Planning a trip to Sonoma wine country and looking for the best wineries in Dry Creek Valley?
This historic region is home to more than 70 wineries, many of which are small family-run producers that still have a laid-back vibe. And itās famous for its bold and spicy Zinfandel wines.
With so many tasting rooms to choose from, you may be wondering where to start. As an American Wine Expert and WSET Level 3 wine blogger, Iāve personally researched and explored the region. And I put together this guide with everything you need to plan your wine tasting trip.
Read on to find out the best Dry Creek wineries to visit and learn about this beautiful wine region.
The Best Wineries in Dry Creek Valley
1. Unti Vineyards
Unti Vineyards was one of my favorite stops during my trip to this region. This small, family-owned winery is a 10-minute drive north of Healdsburg. George and Mick make up a father-son team, founding the winery in 1997. Now the rest of the family helps out.
Theyāve been organically farming their 60 acres of vines since 2003. And many of their winemaking practices go back to traditional methods.
They ferment and mature up to 60 small batches of wine in a variety of different vessels. From stainless steel, to cement eggs, to large and small French oak, this gives many different blending options.
These techniques produce outstanding wines from RhƓne varieties like Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache Blanc. I also love their Italian varietal wines, including Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera, and Vermentino. And of course, being in Dry Creek Valley, they also make excellent Zinfandel.
Visiting Tips
As a small, family-run winery, reservations are a must for visiting. Youāll be able to learn about and sample 6 of their current releases in the cozy tasting room overlooking the vines.
2. Nalle Winery
For another fantastic small, family-owned spot, check out Nalle Winery on Dry Creek Road. This boutique producer is one of Dry Creek Valleyās hidden gems.
Fred and Ruby Henderlong bought the property in 1927 and planted a vineyard with Zinfandel. Their daughter Lee later married Doug Nalle, who had experience with winemaking and began making his own wines from the landās vineyards.
By the 1980s, Doug had made a name for Nalle Winery. The old vines were producing top-quality Zinfandel that was recognized by the likes of Wine Spectator. And as the next generation, Andrew Nalle and his wife April have continued the family business of making great wine.
I really love Nalleās style of Zinfandel. Itās more elegant and restrained than the bold, high-alcohol versions youāll find elsewhere. It has bright fruit and a well-balanced structure.
They also produce excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. All these wines are hard to find outside of the winery. So, itās well worth the visit to get your hands on some.
I also like that Nalle has a living roof cellar. Itās made from a concrete arch that has several feet of soil and greenery on top. This naturally keeps the cellar cool without using energy.
Visiting Tips
You can enjoy a flight of four wines in their rustic outdoor space right behind the cellar. Being a small operation, youāll often be greeted and served by one of the Nalles themselves.
3. Dry Creek Vineyard
Just off Dry Creek Road, youāll find Dry Creek Vineyard on Lambert Bridge Road. This was the first new winery established in Dry Creek Valley after prohibition.
Founder David Stare caught the wine bug after living in Germany and visiting France. He fell in love with the wines of the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux region. And took a chance by moving his whole family from Boston to California to start a winery.
At the time, no one had attempted to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the area. But David was determined to create white wines like those found in France. So, thatās what he did.
What was once a prune farm across from the Dry Creek General Store is now the site of Dry Creek Vineyard. And they specialize in both Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel.
I like that you can taste unoaked and oaked styles (known as FumƩ Blanc) of Sauvignon Blanc to see which you prefer. Plus, they produce nearly 10 Zinfandels from different vineyard sites.
Visiting Tips
Book a private tasting to sample these wines along with some of their others like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc. Or go for one of the more specialized tasting experiences like all Zinfandel or all Bordeaux-inspired wines.
This is also a great place to have lunch, with an option to book a winery picnic with your tasting.
4. Mazzocco Winery
Lytton Springs Road branches off Dry Creek Road and is home to Mazzocco Winery.
Diane and Ken Wilson started as grape growers in Dry Creek Valley. They eventually had the opportunity to take on Mazzocco as part of the 11 wineries in the Wilson Artisan Wineries family.
Antoine Favero has been the long-time winemaker. Born in Franceās Champagne region, his family moved to Northern California when he was a child. And he discovered his passion for enology while attending UC Davis.
