Luxury wine experiences in Napa and Sonoma

Napa and Sonoma wine experiences can vary anywhere from casual bar tastings to upscale sit-down tasting with food pairing. While I love looking for high quality experiences at a good price, luxury Napa experiences are one of the best ways to celebrate special occasions or treat yourself to a nice trip! Here are list of wineries that offer more private and luxury tasting experiences for $100-200.

Theorem

Started by a couple from Texas, the property is a combination of modern architecture and historical structures. So many unique design elements throughout and the wines are amazing, with Thomas Rivers Brown as their consulting wine maker. Great Sauvignon Blanc and various reds like Cab, Syrah, and Bordeaux style blends

Lokoya

Tasting experience here is luxurious, fun, educational and delicious! They produce Cabernet from 4 distinct mountain appellations in Napa and you get to do a side by side tasting. Property and the view is amazing, not to mention the house made snack pairing!

Promontory

Driving and walking in to the property feels like a museum! From the gate to the welcome area with the view of Harlan vineyards where they serve Dom Perignon as a welcome Champagne. You get to do barrel tasting then sit down for a tasting flight of their Cabernet Sauvignons.

Repris

This one might be a bit hidden on the mountain of Sonoma but it’s well worth the drive! The view from the Sonoma side is amazing and they take you on a ATV ride to taste wines looking at the vineyards. After the ride, you sit down with an amazing Charcuterie board to taste through their Bordeaux style red wines.


I personally have not been but have heard great things about

Sonoma wineries for cool climate Pinot (Burgundy) lovers

I started drinking more Pinots a couple years ago when my wine consumption started getting a bit higher. Dark and rich California Cabernets are not easy to drink all the time! I used to think I don’t like Pinots after only trying a few California (mostly Russian River Valley) Pinots that can be jammy and with a specific characteristic I can’t pinpoint. But discovered Pinots from cool climates (i.e. Oregon, Burgundy, West Sonoma Coast) can be pretty different. While I have yet to find a Russian River Valley Pinot I love, I’ve been drinking a lot more Pinots from Burgundy, Oregon, and parts of Sonoma, specifically West Sonoma Coast region.

West Sonoma Coast is a fairly new AVA approved in 2022 and while I’m still exploring more, I’ve been very happy drinking them :) Here’s the list of wines and wineries I’d recommend

  • Occidental: Gorgeous setting and tasting room, 100% de-stemmed whole berry fermented fresh Pinots

  • Cobb: Small tasting room in downtown Sebastopol, great Pinot, Chardonnay, and Riesling

  • Peay: I haven’t been to the winery/tasting but love their wines!

  • Copain: Beautiful tasting area with a vineyard view, also has a great food pairing

  • Small Vines: Lovely vineyard views, great wines from meticulously grown estate vineyards

  • Littorai: One of my favorite Pinots but I didn’t LOVE the tasting experience. Felt a bit rushed and impersonal but great juice!

Most of them are small family owned wineries, which I also love! Other wines that I’ve heard great things and are on my list to try are Wayfarer, Senses, Ceritas. Follow along on IG @fine.vining as I explore more wineries and find hidden gems!


Weekend trip to Bodega Bay from SF (with wine and Instagram Spots)

California is known for picturesque coastal view, especially Big Sur and Monterey. While Mendocino and Bodega Bay are not as well known, it offers similar amazing viewpoints and great food and lodging options. Because Bodega Bay is so much closer from SF (~1.5hr) , it’s quickly becoming my favorite weekend trip destination. Not to mention all the fun wine tasting options on the way. You can stop by Sebastopol to visit some of my favorite wineries or venture out to the Sonoma mountains for small family owned wineries. Here’s my quick and easy Bodega Bay itinerary idea for a weekend trip

Where to wine

  1. Sonoma Coast Winery: This winery is right on the HWY1 with the view of the coast. They offer wines by the glass, bottle, or tasting flight. Mostly Pinots and Chardonnay and all were enjoyable

  2. Halleck winery: I looked at Google maps to see different wineries on the way to the coast and this small family owned winery caught my eye

  3. Tasting by the Sea: If you drive a bit more north from Bodega Bay to the town of Jenner, there are cute cafe and this outdoor wine bar looking out the Russian River.

