Best Winery & Best Tasting Room Wins for St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, is thrilled to announce we have won the readers’ choice 2024 SFGATE Best of Bay Area Awards for “Best Tasting Room” and “Best Winery”! This award recognizes the winery’s excellence in providing visitors with an exceptional tasting experience and our commitment to producing award-winning wines while nurturing and preserving the splendor of Sonoma County for future generations to enjoy.
We are especially proud to be the only winery to receive these accolades and the only business to win in two categories. With over 100,000 nominations and 140,000 votes cast across 119 different categories, this is a tremendous victory for us! St. Francis Winery & Vineyards was also a top 5 finalist in the “Fine Dining” category. While we didn’t win this award, we are proud to have been recognized among the top fine dining establishments in the Bay Area.
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has earned its place as a beloved destination for wine country visitors thanks to its exceptional wines, stunning views, incredible hospitality, and nationally acclaimed culinary programs. Let’s explore what makes St. Francis the best and why our guests return time and again for an authentic Sonoma wine-country experience.
Rooted in Sonoma
Winemaking Craftsmanship and Quality
Joe Martin founded St. Francis Vineyard in 1971, beginning with 22 acres of Chardonnay and planting the first 60 acres of Merlot in Sonoma Valley. Today, our legacy thrives under the stewardship of a new generation of winemakers, Katie Madigan and Chris Louton, and Jake Terrell, Director of Vineyards. They uphold our longstanding commitment to crafting exquisite, fruit-forward wines sourced from Sonoma County’s finest grapes.
Katie and Chris drive St. Francis’ long tradition of creating high-quality wines from Sonoma County grapes. Katie oversees the production of St. Francis Winery’s top-selling Zinfandels, Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and many of our other popular white wines. Chris oversees the production of our Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals and our popular Sauvignon Blanc. With dedication and skill, Katie and Chris consistently produce exceptional, award-winning wines that embody our tradition of elegance and richness.
The Beauty of Sonoma Valley
Captivating Sonoma Landscap
The breathtaking views at our winery elevate the wine-tasting experience to unforgettable heights. Nestled amidst 140 acres of pristine landscape, our mission-style tasting room features a majestic bell tower housing a 1,000-pound bronze bell that chimes every hour, its resonant tones echoing through the valley. Surrounded by lush vineyards and framed by the panoramic Mayacamas Mountains, our estate is renowned for its captivating beauty, recently recognized among WineCountry.com’s 10 Most Beautiful Wineries in Sonoma County. Guests are welcomed into an ambiance that truly captures the essence of Sonoma Valley, making every visit a memorable journey through the heart of wine country.
Authentic Sonoma Wine Experiences
The Tasting Room at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards invites visitors into a warm and inviting atmosphere, providing a unique opportunity to savor a diverse selection of exclusive, award-winning artisan wines available only at our estate. The tasting room is staffed by knowledgeable and friendly wine educators who are passionate about sharing their love for wine and educating visitors on the winemaking process. But what truly distinguishes St. Francis Winery is the collection of curated authentic Sonoma wine experiences. Guests can choose to explore award-winning wines, exquisite seasonal delicacies, or exciting adventures in our Certified Sustainable Wild Oak Estate Vineyard.
Explore what makes St. Francis Winery & Vineyards a quintessential Sonoma destination. Vineyard tours offer an immersive look into our Certified Sustainable vineyard practices, while tastings and events showcase the local culture and heritage. Experience the charm of our estate with unique offerings like the Trolley Tour, Estate Pairing, Wine & Food Pairings, Vineyard Adventure, Tower Tastings, and Artisan Flight, each designed to deepen your appreciation of Sonoma’s rich winemaking tradition and the natural beauty that surrounds us.
Culinary Programs
Pairing Wine with Gastronomic Delights
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is renowned not only for its exceptional wines but also for its outstanding culinary programs that pair these wines with gastronomic delights. Our culinary offerings and programs are designed to enhance the tasting experience, elevating guests’ enjoyment through expertly crafted food and wine pairings.
At the heart of these experiences is our Estate Pairing, a farm-to-table Sonoma wine tasting that showcases the harmony between locally sourced ingredients and our finest wines. This unique experience highlights the seasonal bounty of Sonoma County, offering guests an authentic taste of the region’s culinary heritage. Additionally, our Wine & Food Pairing experience has earned acclaim as Sonoma’s premier culinary event, where expertly prepared dishes are paired with our exclusive wines to create a symphony of flavors that delight the palate.
Both programs are run by our Executive Chef Peter Janiak, who begins with the wine and curates a seasonal menu to create dishes that perfectly complement the wine. Chef Peter works closely with our Culinary Farm and Farmer Jimmy Hill, who manages our two-acre Estate Garden. This close collaboration provides our chef with fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs grown just steps away from our kitchen, offering guests an unforgettable farm-to-table Wine & Food Pairing experience in the heart of Sonoma Valley.
Our commitment to sustainable practices and local agriculture is also evident in our Culinary Farm, which has received the prestigious Slow Food Award. This dedication to quality and sustainability ensures that every pairing not only tantalizes the taste buds but also supports the local community and environment.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the culinary programs at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards promise an unforgettable journey through the rich and diverse flavors of Sonoma.
Sustainable Winemaking & Environmental Stewardship
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is a Certified Sustainable, family-owned winery dedicated to preserving Sonoma County’s natural resources. Throughout our history, we have implemented numerous sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of our environment. Our state-of-the-art winery, built in 1999, includes a 457-kilowatt solar energy system that significantly reduces our carbon footprint. We have also been recognized for our efforts to conserve nearby creeks and waterways, highlighting our commitment to environmental stewardship. Our sustainable practices encompass vineyard management, water conservation, and energy efficiency, all of which contribute to reducing our environmental footprint and appealing to eco-conscious visitors. As a testament to our dedication, we were honored as Sonoma County Tourism – Stars of the Industry Finalist in Environmental Stewardship. These efforts are integral to who we are, what we do, and how we run our business.
Our founder, Joe Martin, named the winery after Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron of ecology and animals, as a tribute to his deep love for the natural world and his passion for advocating for animals and nature. This ethos is reflected in our various philanthropic efforts and community initiatives. For example, we host the annual Blessing of the Animalsevent, a fundraising event that supports local non-profit animal rescues.
In addition to our environmental efforts, we are deeply committed to giving back to the community. Our support for Canine Companions, an organization dedicated to providing assistance dogs to people with disabilities, exemplifies this commitment. We also celebrate Joe Martin Day of Service, encouraging our team to engage in community service and make a positive impact locally.
At St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, sustainability and philanthropy are not just values; they are the foundation of our operations and our legacy, ensuring that we contribute positively to both our environment and our community.
It is no surprise that St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been recognized as the Best Tasting Room and Best Winery in the Bay Area. The winery’s commitment to excellence, from the quality of its wines to the warmth of its hospitality, is truly exceptional. If you haven’t yet had the chance to visit St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, be sure to add it to your list of must-visit wineries in Sonoma Valley!
Plan your visit today and discover for yourself why we were voted The Best Winery & Best Tasting Room!
The SFGATE Best of Bay Area Awards were determined through reader nominations and votes, and the winners were announced on June 21. View all the winners here.
