Petaluma Wineries: Planning Your Weekend Getaway

Guides
by WINECOUNTRY COLLECTIVE
on DECEMBER 29, 2015

7714
0

Wine enthusiasts visiting Petaluma can fill their days with tours of vineyards, and conclude their evenings sipping on one of the bottles sampled during the daily tastings. For a wine-tasting weekend, Petaluma has plenty of established vineyards without the crowds commonly found in California Wine Country, so use this guide to Petaluma wineries to map out your next California wine expedition.

Day 1

1

Wineries / Petaluma

Barber Cellars

Walking into Barber Cellars, the first thing you notice is the beautiful old wooden floors. The rustic charm continues when you reach the bar, which is made from woven, repurposed wine barrels. Our favorite wine to sip on is the 2012 Zin Master, a Zinfandel Reserve that boasts a bold yet very drinkable flavor.

Insider Tip

Bring some extra change and play a few of the old-school arcade games at Barber Cellars.

Directions

Attached to the historic Hotel Petaluma in downtown, Barber Cellars is on the corner of Washington St. and Telephone Alley.

Details

2

Wineries / Petaluma

Keller Estate Winery & Vineyards

Keller Estate Winery & Vineyards has been making wines for over 25 years, and their skill shows in the wines produced here. Walk through their front doors to discover an interior rich with natural elements, including brick floors, exposed wood beams, and stone walls. White and red wine drinkers alike can begin their wine tasting journey savoring a glass of award winning vino, as Keller Estate Winery has a 2011 La Cruz Chardonnay and a 2012 Precioso Pinot Noir that both received 90 points from Wine Spectator. Tour the vineyards and the wine caves to get a feel for how Keller Estate Winery operates, and for a closer, more educational look, ask the staff about the state-of-the-art gravity flow system that helps create their signature wines.

Insider Tip

Visit on the first weekend of the month for the brunch wine tasting.

Directions

From Kastania Vineyards, take Kastania Road back to take Hwy. 101 South to 116 East towards Sonoma/Napa Valley. Continue straight to Lakeville Road, then turn onto Cannon Lane.

Details

Day 2

3

Wineries / Petaluma

Azari Vineyards

Azari Vineyards is a small boutique winery in Petaluma that wine enthusiasts would be remiss to omit from their itineraries. Held in a Tuscan villa-style house, the winery is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a breathtaking panoramic view. Azari Vineyards produces a stellar Pinot Noir, and owner Cyrus is more than happy to teach guests about the winemaking process as they savor their delectable wines.

Insider Tip

Tastings are done in front of a pizza oven, and you should definitely sample the results along with your wine.

Directions

Head west out of downtown Petaluma using Western Ave. until it turns into Springhill Road. Turn left onto Shamrock Road, and Azari Vineyards is on the left.

Details

4

Wineries / Petaluma

Stubbs Vineyard

Stubbs Vineyard is an organically certified vineyard that believes in living wholly off the grid. Chickens and llamas roam the property, creating a peaceful, rural environment reminiscent of an age gone by. Unlike the nearby bustle of Sonoma, Stubbs Vineyard provides a small, intimate wine tasting setting for visitors. While some wineries may try to produce a dozen different varieties, Stubbs Vineyard focuses only on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and their efforts are rewarded with some of the best examples of these wines in the area.

Insider Tip

Try some of the delicious homemade extra-virgin olive oil produced by the owners themselves.

Directions

From Armagh Vineyard, go west on Chileno Valley Road, following the route as it turns to Wilson Hill Road. Take a sharp right turn back onto Chileno Valley Road and Stubbs Vineyards will be on the left.

Details

You might also like

Wine

Best Wine Movies for Oenophiles

Grab the popcorn and your favorite glass. We've rounded up our top wine-related movies, perfect…

Read More

Wine

20 Best Wine Tasting Rooms in Sonoma…

Besides gorgeous vineyards, Sonoma lures for its excellent wine. Here are 20 of the best…

Read More

Things To Do

10 Best Sonoma County Wine Tours

Touring Sonoma Wine Country with one of these 10 tour companies is a great way…

Read More

Wine

Where to Enjoy Free Wine Tastings in…

Complimentary wine tastings may feel like a thing of the past, but it’s still possible…

Read More