Valley of the Moon Winery

Valley of the Moon Winery sits in Glen Ellen within Sonoma Valley, where morning coastal fog and warm afternoon sun create the diurnal swing that shapes its wines. From the first step into the estate you feel history underfoot: rows of century-old Zinfandel, a stone barrel cellar laid in 1887, and a remodeled tasting room that opens to picnic lawns. Valley of the Moon Winery makes site-focused wines from estate vineyards and carefully selected Sonoma County sources, and the production team works to translate each vineyard’s soil, slope and microclimate into balanced, expressive bottles. The sensory mix—warm berry, cool minerality, cedar and citrus peel—announces wines that invite slow, attentive tasting. Valley of the Moon Winery places vineyard provenance front and center, making it an essential stop for visitors seeking terroir-driven wine tasting in Sonoma Valley.

The estate’s modern revival is led by owners Dan Zepponi and Tony Stewart, who reoriented the property toward small-lot, reserve-focused production while honoring its 19th-century roots. Formal winemaker credit is held by the production team, which applies both traditional cellar techniques and contemporary enology: temperature-controlled fermentation, parcel-driven vinification and a barrel program using French and American oak. Although specific critic scores were not found in the sources, the winery’s heritage structures and focused small-lot approach position it as a respected Sonoma producer. Valley of the Moon Winery emphasizes clarity of fruit, vineyard expression and restraint in oak, a philosophy visible across varietals from Pinot Noir to Petite Sirah. The estate also maintains a blending philosophy for reserve bottlings, selecting barrels for balance, structure and aging potential.

Signature releases illustrate the estate’s range and winemaking resolve. The century-old Zinfandel—harvested from vines planted over 100 years ago—yields a dense, layered wine with black cherry, bramble, cracked pepper and savory tannins; aging in American and French oak adds depth without overwhelming the grape’s rustic character. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a small-lot selection from warmer valley blocks, fermented for structure and aged in new and once-used French oak to develop tobacco, cassis and graphite notes with firm but polished tannins. The Estate Chardonnay is pressed gently to capture citrus, green apple and a mineral undercurrent; lees ageing and subtle oak give texture and length without heavy buttery influence. Other bottlings include Barbera, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé and Petite Sirah, plus occasional limited releases and reserve blends that are allocated to members and tasting-room visitors. Notable production details—parcel selection, controlled fermentations and barrel aging begun in a historic cellar—are consistently highlighted in reserve tastings and private appointments.

Visiting Valley of the Moon Winery is as much about place as it is about the wines. The tasting room blends remodeled, comfortable interiors with outdoor patios and picnic areas shaded by ancient olive trees; on bright days guests sip flights while watching light move across the vines. The estate’s stone barrel cellar—still in use since 1887—offers a tactile connection to past vintages and cooler aging conditions. A modern winery building completed in 1998 handles crush and stainless fermentation, ensuring precision for delicate varietals. Tours can include vineyard walks, a look through the working cellar and explanations of parcel selection and oak regimens. The property accommodates large groups, is wheelchair accessible, and welcomes well-behaved pets in outdoor spaces.

Best times to visit are spring through fall when vineyards display growing-season activity and patio seating is most comfortable; reserve tastings and private tours are appointment recommended due to limited allocation on reserve wines. Valley of the Moon Winery offers estate tastings, reserve flights and private tours—book early for weekend slots and for any limited-release tastings. Members gain priority access to scarce bottlings and special releases.

Valley of the Moon Winery blends living history and contemporary craft to create wines that speak of Sonoma Valley’s varied soils and climate. Whether you favor a structured Cabernet reserve, the depth of 100-year-old-vine Zinfandel, or a bright Russian River Pinot, Valley of the Moon Winery invites deliberate tasting and thoughtful purchase—reserve your appointment to experience the cellar, the patios and the terroir for yourself.