Sonoma's backyard done right, glass in hand
Kenwood · Sonoma · Californian, Seafood, Oyster Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 26, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Salt & Stone’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You're sitting on a patio somewhere off Sonoma Highway, surrounded by vineyards, and the wine list arrives looking exactly like it should — heavy on local producers, organized by region, and long enough that you're not going to be done reading it before your oysters land. It's not trying to impress you with obscure imports; it knows where it lives and leans into it hard.
About 130 labels and the clear majority are Sonoma County and its sub-appellations — Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley whites — which is exactly what you want when you're this close to the source. Highlights include Rochioli and Merry Edwards from Russian River Valley, which signal that someone with taste put this list together, and the Croix 'Floodgate' Pinot Noir adds a nice mid-tier option that doesn't force you to choose between budget and quality. There's a light France presence — Delamotte Brut from Reims in 375ml, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé — that gives the list a bit of polish without going full import-heavy. The gap is anything outside of California and France; if you want a Spanish Grenache or an Italian white with your seafood, you're out of luck.
Sixteen options by the glass is a generous pour program for a spot this size, and the range appears to cover sparkling, white, and red with local producers anchoring most slots. The Breathless Brut Sonoma Valley NV makes for a solid opener, and having something like the Rock & Clay Viognier from Catie's Corner Vineyard on the by-the-glass list shows they're not just defaulting to mass-market crowd pleasers. We'd love to see more rotation to keep regulars coming back, but what's here is thoughtfully chosen.
Croix 'Floodgate' Pinot Noir, Middle Reach, Russian River Valley 2023 — null
Russian River Valley Pinot at a mid-tier price point from a producer that earns its reputation — this is the bottle that lets you drink well without eyeballing the bill all night. Skip the Silver Oak and come here instead.
Rock & Clay Viognier, Catie's Corner Vineyard, Russian River Valley 2022
Russian River Valley isn't exactly Viognier country, which is exactly why this is worth ordering. It's an unexpected grape from an unexpected place, and it's going to cut right through a plate of briny oysters in a way that a Chardonnay just won't.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021
At $200 on the list, you're paying a premium for a label that's become more brand than wine. Caymus produces at massive scale and the markup here is punishing — put that money toward two bottles of something that actually reflects where you're sitting.
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, North Coast 2021 (375ml) + Fresh oysters from the oyster bar
Blanc de Blancs and raw oysters is one of the few food-and-wine combos that's actually as good as advertised. The high acid and tight bubble scrub the brine clean and reset your palate for the next shell. The 375ml format means you don't have to commit to a full bottle before you've even ordered.
The Bottom Line
Salt & Stone is a genuinely enjoyable place to drink wine in Sonoma wine country — the list is local, the staff knows what they're talking about, and the setting earns it. Just go in with eyes open on pricing, because the markups on the prestige bottles are not doing you any favors.
· Sonoma · California and Mediterranean
Sante is doing more with its wine list than the average hotel restaurant bothers to — 120 labels anchored in Northern California producers, 25 by-the-glass options with real range, and picks like Failla Sonoma Coast Pinot and Denner Nightshade that signal genuine curation. The steep markup at the top end is real, and the lack of any structured specials program means you're paying full freight every time — but if you order thoughtfully, there's genuinely good wine to be found here.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
· Sonoma · French bistro
Bistro Ralph is exactly what a wine-country neighborhood bistro should be: unpretentious, locally rooted, and honest about what it is. We can't call out specific bottles from what's available, but the Sonoma-forward identity and relaxed room make this a solid stop for a glass or two alongside the chicken paillard or pot de crème. Come for the setting, stay for the wine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Sonoma · California and Mediterranean
Sunflower Caffe isn't trying to compete with the big resort wine lists down the road, and that's exactly why it works. The list is small, local, fairly priced, and built around bubbles — which, in Sonoma, is actually a smart and honest choice. If you want a deep cellar or a Burgundy rabbit hole, go elsewhere; if you want a glass of Scribe Nouveau Pinot Noir on what is presumably a lovely patio, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Sonoma · California and New American
Sonoma Valley Farmhouse runs a tight, thoughtful list that punches above its size. The all-by-the-glass format and fair pricing make it easy to drink well without a game plan, and the producer selection — Bedrock, Lasseter, Talisman, Albini — reflects someone who actually cares about what ends up in your glass. If you're in Sonoma and want to drink local without getting gouged, this is a genuinely solid stop.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Sonoma · Food Truck / New American
The Fig Rig is the kind of place that should not have a wine list this good, and that's exactly what makes it worth seeking out. Fair prices, genuine range, and a clear Rhône-forward point of view — if you're in Sonoma and skeptical of the usual tourist-trap markups, this is where we'd send you first.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Sonoma · French and California
Cafe La Haye has assembled a 63-bottle list that punches well above its count — thoughtful French-California crossover, honest pricing on most of the list, and enough unusual picks (Gaudron Chenin Blanc, Pangloss White Rhone, grower Champagne from Pierre Paillard) to suggest real curation rather than default distributor choices. If you're in Sonoma and want a wine list that respects both the region and your intelligence, this is a reliable stop — with enough Wild Card energy to keep it interesting.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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