How To Plan The Best Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Trip: 3-Day Itinerary
Heading to California’s wine country? We’ve got the perfect 3-day Sonoma Valley itinerary. And we’re sharing other tips and tidbits for planning the best Sonoma wine tasting vacation.
Wine barrels at Hamel Family Wines
It’s no secret that California’s wine country is pretty epic. When we had a chance to plan a trip away with longtime friends, we knew there was no better place to go.
We had already explored Napa, so Sonoma was calling our names. Sitting basically next door to the slightly more famous Napa, Sonoma has every bit as much to offer.
Thought to be more rustic, and some say affordable, it’s like hip Napa’s big sister. It’s also, interestingly, home to more varieties of wine. And, if you’re keeping score in the sibling rivalry, Sonoma County is roughly twice the size of Napa County.
All that acreage means Sonoma is more spread out. Getting to and from wineries may require more driving. Yet, it might also entail less sitting in traffic.
Luckily, getting around wine country is half the fun. We found some wonderful Sonoma wine tasting tours that take all the stress out of planning.
We’re sharing them, and all about our wine tasting trip, here, in our 3-day Sonoma Valley wine tasting itinerary.
Sonoma Valley wine tasting bike tour
Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Day 1: E-Bike Tour
We had a long day of travel getting to Sonoma the day before. So we wanted to do something active on our first full day there.
A Sonoma Valley e-bike tour fit the bill perfectly.
The 6-hour tour ended up being a favorite day for us. That’s no small thing considering a few of us were skeptical at first about channeling our inner bike rider. Flat, navigable terrain made it easy though. A great guide and fantastic winery stops certainly didn’t hurt either.
Our e-bike tour started with a 7-mile ride through neighborhoods in Sonoma. We stopped at a few interesting spots along the way, like Sonoma State Historic Park. And we ended our day with a cheese factory stop.
Our bike wine tour included 2 incredible winery stops:
Honrama Cellars
Honrama Cellars
Honrama Cellars is a winery whose story is as wonderful as its wines and property.
Mexican-American owners Juan and Miriam Ramirez both grew up with parents who were migrant farmworkers. Miriam’s father’s tireless determination and hard work led him to eventually become a cellar master.
When Miriam’s father passed away at just 38 years old, Miriam inherited his dream to one day own a vineyard. She too then began working her way up in the industry.
After years of learning and perseverance, she and her husband opened what is now a boutique winery and vineyard. They’re known for producing excellent wines, like their rich Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our stop at Honrama included a tour of the winemaking facilities and a tasting. We also had lunch that had been picked up at a nearby deli by our bike tour guide.
This special winery was a perfect introduction to Sonoma for us. It’s unique, welcoming and beautiful. And the wines? They’re a true testament to the dedication of the family behind the label.
Buena Vista Winery
Our second winery on our bike tour was Buena Vista Winery. Established in 1857, it’s considered California’s first winery and boasts a long and colorful history.
Part of that history involves receiving numerous awards and accolades. While visiting, it didn’t take us long to see why that is.
Today visitors can traverse the winding drive leading up to the property to beautiful stone buildings to explore. Inside you’ll find a wine tool museum, wine cave, the Bubble Lounge, and The Press House, which houses a tasting room.
We sat outside for our tasting, which was equally as gorgeous. We then toured the property, a must-do while there.
Buena Vista Winery
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Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Day 2: Walking Tour
Sonoma may cover a lot of ground. But, taking a walking tour of tasting rooms is doable thanks to the small towns of Kenwood, Sonoma, and Healdsburg. All three provide great home bases from which to explore by walking.
Our Airbnb was within walking distance of Kenwood’s spots. The area is not very large, but rather quaint and charming. It provided just the right amount of places to fill the day.
B. Wise Vineyard’s Tasting Room
B. Wise Vineyards Tasting Lounge
Located in the heart of Kenwood, the tasting lounge at B. Wise Vineyard was the start to our day in town. It’s another small-in-the-best-way stop.
We sat a huge round table while we learned and tasted. We had one rosé and four red wines, all of which are not widely distributed.
Our host for our tasting did a great job telling us about not just the wine, but the people behind it, Brion and Ronda Wise. Their eclectic pasts help explain why you can practically taste the tenacity that goes into every bottle.
