This list was put together by Chelsea Cone, one of our magnificent North Bay marketers. Keep an eye out for her recipes in our Daily DIYs, too! 

Wondering how you can support local business without leaving your house?  The answer is simple (and delicious): drink local wine. The wineries and vineyards that surround Sonoma and Napa counties are not just beautiful, they are also the backbone of our economy and supply thousands of jobs to our community. Instead of picking up a bottle of wine at your grocery store, try ordering directly from these local producers! Here are some of my favorite family owned wineries:

1. Brian Arden Wines I live in Calistoga, and one of the very first wineries I visited was Brian Arden. This winery is truly the definition of mom and pop, owned by a father/son/wife team - Brian makes the wine and Amanda is their COO. They have the Napa Valley traditional Cabernet Sauvignon, but also offer some less common options like a stainless chardonnay, which is a crisp, clean, unfiltered chardonnay, as well as a dry style riesling and a few Italian varietals like Tempranillo and Sangiovese. All their wines shine with a nice meal and according to their instagram (@brianardenwinery) they are currently offering $1 shipping for a purchase of 6 bottles or more.
2. MacRostie Like any true Sonoma County winery, MacRostie (owned by Steve MacRostie) focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They offer a wide range of the two varietals, sourced from different regions of Sonoma County, all unique in their own way and showcasing the diversity our grape growing region has to offer. They even have half bottles (or personal size as I like to call it). 
3. Soda Rock Soda Rock is the original site of the Alexander Valley general store and post office - and when Ken and Diane Wilson bought the historic property they spent years restoring it. Some people recognize the winery by the giant metal boar statue placed by the road (pictured below). Turns out Ken bought the piece from an Artist that had created it for Burning Man.  The historic tasting room did burn down in the Kincaid fire last year, but the boar statue survived, the wines are still delicious, and this small winery could really use your support. They have a huge wine selection, offering 11 different styles! My personal favorite is the Lord Snort red blend, and I have to say it paired really well with my homemade chili the other night.
4. Jordan Winery They may only make 2 wines, but they do them so well. The Jordan family has had a presence in Sonoma County since the early 1970’s, and is now run by the second generation. The chardonnay and cab are made in a Bordeaux style and pair really well with food; you may recognize the name from high end restaurant wine lists. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the price point if you order directly from the winery. Another cool fact: their winery and vineyard are certified sustainable, and they have a dedicated farm on the property with goats and everything! That's something I can get behind.