Wine Country Quick Getaways - Buena Vista Winery, Gundlach Bundchu, Sebastiani Vineyards

Less than hour from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, you will find the historic town of Sonoma and thee famous wineires. Buena Vista is the oldest winery in Sonoma and an historic landmark. Just a short distance away is the second oldest winery in Sonoma, Gundlach Bundchu, now in its sixth generation of family ownership. Sebastiani Vineyards is located near the Plaza and has a new tasting facility. Don’t pass up a visit to the Plaza. It’s filled with interesting shops plus the Sonoma Cheese Factory where you can get a picnic lunch.

Directions from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
• Take 101 North and exit at Highway 37
• Travel on Highway 37 for roughly 8 miles
• Turn left to Highway 121 and Sonoma
• Take Highway 12 to Sonoma
• At the Plaza, turn right on East Napa Rd.
• To get to Buena Vista travel nearly to the end of East Napa Rd.
• Turn left on Old Winery Road
• To get to Gundlach Bundchu, travel down East Napa Rd from the Plaza
• Turn Right on 8th Street, and follow the white winery signs

Picnic Lunch
On route to these wineries, a suggested spot to pick up a picnic lunch is the Sonoma Cheese Factory on the Plaza at 2 Spain Street. Best picnic spot is Gundlach Bundchu

Buena Vista Winery
If you are a wine history buff, you will need to stop at the Buena Vista winery, the first winery in California and a registered historic landmark. It opened its doors in 1857, founded by the “Father of California Wine,” Count August Hazasthy. Today the winery is own by Allied Domecq Wines USA. The Buena Vista winery owns 1000 acres of vineyards in the famed Carneros region of Sonoma and Napa counties. This region is world famous for producing fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. The Buena Vista winery owns more acres in the Carneros region than any other winery. To get to the winery from the Sonoma Plaza, travel east on East Napa Rd., almost to the end, turn left on Old Winery Rd. and follow the signs to the winery.

Tasting room open daily, 10 am to 5, (800) 926 1266
Email: bvw_info@buenavistawinery.com, Go to Website

Gundlach Bundchu
The wines are all excellent at this historic winery. The winery is the second oldest winery in California with a founding date just a short three months later than the nearby Buena Vista Winery. The winery today is owned by the same family and is now in its sixth generation with Jim Bundchu at the helm. The winery produces about 40,000 cases of wine per year. They produce an amazing 16 wine varietals, and all but 2 are produced from the Gundlach Bundchu Estate of 350 acres of vineyards. They produce several white varietals, all dry and well balanced. The reds are the most recognized, with the Merlot the best seller. The grounds are quite beautiful with a great picnic area. To get to the winery from the plaza, travel east on East Napa Rd., turn right on 8th St. and follow the white winery signs.

Tasting room open daily, 11 am to 4:30, (707) 939 3015
Email: info@gunbun.com, Go to Website

Sebastiani Vineyards
Sebastiani is another grand old winery in the town of Sonoma. This family-owned winery began operation in 1904. Recently, the winery has embarked a new era in its winemaking. The winery has decided on a “less is more” philosophy, reducing its wine production so it can concentrate efforts on making higher quality wines. The payoff is evident with several of its wines receiving awards and raves from wine experts. The winery also has a new hospitality room where besides tasting wine, you can browse the wine merchandise, view works of art, or learn a bit of wine history. We like the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, the Sonoma County Merlot, and the Cabernet. To get to the tasting room from the Plaza, head out along East Napa St. to Fourth St. East. Make a left turn and you will shortly see the parking lot and hospitality center.

Tasting room open daily, 10 am to 5, (707) 933-3230
Email: info@sebastiani.com, Go to Website