Alexander Valley Wine Tasting Tours
The Alexander Valley (Wappo: Unutsawaholmanoma, “Toyon Bush Berry Place”), located just north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, is a Californian American Viticultural Area (AVA). Many wineries and vineyards may be found here, as well as the city of Cloverdale. It is Sonoma’s largest and most densely planted wine area. The Russian River flows through the valley, flanked on all sides by vineyards, and Highway 101 runs through it. There is a vista as far south as Taylor Mountain and Sonoma Mountain from the upper elevations of the valley rim. In 1847, a portion of the Rancho Sotoyome Mexican property grant was named after Cyrus Alexander.
Because of the area’s generally warm environment and capacity to properly mature the grapes, Alexander Valley wines have a rich, meaty mouthfeel and a degree of voluptuousness. While the wines are drinkable and approachable when young, they may not have the same age potential as wines from Napa Valley or even other parts of Sonoma County. The Alexander Valley can cultivate a wide range of grape varietals, but in recent years, the region has become known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.The alluvial soils of the region give the Cabernet a rich, chocolate flavor. Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, and Sangiovese are some of the other Alexander Valley varietals that are gaining popularity. The Chardonnay from this region is known for its tropical flavors and richness. Some experts, including as Jancis Robinson, believe that Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc will eventually prove to be the ideal grapes for the Alexander Valley’s climate and soils.
RECOMMENDED DESTINATIONS
Alexander Valley Vineyards (8644 CA-128, Healdsburg, CA; 797-433-7209) . 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. everyday
Harry and Maggie Wetzel set out to develop a prosperous agricultural lifestyle on the old Cyrus Alexander homestead after purchasing it. In Alexander Valley, they reared their children alongside their vines, offering inspiration and encouragement as they built the estate together. Decades later, their fourth generation is growing up among vineyards and next door to the working winery renowned as “AVV” all over the world. It might be considered a family tradition. We’re inclined to agree with you.
The award-winning wines, historic grounds, and welcoming tasting room of Alexander Valley Vineyards are well-known. Visit them in the Alexander Valley for a taste of Northern Sonoma’s best family-owned estate winery.
deLorimier Winery (2001 CA-128, Geyserville, CA; 707-857-2000) 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. everyday
There was no turning back with old vine bordeaux varietals hanging from the vines and the undulating hills of the Alexander Valley around the property. Even the stony Russian River banks at the property’s foot called out to them. The harvest full moon rising over the land stole their hearts, and this stunning estate property is large enough to host weddings and other gatherings. DeLorimier is well on its way to become their premier Cabernet Sauvignon winery, with gold medals on their first new releases.
Their beautiful tasting area, which is surrounded by lovely estate vineyards, has spectacular views of the entire valley from the back terrace. Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage, Malbec, and Primitivo are among their award-winning varieties.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery (300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA; 707-857-1471) 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. everyday
Francis Ford Coppola is best known for directing epic films like The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, for which he has won six Academy Awards. He has played an important role in shaping contemporary American film as a writer, director, and producer.
For several generations, the Coppola family has been creating wine. Francis Coppola’s grandfather, Agostino Coppola, used to brew wine in the basement of his Manhattan apartment building using concrete vats he built himself. When Francis and Eleanor Coppola and their children were in San Francisco over 35 years ago, they began looking for a modest cottage in Napa Valley to use as a weekend resort where they could brew some homemade wine. The family cottage they discovered turned out to be the famous Inglenook Estate’s Niebaum Mansion in Rutherford. The notion of rehabilitating that legendary property suddenly seemed considerably more fascinating than creating a small amount of wine in the cellar.
The Coppola family opted to build a new winery in Sonoma County after successfully completing the estate’s restoration—a 30-year project—in order to create a home for its ever-popular Diamond Collection and Rosso & Bianco wines. Francis Ford Coppola Winery is now the ideal spot for friends and family to taste our award-winning wines, get a bite to eat, and simply relax in a comfortable, relaxed setting, as these wines have always mirrored the graceful elegance of everyday living.
Hanna Winery and Vineyards (9280 CA-128, Healdsburg, CA; 707-431-4310) 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. everyday
Christine Hanna assumed leadership of her family’s business in 1991, overseeing the vineyard’s strategic expansion and laying the path for Hanna to become the legendary Sonoma winery it is today, producing outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Hanna winery, which now has over 250 acres in five top vineyard locations and produces 50,000 cases each year, is committed to the region’s distinct terroir, the farm to table movement, and the authentic Sonoma lifestyle.
