Dry Creek Valley Wineries and Wine Region

There are over 80 Dry Creek Valley wineries in this wine region, famous for its Zinfandel tasting options. This section provides an overview on some of the best wineries to visit including Lake Sonoma Winery, Mauritson Family Winery, Dry Creek Winery and many more.

Dry Creek Valley is located in the northern part of Sonoma County, just to the west of Alexander Valley. The region spans over 78,000 acres with around 10,000 of those acres dedicated to wine growing.

The Dry Creek Valley wineries and wine region are famous for their Zinfandel wine. The region’s climate makes it the perfect location to grow and product some of the best Zinfandel wines in the world. Dry Creek Valley also produces a number of other amazing red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon wine, Syrah wine and Merlot wine are other popular red wines from this region.

Here are the wineries I think you will enjoy visiting:

An Amazing Zinfandel Wine Tasting Option: Mauritson Family Winery

I’m going to start you off with one of my favorite Dry Creek Valley wineries, Mauritson Family Winery. I am a huge Zinfandel wine fan and this winery is one of the reasons I love Zinfandel wine so much.

Mauritson’s is one of a handful of Dry Creek Valley wineries that I first visited during the Dry Creek Valley Passport event in 2008. I’ve come back to this winery several times since my original visit.

Mauritson’s is a family owned winery and they currently manage around 310 vineyard acres. My favorite Zinfandel on their roster is their Rockpile Ridge Zinfandel from the wineries Rockpile Ridge Vineyard.

They have quite a few Zinfandels on their list and they are all very flavorful red wines. I recommend you try them all when you visit.

Mauritson’s also has some other great red wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah, Syrah and Malbec wine. They also have some red wine blends that are worth trying. Prices for Mauritson’s red wines range from about $27 to $40.

Address: 2859 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Web Site Address: www.mauritsonwines.com

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 10am to 5pm

Tours: By Appointment Only, Call 707-431-0804

Additional Information: Picnic area, large group tasting available by appointment

Another Great Zinfandel Tasting Option: A Rafanelli Winery

A Rafanelli Winery is another one of the Dry Creek Valley wineries that I love visiting. My favorite wines at this winery are the A Rafanelli Zinfandel wines. I also love their Cabernet Sauvignon wine and Merlot wine.

This is a very small, family operated winery. They only way to taste and buy their wines is by visiting their winery in person. They don’t have an open tasting room, so make sure you call first to make an appointment. This is such a great winery to visit since the family is so friendly and you will truly enjoy your visit.

One of the other things I love about their winery is all of the beautiful roses on their property. As you are taking your tour, or just tasting their wines, don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

Address: 4685 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tasting Room Hours: Tasting is by appointment only, call 707-433-1385

Additional Information: Amazing grounds around the vineyards with beautiful roses.

Zinfandel, Zinfandel and More Zinfandel: Ridge Vineyards

I think you are starting to see the theme of why I like to visit the Dry Creek Valley wineries. Ridge Zinfandel wine is just another example. They produce a large number of Zinfandel wines and I haven’t tried one that I don’t like (although I’m still working my way through their list!). They also produce a number of great Cabernet Sauvignon wines and a few other reds.

Their tasting room is right next to one of their old vine zinfandel vineyards. It’s great because you can get a great view of the vines close up. It’s a really open and airy tasting room that leads to a back patio with some outdoor seating. They also have a number of tasting options and the selection will vary depending on when you visit.

This winery is a little more off the beaten path, but it’s worth a visit. Ridge Vineyards also has two tasting room locations. The one I’ve described above is their Lytton Springs, Sonoma County tasting room. Their second tasting room is down in Santa Cruz Mountains, which has limited hours.

Lytton Springs Tasting Room, Sonoma County
650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Web Site Address: www.ridgewine.com

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 11am to 4pm

Additional Information: Call ahead to book an appointment for groups larger than 8, 707-433-7721

Tasting Room Hours: Saturday & Sunday Only, 11am to 5pm - April to October, 11am to 4pm - November to March

Additional Information: Call ahead to book an appointment for groups larger than 8, 408-867-3233

A Variety of Red Wines To Try: Dry Creek Winery

This winery is another great stop in Dry Creek Valley. It’s another one of the Dry Creek Valley wineries in the heart of the action. It also has a number of different types of red wines to try.

