Founded in 1857 by Hungarian count Agoston Haraszthy, Buena Vista Winery is a true pioneer of the California wine industry. Located in the picturesque Sonoma Valley, Buena Vista’s vineyards are spread across the region, producing a range of classic and lesser-known grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Carignan, and Petite Sirah.
As one of the oldest wineries in California, Buena Vista has a rich history that is evident in every bottle of wine produced. The winery’s stone cellars, which were built in the late 1800s, have been designated as a California Historical Landmark, and the main building, a Victorian mansion known as the Buena Vista Carriage House, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Despite its long history, Buena Vista is a winery that is constantly evolving and looking towards the future. The winemakers at Buena Vista are dedicated to producing high-quality wines that showcase the unique character of the Sonoma Valley terroir. To achieve this, they use traditional techniques such as open-top fermentation and aging the wines in oak barrels.
In addition to its impressive wine selection, Buena Vista is a popular destination for wine lovers and tourists alike. The winery’s tasting room, located in the historic Carriage House, offers a range of tastings and tours, allowing visitors to learn about the winery’s history and sample some of its delicious wines. The winery’s beautiful grounds, complete with sprawling gardens and sweeping views of the valley, provide the perfect setting for special events and celebrations.
Buena Vista Winery is more than just a producer of fine wines. It is a living, breathing piece of California’s rich winemaking history, offering a glimpse into the past while constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of wine. So, if you’re a wine enthusiast looking to discover the rich history and diverse terroir of California, a visit to Buena Vista Winery is a must.
Add Review
Read More Reviews
True North Distribution Group
3 months agoThoroughly enjoyed our visit. Nice property with a great combination of relaxing spaces and interesting rooms to explore. Our wine server Brandon was terrific. His warm, friendly manner and delivery of wine tasting notes without pretension or sounding like a rehearsed recording added to our enjoyment. All staff as we entered, walked around and left the property were consistently warm and friendly. Kudos to the leadership for the hiring, training and management of the staff you seem to have created a winning culture that we noticed and appreciated.
Sheida N.
a month agoOur hotel concierge recommended we visit Buena Vista Winery and I'm so glad that we did! A fantastic experience from start to finish - no reservations required. The wine tasting experience was lovely - we opted for the premium/reserve collection of reds paired with a cheese board. We loved the Chateau Buena Vista cabernet sauvignon and bought several to bring back with us! As far as I know, their wines can only be purchased at the vineyard and the Chateau Buena Vista collection is made in limited quantities. I highly recommended stopping by for a visit if you're in Sonoma and trying the wine. We also quite liked the chardonnay but as we don't typically drink white wine, we purchased a few of those as gifts. The grounds and buildings are beautiful. I quite appreciated being able to freely access the property including the wine caves!
Derick Ludwig
7 months agoWe had an amazing tour from Don! His sense of humor is dry, but his stories and love of wine are enrapturing. He gives a romantic feel to wine, and this is coming from someone who is not a wine connoisseur by any means. One of his stories involved the owner, who has hundreds of employees across the world, helping to financially support Don during a pretty traumatic medical emergency. Also, we were lucky enough to be there when t the owner was on site, and to top it all off, our now friends, Brandon and Lexi, got engaged! The owner came and gave them a champagne bottle on the House and was clearly overjoyed for them. In short, the wait staff was beyond friendly (I think I ended up getting 3 complimentary glasses of wine), the tour and guide were phenomenal, and friends were made along the way. A tour very quickly turned into a lifelong memory due not to the outstanding taste of the wine, although it was outstanding, but the company we were surrounded by.
Aisha E
3 months agoHighly recommend. 10 outta 10. Everything about this place was amazing. The vibes inside and outside. Our waitress, Milli, in the Bubble room was AMAZING. They don't have food but a charcuterie board but you can bring outside food.
Joseph Terry
4 months agoWe had one of the first tastings of the day, but upon arrival everybody on the staff was enjoyable and happy to welcome us to THE winery that put Sonoma on the map. We did a tasting in the main area of the old press house. We were blessed to have Jake be our ambassador. He was welcoming and knowledgeable and very enthusiastic to pour towards our palette preferences. Despite having wine club members on either side of us, he never allowed too much time to pass before checking back. And for a tasting that was supposed to only include 4 wines, we must have tasted close to 10 each. That being said we purchased 6 bottles. They provide great prices for industry folks. Don't pass up the opportunity to taste some beautiful Napa and Sonoma wines in an historic property that helped put California wine on the map.