St. Francis Winery

09/02/2026

🍷 is here! This September, we’re joining the celebration of everything that makes California wine special.

This year’s theme is , all about creativity, authenticity, and the unexpected. Wine doesn’t have to feel formal or intimidating. It’s meant to be enjoyed wherever, however, and with whomever you choose. And when it comes to unexpected pairings, we couldn’t think of a better culinary experience than Secrets of Sonoma, crafted by Chef Peter Janiak. There’s no menu telling you what goes with what, just five wines, eight dips, and endless combinations waiting to be discovered. 🥂🥣

Take our Smoked Tomato Agrodolce, bright and a little sour, next to our rich Cacio e Pepe Dip, finished with a sip of our Estate Sauvignon Blanc. Sour, rich, crisp — perfectly unexpected.

We invite you to join us and find your own unexpected pairing. 🍷

👇What’s the weirdest pairing you’ve ever loved?

08/26/2026

🐾 Happy ! 🐾

Today, we’re celebrating the dogs who make every day a little better—and encouraging everyone to consider adoption from a local animal shelter or rescue. ❤️

As a dog-friendly winery named after the patron saint of animals, St. Francis has a soft spot for our four-legged friends. We believe your best fur-iend deserves a spot in your Wine Country adventures, too! 🍷🐶

There are plenty of ways to enjoy a day at the winery together. Dogs are welcome to join you for our Artisan Flight and Secrets of Sonoma experiences, and they’re welcome to explore our beautiful property by your side.

And we have a special treat just for them: the Fido Flight! 🐶💦 A little splash of our current vintage of the finest H₂O, tasty treats, and a cooling mat for those warm Sonoma days. Trust us—they’ll love it!

Planning a visit in October? Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 4, and join us for our annual Blessing of the Animals! It’s a special day dedicated to celebrating our furry friends while raising funds for the Humane Society of Sonoma County and other local animal nonprofits.

Bring your best friend. We’ll bring the wine. 🐾🍷

08/14/2026

🍷Celebrating 25 Years with Bob, Welcoming Kim!

Our CFO & COO, Bob Aldridge, is retiring after 25 years with St. Francis, and we couldn’t let this moment pass without celebrating him.

For so many of our Wine Club members, guests, and team members, Bob has been much more than a leader. He’s been a familiar face, a warm smile, and someone who always made people feel welcome. Whether he was stopping by the tasting room, chatting with members at an event, sharing a glass of wine, or simply taking the time to say hello, Bob had a way of making genuine connections with the people around him.

We’re so grateful for Bob’s friendship, leadership, and 25 years of dedication to St. Francis. We’ll certainly miss seeing him around the winery, but we’re excited for what’s next for Bob and his family.

Meanwhile, we’re thrilled to welcome Kimberly Benson as the new CFO & COO of Kopf Family Estates. With more than 16 years of wine industry leadership, Kim brings a wealth of experience to the role, and we can’t wait for you to meet her around the estate in the months ahead.

Here’s to Bob’s 25 wonderful years and to all that’s ahead with Kim!

👇🫶Have a favorite Bob memory? We’d love to hear it! Share it in the comments below.

Read the press release here: https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/321796

08/10/2026

🌑✨What is Astro-Tourism?

With the solar eclipse on August 12, all eyes are turning to the sky. And for a growing number of travelers, stargazing is becoming part of the getaway.

From dark skies and astrophotography to unforgettable evenings under the stars, Sonoma County is becoming a destination for astro tourists, and we’re excited to be part of the experience.

This November, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards invites guests to experience Dinner & The Dark Sky, where wine, food, and Sonoma’s spectacular night sky come together for an unforgettable evening under the stars. 🌌🍷

We’re excited to be featured in Travelling for Business as Sonoma County embraces the growing world of astro-tourism.

Read the full story, then come experience Sonoma after dark for yourself. ✨https://www.stfranciswinery.com/event_post/dinner-the-dark-sky/

Excitement is building for this summer's biggest celestial event - the solar eclipse on 12th August - and leading the way for a new crowd of travellers: stargazers, astrophotographers and astrotourists.

