Despite the fame of its eastern neighbor Napa, the Sonoma Valley is the true birthplace of the California wine industry. Called “The Valley of the Moon” in Native American legends, it is cradled between the Mayacamas and Sonoma mountain ranges just 45 minutes from San Francisco. Franciscan monks planted the first vineyards in Sonoma during the early 1820s, and by 1920 there were more than 250 vineyards with 20,000 acres of grape vines.

As with Napa, Sonoma saw a steady decline in production due to the phylloxera infestation, Prohibition and the Great Depression. Its recovery throughout the 1970s and ’80s, however, was very strong, and the area continues to grown in both production and popularity. Though it often receives less attention and sees far fewer annual visitors, Sonoma has produced significantly more wine than Napa, as there are now more than 65,000 acres under vine. It maintains a small-town, country feel, and produces countless varietals rated just as highly as Napa’s best.

For more information on the many recreational and cultural opportunities in Sonoma Valley, please see the Activities page.