Soda Rock Winery

Soda Rock Winery’s striking water tower captures your attention the second it appears—an architectural beacon in the bare landscape of Highway 128. Next to the iconic tower, the winery occupies Alexander Valley’s first General Store and Post Office, originally built 150 years ago. Moss-covered stone walls, brightly painted wooden doors, and sleek modern siding enchant visitors with a unique blend of frontier charm and eclectic contemporary chic.

Proprietors Ken and Diane Wilson purchased the property in 2000, when this once-bustling hub of Anderson Valley lay in ruins. The couple made Soda Rock their passion project, and spent the next 15 years lovingly restoring its former glory with reclaimed and eco-friendly products. The Wilsons are no strangers to the boutique winery business, and also own Matrix Winery, Jaxon Keys, Pezzi King, St. Anne’s Crossing, Mazzocco Sonoma, and deLorimier Winery—all in Sonoma County.

If the winery’s architecture didn’t give it away, Soda Rock’s buttery Sauvignon Blanc will tip you off that this is a place that does things a little differently. The open-plan tasting room offers guests seating options at a huge wooden bar salvaged from a local tavern, a more contemporary lounge area dominated by a massive portrait of model Amber Valletta (for no particular reason other than her obvious attractiveness), or seating at round tables made from repurposed wooden wine vats. The friendly and knowledgeable tasting room staff will guide you through their lineup of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, red Bordeaux varietals, Zinfandel, and Primitivo.

French-born winemaker Antoine Favero believes that great wines are nurtured rather than made. He trades high yields for intense flavors, trying always to highlight and express the grapes’ unique varietal character and site-specific terroir. His wines are tasty, unique and offer great value for your dollar.

A visit to Soda Rock Winery gives you a true taste of Sonoma—nice wines, nice people, gorgeous views, and serious quirkiness. It’s the kind of place we love to return to, and you won’t want to miss.