Kenwood, CA – Wine Country Day Trips By AVA – Sonoma County
In our ongoing series of articles on great Day Trips with itineraries in California Wine Country we continue in Sonoma Valley, with a focus on Kenwood, California. We hope you enjoy, and we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions.
Kenwood: Outstanding Wines in an Unforgettable Setting
Driving into Sonoma Valley, also referred to affectionately as the Valley of the Moon, is a feast for the senses. Picture rolling hills adorned with ancient Heritage Oaks and vibrant vineyards that blanket the valley floor beneath the rugged Mayacama mountain range. Stately old country manors, with their largely preserved estates, grace the countryside, while quaint towns exude the charm of neighborly days gone by.
Kenwood is home to some of the finest artisan wineries in Northern California. Names like Ty Caton, Muscardini Cellars, VJB, Mayo Reserve Room, Kenwood Vineyards, Kunde Estate, Deerfield Ranch, Enkidu, the Annadel Estate, Ledson, Fathia, Spann, and Chateau St. Jean are just a few of the award-winning, picturesque wine destinations you’ll find in and around Kenwood.
Kenwood Inn and Spa
If you need a break from wine tasting, you can shop at Swede’s Feeds for garden supplies and pet needs, indulge in a luxurious massage or facial at the Kenwood Inn & Spa, or simply relax with a Kenwood Press newspaper on the patio at Café Citti or Salt & Stone.
About Destination Drivers
The original designated driver service, Destination Drivers has been providing 1st-Class service to over 100,000 customers in California Wine Country since our founding in 2010.
With seven operations across the state, we conduct thousands of wine country tours every year. This gives us unmatched knowledge of the best wineries, travel routes, dining options, tourist highlights, and everything in between.
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Great Eats in Kenwood:
SALT & STONE: A favorite restaurant for local winemakers, vintners and celebrities. Fresh ingredients, great views, local/international wines.
9900 Highway 12, Kenwood: (707) 833-6326
Salt & Stone
CAFÉ CITTI: A trattoria style restaurant with “great food, great value, great atmosphere”
9049 Highway 12, Kenwood; (707) 833-2690
PALOOZA GASTROPUB AND WINE BAR: Gourmet pub grub, wine and beer served in a mellow tavern with ping-pong tournaments and outdoor seating.
8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood: (707) 833-4000
Palooza Gastropub and Wine Bar
VJB CELLARS: Enjoy lunch of fresh panini or antipasti or a pizza. from the wood-fired oven. There’s also a chocolate and gelato shop!
60 Shaw Avenue, Kenwood Corner of Highway 12; lunch only: (707) 833-4500
VJB Cellars Deli Counter
Kenwood Wineries
VJB Cellars
The moment you step through the gates of VJB Cellars, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to a quaint Italian village. The stone buildings and rustic wood beams create an Old World charm, and on sunny, pleasant days, the piazza buzzes with happy visitors enjoying all that VJB has to offer.
Your first stop is typically the tasting room bar, where VJB’s friendly and knowledgeable staff guides you through their tasting menu. Featuring limited production Italian varietals like estate Sangiovese and Montepulciano, the tasting offers a chance to discover wines you’ve likely never tried before. These rare, California-grown Italian varietals are crafted with a blend of New World innovation and Old World tradition.
After the tasting, unwind on the piazza with wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads from VJB’s Red Rooster Pizza Co. Savor crisp Neapolitan-style pizzas, calzones, and flatbreads delivered hot and fresh to your table, perfectly paired with one of VJB’s many wines available by the glass or bottle.
Don’t miss the selection of cheeses, salami, and antipasti at La Cucina, the onsite deli. Share a cheese and salami platter or enjoy freshly pressed panini. Grilled selections, including ribs seasoned with owner Henry Belmonte’s secret rub, or succulent chicken thighs paired with a fresh salad, are also available.
VJB Cellars Tasting Room in Kenwood
Take home a taste of VJB from the marketplace, which features estate-grown olive oil, Maria Belmonte’s homemade sauces, and even house-made pasta. An onsite chocolate and gelato shop provides the perfect ending to your visit.
From the wine to the food, the atmosphere, and the hospitality, VJB Cellars is the perfect place to experience all that wine country has to offer.
Standout Wines: VJB Cellars is known for its Italian varietals, rarely grown outside Italy. The bold, rare Sagrantino stands out as one of the most tannic red wines in the world. The estate-grown Montepulciano is perfect for Italian dishes and is admired by Cabernet Sauvignon fans for its body and dark fruit notes. The estate Sangiovese, when available, offers a true Italian treat. With new varietals released every month, each visit promises a unique tasting experience.