Brion is the farming boy, turned 20-something oil company owner, turned vineyard proprietor. Ronda also has her hand in the wine making and is behind the space’s fantastic decor.
VJB Cellars
Just steps from B. Wise sits the Tuscan inspired structure of VJB Cellars. A full deli style restaurant and a pizza kitchen makes it a good stop to eat and enjoy wine. Guests can pair a tasting with food served on the piazza. And then grab gelato and coffee on premises as well.
The Belmontes, the family behind the VJB brand opened the tasting room. Vittorio and Maria, the patriarch and matriarch of the family-owned business, both born in Italy, are still involved. Their son, Henry, oversees the business and wine making.
VJB feels both elegant and inviting, aiming to make guests feel like they’re part of the family. That includes being able to take home products prepared with old family recipes. Maria’s southern Italian marinara sauce and other products are sold in the store here.
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Toasting in Sonoma
Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Day 3: Chauffeured Tour
This is a more traditional type of wine tasting tour. And it’s one of the best ways to see wineries personally recommended by someone who knows the area well.
We chose Ultimate Wine Tours for our chauffeured tour. Captain Steve was our driver and his knowledge of the area proved to make for a great tour. He asked what preferences we had for our tour. Because he specializes is private, boutique wineries we let him take the lead on where we went.
So we saw one wonderful vineyard we never would have found on our own.
We visited one winery that made Sonoma.com’s list of the 10 Most Beautiful Wineries in Sonoma County.
And we ended our day in a spot that looks like a life size Monet painting.
Exploring Calluna Vineyards with owners David and Marla Jeffrey
Calluna Vineyards
Calluna Vineyards is a boutique winery set on 17 acres in Sonoma. The breathtaking property overlooks the Russian River Valley.
Visits to the winery entail being treated like family. Tastings are by appointment only and done in the home of the winemaker. You’ll sit at the family dining table or in the courtyard of David and Marla Jeffrey‘s, the vineyard’s owner.
In addition to hearing the story of how the vineyard began, we tasted wines only available to tasting participants or wine club members. The six unique wines produced at Calluna include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Sauvignon Blanc.
We loved our time at Calluna and the wines so much that we all joined their wine club. (Despite vowing to not join wine clubs in Sonoma.)
Hamel Family Wines
Want to know one of the best ways to enjoy Sonoma wine? Paired with amazing food.
That’s exactly how we tasted the wines at Hamel Family. The Chef’s Experience here begins with a tour of the winery and adjacent cave. Guests are then treated to food and wine in a gorgeous indoor/ outdoor setting overlooking the winery.
We had a selection of library and current release wines. They were paired with small gourmet courses prepared by the chef, who also came to talk to us personally.
We also had epic views and heard a backstory that turned out to be close to our hearts. That’s because Hamel Family Wines uses environmentally friendly methods. Techniques like dry farming and organic and biodynamic practices are integral in making all their wine.
Coursey Graves Winery
Our last winery of the day in our itinerary was Coursey Graves Winery. And it wasn’t just the wine talking that made us feel like we had stepped into the French countryside here.
The property features truly breathtaking taking views of the Bennett Valley. And the winery is also farmed using environmentally conscious methods. It also happens to have wonderfully friendly service and great wine.
It turns out the winery’s story is one of not just beauty, but resilience and tenacity. A significant portion of the land was burned during the 2017 Santa Rosa fires. The rebuilt area is a testament to the dedication of the owners, winemakers, managers, and staff.
Hamel Family Wines
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Alternatives or Add-ons to your 3-Day Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Itinerary
Biking not your thing? Have more than 3 days to fill? Or you just plain don’t like one of the options on the itinerary?
Never fear!
There are other great ways to see Sonoma wineries.
Check out THESE vintage VW Sonoma bus tours. Or take a look at the Sonoma Valley Trolley tour.
While we didn’t personally do either of these things, we did schedule and then have to cancel the VW Bus Tour. We know they get great reviews and were fantastic to work with when we, unfortunately, had to change plans. Likewise the Sonoma Valley Trolley tour comes recommended and would be a fun add-on to any trip.
The scenery at Coursey Graves Winery
Tips and Tricks for Wine Tasting in Sonoma:
Your Sonoma Valley 3-day itinerary is a big part of planning your wine trip, but there are other details to consider too. These were some of our top questions before our trip. We thought they might be yours too.
How much do wine tastings cost in Sonoma?
