Picnic like a rock star at always-busy BR Cohn. Its founder managed '70s superband the Doobie Brothers before moving on to make outstanding organic olive oils and fine wines – including excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, atypical in Sonoma. Although the winery has changed hands, it's still an excellent spot for tasting wine, slurping oysters (weekends only) and sampling olive oil in the gourmet shop. Bottles are $16 to $56.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Little Vineyards

0.16 MILES

The name fits at this family-owned small-scale winery surrounded by grapes, with a lazy dog to greet you and a weathered, old-timey wooden bar, at which…

2. Oak Hill Farm

0.49 MILES

At the southern end of Glen Ellen, Oak Hill Farm contains acres upon acres of organic flowers and produce, hemmed in by lovely steep oak and manzanita…

3. Arrowood

0.58 MILES

Arrowood's hilltop tasting room has postcard-perfect valley views and a bourgeois vibe, fussy for Sonoma, but the excellent Chardonnay and Cabernet…

4. Imagery Estate

0.6 MILES

Imagery produces lesser-known varietals such as Legrain and Tannat, biodynamically grown, that you often can't buy anywhere else. Each bottle sports an…

5. Quarryhill Botanical Garden

2.16 MILES

Just when you thought the vineyards would stretch as far as the eye could see, out of nowhere comes a world-renowned botanical garden specializing in the…

6. Benziger

2.43 MILES

If you’re new to wine, make Benziger your first stop for Sonoma’s best crash course in winemaking. The worthwhile tour (reservations recommended) includes…

7. Jack London State Historic Park

2.63 MILES

Napa has Robert Louis Stevenson, but Sonoma has Jack London. This 1400-acre park frames that author's last years; don't miss the excellent on-site museum…

8. Loxton

3.41 MILES

Say g’day to Chris the Aussie winemaker at Loxton, a no-frills winery with million-dollar views of the grapes you'll actually be tasting. The tasting room…