  4. Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery: This is technically a cheese shop and a cafe with food but when you get their cheese tasting flight, you can also bring (or buy) a bottle of wine. They have the cutest outdoor eating area and the vanilla soft serve is to die for. I would totally drive from SF just to get their soft serve 😂

Where to eat

  1. Fishetarian Fish Market: I had the BEST BBQ Oyster here! it was the most plump and flavorful oyster I’ve ever had. Quality might depend on the season but overall highly recommend stopping by for oysters, fish and chips, and tacos

  2. Spud Point Crab Company: We went during the Dungeness crab season so not sure how it is during the off season but their clam chowder was one of the bests I’ve had. Not too thick but creamy and garlicky, went perfect with their crab sandwich.

  3. Patrick’s Sea Water Taffy: Technically not a spot to eat but this place is so cute and you can snag a few bags of delicious Sea Water Taffy. You can choose from 50+ flavors!

Where to sleep

There are a few inns and lodging options in the area but we actually camped in our car right on the beach. There are two state parks where you can reserve a spot, and we love the Wright’s Beach because it’s really right on the beach. Some of the sites (1-10) are truly on the beach with unobstructed view but all other sites are worth it as you can walk right to the beach. Spots fill up months in advance but you can often snag last minute cancelation on Reserve California

Best wineries to visit in Healdsburg

Healdsburg is such a cute town and while it might seem much further up north, it’s only a few more minutes from Napa. I love the area for more relaxed vibes and different varieties of wines I can find at wineries there. Here are some of my favorite wineries to visit in Healdsburg:

  1. Reeve: One of my favorite wineries for Pinot and Sangiovese! Their wines tend to be light to medium bodied, fruity but complex. I don’t typically love Pinot but love all their wines. They also serve wood fire pizza on weekends.

  2. Lambert Bridge: They make one of my favorite Cab Francs. So smooth with depth and if you love Napa Cab Sauvignon, you will love this one! Ground is cute and the indoor tasting room set up is so cozy and worth the visit!

  3. Amista: Believe it’s the only winery in Healdsburg that specializes in sparkling wines. They have a separate sparkling flight and a red flight that focuses on Rhone varietals and blends. I really enjoyed tasting all of their wines and some of the bottles we brought home tasted even better than I remember it to be. Definitely worth a stop!

  4. De La Montoya: Their outdoor tasting area is super cute, surrounded by greens and the garden. They allow picnic and also sell small snack/food boxes so plenty of options for food to go with your tasting

  5. A Rafanelli: This small family owned winery is adorable with an amazing view of the vineyard and adorable cave. They typically have ~3 wines for you to taste and purchase (Cab, Zin, Red Blend) and they are all really good. Super friendly place that makes you feel like you are visiting a friend’s place!



Where to taste sparkling wines in California

I’ve been a red wine drinker for a long time but recently have been appreciating sparkling wines a lot. I’m actually a seafood lover and even though it’s not a hard rule to pair seafood with red wine, I do feel weird about opening a bottle of a cab with sushi. Ever since learning that sparkling wine actually goes well with all kinds of food (think how you can drink soda or beer with any meal 😂), I’ve been stocking up on more sparkling wines. Also random side tip, ordering a bottle of brut sparkling wine also is an easy choice at a restaurant if there are both seafood and meat dishes on the table. This being said, I’ve enjoyed adding more sparkling wines to my wine tasting itinerary. Here’s some you can try if you are looking to taste a flight of sparkling wines in California

Napa

  • Domaine Carneros: Such a classic Napa stop with its iconic mansion with a beautiful view of the vineyards. Located in Carneros so great to start or end the day here. Worth putting on the list anyone in Napa!

  • Schramsberg: Tasting room is located in Calistoga but you can also get their sparkling slight at the sister winery, Davies, in St. Helena. They make high quality traditional method sparkling wines and I love the variety here

  • Chandon: Well-known and widely distributed wines with a beautiful view on the hillside

  • Mumm: Another well-known brand with a beautiful outdoor patio and terrace

Sonoma

  • Iron Horse: Located up the hills in Sebastopol, they specialize in sparkling wines, Chardonnays, and Pinots. Beautiful view of the Sebastopol vineyard area

  • Amista: Small family winery in Healdsburg with a sparkling flight in addition to the regular white/red wine flight. They have interesting Rhone varietals and it’s a fun stop.

  • Gloria Ferrer: I personally have not been but included on the list as it’s one of the popular spot south of Sonoma downtown

  • Roederer: Technically located in Anderson Valley so need to drive further north from Sonoma but worth a stop if you are heading there. They make the famous Louis Roederer Cristal!