The wineries we visited charged $30 per person and up for wine tastings. Some wineries charge significantly more, which can add up when doing multiple stops. So, you’ll want to check prices when booking. However, many wineries offered free or discounted tastings if we purchased wine. Joining the winery’s wine club is another way to receive a discount.
Do you need reservations for wine tastings in Sonoma?
Yes, you do need reservations at most wineries and vineyards in Sonoma. Some places book up well in advance, while others have some last-minute availability. We were able to move a few things around on short notice one day. That’s not something you can count on though, especially during busy seasons.
One of the best parts about booking Sonoma Valley wine tasting tours is that your guide will make all reservations for you. You tell them any specifics, like wines you’re especially interested in, budget, or places you know you want to visit. They’ll take care of the rest, as well as, we found, offer advice on what to do in the area. Wine tour guides know the area well. Most love to tell you about hidden gems for restaurants, shopping, and site seeing, in addition to where to find good wine.
Where should we stay in the Sonoma Valley?
Several inns and hotels dot the landscape in Sonoma. But, renting an airbnb is often the best choice, especially when traveling with a group of friends. We loved having a place to hang out together at the end of the day. And we enjoyed having space to roam when we weren’t wine touring.
Having a rental within walking distance to some tasting rooms, restaurants and shops was on our wish list. It proved to be something we liked. Our rental was near the small, cute town of Kenwood.
Being close to the main streets of Petaluma or Sonoma would check the box of being able to walk to some places as well. (Note that Sonoma is both the name of the county as well as a town within the county.)
How far is Sonoma from Napa?
It depends on where in Sonoma or Napa you are starting or ending. But, in general terms, Sonoma is less than 20 miles from Napa.
It takes about 30 minutes to get from one to the other, although it can vary with traffic. A mountain range separates the two and the road is just two lanes so those are factors as well.
Visiting wineries in both places is therefore definitely feasible.
Can’t we just plan to Uber in between wineries?
While you can Uber in Sonoma, it’s not the best option when it comes to planning a full day of wine tasting. Many of the wineries sit in lots of acreage so they are therefore quite spread out and feel somewhat rural. Getting an Uber to come get you might require a long wait.
We did however use Uber to take us to the airport, which worked while as we scheduled it ahead of time. We also used Uber to get to and from a restaurant, although on one occasion we waited a very long time for one.
Do you have to be a wine expert to enjoy wine tasting in Sonoma?
No! We are far from wine experts and we still love to visit wine destinations, Sonoma included. Even though California’s wine country is one of the most prestigious in the world, you won’t find a stuffy, excluding atmosphere. We found Sonoma wineries to be wonderfully welcoming places, no matter your level of wine knowledge.
Can I wear jeans to wine tastings in Sonoma?
Yes. You can dress casually at Sonoma wineries. Even on the day that we had our biking attire on, we felt completely at ease. In fact, it’s best to wear flat shoes when walking in the vineyards. If you do choose heels, opt for thick, wedge heels. Remember these are working agricultural farms at their core so the ground near the vines is uneven.
Is 3 days long enough to see Sonoma?
We found that 3 full days gave us a “taste” (pun intended) of Sonoma wine country. We didn’t feel rushed and we didn’t have to interrupt our lives at home for longer. However, it’s a beautiful place with over 400 wineries and other things to do. We certainly would not have had plenty to fill our time if we had the chance to stay longer.
Should we visit the big name wineries or smaller, boutique wineries?
Both! When you begin to plan your winery tours, you’ll see some names you recognize. Others you likely have never heard of. That’s because wineries vastly differ in size. Some produce just a few thousand cases, while others mass produce much more.
Most of the wineries on our 3-day wine tasting itinerary are boutique wineries. This means they produce a smaller number of wines. And you can often only get them by visiting the winery, or being a member of the wine club. We found there’s just something special about these wineries. They have such an intimate feel and stories that match.
However, that’s not to say the big name wineries don’t have a lot to offer as well. We recommend trying a bit of both. Then you can see which one you prefer.
What else is there to do in Sonoma other than wine tasting?
The Sonoma Valley and the surrounding area has much more to offer than great wine. With scenery like what is in the area, enjoying nature is at the top of the list.
Explore the coast. Hike. Try out the foodie scene. Or check out other activities from THIS list of things to do from sonomavalley.com.
