You don’t have to know a lot about Northern California to know that our region is home to one of the finest wine industries in the world. Our portion of the Golden State is a wine enthusiast’s paradise and that’s not about to change anytime soon. With so many world-class wineries and vineyards to choose from, deciding which one to visit can be overwhelming. However, you’ll want to make visiting this wine cave a top priority. After all, just the phrase “wine cave” sounds cool, so check it out!
Located in the heart of Sonoma County, Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves is a picturesque destination complete with vine-covered hillsides and a rambling estate.
The small, family-run winery handcrafts small lots of their iconic zinfandel. However, the winery's most notable feature is the nearly 7,000-square-feet of caves that are tucked into the vineyard's steep hillside.
The caves were completed in December 2003 and they provide around 5,200-square-feet of barrel storage (the rest is entertainment space). Storing the wine barrels in a cave like this is ideal since the constant year-round temperature hovers around 61 degrees with about 55 percent of natural humidity.
Tours of the wine caves are offered daily at 10:00 am or 1:00 pm, with several different options depending on what type of experience you'd like. The "Unleash The Beast" tour is their basic experience that takes you deep into the cave to learn about the art of aging, along with a sampling of five wines.
Alternatively, "The Ultimate Tour" is best for exploring the vineyard itself. You'll follow red clay dirt paths as you taste wines among the vine-covered slopes of Dry Creek Valley.
If you'd like to try something different, go for the "Mix It Up" tour. On this tour, guests can blend their very own wine while partaking in a rare barrel tasting in the wine cave. Each tour brings a unique experience to the table, so there's really something for everybody.
Or, you can simply show up for a wine tasting inside the cave. They are available every day from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm, and no reservation is required. Hang out in an actual wine cave and sip on some of Northern California's finest!