Best wineries for cute photos in Napa and Sonoma

I don’t think I’ve met a winery that does not look great on photos. But out of 100+ wineries in Napa & Sonoma, these are the ones I like especially because the grounds, views, and etc. I tried to include a variety of backdrops so you can take your pick 

Views

  1. Chappellet: Located on the Pritchard Hill, the view from the back of the winery consists of endless vineyards, the lake, and the mountains. $75 tasting fee

  2. Hamel: Tasting room is located on top of a hill of their vineyards, offering a great view of the vineyard from the tasting/picnic area.  $75 tasting fee

  3. Amizetta: Located up in the mountains so it’s a bit more of a drive to get there but for a good reason. The view is to die for as much as their wines. $75 tasting fee waived upon purchasing 3 bottles.

I’ve also gotten recommendations for Kuleto, Signorello, and Cade for their views but have not been yet.

Architecture, buildings, and grounds

  1. V Sattui or Castello di Amorosa: Both owned by the same owner, V Sattui is a Tuscan style while Castillo de Amorosa is a medieval castle. $45 tasting fee for V Sattui, $55 for Castello di Amorosa

  2. Chateau St Jean or Ledson: Another set of wineries with a castle-like ground near each other. Ledson castle is a French Normandy structure and Chateau st Jean feels like rustic gardens of country villas in Italy and the south of France. $45 tasting fee for Chateau St Jean, $30 for Ledson

  3. Caymus or Peju: Lots of green backdrops and walkways filled with greenery. $50 tasting fee for Caymus, $40 for Peju

  4. Domaine Carneros: This one is a popular one so you’ve probably seen/heard of it. Known for sparkling wines and the Chateau. $40 tasting fee

Napa and Sonoma wineries with affordable tasting fees

Let’s face it, wine tastings in Napa and Sonoma are not cheap. Believe there used to be a list of wineries with free tasting but most are outdated by now. Typical Napa tastings are now around $45-$80 making a trip almost a splurge (especially if you are visiting multiple wineries) vs. a fun casual trip. If you are looking to taste some wine and have fun while not spending a lot, here’s my list 

I’m going to keep updating list with more wineries so make sure to follow me on Instagram for updates and other recommendations! Keep in mind that wineries do change their menu and fees so use this list as a reference but always check with the winery or their website for the latest policy.

Napa

  1. Rombauer: You might have seen their bottles at different retail stores. They are known for Chardonnays and Zinfandels and their tasting is super affordable at $20 (which is a price of 1.5 or 1 glass at a restaurant) and the ground with a picnic area is super cute. Seems like they now also offer wines by the glass instead of the tasting experience 

  2. Paloma Vineyard: They offer free vertical tasting of their Merlot (as of Feb 2021). Small family owned winery so it’s a private and intimate experience. Please do leave with a bottle if you like them!

  3. Vincent Aroyo: Located a bit further north in Calistoga, you can taste variety of whites and reds and $20, waived with a 3 bottle purchase. Casual and super friendly hosts!

  4. Lola Wines: Another charming tasting house in downtown Calistoga where you can taste for $30, waived with a 3 bottle purchase. Have a variety of whites, Pinot, and Cab.

  5. Domaine Chandon: Mostly known for sparkling, their flights range from $20-35. Expansive ground with picnic chairs and indoor tasting bar

  6. Mckenzie Mueller: $30 waived with a bottle purchase. Small family owned winery. They have a charming barn with a grass area and view of the vineyard

  7. Cosentino: $30, waived with a bottle purchase. They have a variety of bottles between $16-40 for you to choose from.

  8. V Sattui: Their tasting flight isn’t technically under $30 but you can purchase a bottle fo Rosé or sparkling for ($30-40) to enjoy in their picnic area

Sonoma

  1. BR Cohn: Their most recent experience options include $35 for tasting and also offer $10/glass options. View is pretty great as well so it will be a fun experience as a couple or small group

  2. Cline Cellars: Have various options starting at $15, waived with purchase 

  3. Ledson: They have multiple tasting options and the cheapest option is $30. They also used to have a casual $5 tasting inside their wine shop

  4. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards: I have not visited yet but their tasting fee is $20/person

*List is based on the information from early 2022 and would recommend double checking directly with the winery to confirm 

