InnSonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.6 · 290
Kenwood Inn & Spa
A courtyard pool ringed with lavender and rosemary sits behind terracotta roofs and stucco walls.
Dog OKKid FriendlyWine LoversRomantic Getaways
★★★★4.7 mi
Bennett Valley · Sonoma County · Santa Rosa
Matanzas Creek Winery
Rows of blooming lavender frame six thousand square feet of purple in Bennett Valley.
4.6(259)
Known forSauvignon BlancMerlotLavender GardensPicnic AreaKid-FriendlyDog-Friendly
About Matanzas Creek Winery
Matanzas Creek Winery, established in 1977, is renowned for its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, which flourish in the temperate climate of Sonoma County. The winery is also celebrated for its stunning lavender gardens, providing a picturesque backdrop for wine tastings that immerse visitors in the beauty of the estate and the quality of its sustainably-farmed wines.
Why Visit Matanzas Creek Winery
Matanzas Creek has grown Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot in Bennett Valley since 1977, two varieties that thrive in this pocket of Sonoma County's temperate climate. The Cellar Selection Tasting pours older vintages that show how these wines age over time.
- Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot grown in Bennett Valley since 1977
- Cellar Selection Tasting ($55) pours older vintages
- Six thousand square feet of lavender gardens on the estate
- Picnic & Bottle Service ($25) allows outside food for two hours
The Setting
Six thousand square feet of lavender grows in neat rows beside Bennett Valley vineyards, reaching peak bloom in late spring and early summer. The estate sits in a temperate pocket of Sonoma County where cool air from the Petaluma Gap meets warmer inland temperatures. Sustainably-farmed vines stretch across slopes that capture both morning sun and afternoon cooling.
The Tasting Experience
The Estate Tasting pours six wines for $35, split between white and red selections, with the fee waived if guests buy two bottles. Cellar Selection Tasting runs $55 and focuses on older vintages. Picnic & Bottle Service reserves a table for two hours at $25, with outside food welcome and the fee refundable with a bottle purchase.
The Tasting
Tasting experiences.
Prices and availability are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
Picnic & Bottle Service
$25Reserved picnic table for up to two hours. Outside food encouraged. Table fee refundable with bottle purchase.
Estate Tasting
$35Six-wine tasting featuring a selection of white and red wines. Tasting fee waived with club membership or two-bottle purchase.
Cellar Selection Tasting
$55Older vintages that have developed incredible flavors over time.
The Pour
$70$80$60$85$50$75$100$80$80$100$70$75
Wine list. (23)
Prices are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Knights Valley Malbec Our Malbec grows in Knights Valley, a tea cup-shaped area between Napa and Alexander Valleys. It is surrounded by mountains, which keeps mornings cooler and warm days longer, producing high-color reds with forward structure. | Malbec | 2022 | $70 | |
2017 Jackson Park Vineyard Merlot Seductive and elegant, savory tannins with ageworthy acidity. | Merlot | 2017 | $80 | |
2018 Bennett Valley Merlot Intense aromatics of blue fruit comingle with floral notes and a hint of black cardamom. | Merlot | 2018 | $60 | |
2021 Keyes Vineyard Merlot 100% Merlot sourced from the historic Keyes Vineyard located in Howell Mountain - one of Napa Valley's most prestigious hillside AVAs. | Merlot | 2021 | $85 | |
2022 Alexander Valley Merlot Violets, marionberry and an abundance of fresh plums aromas that has a sweetness and is tart at the same time. | Merlot | 2022 | $50 | |
2022 Field Stone Vineyard Petite Sirah From an ancient vineyard, dry farmed in Alexander Valley, this wine is a relic of the past. Planted in 1894, the vines are still going strong. Our second vintage of this wine, it has aromas of plum, green peppercorn and coffee, with a medium-to-light mouthfeel. | Petite Sirah | 2022 | $75 | |
2021 Journey Pinot Noir Our Winemaker, Marcia Torres Forno, just produced and bottled our first ever Journey Pinot Noir. This is a 2021 vintage and now our second Pinot Noir that we are producing here at Matanzas Creek each year. | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $100 | |
2022 Sonoma County Pinot Noir Aromas of rose petals, blood orange and black tea are complimented by black currant and luxardo cherries on the palate. | Pinot Noir | 2022 | $80 | |
2018 Armoniza Red Blend This beautiful red blend consists of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 12% Malbec. Ripe blackberries, black cherry and ripe plum fill the glass. Perfect pairing for a summer barbeque with grilled ribeye or fried eggplant. | Red Blend | 2018 | $80 | |
2019 Journey Red Blend Black plum, leather and pomegranate overwhelm the palate in a symphony of flavors. | Red Blend | 2019 | $100 | |
2021 Desvelado Red Blend This beautiful red blend is made up of 59% Malbec and 41% Merlot. Soft, round mouthfeel with notes of licorice as good and plenty candy, baking spice, smoked bacon, tobacco and black cherry. | Red Blend | 2021 | $70 | |
2021 Encantadora Red Blend Squeezed blackberry, chocolate nibs and Bing cherry fill the aroma with a soft medium lingering tannins on the palate. | Red Blend | 2021 | $75 |
2022 Knights Valley Malbec
Our Malbec grows in Knights Valley, a tea cup-shaped area between Napa and Alexander Valleys. It is surrounded by mountains, which keeps mornings cooler and warm days longer, producing high-color reds with forward structure.
