Sonoma County consists of 11 distinctly different appellations housing over 190 wineries drawing from 1,100 growers across 1,050,000 acres of plush vineyards. To the north are the famed Rockpile, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Dry Creek, Chalk Hill, Russian River and Green Valley. The beautiful Sonoma Coast nestles to the west along the beachfront and cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. And to the south are Sonoma Mountain, the Sonoma Valley and Carneros Appellations. From the rocky and harsh conditions of Rockpile, which produces some of the biggest and fullest bodied red wines, to the cooler, soothing, wetlands of Carneros, best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Sonoma provides some of the most exquisite scenery and remarkable wines in the world.

Before we begin our travels through Sonoma County, we must reiterate the importance of drinking lots of water between wine tasting, bring or buy snacks, and eat a nutritious lunch. Our recommendation in Alexander Valley is the Jimtown Store just north of Sausal Winery on Highway 128. The quaint roadside store is a perfect interlude between wineries, has a great menu and excellent food. Food & Wine Magazine hailed their signature sandwich, the Brie and Chopped Olive, as one of the top 75 best food values in the country under $10.00. When looking for good food, or just snacks and goodies, stop in the Jimtown Store and tell them Jim from Simply-Wines sent you.