If youāre a Zinfandel lover, Mazzocco is a must-visit. I loved sampling my way through their dozen+ different versions made from single vineyard plots. These range from rocky soils at high elevations to loamy valley floors.
Rather than blending them, they bottle the individual sites. So, I really got to experience the unique flavors and aromas that come from each terroir (basically, a combo of the climate, soil, and terrain).
Visiting Tips
Make a reservation for the Garden Experience to sample 5 wines while you take in beautiful views. You can do a side-by-side comparison tasting of their Zinfandels. Or sample other varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Sauvignon Blanc.
5. Ridge Vineyards
A little further down Lytton Springs Road is the Lytton Springs location of Ridge Vineyards. This highly regarded producer first started making wine in 1885. But its modern history began in 1962 when four Stanford scientists rebonded the winery.
Focusing on low-intervention wines, Ridge has become the largest farmer of organic grapes in Sonoma County.
In an industry that is rarely transparent about what goes into your wine besides grapes, I love that they list all the ingredients on the back of their bottles. And they even tell you how long to hold the wine if youāre inclined to age it.
The Lytton Springs location became part of Ridge in 1991. However, some of the blocks of old vine Zinfandel are up to 115 years old.
Ridge is yet another producer that specializes in single vineyard wines. Youāll find mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and, of course, Zinfandel. But they also grow RhĆ“ne varieties like Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan.
Visiting Tips
The Dry Creek Valley tasting room is a unique building, operating mostly on solar power and made from straw bales and vineyard clay. Make an appointment to enjoy an Estate Tasting with five wines on their beautiful deck overlooking the vineyards.
Or for something extra special, take the Century Tour and Library Tasting. After the estate tour, youāll experience a comparison of the current releases versus older vintages of the same wines.
6. Seghesio Family Vineyards
Just outside of downtown Healdsburg, Seghesio Family Vineyards has its roots in Italy. Edoardo Seghesio left Piedmont in 1886 to start a new life in America.
He landed in Northern Sonoma County, which seemed like prime winegrowing landing. So, he planted one of Italyās most prized grape varieties: Sangiovese.
Those vines, along with the winery, survived prohibition. They were one of the few that hung on by selling grapes to families.
Five generations later, Seghesio can claim North Americaās oldest plantings of Sangiovese. They also still harvest the Zinfandel that Edoardo grew on the home ranch.
The term āold vinesā is not regulated in the U.S. but all those that Seghesio labels this way are a minimum of 50 years old. And some sites average closer to 75 years. These make a variety of different Zinfandels from plots throughout their 300 acres of vineyards.
Iām a huge fan of Italian wines, so I love that they also specialize in other Italian varieties like Barbera and Vermentino.
Visiting Tips
I was able to easily walk to their tasting room from downtown Healdsburg. If youād like to do a seated tasting or a tour, I recommend making a reservation. Or you can book a bocce court and order a bottle.
Have the kids in tow? Bring a picnic to the no-reservations-necessary Wine Garden. Furry friends are welcome too!
Pin for Later!
Dry Creek Valley Wine Tour
The wineries in Dry Creek Valley are not far apart. But itās never fun watching your alcohol intake while wine tasting.
If you prefer not to drive, this is a great private wine tour that allows you to customize your itinerary. That way, you can choose the exact wineries you want to visit. And sit back while someone else takes you there.
š Book the Dry Creek Valley Wine Tour
Recommendations may be affiliate links on which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me share new wine destinations with you and I only recommend products and services that I love and think youāll love too!
Where to Stay in Dry Creek Valley
The town of Healdsburg is the best home base for exploring wineries in Dry Creek Valley.
Outside of being named by CNN as one of the nationās most romantic small towns, Healdsburgās charming town square is also filled with wine tasting rooms, shops, and excellent restaurants. And itās just a short drive (or bike ride) to all the places above.
For a cozy inn thatās within walking distance of Healdsburg square, I recommend staying at The River Belle Inn. A delicious farm-to-table breakfast is included. And you can enjoy a glass of wine in their Adirondack chairs while taking in stunning views of the Russian River.
šØ Book The River Belle Inn
FAQs About Visiting Dry Creek Valley Wineries
What Wine is Dry Creek Valley Known For?
Dry Creek Valley is known for producing premium, old-vine Zinfandel. This red grape originally came from Europe. And itās a close relative of Southern Italyās Primitivo.
