St. Francis Winery
100 Pythian Rd., Santa Rosa, CA
Just east of Santa Rosa, California, St. Francis Winery is among Sonoma County’s premier wineries. It’s a tried-and-true destination for wine tastings, pairings, and an elaborate collection of on-site wine experiences. Nestled amidst rolling vineyards and lush NorCal landscapes, the Tuscan-style estate produces award-winning wines using sustainable methods.
At St. Francis Winery, you can learn about the art of winemaking, explore the estate's picturesque grounds, and take part in varied wine-tasting experiences. Tours range from wine and food pairings and artisan tasting flights to self-guided winery tours and pedal-powered wine-tasting trolley rides through the Wild Oak Estate Vineyard. Make reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons and weekends, to secure your spot for tours and tastings.
The kitchen can accommodate dietary restrictions—share your request when booking online or before your visit.
Dress comfortably and wear appropriate shoes for walking through the vineyards and winery.
Consider joining the wine club to enjoy exclusive benefits, including discounts on purchases and priority access to limited-release wines.
Bring a designated driver or arrange transport to ensure a safe journey home after indulging in wine tastings—tours let you skip the hassle of driving.
St. Francis Winery is a short distance east of downtown Santa Rosa. From Highway 101, take the Highway 12 East exit and follow signs for Kenwood. Turn left onto Pythian Road, and the winery entrance will be on your right. Ample parking is available on-site for visitors arriving by car. Alternatively, you could take a wine-tasting tour that includes transport.
While St. Francis Winery is open year-round, the best time to visit is in spring and fall when the weather is mild and the vineyards are in bloom. Wine Estate Pairings are held daily, while other tasting experiences are usually available at the end of the week or on weekends—consider timing your visit to coincide with special events or harvest season. The Wine Trolley experience is available twice daily on weekends from May to October.
The trolly tour, affectionately called the “Tour de St Francis,” is an unusual wine excursion through the heart of the St. Francis vineyard. During this experience, you can hop aboard a pedal-powered trolley with a driver and rove around the vineyard while learning about local winey history, viticulture, and wine-making practices—and, most importantly, sipping wine.
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