Get more up to date wine and travel content @fine.vining

View fullsize Love being surrounded by all the greenery in Napa this time of the year 💚 Small but adorable and friendly tasting room in St Helena! Part of the Schramsberg fam so you get to taste reds and sparklings Bonus point for being so close to Azteca, the
View fullsize Wineries that allow picnics (of offer food) are so clutch when you are trying to fill the day with more wineries🤣 This was a 3rd winery during my latest trip to Sebastopol and was possible because we got to bring food 🤗🙌 (from @pascaline.patisse
View fullsize Have you gone tasting in Sebastopol? Great area to visit and find small family owned wineries that are laid back and so friendly! This tasting room had an adorable garden and a unique lineup of great wines. Think Italian varietals, red & white
View fullsize This place makes you feel like you are transported to a small rural wine region 💫 Away from the main road, you will find this boutique family owned winery with a line up of unique varietals. (Have you heard of Picpoul Blanc?!!) Tasting started wit
View fullsize Found a little gem in Healdsburg 🥰 Was delighted by this adorable setting, and then found out tastings come with wood fired pizza on weekends! I mean…😍 and every single wine we tasted were so good! Added another winery to our membership lis
View fullsize I’ve been lazy about making weekend plans and Sonoma square is becoming my go-to for last minute weekend activity 😆 Was able to get a same day reservation at Sosie and so glad I did. Small new winery! Felt unique when we saw sparkling red, C
View fullsize Brought this amazing bottle to enjoy with this view 🥰 From a new boutique winery in Paso founded by a wine loving couple! Small line up as wines tend to sell out but got to taste three of their amazing wines. 📍: @topwinery 🍷: tasted Grenache, G
View fullsize I’ve been trying to better understand my preferences for sparkling wines so added Roederer to the list for my trip to Mendocino Tasting flight includes a side by side of the same blend in a regular bottle vs. Magnum and it was SO FUN to taste
View fullsize 🌟Save this place for your next trip to Northern CA🌟 Did you know there’s another Twomey tasting room in Anderson Valley? Twomey’s been on my list and when I saw they have another location on the way to the Mendocino coast, it was a mus
View fullsize Super chill and inviting tasting room! Bonus points for this view and a great #cabfranc 😍😆 Heard Cab Francs are getting sold out everywhere in Napa, go get them before they are gone! Or don’t… so I can get them 🤣 📍: @reverie_wine
View fullsize If you like tasting older vintages, add this place to your list. They recently opened for tastings in 2020 with the release of 2012 vintage! We got to taste wines from 2012, 2013, 2015 with the owner/wine maker 📍: @grossokresser 🍷: Refreshing an
View fullsize What a treat to taste wine on the vineyard where grapes come from 🥰🙌 Are you sick of me talking about #cabfranc yet? 🤣 I came across this small winery in Paso that releases two different cab francs and had to schedule a tasting 😆 Casual tasti
View fullsize Stayed at this dreamy @vrbo vineyard house in Paso 🥰🙌 Located next to @turleywine it was minutes from amazing west side wineries and had the best view 🤗
View fullsize Adorable winery with the most adorable story behind it 💕 📍: @clossolene 🍷: Variety of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre blends, rosé 💰: $40 to taste, waived with 3 bottle purchase
View fullsize Small tasting room with the nicest people 🥰 Even before we got there, they sent us an email asking for our preferences and also to recommend other wineries in the area! Owner/winemaker used to make wines for Law, another popular winery in Paso, an

Fun weekend trip itinerary to Healdsburg wineries

Napa is only about 45min-1.5hr from SF depending on which part of the wine country you are visiting and we usually make it a day trip. However, if you drive a bit further north, you will get to Healdsburg, Sonoma for additional (usually less crowded) group of wineries that are super fun to visit. We like to make it an overnight trip to be able to visit multiple wineries and spend more time in downtown (super cute!). Below are few of wineries to visit in Healdsburg

  1. Lambert Bridge: Usually members only (we were referred) so relatively private but they sometimes accommodate you if you call and ask. Really good red wines, loved our host and the tasting room is super cozy. Not sure about the tasting fee but bottles are $80+. If you get a chance to visit, you will have a great time.

  2. R.Fanelli: We saw the entrance to the winery while driving by, looked them up online and made a reservation for the next day. Cute little family owned winery focused on Cab and Cab blends. They usually only have 2-3 wines to taste (4 wines in their entire portfolio) but the host was great and will tour you around the cave. Remember tasting fee to be not much, probably around $10, we got it waived with a bottle purchase.

  3. Lancaster Estate: Larger winery within the Foley Food and Wine family of wineries. Beautiful grounds and good big bold red wines.

  4. Martorana: Casual spot with a picnic area for games and tasting wines. Enjoyed their Merlot!

  5. Jordan: We ended up not being able to visit due to timing but have gotten recommendation for their food pairing. From their website the grounds look beautiful and seem to have reds, whites, and sparkling