But it was the United States that named the grape in the mid-1800s when it was first planted in California. After Prohibition, Dry Creek Valley was really the one to champion its return. Thatās why youāll find many of the old vines in the region date back more than 100 years.
Zinfandel ripens unevenly. So, you can get both raisined and underripe fruit in a single harvest. And the hot climate means wines can have overly jammy flavors and sky-high alcohol (up to 17%!). But when done right, youāll get juicy red and black fruits with spicy notes like black pepper and licorice.
This region is also known for Sauvignon Blanc, as well as other Bordeaux and RhƓne varieties.
When is the best time to visit Dry Creek Valley wineries?
Spring and fall are some of the best times to visit wineries in Dry Creek Valley. Youāll avoid the heat and crowds of the summer. And get better deals on your stay.
Winter is also a great option for a little more peace and quiet. And you can explore one of the worldās best wine-cycling routes. Starting in Healdsburg, take a loop through Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. Along the way, youāll pass by many of the top wineries where you can stop and sip.
If youāre visiting in late April, donāt miss the annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley. A pass lets you visit 30+ participating wineries without making advance reservations. And it includes food pairings, access to winemakers, and entertainment like live music.
Whatās the best way to get to Dry Creek Valley?
If youāre flying in, the closest airport is San Francisco. From there, itās about a 1.5-hour drive up to Healdsburg. Or you could fly into Sacramento and itās a 2-hour drive.
Are Wineries in Dry CreeK Valley Open Year-Round?
Most wineries in Dry Creek Valley are open year-round. Just be sure to check their website before stopping by in the off-season.
Do You Need Reservations for Dry Creek Valley Wineries?
Reservations are recommended, and often required, at many Dry Creek Valley wineries. Itās usually best to make an appointment if you have the option so you donāt wind up getting turned away. Check out more tips on winery etiquette.
How Much Does Dry Creek Valley Wine Tasting Cost?
Wine tasting costs range from $25 to $50+. Some places will waive your tasting fee if you purchase a few bottles or join the wine club. Find out more ways to save on wine tasting with travel rewards.
Dry Creek Valley AVA
Dry Creek Valley Climate and Terroir
Sonoma is a larger area than Napa Valley, with much more variation in climate. Just south of Dry Creek Valley, the Russian River Valley is cool enough to grow grapes like Pinot Noir.
But further inland away from the cold Pacific Ocean breezes, it gets hot. And Dry Creek Valley is one of the warmest regions in Sonoma County.
The Mediterranean climate means temperatures are fairly consistent year-round. And it creates dry conditions that are ideal for the regionās robust wines.
The name comes from none other than the āDry Creek,ā which runs through the middle of this 16-mile-long and 2-mile-wide valley. Further south, the creek joins the Russian River.
History of Dry Creek Valley
California wine didnāt really gain international recognition until 1976 when it beat France in a blind wine tasting. If youāre not familiar with it, this was dubbed the Judgement of Paris. And it was certainly a shocker for more than just the French!
However, vines were planted and wine was made in California long before this time. Dry Creek Valley was one of the earliest in the northern part of the state, with the first vines dating back to the 1870s.
Ironically, the guy who planted them was a Frenchman named Georges Bloch.
So, what happened in those 100 years? Well, the root louse phylloxera made it very difficult to grow non-native vine species (Vitis vinifera). Until they figured out how to graft the vines onto American rootstock.
And then there was this little thing called Prohibition that happened in the 1920s. Some wineries survived by selling grapes or grape juice to individuals with a warning not to add yeast (wink, wink). But for the most part, it wiped out the industry.
After Prohibition, wineries started to reform. And many of the vines from those days have survived, making Dry Creek Valley known for its old vine wines.
The Dry Creek Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) was officially formed in 1983, the first in California. And today, there are more than 70 Dry Creek Valley wineries and 9,000 vineyard acres.
Check out More U.S. Wine Destinations
Discover Santa Barbara Wine Country: Essential Guide
10 Best Los Olivos Wineries & Wine Tasting Rooms
10 Best Solvang Wineries & Wine Tasting Rooms
4 Best Tasting Rooms in Santa Barbara, California
The Best Wineries in Dry Creek Valley (Wine Tasting Itinerary)
8 Best New Buffalo Wineries in Michigan
Have you visited any of these Dry Creek Valley wineries? Which one is your favorite?
Leave a Reply