Dry Creek Valley Wine Region

Dry Creek Valley Wine Trail | Visit the Top Wineries in Dry Creek

dry creek wine route — Mauritson on the Dry Creek wine route – great Zinfandel wines from Rockpile

A Two-Day Vacation in the Dry Creek wine region

To begin this great Dry Creek Valley wine trail, take the Dry Creek Road exit from Highway 101 and continue West on Dry Creek Road. There are several beautiful wineries to visit on Dry Creek Road, and choosing which ones to visit is not easy. We have seen all the wineries along this stretch, and these are our favorites. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the vineyards. Our favorite picnic winery on this wine trail is Dry Creek Vineyards. It is almost directly across from the historic Dry Creek General Store. You can pick up a fantastic lunch at this landmark stop on Dry Creek. You should make a reservation for each winery you plan to visit. Most wineries are not taking walk-in travelers. Thank COVID for this situation.

We recommend you take two days to explore wineries in the Dry Creek Valley.
Take a day to visit wineries on Dry Creek Road. On the second day
visit wineries on West Dry Creek Road.

Dry Creek Road Wine Trail

• Mauritson Estate – Wines from their Rockpile AVA – big boys
• Dry Creek Vineyard – One of the first wineries in Dry Creek, excellent picnic area
• Unti Vineyards – Some unique varieties not found elsewhere in Dry Creek
• Dutcher Crossing – The tasting room and view of the Dry Creek Valley
• Fritz Underground Winery – It is underground, Zinfandel is tops
• Ferrari-Carano Vineyards – Tour the gardens, visit the gift shop, taste wine
• Sbragia Family Vineyards – Best gift view of the Dry Creek Valley. Pack your lunch

We recommend that you visit no more than three wineries in one day. Pace yourself and enjoy the serenity of Dry Creek Valley.

More wineries on the West Dry Creek Road Trail

Dining and Lodging Recommendations

Mauritson Winery

Mauritson is four miles west of the Highway 101 Dry Creek Exit . It’s the big olive green winery building at the corner of Dry Creek Road and Lytton Springs Road. For over a 100 years the Mauritson family has been tending to the vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley. In the late 1990’s they began producing wine from their finest vineyards. Clay and Carrie Mauritson are the owners and Clay is the winemaker. The Sauvignon Blanc is terrific and our favorite of the delicious Dry Creek Sauvignon Blancs. The winery produces some lush reds from their Rockpile Vineyards. These are made in small amounts and sell out quickly.

Dry Creek Vineyard

The Dry Creek Vineyard winery is one of the first wineries in the Dry Creek area to open its doors to visitors. In 1972, David Stare founded the winery with the goal of making Sauvignon Blanc in the French tradition. Today his daughter Kim Stare runs the winery. The winery offers what we call consumer-friendly prices, with several wines offered under the $20 price range. These wines are excellent values. Dry Creek Vineyard has different tasting and tour options for visitors. They also have one of the best picnic areas around. Grab your lunch at the historic General Store on the corner of Lambert Bridge Road and Dry Creek Road and then head to Dry Creek Vineyard. A favorite

Unti Vineyards

We love small and family wineries. Unti is just that. 1997 is when it all began. George and Linda Unti and their son Mick are active in the everyday operations of the winery. The most interesting thing about Unti Vineyards is the unusual grape varieties they grow on their Dry Creek Farm. Here you find Fiona, Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, Montepulciano, and Mourvedre. The winery is small so the tasting room is open by appointment only. Just call in advance, and the folks at Unti will host your small party.

Dutcher Crossing Winery

From Yoakim Bridge continue along Dry Creek Road for about one mile. Watch for the signs to Dutcher Crossing Winery and turn right into the driveway. This winery is a recent addition to Dry Creek Road and boasts one of the most beautiful tasting rooms in any wine country. The picnic area provides some very fantastic vineyard views of the Dry Creek Valley. The Chardonnays are delicious.

Fritz Underground Winery

The Fritz winery is a little bit off the beaten path in the Dry Creek Valley. It is a short detour off Dry Creek Road, and we think you like the uniqueness of Fritz. The winery is on Dutcher Creek Road, which runs into Dry Creek Road. Take a right and drive up the hill to Fritz Underground Winery. Yes, it is built into the side of a mountain, and that has several benefits to the wine. The wines are lovely, and our favorite is the Estate Zinfandel. Wow!

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery

Ferrari Carano is just down the road from Dutcher Crossing. It’s big, beautiful, and definitely worth a visit. The gardens, the view, and the winery are spectacular. The Ferrari-Carano tasting room is large and busy with activity. Take a walk down the stairs and catch a peek of the barrel room. All the wines are good here and we particularly like the whites. The Fume Blanc is a great value.

Sbragia Family Vineyards

For many years owner Ed Sbragia was the famed winemaker at Beringer Bros in the Napa Valley. When Beringer was purchased by conglomerate wine company he set out to have his own winery and label. In 2005 he established the Sbragia Family Vineyards. It is the very last winery on the Dry Creek Road heading from Healdsburg about ten miles from the 101 Exit on Dry Creek. The wines are delicious especially the lineup of Zinfandel wines. Perhaps the main attraction is the view of the Dry Creek Valley. It is the best of all the tasting rooms on this trail.

Additional wine routes in the Healdsburg wine region of Sonoma

Tips for your Healdsburg Wine Tour

You are encouraged to have a designated driver. Consider hiring a limousine or van service.
First time to a winery in Healdsburg? Find out what happens in a typical tasting room.
Are you wondering about how to taste wine? Wine Tasting Techniques
If you cannot picnic, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Healdsburg’s many fine restaurants.
Where to stay in and around Healdsburg – lodging
Pace yourself and make a day of wine tasting. Don’t forget to take photos of your trip.
Visiting three wineries in one day is enough to you keep you busy and content with the slow and easy pace of wine country.
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Joe Becerra

Joe Becerra has been traveling to wine country and enjoying wine since 1965. He is a retired educator, and now have the time the opportunity to share his wine travel experiences through this Website.

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