Sit back, sip, and enjoy a hosted tasting on their Veranda, which overlooks the renowned Alexander Valley. A knowledgeable host will guide you through a flight of five wines made from grapes grown on their own vineyards in the Russian River, Alexander Valley, and Moon Mountain District.
Hawkes Wine (6734 CA-128, Healdsburg, CA; 707-433-4395) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. everyday
For the past four decades, the Hawkes Family has been growing grapes in the Alexander Valley. Today, the Hawkes family farms over 85 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay vineyards in Alexander Valley’s southern half, all planted on sparsely soiled hillsides and producing small amounts of intense fruit. They aim to translate their extraordinary standards for the quality of their grapes into extraordinary wine by bottling small lots of Hawkes Wine in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County.
Off the beaten path is Healdsburg’s best winery. Their patio, which is only ten minutes from the Healdsburg Plaza, is shaded by wisteria and frequented by the Hawkes chickens and their beloved winery dog, Capone.
Lancaster Estate (15001 Chalk Hill Rd, Healdsburg, CA; 707-433-8178) 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. everyday
Lancaster Estate’s 53-acre vineyards are rooted in Alexander Valley’s rich, volcanic soils and rolling hillsides. The great diversity of soil, combined with cool evenings and sunny days, creates ideal growing conditions for Bordeaux varietals. At Lancaster Estate, we are committed to growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and Cabernet Franc in order to produce the most authentic expression possible.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley (7300 CA-128, Healdsburg, CA; 707-942-7082) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. everyday
The state-of-the-art winery, located just 10 minutes east of downtown Healdsburg at 7300 Hwy 128 in Sonoma County, is currently open by reservation only.
The winery was designed to “Frame the Vineyard,” with panoramic views of the Alexander Valley bench and our surrounding 113-acre estate, as well as 75 acres of prime Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. Upon arrival, guests are greeted in our modern barn-inspired tasting room, which is located next to the iconic Silver Oak water tower. Visitors will gain a better understanding of how sustainable vineyard management affects wine quality, as well as the technologies and practices we use to manage resources and maintain vineyard health.
Guests will be guided on a tour that includes a walk through the vineyard to their new state-of-the-art production facility before returning to the tasting room and finishing in The Library while tasting their Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons.
Stonestreet Winery (7111 CA-128, Healdsburg, CA; 707-433-9463) 10 a.m – 3 p.m. everyday
The Alexander Valley’s Stonestreet Estate Vineyards and Winery is one of the world’s largest mountain estates and a testament to the quality of high-elevation winegrowing in California. A collection of distinct single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc — wines carved from an extreme landscape — can be found here.
The Jackson family acts as stewards of the land, caring for this 5,500-acre mountain estate in the Mayacamas Mountain Range, which towers high above the Alexander Valley. The estate, which ranges in elevation from 400 to 2,400 feet, features a diverse range of mesoclimates on peaks, valleys, and ledges. The geological diversity of the mountain, which has more soil types than the entire country of France, imparts a strong mineral characteristic in the fruit, while the challenges of farming at elevation result in smaller, more concentrated berry clusters.
Trentadue Winery (19170 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, CA; 707-433-3104) 10 a.m. – 5 a.m. everyday
The Trentadues arrived in Sonoma County long before the region became known as Wine Country. Evelyn and Leo Trentadue, lifelong, hands-on agriculturists, have made significant contributions to the advancement of their region over the years. In 1959, the Trentadues decided to flee the developers who were encroaching on their apricot and cherry orchards in Sunnyvale, now known as Silicon Valley. These hardworking Italian ranchers purchased 208 acres of land in Sonoma County’s then-remote Alexander Valley to preserve their way of life.
At our winery tasting room, you can sample the best of what our Alexander Valley Estate has to offer. Your tasting will include five small production wines from our estate vineyards. Dessert wines may also be included in your tasting, and our members have access to a variety of Club-exclusive options. After tasting our delectable wines, you’ll understand why we’re one of the best wine tasting rooms in Sonoma County.
SFO – San Francisco International Airport Services:
Count on accountable customer services, convenient, responsive, and reliable executive luxurious Limo Service San Francisco Bay Area will arrange your complete travel itinerary starting by a phone call to one of our reservation team members, give your round trip flight schedule – leave the rest to us! To arrange your complete ground transportation solution from Alexander Valley to San Francisco International Airport.
Long Distance Limousine transportation from San Francisco Airport to Alexander Valley:
Eager to start planning your Alexander Valley winery visit? If you already have favorite wineries and looking reservation please fill our online form or Call 916 221 0462 today and get ready to have an unforgettable Alexander Valley experience Today!
