Crisp to barrel-aged, one of Sonoma's most refreshing wines. Updated for 2026.
Sauvignon Blanc is Sonoma County's most important white after Chardonnay, and one of its most refreshing, food-friendly wines. Sonoma's range of climates gives the grape real versatility: crisp, zesty, stainless-steel styles from cooler sites, and richer, barrel-influenced versions, including the celebrated, textured Sauvignon Blanc from Merry Edwards that is a destination wine in its own right. From Dry Creek's Loire-inspired Fume Blanc to a lavender-scented bottling in Bennett Valley, Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc is full of character.
It is also a wine that rewards an open mind. Sauvignon Blanc has a reputation in some circles for being simple or one-note, but Sonoma's best bottlings, from the textured, barrel-aged Merry Edwards to the crisp, mineral grower-estate versions, show how much range and seriousness the grape can carry when it is treated as more than an afterthought white.
Below are the Sonoma wineries we think best represent Sauvignon Blanc, from a famous barrel-aged bottling to crisp biodynamic and grower-estate styles. Because it is bright and food-friendly, Sauvignon Blanc makes a great first wine of the day. These are seated, mostly by-appointment experiences; reserve ahead. Current as of October 2026.
The famous barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc
Better known for Pinot Noir, Merry Edwards also makes one of California's most celebrated Sauvignon Blancs, a rich, textured, barrel-influenced Russian River bottling that is a destination wine in its own right.
Good to know: Seated tastings by reservation. Near Sebastopol.
Our tip: Taste the Sauvignon Blanc alongside the Pinots; it is a benchmark.
The grower-estate classic
The Rochioli family, famous for Pinot, also makes a highly regarded estate Sauvignon Blanc from its coveted Westside Road vineyards, a crisp, pedigreed white from a legendary address.
Good to know: Seated tastings by appointment; small-production. Westside Road.
Our tip: A legendary estate; the Sauvignon Blanc is a quiet highlight.
The Loire-inspired Fume Blanc
A founding Dry Creek winery that helped revive the valley, known for a crisp, Loire-inspired Fume Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc) alongside its Zinfandel, a classic, food-friendly Sonoma white.
Good to know: Seated tastings by reservation. Dry Creek Valley.
Our tip: Taste the Fume Blanc; it is one of Sonoma's benchmark Sauvignon Blancs.
The biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc
A biodynamic Dry Creek estate with gardens and chickens, Quivira makes fresh, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc (and Rhone wines) in a relaxed, farm-to-glass setting, a wholesome white-wine stop.
Good to know: Seated tastings by reservation; working biodynamic farm. Dry Creek Valley.
Our tip: Pair the Sauvignon Blanc with a wander through the gardens.
The lavender-field Sauvignon Blanc
Famous for its lavender fields in Bennett Valley, Matanzas Creek is also a longtime Sauvignon Blanc specialist, pairing a fresh, well-regarded white with one of Sonoma's prettiest, most fragrant settings.
Good to know: Seated tastings and gardens; reservations recommended. Bennett Valley.
Our tip: Visit in late spring for the lavender bloom and the Sauvignon Blanc.
The ridgetop white
A ridgetop Russian River winery better known for Pinot and Chardonnay that also makes an elegant, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp white to enjoy with the valley view.
Good to know: Seated, reservation-based tastings; view terrace. Westside Road.
Our tip: A refreshing white to open a tasting; enjoy it with the view.
The estate-grown Sonoma Valley white
A sprawling Kenwood family estate that makes a crisp, estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc among its broad range, an easy, scenic Sonoma Valley stop for a refreshing white.
Good to know: Seated tastings; mountain-top and cave options by reservation. Kenwood.
Our tip: A good-value estate white; try it before the reds.
The food-friendly white
Known for acclaimed food-and-wine pairings, St. Francis makes an approachable Sauvignon Blanc that shows beautifully at the table, a crisp, versatile Sonoma Valley white.
Good to know: Seated tastings and pairings by reservation. Sonoma Valley.
Our tip: Taste the Sauvignon Blanc with food; it is built for the table.
The best way to understand Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc is to taste across its styles: a crisp, stainless-steel bottling against a richer, barrel-aged one (like Merry Edwards's) shows how much winemaking shapes the grape. Ask about the approach, stainless steel and no oak keep a wine zesty, while barrel aging adds texture and richness. Sauvignon Blanc is bright and food-friendly, which makes it a great first wine of the day, before the reds. The producers are spread across the county, Russian River and Dry Creek in the north, Bennett Valley and Sonoma Valley in the south, so plan a route and base accordingly. Book ahead, keep to two or three stops, pair with food where you can, and arrange a driver.
Do not assume all Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc is lean and grassy; the range runs from zesty to rich and barrel-aged, so taste widely. Do not drink it too cold, over-chilling mutes the aromatics, so let it warm a few minutes. And do not overlook it in a county famous for reds, it is among Sonoma's most refreshing and food-friendly wines.
Does Sonoma make good Sauvignon Blanc?
Yes, and in a wide range of styles. Sonoma's varied climates give crisp, zesty versions from cooler sites and richer, barrel-aged ones, including the celebrated, textured Sauvignon Blanc from Merry Edwards, a destination wine. Dry Creek's Fume Blanc is another benchmark.
What is Fume Blanc?
Fume Blanc is simply Sauvignon Blanc, often made dry and sometimes oak-influenced, a name coined by Robert Mondavi to rebrand the grape. In Sonoma, Dry Creek Vineyard makes a well-known, Loire-inspired Fume Blanc.
Which Sonoma winery has the best Sauvignon Blanc?
Merry Edwards makes one of California's most celebrated, a rich, barrel-aged Russian River bottling. Dry Creek Vineyard's Fume Blanc, Rochioli's grower-estate version, and Matanzas Creek's lavender-field bottling are other standouts.
Where is the best Sauvignon Blanc in Sonoma?
It does well across the county: cooler Russian River and Bennett Valley sites keep it crisp, while Dry Creek and Sonoma Valley make food-friendly styles. Tasting across them shows Sonoma's versatility with the grape.
Is Sauvignon Blanc a good first wine of the day?
Yes. Its bright acidity and lighter body make it an ideal, palate-opening first stop before Chardonnay and the reds, and it pairs beautifully with a midday bite.
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