InnRussian River Valley · Sonoma4.7 · 584
Farmhouse Inn
The original 1873 Farmhouse still houses guest rooms directly above the restaurant's kitchen.
Kid FriendlyWine LoversRomantic Getaway
★★★★★2.5 mi
Editor's Pick
$$$Reservations Required
Russian River Valley · Sonoma County · Sebastopol
Iron Horse Vineyards
Founded in 1976, Iron Horse serves its sparkling wines outdoors with vineyard views to Mt. St. Helena.
4.6(266)
Known forSparklingChardonnayPinot NoirCave ToursMountain ViewsPicnic Area
About Iron Horse Vineyards
Iron Horse Vineyards is a family-owned winery located in the cool, foggy Green Valley of Sonoma County, known for its stunning views and commitment to sustainability. Founded in 1976 by Audrey and Barry Sterling, the winery has gained acclaim for its sparkling wines, which have been served at the White House for several presidential administrations. With a focus on balance and quality, Iron Horse produces a range of elegant wines that reflect the unique terroir of their estate vineyards.
Why Visit Iron Horse Vineyards
The same sparkling wines served at multiple White House presidential dinners are poured here at the source, on the fog-kissed Green Valley estate where Barry and Audrey Sterling planted vines five decades ago. Three generations of the Sterling family still live on this 300-acre property, and their Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs come entirely from what spills out at your feet.
- Sparkling wines served at White House state dinners for multiple presidents
- Founded 1976 by Barry and Audrey Sterling on a 300-acre Green Valley estate
- Three generations of the Sterling family live on the property
- Open-air tasting area with views across Sonoma County to Mt. St. Helena
- Estate-bottled wines from fog-kissed Green Valley vineyards
The Setting
Iron Horse sits at the end of a winding road in Green Valley, where the open-air tasting area looks east across Sonoma County vineyards to Mt. St. Helena. There is no enclosed tasting room—visitors stand or sit outside among the estate vines, which begin just steps from where the wines are poured. Fog rolls through the 300-acre property most mornings, keeping the fruit cool and the ripening slow. The working winery buildings frame the space, and the Sterling family home sits nearby on the same land.
The Tasting Experience
Tasting with a View ($35) brings you to the outdoor pour station, where the winery's sparkling wines, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs are served directly from the estate. Hosts pour against a backdrop of vine rows that stretch across Green Valley hillsides. There's no indoor seating—just the sweeping view and the working winery around you. The Outdoor Picnic Area ($25) offers a shorter visit with the same setting.
The Tasting
Tasting experiences.
Prices and availability are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
Tasting with a View
$35At the end of a winding road, Iron Horse offers a genuine, working winery experience. Our “tasting room” is outdoors, offering sweeping views across Sonoma County. Against this backdrop, you’ll taste our iconic sparkling wines served at the White House since 1985, alongside elegant estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Reservation Required
The Pour
$62$75$58$75$125$62$58$125$56$75$75$75$75$75$58$75$75
Wine list. (30)
Prices are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 Ocean Reserve A tribute to both refinement and impact. | Blanc de Blancs | 2020 | $62 | |
2020 Reflection Blanc de Blancs | Blanc de Blancs | 2020 | $75 | |
2020 Wedding Cuvée The Sparkling Wine we're best known for, and our best seller. | Blanc de Blancs | 2020 | $58 | |
2021 Blanc de Blancs Radiates brightness and finesse. | Blanc de Blancs | 2021 | $75 | |
2016 Brut LD Aged for over seven years, offers greater richness and refinement. | Brut | 2016 | $125 | |
2021 Brut X X stands for extremely dry, expressive, and exuberant. | Brut | 2021 | $62 | |
2021 Classic Vintage Brut Our elegant and refined flagship sparkling. | Brut | 2021 | $58 | |
2016 Brut Rosé LD A stunning tête de cuvée crafted for Brut Rosé lovers. | Sparkling Rosé | 2016 | $125 | |
2020 Fairy Tale Cuvée A sparkling tribute to joy and wonder. | Sparkling Rosé | 2020 | $56 | |
2020 Gratitude Proceeds benefit the Redwood Empire Food Bank. | Sparkling Rosé | 2020 | $75 | |
2020 Rainbow Cuvée Honors love and belonging in every glass. | Sparkling Rosé | 2020 | $75 | |
2020 Winter’s Cuvée Bright, generous, and irresistibly celebratory. | Sparkling Rosé | 2020 | $75 | |
2021 Brut Rosé Captivating with its brilliant color and dynamic flavors. | Sparkling Rosé | 2021 | $75 | |
2021 Harvest Moon Rich and expressive, this vintage mirrors the radiance of the moon. | Sparkling Rosé | 2021 | $75 | |
2021 Russian River Cuvée The richest and considered the 'sweetest' in the Iron Horse line-up. | Sparkling Rosé | 2021 | $58 | |
2021 Summer's Cuvée Bright and graceful, captures the timeless vibes. | Sparkling Rosé | 2021 | $75 | |
2022 Year of the Horse | Sparkling Rosé | 2022 | $75 |
2020 Ocean Reserve
A tribute to both refinement and impact.
Blanc de Blancs2020
2020 Reflection Blanc de Blancs
Blanc de Blancs2020
2020 Wedding Cuvée
The Sparkling Wine we're best known for, and our best seller.
Blanc de Blancs2020
2021 Blanc de Blancs
Radiates brightness and finesse.
Blanc de Blancs2021
2016 Brut LD
Aged for over seven years, offers greater richness and refinement.
Brut2016
2021 Brut X
X stands for extremely dry, expressive, and exuberant.
Brut2021
2021 Classic Vintage Brut
Our elegant and refined flagship sparkling.
Brut2021
2016 Brut Rosé LD
A stunning tête de cuvée crafted for Brut Rosé lovers.
Sparkling Rosé2016
2020 Fairy Tale Cuvée
A sparkling tribute to joy and wonder.
Sparkling Rosé2020
2020 Gratitude
Proceeds benefit the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Sparkling Rosé2020
2020 Rainbow Cuvée
Honors love and belonging in every glass.
Sparkling Rosé2020
2020 Winter’s Cuvée
Bright, generous, and irresistibly celebratory.
Sparkling Rosé2020
2021 Brut Rosé
Captivating with its brilliant color and dynamic flavors.
Sparkling Rosé2021
2021 Harvest Moon
Rich and expressive, this vintage mirrors the radiance of the moon.
Sparkling Rosé2021
2021 Russian River Cuvée
The richest and considered the 'sweetest' in the Iron Horse line-up.
Sparkling Rosé2021
2021 Summer's Cuvée
Bright and graceful, captures the timeless vibes.
Sparkling Rosé2021
2022 Year of the Horse
Sparkling Rosé2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Stay Nearby
View allInn
ResortRussian River Valley · Sonoma4.3 · 269
River Bend Resort
River Bend Resort in Forestville puts cabins, RV hookups, and tent sites between towering redwoods and a private beach.
Dog OKKid FriendlyWine EnthusiastsNature Lovers
★★4.1 mi
Drive Times
From Sonoma hotels.
Estimated drive time from each hotel to Iron Horse Vineyards, ordered by proximity.
| Hotel | Drive | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Farmhouse Inn | ~6 min | Book |
| Hotel Healdsburg | ~20 min | Book |
| The Lodge at Bodega Bay | ~22 min | Book |
| Montage Healdsburg | ~25 min | Book |
| Olea Hotel | ~39 min | Book |
| Cottage Inn & Spa | ~49 min | Book |
Estimates based on straight-line distance with a wine-country routing factor. Actual drive times vary with traffic and route choice.
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