Stay Awhile: Plan ahead and schedule a tasting of the family wines on the Italian-inspired piazza with one of
VJB Cellars Antipasto Platter
VJB’s wine educators. Dive deeper into VJB’s Italian wine knowledge and learn the history and significance of each unique wine produced by the Belmonte family. After your tasting, linger a bit longer to sip on your favorite bottle while enjoying an assortment of wood-fired pizzas or the acclaimed Enrico’s ribs. For cheese lovers, the in-house fresh-made burrata is a must. Sit back, relax, and relish in all that our little slice of Italy in the Sonoma Valley has to offer.
VJB Cellars: 60 Shaw Avenue. Kenwood Corner of Sonoma Highway 26 Shaw Avenue (707) 833-2300
Kenwood Vineyards
Kenwood Vineyards, established in the 1970s right in the heart of Sonoma Valley, is a true pioneer of premium winemaking in the region. Long before Sonoma’s AVAs were created, Kenwood Vineyards, alongside a few other visionary wineries, set the stage for what would become a world-renowned wine region. Their journey began in a historic Sonoma barn from 1906, which still houses the tasting room today.
Kenwood’s mission from the start has been to reflect the unique personality of the land, with its diverse soils and climates, and the rugged wilderness that surrounds the vineyards. Staying true to their roots, they continue to produce wines from each vineyard separately, just as they did 48 vintages ago. This small-lot approach to winemaking ensures that each wine reaches its full potential, showcasing vibrant fruit, layers of subtle complexity, and superb balance. As a result, every Kenwood Vineyards wine, whether it’s from the Sonoma County, Six Ridges, Single Vineyard, Jack London, or Artist Series, consistently delivers quality and deliciousness.
Their limited-production Single Vineyard collection is crafted from the finest vineyards in Sonoma County, using meticulous farming and artisan winemaking techniques to capture the essence of each vineyard. These exclusive wines, produced in very small quantities (just 100 cases), are available only at the tasting room or online and represent the pinnacle of Kenwood’s dedication to quality.
No visit to Sonoma Valley is complete without stopping by Kenwood Vineyards to taste their exceptional 90+ point wines, which are pure expressions of Sonoma’s rich and diverse terroir. Celebrate Kenwood Vineyards’ enduring commitment to winemaking by exploring their historic property and experiencing one of their tastings.
Varietals: Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellations: Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley
Collections: Sonoma County, Six Ridges, Jack London, Single Vineyard
La Rochelle Winery
Named California Winery Experience of the Year 2021 by Lux Life Magazine
If Pinot Noir is your passion, then La Rochelle Winery is your haven. Nestled in a charming converted barn, La Rochelle offers a boutique collection of single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Surrounded by lush vineyards and a private garden featuring a koi pond, picnic area, and shaded lawn, you can relax and soak in the breathtaking views of Hood Mountain and SugarLoaf Ridge.
La Rochelle relocated to the heart of Sonoma Valley in Kenwood, following its purchase by thirty-year wine industry veteran Chuck Easley from his close friends, Steven and June Mirassou. The winery specializes in 17 single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, five Chardonnays, a Pinot Meunier, and a single-vineyard Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine.
Discover the uniqueness of the Pinot Noir varietal with their flagship Polyph-o-ny Tasting experience. Led by Chuck or one of La Rochelle’s knowledgeable wine educators, you’ll get an in-depth look into crafting world-class Pinot Noir. You’ll taste three Pinots from the same vineyard block, each fermented with a different yeast strain, to see how yeasts influence the final flavors and texture.
La Rochelle Winery Tasting Room
You’ll also sample Pinot Noirs from various regions and clones to explore the nuanced aromas and layers that Pinot lovers crave. The experience culminates with a tasting of Polyphony, La Rochelle’s most exclusive wine. Reserve your Polyphony Experience by emailing info@Lrwine.com.
Varietals: Single-Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Sparkling Wine
Fun Facts:
- La Rochelle produces more single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from more growing regions than any other winery in California.
How Did La Rochelle Wines Get Its Name?: In 1853, world traveler Pierre Pellier sailed from the port of La Rochelle, France, to North America with Pinot grape cuttings. His son-in-law, Pierre Mirassou, succeeded him years later, and the family winery became known as Mirassou Vineyards, the original founders of La Rochelle Winery.
La Rochelle’s Single Vineyard Selections: Bacigalupi, Black Knight, Boekenogan, Deer Meadows (Richard Savoy), Deer Park, Donum Estate, Dutton, Morell Lane, El Coro, Minah, Parliament Hills, Ferrington, Freestone Hill, Hays Estate, Londer, Mariah, McIntyre, Mission Ranch, Parliament Hill, Paraiso, Rosella’s, van der Kamp, Soberanes, and Tondre Grapefield.
