What is difference between Sonoma and Napa?

While Sonoma may be the less-famous cousin to world-renowned Napa, there's much to love about spending time in Sonoma. First, Sonoma is almost double the size of Napa, which means there's more space, more grapes and fewer crowds.



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Our beloved Sonoma County, California is renowned for amazing wines and legendary vineyards, as well as gorgeous organic produce and sustainable farming. Our natural beauty is our calling card, from our mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and meadows, to all 55 miles of our Pacific Ocean coastline.

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While Sonoma may be the less-famous cousin to world-renowned Napa, there's much to love about spending time in Sonoma. First, Sonoma is almost double the size of Napa, which means there's more space, more grapes and fewer crowds.

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One major difference between Napa Valley and Sonoma is the dining options. Napa has two top Michelin Star rated restaurants and a plethora of other upscale dining options. Sonoma also has excellent restaurant choices, but tends to be a little more relaxed, which also means a little friendlier on the wallet.

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If you plan to do both Napa and Sonoma, dedicate one day to each. Also, they're close enough that I wouldn't recommend moving locations. Just stay in one place and then you won't waste time moving from one hotel to another.

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Sonoma County Celebrities
  • Winona Ryder. Oct 5, 2016. ...
  • Tom Waits. Oct 5, 2016. ...
  • Robert Ripley. Oct 5, 2016. ...
  • Rider Strong. Oct 5, 2016. ...
  • Rebecca de Mornay. Oct 5, 2016. ...
  • Raymond Burr. Oct 5, 2016. ...
  • Natalie Wood. Oct 5, 2016. ...
  • Mark Felt. Oct 5, 2016.


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Choose either Napa or Sonoma the same way you choose your wines:
  1. If you buy pricier wines, then go to Napa.
  2. If you mainly drink Cabernet Sauvignon, buttery Chardonnay, and Merlot, then go to Napa.
  3. If you buy more reasonably priced wines, then go to Sonoma.


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For many of us in Sonoma County, fall is a special and much-anticipated time to be outdoors. The summer crowds have thinned, the vineyards turn striking shades of red and orange, and the air carries the scents of autumn.

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Similarities between the two wine regions While similar in geography and climate, Napa tends to be warmer than Sonoma as it is further inland. Both valleys, named for the counties where they are located, are known worldwide for producing fine quality wines.

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Cooler Climates, Thanks to Miles of Shoreline (Fun fact, the winning Chardonnay was made from Sonoma County grapes!) Napa is also six to eight degrees warmer than Sonoma County, depending on the month. While this could be a perk for some, it might be a detriment for others.

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The best time to visit Napa is from August to October when the fall harvest is in full swing. The weather during this period of time is absolutely perfect. Whenever you visit Napa, it's always a good idea to bring a coat, as the evenings can get a bit chilly.

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Why Do Napa Wines Cost So Much? Wines from the Napa Valley are highly sought after among wine collectors and wine consumers alike. One of the primary reasons is this: the lush valley offers a near-perfect wine-growing environment.

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The closest airport and shuttle service to Sonoma County are the county's own Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS), in Santa Rosa, with daily flights on three major carriers; and the Groome Transportation, which runs between Sonoma County and the San Francisco and Oakland airports.

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