Sebastopol Wine Guide: Top Wineries and Restaurant Pairings in One Day
- Theresa Downs
- Nov 20
- 2 min read
Stop #1: Emeritus Vineyards
We kicked off Wine Tour 2025 with an old favorite of mine, Emeritus. Start the day at Emeritus, where it feels like you're stepping onto the front porch of a family estate that just happens to make world-class Pinot Noir. The vibe is relaxed, friendly, and personal — the kind of tasting where the staff genuinely loves to discuss farming, soils, clones, and why Pinot Noir thrives in the surrounding area.
This is dry-farmed (dry-farmed vines survive on rainwater alone, creating lower-yield, intensely flavored grapes), and the wines wear that signature proudly: elegant, pure, and beautifully focused, with layers that keep unfolding as you sip.
If you love terroir-driven (land versus what some winemakers cook up in the process) wines and want an experience that’s intimate, informative, and welcoming (never stuffy), Emeritus is spot-on. It’s the kind of tasting where you learn something without realizing you’re learning—always a win.
Must Try: the Hallberg Ranch Pinot
Emeritus Vineyards
📍 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
📞 (707) 823-9463
Stop #2: Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery
Just a short drive away is Marimar Estate, a Spanish-inspired oasis perched on a scenic hillside. The winery feels like a little piece of Catalonia dropped gently onto Sonoma soil — a tiled courtyard, warm hospitality, and estate vineyards rolling in every direction.
Our first visit to Marimar Estate was a stellar success. Marimar is known for its lifted, food-friendly Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. A most pleasant surprise was the discovery of their Spanish variety blends, primarily Albariño. They make a sensational Albariño/Chardonnay blended wine that is absolutely delicious.
Must Try: Chardonnay/Albariño 2024
Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery
📍 11400 Graton Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472
📞 (707) 823-4365
Stop #3: Benovia Winery
We finished the tasting day at Benovia, where the wines turn a little richer and more powerful without losing their Sonoma elegance. The estate specializes in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and beautifully structured Russian River bottlings. Each pour is polished, layered, and deeply flavorful. Benovia is one of those places where you sit down, start tasting, and suddenly realize you've stayed longer than planned. The wines are that engaging, and the hospitality is warm and unhurried.
Must Try: Russian River Pinot Noir 2023
Benovia Winery
📍 3339 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
📞 (707) 921-1040
Lunch at Capanella
After a Pinot-filled morning, lunch at Capanella is exactly what the day calls for. The menu leans rustic Italian — comforting, fresh, and full of bright flavors. Think house-made pasta, wood-fired dishes, and sauces that taste like someone's grandmother is secretly in the kitchen.
Campanella Kitchen & Garden Patio (Sebastopol)
📍 7365 Healdsburg Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472 📞 (707) 910-3030
Final Thoughts
One day in Sebastopol is never enough, but this itinerary hits the sweet spot: small-production estate wines, gorgeous scenery, friendly hospitality, and a lunch that sends you home smiling.
Stay tuned for more tasting tips, pairing advice, and travel-worthy wine experiences.