La Rochelle
233 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, CA 95452 (707) 302-8000
Ledson Winery and Vineyards
Ledson Winery is well known throughout the world for their small-lot production of impeccable wines -“One of Sonoma’s most consistently excellent producers,” said Anthony Dias Blue. Ledson wines encapsulate visions of five generations of family winemaking and viticulture techniques.
Their philosophy is to adapt their 150 years of knowledge and experience to the unique terroir of each estate vineyard‹ unique personality; therefore, every wine is an expression of each vineyard’s individuality. A confluence of dynamic old-world nuances refined over generations to express the new- world palate. “Making wine is not just a science, it’s an art, a communion with nature, truly a lifestyle,” says owner and winemaker, Steve Ledson.
Ledson Winery is known throughout the world as “The Castle.” With the most picturesque stately grounds, it is truly a destination estate. VinePair called it, “One of the twelve most impressive wineries in the world” and the Boston Globe said, “This castle is a must see.”
Whether you stop by for a general tasting or make reservations for a private lasting in one of their intimate tasting suites, you will have an experience like no other. Shop in their artisan marketplace where you can grab a picnic lunch to enjoy in their oak studded grounds or by the cozy fireplace in the parlor.
If you plan ahead, you can stay at the Ledson Hotel located on the historic Sonoma Plaza. It combines old-world charm with modern amenities and was listed by Condé Nast Traveler as one of he top 100 hotels in the world. At the hotel’s lounge you wrap up our day and taste meticulously handcrafted and award-winning vines from Zina Hyde Cunningham, Ledson and Mountain Terraces wineries while watching the sunset from the sidewalk seating or relaxing by the fireplace.
The Castle – Ledson Winery Tasting Room
FUN FACTS
Ledson offers the complete wine country experience with over 150 years of tradition
- Accommodations at the Ledson Hotel
- Winetasting at the Lounge in the Ledson Hotel
- “The Castle”, located in Kenwood, offers a variety of memorable wine tasting experiences
- A gourmet marketplace – Private mountaintop tours
- 2015 Napa Valley Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Reserve scored 98 Points and received the “Wine of the Year.” “Best of Class,” and “Platinum Medal at the 2019 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition
VARIETALS – Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon Pinot Noir Zinfandel Petite Sirah Malbec Merlot Syrah Barbera, port-style Zinfandel and numerous red blends – Whites: Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay and Viognier – Rose: Pinot Noir Rose
Ledson Winery & Vineyards
7335 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood: (707) 833-2330
Stay safe and book a private wine tour driver with Destination Drivers
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Experienced and Professional Drivers: Destination Drivers employs highly trained and experienced drivers who possess a deep understanding of how to provide a concierge level experience to every client.
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They ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, offering valuable insights about the regions, their histories, and the unique characteristics of the areas.
Personalized Itineraries: Destination Drivers caters to our clients customized itineraries that are tailored to the preferences and interests of each group.
Whether exploring Napa Valley or Sonoma County, Lodi or Plymouth and Sutter Creek in Amador County’s Sierra Foothills, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Carmel or Temecula, these private wine drivers provide a curated experience that aligns with the specific desires of our clients and adherence to their unique preferences and schedules.
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In conclusion… Have fun and most importantly, Stay Safe!
Be sure to also check out the amazing upcoming Experience Panama tour, February 24 – March 3, 2025, designed and led by Destination Drivers Northern California managers and 32 year veteran tour operators, guides and Panama Experts, David Blank & Claudia Fabrega.
Claudia is a native of the Republic of Panama where she and David met and formed a unique adventure tour company that has focused on highlighting the best of Panama to their guests since 2008.
This tour is going to be an incredible 10 day exploration of the history, culture and nature of The Crossroads of the World! https://www.soulconnectionjourneys.com/panama-tours
Testimonials:
“Our trip last weekend was perfect. Our driver had so much local knowledge and was a real concierge for our trip as he helped us plan each and every stop based on our preferences. Along the way, we had great conversations, learned a ton, and had an absolute blast.” Steve Simpson (google):
“This was absolutely the best experience EVER!! I had to contact David weeks later to ask for business cards because I was so eager to share with people. Safe, affordable VIP service made our ladies wine tasting a memorable event that we will never forget! Thank you David for treating us like celebrities and your best friends!!” Carol Voris (google):
David was an amazing driver. He took my wife and I around the various wineries in the area and astounded us with his knowledge of the area. The experience was incredible and really made us feel like we were getting the ‘local’ experience. Best bang for your winery buck! David G. (google)
This was my 4th time using Destination Drivers and I am grateful every time. I have utilized this company in both Paso Robles and Napa and the professionalism and communication is superb. We had Will as our driver this most recent time and absolutely recommend him for his professionalism and knowledge. Katlin Maw (google)
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In addition to Napa & Sonoma or Lodi, Plymouth, Sacramento and the Sierra Foothills, you can also reserve drivers for other locations statewide! Click below to book: