3 Blissful Days in Sonoma with your BFF
This easy 3-day Sonoma itinerary balances wine tasting with food, nature and hands-on experiences that go far beyond the vineyard. Designed for a girls’ getaway, it mixes walkable charm, memorable wineries, local makers and standout meals without overpacking your schedule or taxing your patience.
By Kim Orlando, She Buys Travel
January 21, 2026
Sonoma is what I think of as Country California: friendly, green and community-oriented. Winemakers know the restaurateurs. Shop owners know the cheesemakers. Wine is central but definitely not the only reason to visit. This itinerary is how I spent a girls’ getaway in Sonoma, with a mix of wineries, food, outdoor time, and hands-on experiences.
Kim says, “It’s farther out of town but worth the drive…”
California’s Laid-Back Wine Country
Sonoma blends genuine luxury with breathtaking vineyards, exceptional wineries, and a true wine-and-food culture travelers love.
By Avital Andrews, Smart Luxury
December 9, 2025
To feel as though you’ve stepped into Monet’s Nymphéas paintings, book a tasting at Coursey Graves, whose Giverny-like gardens have a serene pond, a hand-built bridge, and more than 50 plant species, all bursting with vibrant color. The French-inspired varietals here, including the Bennett Mountain Estate Blend, always impress.Â
Other Sonoma wineries worth visiting include Auteur, Benziger, the Donum Estate, Ledson, Kunde, and Viansa, known for its sparkling wine, wildflowers, and elevated views.Â
Sonoma is having a moment: 6 different itineraries to experience it
Over the last year, the quaint town of Sonoma has added a new crop of restaurants and hotels to its résumé that are generating both popular fanfare and critical acclaim. Read more about the experience here and book your tasting with us.
After several years of Healdsburg dominating Sonoma County buzz, an old standby is drawing renewed focus. There’s just one problem: With so much to try, it’s impossible to do it all in a single visit. We’ve curated six overnight itineraries to help you narrow down your options. From a romantic getaway to one that’s focused on art and design, here’s how to experience Sonoma now.
A Visit to Coursey Graves: One of 12 Incredible Things to do in Sonoma Valley
A tasting at Coursey Graves Estate winery is one of the 12 most incredible things to do in Sonoma Valley and we couldn’t agree more! Read more about the experience here and book your tasting with us.
By BON TRAVELER
“When it comes to the best things to do in Sonoma Valley, this is my list of favorites after dozens of trips.” the author, Jessica writes. Her list includes farmer’s markets, parks, a spa, and wineries, including Coursey Graves.
“Set atop the scenic Bennett Mountain, Coursey Graves Estate Winery is one of those places you’ll want to bookmark. You take a winding road that leads you to what feels like above the clouds. The estate winery sits up on a mountain with gorgeous views, surrounded by natural landscapes and stunning gardens…”
How to Plan the Best Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Trip: 3 Day Itinerary
There are so many incredible things to do in Sonoma Valley wine country. This post from Castles & Carpools has all the information you need to plan the best trip for you and your group. Check it out and then book your tasting with us.
About the scenery at Coursey Graves:
“…it wasn’t just the wine talking that made us feel like we had stepped into the French countryside here.” the author writes. The property features truly breathtaking taking views of the Bennett Valley. And the winery is also farmed using environmentally conscious methods. It also happens to have wonderfully friendly service and great wine.”
More information and recommendations in this post:
- How to coordinate an e-bike tour and wine tasting
- Ideas for a a walking tour and wine tasting
- Tips and Tricks for Wine Tasting in Sonoma
Sonoma County’s Best Wineries
These are Sonoma County’s best wineries. Discover calm, scenic estates like Coursey Graves that rival Napa with gorgeous views, wine caves, and vibrant wines.
December 16, 2024
The city of Sonoma sits about an hour north of San Francisco and is, along with neighboring Napa, the heart of a vibrant winemaking region. Here, the terroir is ideal for grape growing, with sunny, warm (but rarely hot), dry summers that cool off in the evening with ocean breezes and fog drifting into the valleys…
Small production Sonoma County wineries offer boutique experiences
Coursey Graves is proud to be included in this curated list of small production wineries in Sonoma County.
10 Small Production Wineries in Sonoma County
OCTOBER 2024 | WINECOUNTRY COLLECTIVE
“When you visit these boutique wineries, you’ll get the chance to sample small-lot, limited-release bottlings in a more intimate setting (something that many larger wine producers simply don’t offer), while still enjoying the laid-back vibes you’d expect from this notoriously relaxed wine region.”
Coursey Graves Estate Winery
“A winery with lush gardens that are modeled after Claude Monet’s Giverny? Sign us up! Perched on Bennett Mountain with jaw-dropping views, Coursey Graves produces carefully crafted French-inspired wines. This small production winery only offers one kind of experience, their Signature Tasting, where guests can sample Bordeaux-style wines (like their Estate Syrah made from grapes that are hand-picked on steep slopes) and munch on perfectly paired local cheeses. You’ll also get the chance to stroll around the property, enjoying the sprawling views and flowering gardens, complete with the quintessential Japanese bridge.”
SF Chronicle Names Coursey Graves a Top Winery in Sonoma County
Coursey Graves is proud to be included in the San Francisco Chronicle’s annual list of the top wineries in Sonoma County, selected by Sr. Wine Critic, Esther Mobley. Photo: Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle
The Top Wineries in Sonoma County
APRIL 2024 | SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Coursey Graves Estate Winery
“This strikingly beautiful winery is hidden at the top of a mountain road in Bennett Valley, a less-traveled region in the outskirts of Santa Rosa. Named for its owners — John & Denise Graves, — this estate has flown relatively under the radar since it started hosting tastings in 2021.
Visits begin with a tour of the winery and underground caves, with a glass of Chardonnay in hand, before moving into a tasting of the red wines, which include Pinot Noir, Syrah and several Bordeaux-style blends, alongside a spread of cheese, fruit and nuts. The views of nearby Sonoma Mountain and the lush valley vineyards below are memorable, and if the weather cooperates, visitors may get to sit at one of the tables overlooking Coursey Graves’ gardens and pond.”
Wine Country Names Coursey Graves Among Most Beautiful Wineries in Sonoma County
Coursey Graves is proud to be named one of the 10 most beautiful wineries in Sonoma by Wine Country magazine.
The 10 Most Beautiful Wineries in Sonoma County
MAY 2023 | BY: WINE COUNTRY
Known for its stunning scenery, laid-back vibe, and locally-driven food scene, Sonoma County checks all the boxes as a dreamy Wine Country destination. But when it comes to beautiful wineries, Sonoma overdelivers. From wineries that showcase immaculately landscaped gardens to those with historic buildings and vineyard views, here are our picks for the ten most beautiful wineries in Sonoma County.
Coursey Graves: Mountaintop Splendor
Nestled atop the slopes of Bennett Mountain, the 13-acre Coursey Graves is a breathtaking destination in Sonoma Valley. The property boasts stunning views in every direction, with vineyards, wildflowers, and oak trees creating a picturesque backdrop. But the winery is more than just a pretty face—it’s known for its exceptional Cabernet, Syrah, and Chardonnay wines, each one expertly crafted to highlight the unique terroir of Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Come for the scenery, stay for the wine—a visit to Coursey Graves is sure to be a memorable experience.
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