Location: Glen Ellen
Top Things to do in Glen Ellen
Top Restaurants in Glen Ellen
The 10 Best Things to Do in Glen Ellen, United States
Glen Ellen is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States. The population was 784 at the 2010 census, down from 992 at the 2000 census. Glen Ellen is the location of Jack London State Historic Park (including the Wolf House), Sonoma Valley Regional Park, and a former home of Hunter S. Thompson.
Restaurants in Glen Ellen
1. Jack London State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
Jack London State Historic Park, comprised of 1400 acres, is the legacy of Jack London, one of America's most famous authors. The park offers historic buildings dating to the late 1870's, great scenic beauty and more than 20 miles of trails open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders. The park is open year-round, 7 days, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. There is no camping. Day Use fee is $10/car. Historic buildings include the House of Happy Walls, the Wolf House Ruin, barns, the Cottage where Jack London lived and died and the famous "Pig Palace".
Reviewed By Y3803WGmikew
Jack London SHP is one of the only public hiking venues on gorgeous Sonoma Mountain. Sadly, as with almost all other CA state parks, visitors with canine companions are disallowed from ALL of the backcountry trails. While I liked the historical sights near the park entrance, I was deeply disappointed at not being able to visit the upland beauty and get some hiking exercise with my dog.
I am reminded again why I seldom visit the State Parks.
2. VJB Cellars
Overall Ratings
5 based on 708 reviews
Reviewed By Robert C - Carol Stream, Illinois
The first time we visited, we knew nothing about Italian wines. Wow, what an eye opener. We were not looking to join another wine club, but we did anyway. Just too good to miss. They also offer a great deli with delicious sandwiches and pizza. The patio is a great place to soak up the sun. The staff is extremely friendly. Whenever we are in Sonoma we make sure to stop and visit (and taste). I only wished they stayed open past 4pm!
3. Chateau St. Jean
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
Inspired by formal estate gardens in the south of France, Chateau St Jean is the quintessential Sonoma winery that features gracious style and exquisite architecture. Founded in 1973, the winery is a pioneer in single vineyard wines and the home of the iconic Cinq Cepages.
Reviewed By winetravelers2014 - Erie, Pennsylvania
We and another couple had reserved the Chateau Wine and Cheese pairing. This location is a beautiful villa and grounds . The wines were excellent particularly with the cheese pairings Reserve Merlot and Cinq Cepages were our favorites.
The one downside to the visit was our host was serving 3 tables for this experience and was able to provide only about a 10 second description of each wine and cheese so the informative, interactive experience was lacking. We have experienced hosts at other wineries such as Ledson who easily handled three tables of their VIP tasting while providing a great experience. They need to either add staff or lengthen the overall time period.
This visit did provide us with an excellent look at the small production wine side of Chateau St. Jean's business ..................liked them enough to join the wine club
4. Glen Ellen Village Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By traveldentist74 - Colorado
The selection of gourmet foods, spirits, deli items in this store is out of this world. I would have gladly given up my dinner reservations at any of the places we ate that weekend and just gotten provisions from this outstanding store!
5. Sonoma Valley
Overall Ratings
5 based on 672 reviews
One of the prime wine producing regions in California. A visit to Sonoma Valley yields an outstanding array of food, lodging and scenery.
Reviewed By Eric B - Omaha, Nebraska
Walt just off the Sonoma square is a sit down slow tasting. Great Pinot and a good Chardonnay. Have done many tastings in the Sonoma valley in the last 10 years. Like the coastal pinots and Chardonnays. You can go up dry creek for the warmer wine. A lot of good wine in a less formal environment.
6. Benziger Family Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 688 reviews
At Benziger, we're about three things: family, great wine and healthy vineyards. For more than thirty years, we've farmed our ranch on Sonoma Mountain and searched Sonoma County for the most distinctive and expressive vineyards. Once found, we tend these sites using certified Biodynamic, organic and sustainable farming methods. The result is a portfolio of authentic and memorable wines. Our Partners Wine Tour will satisfy the palate of any wine enthusiast. This tour provides a behind-the-scenes look at our Biodynamic estate vineyard and wine caves and finishes with an exclusive wine tasting of estate wines.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, California
We went to Benzinger Winery on a nice day in Sonoma. We liked seeing the views and reading the information about grapes and wine making on the Biodynamic Discovery Trail. We also did wine tasting, We have visited before and then we took the winery and cave tour. Benzinger is one of our favorite wineries in this area of Sonoma County.
7. Imagery Estate Winery & Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
In the wine world, tradition often tempers creativity, individuality and imagination. But at Imagery Estate Winery, an unconventional approach inspires richly expressive wines and a wine drinking experience that entices you to broaden your palate. After a day in wine country, it can all start to blend together. 'Chard, Merlot, Cab, Pinot, Chard, Cab, blah, blah, blah. At Imagery, we're all about experimenting with new varietals, exploring little known grape regions, and shining the spotlight on wines that are usually swallowed up in big blends. Stop by for a walk in our herb and vegetable garden, a tasting, or a tour of our art gallery.
Reviewed By TravelerVG27 - Chicago, Illinois
This is Benziger's sister winery, whereas Benziger focuses on the classical varietals, they specialise on other wines, such as tempranillo, grenache, etc. The have a nice art collection and gallery. If you visit Benziger first, they will 'refer' you and give you a discount in your wine tasting (2 for 1).
8. Deerfield Ranch Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, California
We went to Deerfield Winery, which is a family owned winery practicing biodynamic methods. There is also a cave to visit. Tasting was nice Staff was good.
I also like the giraffe sculptures in the field by the pond area as one drives to the winery.
9. Loxton Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By statestreet96 - philadelphia
Not like the bigger and more established wineries, this place is not as decorated as others but a working place. Floors are sticky with wine but the staff is great and the wines good. We enjoyed the direct contact of the people who work there and not just people hired to tell you about the winery. Stop in, it is worth the time.
10. B. Wise Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By Lestertheinvestor - Los Angeles, California
B Wise is owned by Brion Wise, who really manages everything from start to finish. We were shocked to discover that he even overseas the cooperage, controlling the growing area of the oak trees in France that are used to make the barrels for his wine. Limited production (no more than 6000 cases in total) wines are his forte. He works with wine maker Massimo and manager Enrique to create very specific and terroir driven wines, based only on wines grown on the estate in Sonoma and Napa. They have about 20 acres in the Mayacams foothills in Sonoma Valley, with 6 different root stocks and about 17 different clones. Capitalizing on the various faces of the slopes and the various soil profiles (quite volcanic in this area), they create balanced wines that are hand produced. It is interesting to know that they harvest over a 6-8 week period, collecting the best grapes at their peak from individual rows and vines, revisiting the area again when the remaining grapes have optimized their flavor. They have many cover-crops and native plants in the environment to keep the wines ecologically diverse. Using a micro-lot technique, each wine is individually optimized for flavor and complexity. We discovered he was formerly an engineer, and so you can tell that that attention to detail goes into creating his wines. We had an absolutely grand time trying about 5 or 6 different wines, ultimately agreeing that the Monte Rosso was one of the most amazing wines we had tried this trip! Can't wait for the next year's collection.
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