Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the city of Sonoma, the pristine Sonoma Valley is known for its numerous attractions, like beautiful wineries and their refreshing tastes, contrasting terrains, and much more. Today, the Sonoma Valley has over 100 wineries and 14,000 acres of vineyards.
Although this valley started California’s commercial wine industry in the 1850s, it only obtained the American Viticulture Area status in 1981; it’s no wonder the place sees more than a million visitors each year! Moreover, the hospitality industry supports one in six jobs in the valley. When you visit Sonoma Valley, there’s a lot on your table, which can become overwhelming.
Therefore, it’s crucial to have a detailed plan of which wineries and eateries are worth trying and which places are worth exploring. If you’re also a tourist with these and many other questions, follow along as we go on the best Sonoma wine tours.
Best Winery Tours in Sonoma Valley
1. Kenwood Vineyards
Kenwood Vineyards epitomize the beauty of the Sonoma Valley. They have been in the Valley since 1970 and have served thousands of locals and visitors. The region is known for its fertility, hence the tasteful varieties this winery produces. This winery should definitely be on your list from Pinot Noir to Merlots. With a stunning wine-tasting room open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, you can enjoy its amazing flavors during your best Sonoma wine tours.
2. MacRostie Winery
This winery believes in the power of nature. With more than 45 partnerships with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards, Macrostie has deep roots in the Sonoma Valley. Combine these collaborations with their vineyards, and you have a rich collection of vines for a winery tour.
The founders, Heidi and Steve, personally do 130+ fermentations, developing as many tastes as possible. As a result, visitors have a complex variety of flavors not found everywhere in the Sonoma Valley.
3. Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile
Abbot’s is your best bet if you want to visit a community-focused winery during Sonoma County wine tours. It is located in Glen Ellen, a relaxed enclave perfect for Bohemian spirits and those enthusiastic about the less traveled paths. This Estate is perfectly sandwiched between Sonoma hills and century-old vines and is a place that every wine lover must visit on the search for the top wine tours in Sonoma.
Since its philosophy is treading less traveled paths, Abbot’s Passage sources its grapes from overlooked vineyards. They also have a special fermentation process that adds a distinct taste during your Sonoma wine-tasting tour. You can visit this place with your family, as it offers several amenities like an EV charger, outdoor seating, and much more.
4. Bartholomew Estate Winery
Bartholomew Park is a historic 375-acre place that houses the Bartholomew Estate Winery. It has vintage wine-tasting buildings where you can sit with your friends and family to enjoy your winery tour of Sonoma. Although the Winery opened only in 2019, it uses buildings that originated in 1922. Sitting outside, you can taste their wine while enjoying the breathtaking views of the winery and the mountains.
Moreover, this Park is open to the public without them having to pay any fees. As a result, it is a gift to the community that produces exquisite wines for everyone. All profits from this Winery go to the Frank H. Bartholomew Foundation to support the park. Hence, visiting this place and enjoying their wine also ensures that the Estate is kept pristine with your much-needed funding.
5. Anaba Wines
Anaba Wines is a modern and unique solar and wind-powered winery that offers a green future for other regional wineries. Today, the place is fully powered by solar and wind sources that ensure continuous availability of 4 EV chargers. Thanks to its efforts, the Anaba is a Sonoma Certified Sustainable Winegrower, a testament to its unwavering commitment to balancing commercial operations while protecting the environment.
Anaba sources its grapes from exclusive vineyards that meet their high standards. With regular soil testing, Anaba ensures that they grow each variety in a suitable environment. It operates 15 vineyards today, offering stunning scenery and unmatched flavors for one of the best Sonoma wine tours.
6. MacLaren Wines
This winery was founded by Steve Law, who started a tech career in Paris but fell in love with French wine and decided to change his path. He spent time in the French wine hubs of Burgundy and Bordeaux and developed an obsession with Syrah. Steve and his partner Heather have been involved in the business since its start and tried something different when everyone offered Pinot Noir, Cabernet, or Zinfandel.
MacLaren Wines has selected the Russian River and Bennett Valleys to grow the full-bodied and rich Syrah. The other offerings from MacLaren include Viognier, Roussanne, and Pinot Noir. You can enjoy in-person or Zoom tasting, with their Signature Tasting Experience costing $50/person. When you visit MacLaren Wines, Steve takes you around wine-growing regions in an educative and entertaining manner.
7. VJB Cellars
Opened in 2003, VJB Cellars has always strived to integrate Italian tastes with the laidback California lifestyle. However, the facility took its current shape 2010 when the owners established a tasting room, marketplace, and deli in a Tuscan-style villa. In 2012, several rare Italian variants were introduced in California, making VJB a must-visit destination in the Sonoma Valley.
Group reservations at VJB are for a group of five or more people. Their special tasting room costs $25 per person, which is waived if you purchase two bottles. In addition, these are the costs:
- Piazza tasting – $35 per person.
- Long table tasting and lunch – $70 per person.
- Owner’s Tasting – $125 per person.
8. Benziger Family Winery
The Benziger Family Winery is run by a family. Its other two pillars are delicious wine and healthy vineyards. The family has been in this business for over 30 years, using eco-friendly farming practices and setting an example for others.
Benziger Family Winery has several clubs with different perks and benefits. These include Partners Club, Pinot Cellar Club, Benziger Family Club, and Club Paradiso. You can also enjoy some of the best Sonoma wine tours and activities here:
- Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting
- Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour
- Winter Estate Seated Tasting
- Parlor Group Seated Tasting
- Biodynamic Trail
- Terrace Picnic Tables
9. Donum Estate
If you’re a fan of delicious wine paired with beautiful art, Donum Estate will surely appeal to you. It has the world’s largest private sculpture collection of more than 50 sculptures called the Donum Collection. The place expands over 200 acres, where every sculpture tells a story and tickles your imagination. Master creators from 18 countries and six continents have contributed to this collection.
In addition to this impressive artistic touch, Donum Estate also produces exquisite wine. Under the guidance of Dan Fishman, Donum uses native yeast for fermentation and avoids additives, producing earthy California flavors loved by everyone.
10. B. Wise Vineyards
- Wise Vineyards is passionate about delicious wine achieved through high-quality farming. The project started in 2002 and has been going strong since then. The B. Wise Tasting Lounge is one of its kind, an ideal place for the best Sonoma wine tours.
These vineyards have several other tourist attractions, such as the Sonoma Estate Cave, The Lodge, The Loft, and the Amapola Creek. These places offer scenic views of the valley away from your daily life, where you can relax and sip your favorite wine.
Exclusive Winery Tours in Sonoma
When you can’t choose between wineries, choose them all. Bohemian Highway Tours offers exclusive winery, tasting room, and vineyard tours only available to VIP guests. Here, they’ll take you behind the scenes to chat with winemakers, taste premier wines, and dine among the vines with a farm-to-table lunch or dinner.
Even better, guests of Woodfield Properties receive exclusive pricing on any wine experience through Bohemian Highway Tours. Explore their unique wine tasting tours and experiences.
Planning Your Stay for a Sonoma Wine Tour
Planning your Sonoma wine tour should include the best vacation rentals in Sonoma. Explore our Sonoma County vacation homes, from cozy to elite, and start planning your trip to Sonoma, CA!