Reader-Voted Recognition Honors Family Winery’s Longstanding Commitment to Exceptional Wines and Hospitality
June 23, 2026 (Healdsburg, CA) — Dry Creek Vineyard has been named Best Winery in SFGATE’s 2026 Best of the Bay Area Awards, a reader-voted recognition celebrating the businesses, destinations and experiences that define life in Northern California.
The honor reflects more than five decades of welcoming guests to the heart of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, where the family-owned winery has built its reputation on exceptional wines, genuine hospitality and a deep connection to place.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from the people who visit us and share our wines,” said Kim Stare Wallace, President and Second-Generation Owner of Dry Creek Vineyard. “For more than 50 years, we have focused on crafting wines that reflect the character of Dry Creek Valley while creating a place where people can slow down, connect and enjoy being together. It’s gratifying to know that approach continues to resonate.”
Founded in 1972 by David Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard helped pioneer the modern era of Dry Creek Valley winemaking and became the region’s first new winery following Prohibition. Over the past five decades, the family-owned winery has earned acclaim for its Dry Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Bordeaux-inspired blends and commitment to sustainable farming. Throughout that time, one principle has remained unchanged: Every guest who visits Dry Creek Vineyard should be welcomed like family.
Today, visitors can choose from a variety of ways to experience the winery, from guided tastings and vineyard tours to seasonal events including the Summer Concert Series, Claudine’s Wine Garden, a casual outdoor experience designed for spontaneous afternoons, and community celebrations throughout the year. Whether visiting for a tasting, a picnic among the vines or a summer concert on the lawn, guests are encouraged to experience wine country at a relaxed pace.
“We’ve never believed that great hospitality has to be complicated,” Wallace said. “It starts with welcoming people, sharing what we love and creating an environment where they want to return. That’s been our philosophy for more than 50 years, and it continues to guide everything we do.”
The SFGATE Best of the Bay Area Awards are determined through nominations and voting by Bay Area residents and recognize outstanding businesses across a wide range of categories.
For more information about Dry Creek Vineyard, visit www.drycreekvineyard.com.
About Dry Creek Vineyard
Established in 1972 by David Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is Dry Creek Valley’s flagship winery located in the heart of Sonoma County. Dave’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, serves as President overseeing a successful family winemaking and grape growing business that includes 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. 2026 marked Kim’s 40th anniversary at the winery, a milestone that reflects the enduring power of family ownership, thoughtful leadership and an unwavering commitment to Dry Creek Valley. Named Best Winery in SFGATE’s 2026 Best of the Bay Area Awards and a Top 10 Tasting Room by USA TODAY, the winery is 100% Certified Sustainable. Dry Creek Vineyard proudly produces a portfolio of critically acclaimed wines that includes Dry Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage blends as well as a collection of single-vineyard wines. The winery is open daily for tours and tastings. www.drycreekvineyard.com
