[1] The region is famed for its wineries, its cuisine,[2] Michelin star restaurants, boutique hotels, luxury resorts, historic architecture,[3] and culture.

[9] The principal tribes living in this region included the Pomo, Coast Miwok, Wappo and Patwin, whose early peoples practiced certain forms of agriculture, but probably not involving the cultivation of grapes.

[11] Founded in 1880, the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology is the most famous and established school for research and education in winemaking in the Northern California region and the United States.

Researchers have studied anadromous fish-movements extensively in Sonoma Creek and in the Napa River as well as in the Laguna de Santa Rosa - not only in the mainstems, but in many of the tributaries.

These investigations have demonstrated a historical decline in spawning and habitat value for these species, primarily due to sedimentation[15] and secondarily to removal of riparian vegetation since the 19th century.

The federally listed as threatened California red-legged frog is present in the northern reach draining the south slopes of Annadel State Park.

[23] Besides the obvious winery attractions, the Wine Country is known for the Sonoma County coastline along the Pacific Ocean, the Russian River valley, redwoods, hot spring baths, petrified forests and other natural areas.

The Wine Country tourism boom has its downside, exemplified by traffic congestion on State Route 29, particularly on summer weekends, when the number of tourists often exceeds the carrying capacity of the road.