AVA Guide · Sonoma County · Modern Love Living
Sonoma's cabernet AVA. Bigger, warmer, less precious.
The wide warm valley running north from Healdsburg: Sonoma's cabernet country, the affordable answer to Napa, with grand-château experiences and old vineyards along the river.
The brief
Alexander Valley is Sonoma's answer to Napa cabernet, and increasingly the answer to "where do I taste cab without driving an extra hour and paying a $100 tasting fee?" The valley is wider, warmer, and longer than its neighbors, which is exactly what cabernet wants. Silver Oak built its second winery here. Jordan operates the most polished grand-château experience in Sonoma. Stonestreet, Robert Young, and Geyser Peak are serious estates, almost all family- or boutique-owned. The town of Geyserville at the AVA's middle has become a small dining destination of its own. Alexander Valley is the cab pilgrimage that doesn't require crossing into Napa.
What to do
Experience 01
The full estate tour + library tasting. The most polished tasting in Sonoma.
Experience 02
Sleek modern winery, a Sonoma cab flight, the kind of tasting that converts pinot drinkers.
Experience 03
A jeep tour up to mountain estate vineyards. The view alone.
Experience 04
Catelli's garden, then a glass at the Geyserville Inn. Half a day, easily.
Experience 05
Francis Ford Coppola's estate at the AVA's north end. A pool, a tasting, a Godfather costume.
Experience 06
Soda Rock: the rebuilt 1869 stonework, a courtyard, and the valley running out behind it.
Where to stay
The legacy stay
Healdsburg is the right base for tasting Alexander Valley.
The boutique stay
In the AVA itself. Practical, vineyard-view rooms.
The inn
A Victorian B&B in town. Walking distance to dinner.
The boutique stay
Up above the valley floor toward the lake. Quiet, wooded, and a short run to the Geyserville tasting rooms.
Where to eat
Catelli's (Geyserville)
Italian, garden, the right mid-tasting lunch.
Diavola Pizzeria (Geyserville)
Wood-fired pizza, a long pour of Alexander Valley cab.
The Matheson (Healdsburg)
Back to Healdsburg for the night dinner. The wine wall, the rooftop.
Locals Tasting Room (Geyserville)
Six small Alexander Valley estates pouring side by side.
The tasting list
Alexander Valley
The estate tour + library tasting. The grand-château experience.
Alexander Valley
The Sonoma cab tasting. A modern, sleek room.
Alexander Valley
Mountain-vineyard jeep tour. The view is the tasting.
Alexander Valley
A historic family estate. By appointment.
Alexander Valley
Touristy and fun. Pool tasting in summer.
Alexander Valley
The family estate the AVA is named around. Cabernet, caves, and an unhurried tasting.
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The honest answers
Alexander Valley is bigger, warmer, less expensive, and far less crowded. Napa is more polished and prestigious. Alexander Valley is what Napa was before the prices.
Healdsburg for the wider food and lodging selection. Geyserville for the AVA-immersion stay.
Jordan tour at 10am, Catelli's lunch, Silver Oak at 2pm, drinks at Locals Tasting Room, dinner at Diavola.
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