Intimate tastings of limited production wines sold only at the winery or online. Oak-shaded picnic grounds, gourmet marketplace, mountain top tastings. "This Castle is a Must See." - The Boston Globe.

You don’t need to book a trip to the Black Forest to lunch near a castle – just head out to Ledson Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma County. While the winery is the focal point of this operation, Ledson Winery and Vineyards also includes a marketplace that serves up fresh salads, sandwiches, and other quick bites. Picnicking on the grounds surrounding the 16,000 foot French Normandy-style castle is highly encouraged. The turkey and cranberry sandwich is highly recommended, as is the collection of high-end cheeses.

Insider Tip

The mustards sold in the deli are made exclusively for Ledson Winery and Vineyards, and include unique flavors like Wasabi and IPA.

When you’re visiting VJB cellars, accompany your wine tasting with a taste of fine authentic Italian cuisine. Try the artisanal cheeses, fresh local breads, Panini sandwiches and fresh salads. Imported Italian specialties plus an espresso and coffee bar.

Tucked inside VJB Vineyard & Cellars is a pizzeria and café that transplants the soul-satisfying flavors of Naples to the West Coast of the United States. The guiding force of La Cucina, Maria Belmonte, was born in Italy and employs her mother’s recipes for authentic dishes like housemade mozzarella, lemon ricotta soufflé, and veal scallops with prosciutto. Hand-crafted paninis and salads are perfect for a lunch paired with a bottle, and the rustic scenery of the vineyards’ outdoor patio delights in Neapolitan style.

Insider Tip

If you visit around noon, VJB Vineyard & Cellars often brings in musicians—opera singers and accordion, for example—to add some ambiance to the meal.

Quaint café located in the heart of Sonoma Valley serving Italian fare. Order at the counter and seat yourself.

Café Citti specializes in unpretentious yet delicious Italian-inspired dishes that are heavy on the garlic and light on the price. Don’t be fooled by the café’s humble exterior; Café Citti’s food has been featured on The Food Network and has won rave reviews by San Francisco magazine. The Citti Sauce, a creamy housemade blend of tomato and basil, is a guest favorite. However, Café Citti offers eight other handmade sauces for its pasta dishes, so selecting one might be the most difficult choice of your visit.

Insider Tip

While Café Citti sells Italian wines by the glass, visitors are also allowed to bring in their own bottles.

Great location right in the midst of wineries, offering a really great selection of local beers and wines. Palooza diverse selection including IPA’s, ciders, lagers, wheat beers, ales, porters and more.

When you think of Sonoma County, you might not think of pub grub. But after you take a bite of Palooza Gastropub & Wine Bar’s gourmet take on a burger, you won’t be able to forget it. The tavern’s hot dogs, wings, ribs, and sandwiches are all elevated by creative chefs and farm-fresh ingredients. The kitchen also serves an amazing selection of salads for the meat-averse. Featuring Brussel sprout hash and stuffed French toast, the brunch menu on weekend mornings is somehow both sophisticated and down-to-earth.

Insider Tip

The kitchen smokes salmon in-house, which makes the smoked salmon deviled eggs one of the best appetizers in the county.

The Kenwood Restaurant and Bar is defining regional Sonoma cuisine. Perfect spot to visit after a day of wine tasting. Great views as well!

The chefs behind The Kenwood Restaurant & Bar dive deep into all the culinary bounty Sonoma County has to give, pulling in inspiration from Italy and Ireland, Morocco and China. The results, like housemade yam gnocchi and chawan mushi with smoked black cod, boldly blend flavors from all over the globe. However, the atmosphere of The Kenwood Restaurant & Bar is decidedly unstuffy: kids and dogs are welcome, and diners can play a round of bocce ball outside while munching on some homemade gelato.

Insider Tip

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., oysters are only $1 each, and are served with handmade hot sauce.

While many of Kenwood’s small but mighty selection of eateries skew Italian, Vineyards Inn leans further West, toward Spain. The wide selection of tapas and paellas are made with organic ingredients and include some choices even well-traveled foodies might not recognize, like a lamb meatball dish known as albondigas. Other choices are more well-known, like fish sticks and jalapeno poppers, pushed way beyond anything that comes from a chain restaurant. Every second Thursday of the month, the restaurant serves a special seven-course menu inspired by the Basque region of Spain, with wine included, for $50 a person.

Insider Tip

Although it isn’t a Mexican restaurant, Vineyards Inn serves a fantastic margarita.