Ravenswood Winery

This vibe at this winery can be deduced by its credo: No wimpy wines. You’ll find no stuffy pourers or pretentious swirlers here. Instead, this no-reservations-required tasting room is bright, welcoming, and service-oriented. The winery was founded in 1976 by Joel Peterson, a scientist and microbiologist with a side gig as a wine consultant. (He was able to scrape together a little extra money on the side during med school with his wine business.) Peterson bought a vineyard, started producing his own wine, and made his name with zinfandel; he’s now known as the “godfather of zin.” Ravenswood’s fruity, full-bodied wines—which also include chardonnay, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon—are produced from grapes throughout wine country, from Dry Creek to Carneros Valley. You can sample flights from an adirondack chair on the terrace, tour the barrel room, or taste rare bottles in the library cellar.