Melanie Wynne

Sonoma County is famed for its interpretations of five key wine varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. However, these are far from the only grape varieties grown and fermented in Sonoma County.

There's a cornucopia of other wine varietals (and styles) made in Sonoma County, hailing from around the world — and each one has a story. Here, we give you a taste of some of these delicious Sonoma County outliers.

American Airlines flyers will soon be able to swirl and sip some new wines both in the sky and on the ground.
The airline has named wine writer, educator and consultant Julia Coney as its latest wine consultant.
The first Black woman (as well as the first person of color) to hold this position, Coney will be responsible for choosing the wines that will be served on board the legacy carrier’s transcontinental and international flights, as well as in its Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dini...

In Sonoma County, the word “sustainable” is more than an eco-friendly catchphrase—it’s a big-picture approach to caring for land, people, and wine. Most of Sonoma County’s 425 wineries, and 99% of its 60,000 vineyard acres are certified sustainable, having passed a rigorous review of their management of energy, soil, water, and more; the strength of their community relationships; and their efforts to preserve land for natural habitat.

Though a longtime San Francisco law firm senior partner and trial lawyer, Theodora Lee is known in the wine world as “Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards.” She’s the founder and vintner of Theopolis Vineyards, a small lot vineyard and hand-crafted winery located in the Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley in California’s Mendocino County.

November is Native American Heritage Month, but you can celebrate Native American heritage all year long in Sonoma County. Long before we became known as Wine Country, Sonoma County was home to thousands of Native Americans, including those of the Pomo, Miwok, and Wappo tribes. And despite mass displacement, humiliation, illness, and death at the hands of European and American colonists, Native American cultures and presence persist in modern-day Sonoma County.

Late summer and autumn are exciting times to be in Sonoma County, as wine harvest is in full swing. But while harvest is vital to winemaking, it's just one part of the lifecycle of wine, which goes through a fascinating evolution every year.

Here we follow the lifecycle of wine as it unfolds in Sonoma County, and highlight what you can see and do during each stage. If you love wine, any time is a good time to visit!

Updated each month by global data provider OAG, the busy-ness of airports around the world is calculated using their total airline capacity for both domestic and international flights. In December 2021, seven of the top 10 busiest airports were also in the top 10 in December 2019, so while there can be fluctuations caused by border closures, route and schedule changes, and airport development, for the most part the busiest airports remain pretty consistent.

The appeal of all-inclusive resorts is a simple one: They’re set in popular vacation destinations but require very little planning. But is it the right fit for you and your group? read on to find out.

With holidays around the corner, thoughts turn to seeing your extended clan — especially if you haven’t recently celebrated with them. Up the ante for family time this season, and plot a getaway to U.S. destinations that make for great multigenerational escapes — from warm weather havens to outdoor adventures and cultural city hubs — all with attractions your whole family will enjoy.

Rae Wilson
As the force behind Wine for the People in Austin, winemaker and community advocate Rae Wilson has created a range of labels highlighting the land and diversity of Texas–including Dandy Pink, The Grower Project, and La Valentía Wine. A native of St. Louis, she worked harvests in Napa and Portugal before settling in Texas, where the wine scene continues to expand. You since might’ve read about her work in Vogue, Eater, and Wine Enthusiast. One of the very first winemakers featured t...

Seeking travel inspiration for the year ahead? This (by no means an exhaustive list) of popular movies about travel, adventure, and voyages of self-discovers offers plenty to get you started on the right path. From epic road trips to stunning journeys around the world, these 50 Top Travel Movies will stir your wanderlust—and we’ll take you the rest of the way from there!

Travel to the Caribbean is popular all year (white-sand beaches + tropical paradise = what's not to like?), and it doesn't have to break the bank, no matter when you go.

December is the ideal time to sidestep the hectic holiday season by taking a holiday of your own. Escape your regularly scheduled life in the first half of the month and take advantage of lower prices and crowds, or postpone your travel joy (for just a couple of weeks) to join in sparkling seasonal celebrations around the world. Scroll down to find a globe’s worth of exciting spots to keep those winter blues far, far away this December.

A second-generation Bay Area winemaker, Shauna Rosenblum grew up romping around her father Kent’s namesake winery, Rosenblum Cellars, stomping grapes with her Girl Scout Troop, working the bottling line, and sitting in on blending trials. Despite her fine palate, though, she chose to follow her passion for fine arts, eventually earning a Master’s Degree from San Francisco Art Institute.

Seafood lovers, take heart: Casting a wide net around America, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and EPA strive to create a sustainable fishing industry by preventing overfishing and pollution while also supporting fishing communities. Their collective goal is to ensure that the seafood you enjoy today can also be enjoyed by future generations.
Here in Sonoma County, where you'll find more than 55 miles of Pacific Coastline and three rivers, these responsible management practices are vital n...