Buena Vista Winery

If you and your fur buddy have only a day or two to spend in large and diverse Sonoma County, it’s wise to pick a region (such as the Alexander, Dry Creek or Russian River valleys) and stick to it. But you won’t have to spend all your time driving country roads. Sonoma’s urban areas also offer ample opportunities to taste, often within walking distance of restaurants and shopping.

In Santa Rosa, for example, Vintners Square is a fast-expanding “urban wine village” with three tasting rooms, a craft brewery, shops, restaurants and lots of dog-friendly patios. At nearby Cornerstone Sonoma, site of Sunset magazine’s new demonstration gardens and outdoor test kitchen, you can wine-taste at two venues between exploring a variety of home-and-garden shops. more »