Great Sonoma Cabernets
If you don't like Napa but still like Cabs, Sonoma has so much to offer
If you’re reading this blog, odds are you already know Sonoma’s not just Pinot and Chardonnay country. Sonoma is a climatic patchwork. Over the ~80–90 minute drive from San Francisco to Cloverdale you can easily see a 20°F swing in temperature. Thanks to the coastal mountains blocking the Pacific marine influence, and the Mayacamas on the other side trapping the heat, Sonoma has more microclimates than Bordeaux has appellations (whose names I can never remember). And while Sonoma may not scream “Cabernet!” the way Napa does (or maybe it does to you?), there are many excellent cabs coming out from the northern (hotter) parts of Sonoma, like Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill, and around Moon Mountain which is just the other side of the revered (Napa) Mount Veeder.
So here are three for you to consider:
Hamel - Luxury Cabs (Moon Mountain)
A unique blend of luxury and soul. This family-owned estate is renowned for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, producing limited, terroir-focused wines that capture the essence of their rugged hillside vineyards. The winery's dedication to sustainable practices and minimal intervention winemaking results in Cabs (and Rhone-style wines) that truly reflect the volcanic soils and microclimates of the Moon Mountain District.
Tasting Experience: Expect luxury, but not the stuffy kind, set in a sleek modern estate with sweeping vineyard views, with undivided attention. Bonus: an in-house executive chef creates gourmet bite pairings for your wines.
Notable Varietals:
🍷 Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, plus other Bordeaux blending grapes like Cabernet Franc (in the blends). Plus a Grenache in a Rhone style blend.
🥂White: Sauvignon Blanc.
Other Essentials:
🍷📅✅ Bookings
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: $ ($100+)
Repris - Truly Boutique Cabs (also Moon Mountain)
Another Moon Mountain marvel, Repris is a love letter to Bordeaux and Rhone, bottled. With viticultural roots stretching back to the 1880s, Repris balances reverence for history with a sharp eye on terroir and intentionality. Their right- and left-bank-style blends are a Bordeaux nerd’s dream come true. (Seriously— 4.6 star reviews on Vivino are not common. Also, I’m a closet Merlot lover.)
Tasting Experience:
Start with an ATV ride up Moon Mountain, meander through 18,000 square feet of natural rock caves, then settle in with charcuterie and some very serious wine. It’s a splurge, but if you’re here for the ride (pun intended), it’s more than worth it. (Pro tip: Texture and Pangloss are sister wineries under the same umbrella.)
Notable Varietals:
🍷Red: Bordeaux varietals – notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and blending grapes which are also features as single varietal bottles Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, plus a Grenache Rhone blend.
🥂White: Sauvignon Blanc, crafted in an Old World-inspired style (akin to Pouilly-Fumé). Plus several Rhône white grapes – including Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc.
Essentials
🍷📅✅ Bookings
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: $ ($100+)
Calluna: a hidden gem in Chalk hill
Tucked away and delightfully low-key, Calluna is the under-the-radar antidote to the flashier Cabernets of Napa. Tastings are hosted by winemaker David Jeffrey himself—a Bordeaux-trained pro with a knack for blending old-world elegance and California richness. While "Calluna Cuvée" might be the headline act, the Merlot deserves its own standing ovation.
Tasting Experience:
With tastings held around the kitchen table or on the patio of David's house, guests are treated to a personal and informative exploration of Calluna's current releases. The wines shine, the vibe is unpretentious, and the views are the cherry on top.
Notable Varietals:
🍷 Red: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec for blends
🥂White: Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon
Other Essentials:
🍷📅✅ Booking Link
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: ($70-$100)
So get those steaks ready, and have yourself a Sonoma Cab.