08/06/2026

🇪🇸🍷 Flavors of Spain comes to Sonoma Valley!
 
Get ready for an evening filled with incredible wine, unforgettable food, and the vibrant spirit of Spain! Join us for two nights only—Friday, August 14, and Saturday, August 15, from 6:30–9:30 PM—for our fan-favorite Flavors of Spain Flamenco Wine Dinner. 💃
 
Kick off the night with sangria and vineyard views at our Wild Oak Estate Vineyard before indulging in a Spanish-inspired menu crafted by Executive Chef Peter Janiak and his culinary team, perfectly paired with our award-winning wines. Then, let the rhythm take over with authentic live flamenco guitar and a breathtaking flamenco dance performance that will transport you straight to Spain.
 
✨ Great wine. Incredible food. Unforgettable entertainment. This is a summer evening you won’t want to miss.
 
Reserve your seats before this fan-favorite event sells out! Link in IO

08/06/2026

🇪🇸🍷 Flavors of Spain comes to Sonoma Valley!

Get ready for an evening filled with incredible wine, unforgettable food, and the vibrant spirit of Spain! Join us for two nights only—Friday, August 14, and Saturday, August 15, from 6:30–9:30 PM—for our fan-favorite Flavors of Spain Flamenco Wine Dinner.

Kick off the night with sangria and vineyard views at our Wild Oak Estate Vineyard before indulging in a Spanish-inspired menu crafted by Executive Chef Peter Janiak and his culinary team, perfectly paired with our award-winning wines. Then, let the rhythm take over with authentic live flamenco guitar and a breathtaking flamenco dance performance that will transport you straight to Spain.

✨ Great wine. Incredible food. Unforgettable entertainment. This is a summer evening you won't want to miss.

Reserve your seats before this fan-favorite event sells out!
https://www.stfranciswinery.com/event_post/flavors-of-spain-2/

08/05/2026

How old is this Old Vines Zinfandel? 🍇 Let's count.

Join Director of Vineyards Jake Terrell and Winemaker Katie Madigan as they reveal how winemakers uncover the age of a vine—one vintage at a time.

Filmed in the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, these remarkable vines have been part of California's winemaking story since the 1800s and are approaching 150 years old. Today, Monte Rosso is home to the largest planting of Old Vine Zinfandel in the world, making every vine a living piece of history.

Watch to see how they count the years and discover the story hidden in the vine. 👀

08/05/2026

Ever wish wine tasting notes came with a translator? Our winemakers, Katie Madigan and Chris Louton, have one: candy. 🍬

Yahoo just featured our team's clever (and surprisingly spot-on) trick for making wine more approachable — matching each varietal to the candy it reminds you of.

🍋 Sauvignon Blanc = Lemon Drops
🍏 Chardonnay = Green Apple Jolly Ranchers & Butterscotch
🍇 Pinot Noir = Red Licorice & Raspberry Pastilles
🍫 Merlot = Berry Gummy Bears & Milk Chocolate
🍒 Cabernet Sauvignon = Chocolate-Covered Cherries

So next time you're picking a bottle, skip the stuffy tasting vocabulary — just think about what's in your candy bowl.

Read the full story below, and let us know: which candy pairing are you trying first? 🍬🍷

New to wine tasting? Learn how Sonoma County winemakers use candy flavors to make finding your perfect bottle fun and easy.

08/04/2026

Some choices are easy. 🥂🍾

This , we're reaching for our 90-point, Gold Medal-winning 2025 Estate . Crafted by Winemaker Chris Louton, this vibrant Sonoma Valley wine showcases the quality, care, and character behind every bottle.

Now it's your turn... What are you reaching for? 🥂👇

08/01/2026

Harvest 2026 is off to a historic start. 🍇

With our earliest harvest on record, there's one question everyone is asking: What does an early harvest actually mean?

We asked Winemaker Chris Louton to talk about what this milestone means from a winemaker's perspective, how it shapes the season ahead, and whether an early start means an early finish.

Watch the reel to hear Chris's insights and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exciting times of the year at St. Francis Winery.

What harvest questions would you like us to answer next? Let us know in the comments! 🍷