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Contact: (707) 934-8953
Reservations: Walk-ins are welcome depending on availability.

Smith Story Wine Cellars

A love story at heart, Smith Story Wine Cellars was founded by husband-and-wife team Eric and Ali Story, who turned their shared passion for wine into a vibrant winery dedicated to showcasing the best of Sonoma and Mendocino. Their small-lot bottlings, including Pinot Noir and Cabernet, are both elegant and expressive. Located at Sonoma’s Bacchus Landing, Smith Story offers a laid-back, friendly vibe perfect for those seeking a genuine, off-the-beaten-path tasting experience. Plus, kids and dogs are both welcome!

Tasting Fee: Starting at $25
Visit: 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Ste. 200, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Contact: (707) 494-5575
Reservations: Encouraged but not required, walk-ins welcome.

Square Peg Winery

At first glance, Square Peg Winery‘s tasting room is enough of a reason to visit the Sebastopol winery. Showcasing gorgeous artwork and even better views of their surrounding vineyards, an intimate tasting offers much more than delicious pours. But when you get into the nitty gritty, the small-production winery distinguishes themselves from many of their neighbors in more ways than one. The winery leverages dry farming, meaning the only water the grapes receive is rainfall that’s stored in the soil. This allows the terroir to truly shine through each of their wines and has positive environmental benefits. When you visit, be sure to save some time to explore their estate vineyard and build your own connection to their vines beyond their wines.

Tasting Fee: $50 per person
Visit: 4728 Stoetz Lane, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Contact: (707) 827-1711
Reservations: Required