Sonoma: Innovation

Sonoma vintners constantly push the envelope, while our friends in Napa dwell comfortably inside it. We’re home to viticultural pioneers, like star organic farmer Phil Coturri and biodynamic producer Benziger. Ditto the natural wine movement—i.e., nothing added or removed to juice the tasting scores. (Try Lioco’s red-fruit-rich Indica Carignan–Grenache blend.) Sonoma Cast Stone dramatically improved concrete egg fermentation vessels, which yield creamy whites and rosés. We could also point to growing grapes in the extreme climate of the coastal ridges—one of the most exciting trends here—but that wouldn’t be fair; Napa doesn’t have any coastal ridges.

Score: 10