Sonoma County Wineries

Book excerpt: Sonoma County, where Californias state flag first flew, is also the birthplace of Northern Californias wine industry. This vintage postcard journey reveals some of that rich history in its trek through Sonoma Countys fertile plains and sun-drenched hillsides, from the vintners cradle in the town of Sonoma, to its northernmost frontier near Cloverdale. Stops along the route include Glen Ellen and the Valley of the Moon, the Russian River valleys, and such industry giants as Italian-Swiss Colony and the California Wine Association. Once boasting the worlds largest vineyard, wine tank, and grape arbor, Sonoma County has long bested its more famous neighbor in number of wineries and grape acreage. Sonoma County, where Californias state flag first flew, is also the birthplace of Northern Californias wine industry. This vintage postcard journey reveals some of that rich history in its trek through Sonoma Countys fertile plains and sun-drenched hillsides, from the vintners cradle in the town of Sonoma, to its northernmost frontier near Cloverdale. Stops along the route include Glen Ellen and the Valley of the Moon, the Russian River valleys, and such industry giants as Italian-Swiss Colony and the California Wine Association. Once boasting the worlds largest vineyard, wine tank, and grape arbor, Sonoma County has long bested its more famous neighbor in number of wineries and grape acreage.