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Hi Reader,

I finally made it back to Sonoma this summer.

And it felt so good to return to one of the regions that made me fall in love with wine travel.

I was there with a great group of fellow wine writers for a deep-dive tour focused on all things Sonoma (aka wine nerd heaven 🤓).

Between panel tastings with legendary winemakers and talks on everything from subregions to soil types, let’s just say I learned a lot.

And I came home with a whole new appreciation for the region.

Let’s Talk Dry Creek Valley

As part of the trip, I got to revisit some of my favorite spots in Dry Creek Valley and check out a few new ones.

Here are five things that stood out:

1. It’s One of Sonoma’s Smallest AVAs​
At just 16 miles long and 2 miles wide, Dry Creek Valley packs more than 70 wineries into a compact area. So it’s perfect for a wine tasting trip without long drives between stops.

2. Zinfandel Is the Star Here​
But styles vary by vineyard site and vine age (some topping 100 years!). Try Ridge for old vines, Nalle for a more elegant style, or Mazzocco for single vineyard versions.

3. It’s Not Just Zin​
Pioneers like Unti and DaVero are leaning into Italian and Rhône varieties like Barbera, Sangiovese, and Syrah that thrive in Dry Creek’s Mediterranean climate.

4. You’ll See Grapes Growing as Bush Vines​
Unlike Napa’s tidy trellises, Dry Creek’s old Zinfandel vines often look like gnarled shrubs. This head-trained style helps shade the grapes and saves moisture.

5. Many Wineries Are Still Family-Owned​
Dry Creek has held onto its unpretentious roots. You’ll find plenty of multigenerational wineries. And sometimes the winemakers still pour the wines themselves.

​Check out my updated guide with all my favorite stops, plus helpful tips to make your trip smooth.

✨ SEE THE GUIDE ✨

Cheers,

Laura

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🚌 Tours I'm Loving ​Sonoma private wine tour with customizable itinerary

🎟️ Events I'm Eyeing ​Dry Creek Valley Passport wine & food festival

⚙️ Travel Tools I'm Testing ​Flighty for airport connection planning

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