The Sonoma Valley Tasting Pass is a great way to experience family-owned wineries and tasting rooms during your visit. If Chardonnay is your favorite, we've put together this list to help you narrow down and focus your itinerary.

Chardonnay is one of Sonoma Valley’s most prolific grapes. This said, not all chardonnays are the same; its style varies from vineyard to vineyard, dependent on the soil, sun exposure, microclimate, clone and winemaking approach. The hillside vineyards of Sonoma Valley — many of them perched on volcanic soils and tempered by cool coastal air — produce chardonnays of uncommon elegance. Stone fruit and citrus mingle with notes of vanilla in the glass, while aging in French oak lends the wine a supple, layered texture. What distinguishes these expressions above all is their lively acidity, which keeps the richness in check and makes them exceptionally versatile at the table.

Check out the tasting pass details for more information on pricing and the contents of the individual tasting experiences.
 

ANABA WINES

To visit Anaba is to relax and let yourself enjoy the surroundings. Flanked by the valley’s western foothills, and just on the other side of the Petaluma Wind Gap, this little oasis of “down-home luxury” offers warm hospitality, great food options (especially their wood-fired pizzas), both indoor and outdoor seating, and an incredible array of wines, primarily dedicated to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Using estate fruit from around the winery and sourced fruit from reputable vineyards, the team maintains a strong commitment to sustainability. Love pickleball as much as your Chard? Make a reservation and try their pickleball and tasting experience while you’re there.
 

CADDIS WINES

This tiny but mighty family-owned winery is dedicated to the production of premier, small-lot wines. And a tasting room experience at Caddis means you’ll get to taste directly with winemaker Chris Sorensen himself! With a wonderfully focused selection, you’ll have a chance to try their newest cuvée of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay—a clean, bright and balanced Chardonnay reminiscent of peach, nectarine and orange blossom and framed in a wonderful minerality. The Sorensen’s wines are as elegant and approachable as they are.
 

GEHRICKE WINES

Proprietor August Sebastiani hails from four generations of winemakers, but he has found his own unique style at Gehricke, where he sources from some of the finest vineyards in Sonoma Valley and receives guests in downtown Sonoma’s historic firehouse. Try their unctuous Russian River Chardonnay, a wonderful blend of creamy and crisp textures and framed in 20% new oak—the perfect selection for true Chardonnay lovers!
 

GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU

As one of Sonoma Valley’s oldest family-owned wineries, Gundlach Bundschu boasts six generations of winemaking since 1858. Focusing on small-lots of premium wines throughout the North Coast, the Bundschu family has gradually transitioned from sustainable to regenerative, organic viticulture. Their tastings are as welcoming as they are informative and are both family- and dog-friendly. For a kiss of Pacific seabreeze, try their Sonoma Coast Chardonnay—a titan of balance between mineral-driven citrus notes and tropical fruit flavors.
 

HIGHWAY 12 WINERY

In the early 2000s, when family wineries were being gobbled up by large wine conglomerates, longtime friends Paul Giusto and Michael Sebastiani teamed up to produce a more authentic expression of the region. They eventually launched Highway 12 Winery, a tribute to the exquisite patchwork of vineyards lining Sonoma Valley’s famous wine route. Tasting in their historic barn, the J.G. Marcy Stable, can’t help but give you a taste of old Sonoma. And with four distinct chardonnays to choose from, you can’t help but become a fan.
 

LA PRENDA

Once acclaimed as a source of high-quality grapes for other winemakers, La Prenda finally decided to move from farm to winery in 2020, bottling its own wine for the first time in over two decades. As advocates for sustainable and fish-friendly farming, the Hill family are all about showcasing the local terroir, producing a variety of different grapes, namely pinot noir and chardonnay. With one unoaked bottling and another with a judicious use of oak, your tastebuds will delight at the range of factors that go into a single bottle.