Guide to Wine Tasting in Sonoma & Napa
My husband and I have tasted our away around Napa and Sonoma Wine Country many times over the years! He’s in the wine industry, so we’ve had some incredible experiences on our vacations. That’s why we decided to create this guide to Wine Tasting in Sonoma and Napa. Here’s a round-up of our favorite things to do and wineries to visit that you can plan, too!
Tips for planning your Napa & Sonoma Wine Tasting Itinerary
My husband creates the itinerary for our wine country vacations. Usually, we vacation without much of a plan. However, on our Sonoma and Napa trips, I can say without a doubt that having a clear plan makes all the difference. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on unique experiences and be overwhelmed by all of the wineries.
Healdsburg is our favorite Sonoma Valley town. Here’s where to stay:
Hotel Trio Healdsburg – Your Comfy Sonoma Apartment
Hotel Trio Healdsburg is the BEST hotel for your Sonoma vacation… you have a kitchen, sitting area, bed, and huge bathroom making this spacious room more like an apartment than a hotel room. It’s right across the street from Big John’s, the BEST grocery store on the planet, and minutes away from downtown Healdsburg. We’ve stayed many different spots – many more expensive – and this is by far my favorite hotel in my favorite California Wine Country town. I’d move in, if they’d let me!
We have LOVE Sonoma – and particularly Healdsburg!! here’s why we keep going back:
Southern Sonoma Wineries + Things to Do
Our must-do things to do, see, & taste in Southern Sonoma!
Visit Landmark Vineyards
Landmark Vineyards has one of the prettiest outdoor tasting areas in Sonoma
Taste on the Terrace at Gloria Ferrer Winery
Start your day with Bubbles and Bites on the terrace, tasting sparkling wine paired with food at Gloria Ferrer
Wine Tasting at Kenwood Vineyards
Enjoy a relaxing wine tasting at Kenwood Vineyards outside under a canopy on comfy furniture
Experience the life-changing ravioli at Cafe Citti
Skip everything on the menu, and go for the ravioli. It’s a little roadside restaurant in Sonoma that doesn’t look like a must-pull-over type place but trust me: pull over. It’s close to Landmark, which has a gorgeous garden and tasting room, so you could enjoy a tasting of their wines and head over to Cafe Citti for lunch or dinner. I also enjoyed the green olives!
Lounge by the pool, play cards, and sip Sofia canned sparkling wine at Coppola in Sonoma
It's pretty much the perfect day. Also - try the restaurant!
Northern Sonoma Valley Wineries + Things to Do
Our must-do things to do, see, & taste in Southern Sonoma!
Taste Elegant Pinot Noirs from Flowers Winery
Pinot Noir lovers need to visit the elegant Flowers Winery for a wine + food pairing
Spend at least a day in Healdsburg
Check out our list of must-try restaurants in Healdsburg:
Sit outside on the porch and sip Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc
Taste wines and take in the views of Russian River Valley vineyards
Explore the Opulent Ferrari-Carano Winery
Ferrari-Carano Winery is the most over-the-top winery in Sonoma and is worth the visit! It's gorgeous.
Visit French-inspired Jordan Winery
Jordan Winery's French chateau property and elegant farmland is absolutely stunning
Reserve a tasting at Rodney Strong Winery
Reserve a tasting at Rodney Strong Vineyards, and make sure to try Symmetry and Rockaway
Book a tasting in the bubble room at J Vineyards
Bites & sparkling flights!
Visit the Elegant Chalk Hill Estates
Oh! You'll love tasting wines at Chalk Hill Estates beautiful patio overlooking the vineyard
Book a tasting in the cave at Lancaster in Sonoma
You'll love the cave tasting experience with Lancaster's high end red wines.
Tasting + Lunch at Roth Estate
Roth has a gorgeous wine cave and easy-drinking wines in a fun private room stocked with games for your group.
Napa Valley Wineries + Things To Do
- Eat the artichokes at Farmstead
- Check out Ad Hoc in Yountville
- Check out our list of our top 5 favorite Napa Valley Restaurants
- Schedule a tasting on the picturesque porch at Duckhorn Vineyards
- If you love Napa Cabs, head to Chimney Rock for a tasting
- Sip iconic Napa Valley cabs including Artemis, Fay, SLV, and Cask 23 overlooking vineyards and mountains – plus, tour the wine cave! – at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
- Schedule the incredible food + wine tasting and tour at Trefethen Family Vineyard which features chef-prepared bites to complement their stunning line-up of wines (this is one of our favorites, so much, in fact – we joined their wine club!)
- Order the pork chop at Mustard’s – just trust this will forever change your pork chop relationship because it is the best pork chop you’ll every try
- Schedule a tasting at Trinchero Napa Valley, one of the prettiest tasting rooms in Napa, with gorgeous gardens and a tasting room overlooking miles of vineyards with Mount Helena as your backdrop
- Francis Ford Coppola lives behind Inglenook Winery, and the tasting and tour is one of the most unique experiences you’ll find in Napa. The historic building is filled with dramatic rooms and a museum filled with Coppola movie items. Don’t skip this one!!
- Start your morning with sparkling wine at Mumm Napa
- For one of the bougiest experiences in all of Wine Country, book the wine tasting in a church experience with JaM Cellars, where you’ll be transported by an Escalade to a remote church and taste through JaM’s higher end wines. It’s cool, y’all.
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