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. Here’s a round-up of our favorite things to do and wineries to visit that you can plan, too!
Tips for planning your Wine Country vacation
My husband creates the itinerary for our wine country vacations. Usually, we vacation without much of a plan – but on these visits, 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. Here are some tips:
- Have a plan. Going to Napa and Sonoma can be overwhelming without a plan on which wineries to visit because they are EVERYWHERE. We usually schedule two (the right amount!) – sometimes three (too much!) appointments per day, giving time for a lunch and early dinner. All of the wineries have a bar and you can walk up and pay for a tasting without a reservation, but you can also plan incredibly interesting and fun wine experiences at the different wineries.
- Schedule wine experiences. Many of the wineries have cool experiences and tours that you do in a small group so you can really learn about the winery, the wines, and ask a lot of questions. We’ve had property tours, food pairings, and mountainside tastings. By far, the coolest experience we have ever scheduled is the wine blending seminar at Conn Creek – maybe it’s the first time that understanding the winemaking process “clicked” for me, or maybe it was the beakers measuring out various Cabs, but it stands out as a must-do wine experience.
- Don’t overschedule. Only plan for 2-3 wine tastings a day. This gives you time to relax, avoid feeling rushed, and you won’t drink too much!
Gloria Ferrer 
Kunde 
Southern Sonoma Wine Country Wineries + Things to Do
Wineries to visit
- Gloria Ferrar
- B.R. Cohn
- Chateau St. Jean
- Kunde Estate Winery
- Landmark Vineyards
Things to do
- Try the life-changing ravioli at Cafe Citti
- Make a reservation for sparkling wine tasting at Gloria Ferrer
- Check out live music at B.R. Cohn
Northern Sonoma Wine Country Things to Do + Wineries
Geyserville, Healdsburg and Dry Creek
Wineries to visit
- Flowers Winery
- Toad Hollow
- Quivera
- Dry Creek Vineyard
- Rodney Strong Vineyards
- Ferrari-Carano Winery
- Geyser Peak
- Francis Ford Coppola Winery
- Jordan Winery
Things to do in Healdsburg
- Rent bikes in Healdsburg
- Go to Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar
- Bacci for dinner
- Shop downtown Healdsburg
- Pick up a Dry Creek General Store Picnic (it’s so good!)
- Lounge by the pool at Coppola
Favorite Sonoma Valley Wineries
+ other places to stop in Sonoma Wine Country!
Gloria Ferrer Winery
Bubbles and Bites at Gloria Ferrer Winery on the terrace is arguably the best way to start a day. This spot - and the bubbles - are an experience you do not want to miss. The winery is gorgeous, the wine is incredible.
Ferrari-Carano Winery
Ferrari-Carano is one of the most over-the-top, gorgeous places you’ll ever visit. Located in Dry Creek Valley, close to Healdsburg, CA.
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Rodney Strong wines are go-to, universal crowd pleaser. The wines just hit all of the marks: excellent, easy-to-drink wine, affordable, sustainable. The winery tasting room is a fun visit (you need to try the single vineyard Cabs - Rockaway, Alexander’s Crown, and Brother’s Ridge) - plus, they have cool events and concerts!
Kunde Family Winery - Sonoma Estate Winery
Kunde’s large outdoor patio is designed for wine-drinking lounging, perfect for a group. Plan on staying at this gorgeous winery and enjoy the afternoon. Feeling adventurous? Go on an estate hike and taste in the Kunde vineyards!
Dry Creek General Store
You will never have a better picnic. Ever.
Dry Creek Winery
Pick up a sandwiches and sides at Dry Creek General Store, then head to Dry Creek Winery for a bottle of wine and sit at picnic table. This is the Perfect Sonoma Afternoon. Actually, it’s the Perfect Afternoon. Make sure this makes your Sonoma Wine List!
Chateau St. Jean
Chateau St. Jean’s gardens are insanely gorgeous! The tasting room is open and large, and this is a fun spot to wander around and taste wine.
Landmark Vineyards
Don’t do a tasting… just get a bottle of Landmark Chardonnay and lounge in the outdoor oasis surrounded by incredible landscaping with mountains as your backdrop.
Cafe Citti
Located next to Landmark is the Cafe Citti, home of the best ravioli you’ll dream about every day after the moment you try it.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Jordan is one of the prettiest vineyards in Sonoma. It’s classy, it’s fancy, it’s incredible. Book the Jordan Winery estate tour + tasting for a unique experience!
Flowers Vineyards & Winery
Sit under a canopy in the gorgeous garden with small bites paired with beautiful Flowers wines.
Quivira Vineyards
We learned so much about Quivira’s farming practices on our tour, which uses an insect garden rather than insecticide to attract pests away from the vines. Plus, the wine is fantastic!
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
There’s a fantastic italian restaurant, huge tasting bar, fun gift shop and Coppola movie museum, and a POOL.
Sonoma Valley Blog Posts
A roundup of photo albums + our experiences in Sonoma Wine Country!
