Sonoma Wine Country Suggestions: III - Tasting in Sonoma-Kenwood

5a) There are many wineries for tasting-only purposes. A good deal of your selection process should be based on the varietals you enjoy most. Check with your concierge for tips but these are some of my favorites to bring visitors to and are located in the same general area (Sonoma-Kenwood, aka southern Sonoma county), listed roughly in order from glitziest to most unassuming:

• Chateau St. Jean -- opulent and showy estate, but with a good selection of wines and a great place to walk around
• Ledson Winery -- fun place with an interesting selection of wines. Looks touristy but tucked away off the beaten track; good tasting experience
• Benziger -- pretty, hilly location; good wines
• Ravenswood -- a mecca of sorts for zinfandel lovers
• Gundlach Bundschu -- if you're going to Ravenswood, this one is around the corner in a picturesque, woodsy setting. Nice wines, with a Germanic flair to boot.
• The Wine Room -- a co-op for a half dozen or so smaller wineries where the winemakers are often present to pour the wines and tell you all about them. High quality wines, great prices, fun atmosphere, and a different type of experience, etc.
• Locals -- this one is a bit out of the way, in Geyserville, near Chateau Soverain, but if you like the idea of co-ops like The Wine Room but you want more wineries, smaller vineyards, more pourings, and a nearly infinite amount of wine to consume in one sitting, this is the place to go. Consider a designated driver for this place, if not all the others.