Written and photographed by Alyssa Turner

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Let’s face it: Napa Valley wineries are a little overrated and can be a burden on the wallet. Sonoma County wineries are the hidden gem of the Northern California wine country. With quality wines, perfect food pairings, and beautiful vineyards and tasting rooms, Sonoma County wineries allow visitors to indulge in the finer things in life while on a budget. Each of the wineries in Sonoma County has something unique to offer.

Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves is a quaint winery located in Healdsburg, California. The most popular attraction at this winery is the man-made wine cave, where visitors can sample wine, arrange for a candlelit dinner, and sometimes listen to live music. Wine tasting at Bella Vineyards is only $10, and every weekend the tasting includes a complimentary small bite of food from the chef.
 

Andrea Black of Windsor, California enjoys visiting Bella Vineyards with her friends on the weekends.
 

“My fondest memories at Bella Vineyards involve exploring the wine cave and tasting the fabulous wine,” Black said “My favorite Bella wine is the Lily Hill Estate Zinfandel.
 

Kendall Jackson Vineyard Estates also offers an inexpensive wine tasting fee of $10. Visitors are able to select four wines from a seasonal menu of eight releases, with dessert and cheese pairings available for an additional fee.
 

Julie Fleming of Tiburon, California went to Kendall Jackson with her friends to celebrate her 21st birthday last February.
 

“When I visited Kendall Jackson for my birthday, it was my first wine tasting experience," Fleming said. "The accommodating staff, gorgeous property, and company of my best friends made this birthday special.”
 

This winery not only provides an enjoyable wine tasting experience, it is also home to seven gardens designed to educate visitors about the best types of food to pair with wine. Among these gardens are the Red Wine Sensory Garden and White Wine Sensory Garden.
 

The Red White Sensory Garden contains fruits and vegetables that are best paired with red wines such as merlot, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon. Among the wines featured in the White Wine Sensory Garden are chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Visitors to Kendall Jackson can arrange for a private garden tour, or can pick up a self-guided tour brochure at the tasting room.

If you enjoy strolling through the gardens at Kendall Jackson, you will love the perfectly manicured gardens at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery. Guests can explore five acres of exquisite gardens, head down to the spacious wine cellar to see how the wine is stored, and of course, taste four specialty wines at the Villa Fiore Wine Tasting Room for only $5.
Anna Fairman from Bakersfield, California thinks the Ferrari-Carano winery gives you the most bang for your buck.
 

“Nothing beats Ferrari-Carano because in my opinion, they have the best wine,”Fairman said “Paying $5 to taste four Ferrari-Carano wines is steal.”

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If you are interested in visiting a winery with restaurants, entertainment, and a resort-style atmosphere, the Francis Ford Coppola winery is the place to be. Located in Geyserville, a rural town outside of Healdsburg, the Francis Ford Coppola winery has it all: three wine tasting packages, two restaurants, a large swimming pool, and a movie gallery with authentic motion picture memorabilia.

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Francis Ford Coppola is an Italian-American movie director, best known for his work in movies such as “The Godfather”, “Apocalypse Now”, and “Dracula.” Coppola displays Oscars and notable artifacts from his movies at his winery. Among the items displayed is a car from the movie, “Tucker,” and the original desk and chair from “The Godfather.”
 

After checking out the extensive movie collection, guests can head to the wine bar to select the type of tasting they desire. The winery offers a complimentary tasting of two standard wines for all eligible visitors, and a tasting fee as low as $10 to sample higher quality wine.
 

On warm summer days, visitors can buy daily pool passes for $20 each, and lounge by the two large swimming pools. The pool area is fully equipped with chaise lounges, umbrellas, and even a snack shack.
 

Sonoma County is the perfect destination for friends looking to spend a weekend to unwind and sample quality wine. The wineries of Sonoma County offer wine tasting at affordable prices, and visitors will leave with a new appreciation for the wine and unforgettable scenery of Sonoma County.