Bennett Valley · Sonoma4.9 · 335
Coursey Graves Estate Winery
Perched at 1,500 feet on Bennett Mountain, this estate grows Bordeaux and Rhône varietals in volcanic soil.
Picnic
$$$From $75Preview
Bennett Valley Wineries
2 wineries to explore|Known for Merlot
About Bennett Valley
Bennett Valley is one of Sonoma's smallest and most secluded wine regions, with roughly 650 acres of vineyards tucked between three mountain peaks. Cool Pacific winds through the Petaluma Gap make it ideal for Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. Matanzas Creek's lavender gardens alone make it worth the detour.
Bennett Valley is one of Sonoma County's hidden gems — a small, wind-cooled valley nestled between Sonoma Mountain and Taylor Mountain. The Petaluma Gap wind corridor funnels Pacific breezes through the valley each afternoon, creating one of Sonoma's coolest growing conditions.
This cooling influence makes Bennett Valley ideal for aromatic white varieties and elegant reds. The region's Merlot and Chardonnay earned the earliest acclaim, while cool-climate Syrah has emerged as an exciting addition. The handful of wineries here offer an intimate, uncrowded alternative to more visited areas.
Top Experiences in Bennett Valley
- Matanzas Creek Winery — lavender gardens in peak bloom in June, plus bocce courts and picnic areas
- Peaceful, uncrowded tastings at small family wineries
- Scenic drives through rolling hills between three mountain peaks
Local Tip
Visit Matanzas Creek in June when the lavender fields are in peak bloom — it's as much a garden destination as a wine destination.
Known For
Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah
Terroir
Wind-cooled valley with volcanic soils between two mountain ranges
Best Time to Visit
Summer and early fall for the best weather
Wineries in Bennett Valley
2 wineries to explore — sorted by rating, verified wineries first.
Bennett Valley · Sonoma4.6 · 259
Matanzas Creek Winery
Rows of blooming lavender frame six thousand square feet of purple in Bennett Valley.
Picnic
$From $25Preview
Where to Stay Near Bennett Valley
All Sonoma hotels →
InnRussian River Valley · Sonoma4.6 · 727
SingleThread Farm - Restaurant - Inn
Five guest rooms above a three-Michelin-star restaurant in downtown Healdsburg.
Adults OnlyFoodiesCouples
★★★★★
HotelSonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma5.0 · 485
Sonoma Bungalows
Eight bungalows with gourmet kitchens sit a few minutes' walk from Sonoma Plaza.
Wine EnthusiastsRomantic Getaways
★★★★
HotelRussian River Valley · Sonoma4.7 · 377
The Madrona
Victorian manor on eight acres, with private bungalows and porch views of western vineyards.
Dog OK*Kid FriendlyWine LoversRomantic Getaways
★★★★
Explore More of Sonoma County
Discover neighboring regions, each with its own character and wines.
Sonoma County
Russian River Valley
Russian River Valley is one of California's premier cool-climate wine regions, best known for world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Pacific fog rolls through a gap in the coastal mountains each morning, creating ideal conditions for these varieties. Beyond wine, the region offers redwood forests, river recreation, and small-town charm.
23 wineries · Pinot Noir
Sonoma County
Sonoma Valley
Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of California's commercial wine industry, dating to the 1850s. Flanked by the Mayacamas and Sonoma mountain ranges, it produces diverse wines across approximately 14,000 vineyard acres. The historic town of Sonoma and Jack London's home in Glen Ellen add cultural depth beyond wine.
17 wineries · Chardonnay
Sonoma County
Dry Creek Valley
Dry Creek Valley is Sonoma's Zinfandel heartland, with old-vine blocks that survived Prohibition still producing today. The compact 16-by-2-mile valley has a Bordeaux-like climate and remains refreshingly rural — family-owned wineries, no traffic lights, and the Dry Creek General Store (est. 1881) as its unofficial center.
16 wineries · Zinfandel
Sonoma County
Carneros (Sonoma)
Carneros straddles the Sonoma-Napa border and is defined by the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay, making it ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in both still and sparkling wines. It's the closest Sonoma wine region to San Francisco and home to iconic sparkling houses and world-class art.
12 wineries · Pinot Noir