“Wine is the thinking person’s health drink.” – Dr. Phillip Norrie
Winemakers will tell you 90% of the product is made in the vineyard and only 10% is made in the winery. Yet most visitors to wine country never make it out of the tasting room or a winery tour. Walking through vineyards with an expert guide is the best way to enhance your appreciation of wine making. Watching vineyard workers as they toil with the vines, smelling the scents of upturned soil, and taking in the views from a nearby ridge top are all experiences you wouldn’t have from the seat of an automobile or a tasting room window.
Sonoma County might not be as well known as its neighbor (Napa Valley), but we think it’s the perfect place for an active vacation within California’s wine country. Sonoma County is large and diverse, spanning from the Pacific Ocean on the west to the Mayacama Mountains that separate it from Napa County on the east. This provides a huge range of terroir and scenery that cannot be beat and make for perfect walks in the area.
On our Sonoma Wine & Walking Adventure, you’ll actually walk through or near the vineyards. The walks are only of moderate difficulty, so should be very manageable for anyone who exercises regularly. And you’ll understand why making wine is really all about the vineyards, the under-appreciated aspect of wine country.
Trip Favorite Moments & Reviews
”It was wonderful! We loved having a private guide, and felt like insiders. The walks and tastings were perfectly paced and planned.“
Margaret S.
Details
- Cost Per Person: $1,200
- Single Supplement: $350
- Activities: Walking
- Difficulty: Easy
- Guides: Jim McCammon
Other Info: Additional $400 is required for tours booked on Fridays or Saturdays.
Book this TourTrip Highlights
- Inside access to private vineyard lands and people you wouldn’t otherwise see or meet.
- Your own personal guide, who lives in Sonoma County and will share his knowledge about grape growing, wine making, and the region.
- Experience the core of what wine making is all about - grapes in the fields!
Each day of your trip, you will have one vineyard walk followed by a wine tasting. The tour starts at 1:00 PM on the first day with an afternoon walk and ends at noon on the third day with a morning walk and wine tasting. Please note the order of the vineyards we visit could change.
DAY 1
Depending on how and when you arrive in the area, our guide will meet you at 1:00 pm either at the Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa or our host hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.
From there, we’ll head straight to our first vineyard walk and wine tasting in the Russian River Valley. This AVA is named after the first non-native settlers to come to area and has a rich history as many consider it the birthplace of Sonoma County wine because the first grapes were planted here. The Russian River Valley is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as other cool-climate loving varietals.
After our walk and tasting, you’ll check into our hotel, if you haven’t done so already. If there is time prior to dinner tonight, we recommend visiting one of the local tasting rooms. This evening we’ll enjoy a casual, but delicious dinner in the area.
DAY 2
Today, we’ll discover the picturesque Dry Creek Valley. This AVA produces a wide variety of excellent wines, but is best known for their world-class zinfandels. Its diversity is due to the unique mix of different soil types, elevations, sun exposure, wind, and water – all within a narrow 16-by-2-mile valley. We’ll head out on our walk to explore another stunning vineyard and cap it off with a lovely wine tasting.
We recommend having lunch at the iconic Dry Creek General Store that was established in 1881 and offers a tasty variety of sustainably-made food. This afternoon, we’ll head to our second wine tasting of the day. If you have a specific place you’d like to visit, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Later, we’ll enjoy dinner at one of the world-class restaurants in the area.
DAY 3
On our last day together, we’ll meet after breakfast to head out for our last vineyard walk. After a a couple scenic miles on foot, we’ll arrive at our final wine tasting of the tour. Afterwards, we’ll head back to the hotel to check out. We’ll say our farewells and shuttle you back to the Santa Rosa airport or leave you to extend your stay in the area.
Book this TourTrip Accommodations
Nights 1-2 >> Dry Creek Inn / Healdsburg
This Tuscan-style hotel is the perfect place to unwind and get away by lounging poolside or relaxing by the outdoor firepits with a glass of wine in hand.
Please note: Hotels are subject to availability. If listed hotel is not available at time of tour, a hotel that is equal or better to the original will be secured.
Book this TourTRAVEL DETAILS
On the first day of our tour, will meet you at our host hotel in Healdsburg at 1:00 PM, with an optional pickup at the Santa Rosa airport at 12:30. On Day Three, the tour ends at 11:30 AM.
If you have a car, we would recommend leaving it at the hotel as you will not need it during the tour. We will also provide a shuttle back to the Sonoma County Airport for those flying out or wishing to take a shuttle from there.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All Local Transportation
- Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are traveling solo, we will match you with another traveler of the same gender. However, you may pay a single supplement to have your own room.
- All breakfasts and dinners (Lunch will be on your own to give you a chance to explore the area)
- All Scheduled Activities
- Wine During Organized Tastings
- NOT INCLUDED: Travel to and from Healdsburg , beverages, desserts, gratuities to your guides, and personal expenses.
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