Savvy Northern California Wine Tasting: Napa, Sonoma, SF Bay Area
Even if you’re not usually a “tour” person, taking an organized wine tasting tour of Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, or another Northern California town, makes a lot of sense.
Having a knowledgeable driver take you around wine country is safe, practical, and just plain fun. You can relax and enjoy your favorite libations with friends surrounded by spectacular wine country scenery.
Here’s a round-up of savvy California wine tasting tours we like. Plus scroll down the page for seven Sonoma wineries that offer free wine tastings.
1. Private Tour: Wine Country Day Trip from San Francisco
{booking details} Experience some of the top wineries in Sonoma County and Napa Valley on this private, full-day guided tour. You’ll be chauffeured from San Francisco for this nine-hour tour.
2. Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour
{booking details} Day trip from San Francisco where you’ll taste regional varietals at three different wineries in Napa and Sonoma, including both big-name and family-run estates, over an eight-hour day.
3. Hidden Wineries Tour of Napa and Sonoma
{booking details} A small group wine tour, fully customizable. You’ll visit Napa or Sonoma County, California on five and a half hour activity.
6 Wine Country Tours Worth Taking
4. Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour
{booking details} Spend the morning in the Marin Headlands for a visit to Muir Woods National Monument. Then head to Sonoma Wine Country for a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting. Includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, professional guide, tastings at two wineries.
5. Napa / Sonoma Eco Wine Tour by Mini-Coach
{booking details} Includes San Franciscopick-up and drop-off, drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and through the Marin Headlands into Napa and Sonoma valleys, narrated guided tour, Benziger Winery Tram Tour ($20 retail value), organic, local picnic lunch, wine tasting at 4-5 unique wineries (some tasting fees may apply).
6. Whitewater Rafting & Wine Tasting
{booking details} Whitewater raft the South Fork of the American River in the heart of the California Gold Country and try some local wine.
This day tour takes you into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains for an exhilarating day on the water. Then kick back with a delicious barbecue lunch by the river (included), and enjoy some local wine before heading back to San Francisco.
SAVVY TIP: Know any locals? Residents of Napa and Sonoma get deals just for living in wonderful wine country, so take them with you when you go. (They often get guest privileges.)
7 Sonoma County Wineries with Free Tastings
Sonoma is a great place to wine taste on a budget. Check out one of these beautiful Sonoma Valley wineries with free wine tasting.
1. Colagrossi Wines
(Reservations needed) 3360 Coffey Ln, Suite E, Santa Rosa (colagrossiwines.com)
2. JW Vineyards Winery
(Reservations needed) 4080 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa (jjcustomwines.com)
3. Locals Tasting Room
21023 A Geyserville Ave, Geyserville (localstastingroom.com)
4. Raymond Burr Vineyards
8339 West Dry Creek Rd, Geyserville (raymondburrvineyards.com)
5. Route 128 Vineyards & Winery
21079 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville (route128winery.com)
6. Selby Winery
215 Center Street, Healdsburg (selbywinery.com)
7. Siduri Wines/Novy Family Winery
981 Airway Ct, Suites E & F, Santa Rosa (siduri.com)
STAYING OVER?
Find nearby Wine Country hotels with reviews and booking price comparisons here:
- Sonoma Valley Hotels on TripAdvisor
- Napa Valley Hotels on TripAdvisor
