The main differences between Napa and Sonoma wines lie in climate, geography, and style. Napa Valley, with its warmer temperatures and focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals, is known for bold, structured, and often opulent wines. Sonoma County, by contrast, has more diverse microclimates — ranging from coastal fog to inland warmth — allowing for a broader range of varietals, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc. Sonoma County wines often showcase a more restrained, balanced style and offer a wider range of expressions, due to the county’s greater variety of terroirs, spread among 19 different wine areas (AVAs).

Sonoma County has also earned numerous wine-related accolades. These include being named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2019, and earning recent Double Gold and Sweepstakes awards for its Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and rosés at major wine competitions like the San Francisco Chronicle Awards.

Sonoma County is ideal for winemaking thanks to its diverse microclimates, cooling ocean breezes, and rich, varied soils that create perfect conditions for growing high-quality grapes. Sonoma County’s unique combination of foggy mornings, sunny days, and cool nights allows for slow, even ripening of grapes, enhancing flavor complexity and balance in the region’s wide array of wines.

Among the most interesting Sonoma County wine facts is that more than 60 grape varieties are grown here, making it one of the most diverse wine regions in the world. While the area is especially known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it also produces standout Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Merlot. This wide range of varietals is made possible by the region’s varied climates and soils, which support everything from cool-climate whites to bold, full-bodied reds.

Sonoma County is home to more than 425 wineries, spanning everything from intimate, family‑run estates to large, internationally acclaimed landmark operations. Many Sonoma County wineries are small‑batch producers offering cozy, hands‑on tasting experiences, including Iron Horse Vineyards, Reeve Wines, and Papapietro Perry. Other wineries — such as Francis Ford Coppola, Kendall‑Jackson, and Rodney Strong — bring a grand scale, rich histories, and award‑winning portfolios to the table.

Sonoma County has 19 official American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each with its own unique climate, soil, and grape-growing characteristics. Some of the most well-known Sonoma County AVAs include the Russian River Valley, famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Dry Creek Valley, best known for Zinfandel; and Sonoma Valley, one of the county’s oldest and most historic wine regions. This diversity allows Sonoma County to produce an incredible range of high-quality wines across styles and varietals.