Malbec2022
2017 Jackson Park Vineyard Merlot
Seductive and elegant, savory tannins with ageworthy acidity.
Merlot2017
2018 Bennett Valley Merlot
Intense aromatics of blue fruit comingle with floral notes and a hint of black cardamom.
Merlot2018
2021 Keyes Vineyard Merlot
100% Merlot sourced from the historic Keyes Vineyard located in Howell Mountain - one of Napa Valley's most prestigious hillside AVAs.
Merlot2021
2022 Alexander Valley Merlot
Violets, marionberry and an abundance of fresh plums aromas that has a sweetness and is tart at the same time.
Merlot2022
2022 Field Stone Vineyard Petite Sirah
From an ancient vineyard, dry farmed in Alexander Valley, this wine is a relic of the past. Planted in 1894, the vines are still going strong. Our second vintage of this wine, it has aromas of plum, green peppercorn and coffee, with a medium-to-light mouthfeel.
Petite Sirah2022
2021 Journey Pinot Noir
Our Winemaker, Marcia Torres Forno, just produced and bottled our first ever Journey Pinot Noir. This is a 2021 vintage and now our second Pinot Noir that we are producing here at Matanzas Creek each year.
Pinot Noir2021
2022 Sonoma County Pinot Noir
Aromas of rose petals, blood orange and black tea are complimented by black currant and luxardo cherries on the palate.
Pinot Noir2022
2018 Armoniza Red Blend
This beautiful red blend consists of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 12% Malbec. Ripe blackberries, black cherry and ripe plum fill the glass. Perfect pairing for a summer barbeque with grilled ribeye or fried eggplant.
Red Blend2018
2019 Journey Red Blend
Black plum, leather and pomegranate overwhelm the palate in a symphony of flavors.
Red Blend2019
2021 Desvelado Red Blend
This beautiful red blend is made up of 59% Malbec and 41% Merlot. Soft, round mouthfeel with notes of licorice as good and plenty candy, baking spice, smoked bacon, tobacco and black cherry.
Red Blend2021
2021 Encantadora Red Blend
Squeezed blackberry, chocolate nibs and Bing cherry fill the aroma with a soft medium lingering tannins on the palate.
Red Blend2021
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Stay Nearby
View allInn
HotelSonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.8 · 194
Olea Hotel
Guest rooms at Olea Hotel open to private terraces facing Sonoma Valley vineyards.
Dog OK*Kid Friendly*Wine EnthusiastsRomantic Getaways
★★★5.9 mi
Drive Times
From Sonoma hotels.
Estimated drive time from each hotel to Matanzas Creek Winery, ordered by proximity.
| Hotel | Drive | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Olea Hotel | ~15 min | Book |
| Cottage Inn & Spa | ~22 min | Book |
| Farmhouse Inn | ~28 min | Book |
| Hotel Healdsburg | ~36 min | Book |
| Montage Healdsburg | ~39 min | Book |
| The Lodge at Bodega Bay | ~42 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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Bennett Valley · Sonoma4.9 · 335
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Perched at 1,500 feet on Bennett Mountain, this estate grows Bordeaux and Rhône varietals in volcanic soil.
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