Viansa Winery & Vineyards

The best spot for a relaxing wine and food tasting. Lots of expansive views that stretch across the Carneros region; learned about the 300+ species of birds that inhabit the surroundings; tons of food to snack on and purchase; a huge array of wines, including one of my favorites - Montepulciano, which is a varietal you won't find very often outside Italy. Overall, a perfect slice of Tuscany implanted into Sonoma. more

The Viansa Winery is one of the best wineries I have ever visited. They offer a complimentary taste of any four of their wines and there are dozens of things to sample in their market. They also have a great view outside if you want to sit and have a picnic. Pros: Good Wines, Great View, Free Samples more

I feel that this was a purely tranquil spot with everything one desires. more

Don't get me wrong, Viansa is not bad and being the first winery you encounter on the way to Sonoma (from some directions) it is a good first stop on the way. The view is spectacular, the grounds are a lot of fun, and the deli is useful. To my mind they make too many wines and should concentrate on the ones they do well, and they try a little too hard in general. The experience is a little empty. The same goes for all the items in their deli (though the abundant free sampling does present an opportunity for the hungry spendthrift). So although everything fits together nicely, overall I do not think it is up to the standard of greatness, wine culture, and scenic beauty that marks the best spots in Napa and Sonoma. Pros: Fun, Convenient, On site deli Cons: Too commercial, A litle hollow, Wine is only fair more