Tasting at this winery is fun due to the variety. Since it’s in Dry Creek Valley it does have great Zinfandel wines, but you’ll also want to check out some of their other red wines. I personally like their Pinot Noir wine and their Cabernet Sauvignon wines. They also have a great dessert wine that you have to try.

Address: 3770 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Web Site Address: www.drycreekvineyard.com

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm

Tasting Fees: $5 per person for their Signature Wines, $10 per person for their Single Vineyard Wines

Additional Information: Call ahead to book an appointment for groups larger than 8, 800-864-9463 x131

Wine Tasting in Downtown Healdsburg: Lake Sonoma Winery

The Lake Sonoma winery is one of the Dry Creek Valley wineries with a tasting room located right in Healdsburg. Its convenient location makes it a great first or last stop to your wine tasting day. Step inside this beautiful tasting room and enjoy some of the best wines they have to offer.

One of my favorites is their Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. I also recommend that you try their Cabernet Sauvignon wine from the Alexander Valley and their Saini Farms Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel.

Address: 340 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, California 95448

Web Site Address: www.lakesonomawinery.com

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 10am to 5pm

Tours: No tours available, since the tasting room is in a different location from the vineyards

Amazing Syrah Wine & Fun Events: Amista Vineyard

Amista Vineyard is one of the new Dry Creek Valley wineries in the region. This winery is a beautiful and one that you should visit if you are in the area.

It’s located on the main road in Dry Creek Valley, so it’s easy to access. They also throw some of the best parties in the area, so don’t forget to check out their events calendar before visiting.

If you are a Syrah wine fan, then you have to try the Amista estate grown Syrah. Amista is loosely translated as “making friends” and the experience at this winery is top notch. Their tasting room is large and open. It also opens up to a small patio that sits right next to some of their grape vines.

Most of the time, you’ll also see the owners, Vicki and Mike, hanging out in the tasting room. They love visiting with the people at their winery so don’t hesitate to ask them any questions about their winery or the wine making processes.

While you are there, you also have to try their Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. The red wines at Amista are around $30 - $35 a bottle. I think you will truly enjoy the experience at this winery.

Address: 3320 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Web Site Address: www.amistavineyards.com

Tasting Room Hours: Open Thursday through Monday only, 11:00am – 4:30pm

Cabernet Sauvignon Lovers Tasting Option: Fritz Underground Winery

Nestled high in the hills about four miles off the main road for other Dry Creek Valley wineries is Fritz Underground Winery. This is a world class winery that focuses on quality vs. quantity.

It is a must visit for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers. I recommend both their Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon and their Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate reserve wine is a little more expensive, but it’s a great wine.

Although it’s a little off the beaten path, this winery is also set in a really beautiful location. The tasting room is really beautiful too as it sits in the mountain. It bright, open, and looks out to the landscaping around the front of the property.

This Dry Creek Valley winery has a small selection of wines, but their Syrah, Pinot Noir wine and late Harvest Zinfandel are also worth a taste. Prices for the wines at Fritz are around $28 - $35 with their reserves costing about another $15 per bottle.

Address: 24691 Dutcher Creek Road, Cloverdale, CA 95425

Web Site Address: www.fritzwinery.com

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm

Most Beautiful Gardens in Dry Creek Valley: Ferrari Carano Winery

Stop by Ferrari-Carano winery to see some of the most beautiful flowers in the area. They have an amazing garden on their property. You can wonder through parts of the garden on your own, or you can set up a tour that will take you through many of the beautiful flower gardens on the property.

While you are there, you also have to stop by their beautiful tasting room. It’s located just up the path from the gardens and it has an amazing view of some of their vineyards.

They have a number of limited release, classic and vineyard select red wines. You’ll have a few tasting options, so you can tailor your tasting to the types of wine you enjoy.

Address: 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Web Site Address: www.ferrari-carano.com

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 10am to 5pm

Tours: Winery tours are by appointment only, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m., based on availability. Call 707-433-6700 or 800-831-0381 to book an appointment.

If you decide to stay the night while visiting the different Dry Creek Valley wineries, your best option is to stay somewhere in Healdsburg. Visit the section Healdsburg Hotels for some of my recommendations. Santa Rosa is also about 30 minutes south. It’s another easy drive from Dry Creek Valley. Visit the section Santa Rosa Hotels for more hotel recommendations.

Most of the Dry Creek Valley wineries have limited hours during the holidays. All prices quoted are estimates and may be changed at anytime by the individual winery.

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