Napa Valley and Sonoma County wineries take wine tasting far beyond the traditional pour. 

Gone are the days of barreling up to a crowded winery tasting bar and waiting patiently for your splash to taste. Now you can reserve not only a tasting at your own table, but other experiences including winery hikes, themed tours, sabering demos, field trips, and memorable wine and food pairing meals or picnics. The ongoing fall harvest, or “crush season,” is a magical time to uncork one of these special visits.

NAPA VALLEY

Joseph Phelps Vineyards, St. Helena

Put Joseph Phelps Vineyards on your radar for its upcoming hospitality expansion, including a sustainable culinary garden, educational seminars, hotel partnerships, and interactive wine tasting and cooking programs. Joseph Phelps Winery has a rich history in Cabernet Sauvignon production dating back to the 1970s and a strong following for its signature Bordeaux-style blend, Insignia. Also expect Napa Valley Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Freestone Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Experience these premium wines through elevated seated experiences in the impressive guest center or on the luxe terrace. Select from the Founder’s Tasting, the Collector’s Tasting with wine and food pairings, the multi-course Phelps Table culinary adventure, or the amazing five-course Taste of Place pairing lunch. Other culinary field-trip type events are offered throughout the year.

Inglenook, Rutherford

Inglenook, a grand winery dating back to the 1870s and restored by Francis Ford Coppola, is renowned for exceptional estate bottles like its Rubicon red blend and white Blancaneaux. Anticipate upscale experiences including private tastings paired with culinary bites, cave lounge flights, library pours, and chateau tours that showcase its ingenious gravity-flow winery. Expanding its reach, the estate recently opened The Pennino House, a casual, high-energy tasting room pouring organically farmed varietals (Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Brut Rosé and more) alongside Italian snacks, outdoor games, and a communal dining space.

Domaine Carneros, Napa

Don’t forget the bubbles! The Taittinger family in France built this sprawling winery specializing in California sparkling wine on the Napa side of the Carneros in 1987 and it continues to flourish. The Ultimate Caviar Experience features three caviars and accoutrements paired with four of its finest sparkling wines. Plat de Perles is an oyster and sparkling pairing, Scent & Savor is a wine tour of aromas and taste transformations, and Bubbles & Bites is a nod to The Caribbean with limited-edition food and wine pairings. For a little drama, book the Art of Sabrage where your host will share the history and technique of opening Champagne with saber. Along with the show, savor four Domaine Carneros sparkling wines with local artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and caviar.

Whitehall Lane Winery, St. Helena

Sometimes a wine tasting experience can be extraordinary for its diverse wines, unpretentious vibe and overall value. Whitehall Lane feels like visiting a good friend’s home. Kick back on the vine trellised covered patio savoring four different wines–Chardonnay, Petit Verdot and two Cabernets along with a cheese board for just a $40 tasting fee. (Ask to taste the mouthwatering Sauvignon Blanc if they have some open!) For $75, your wine tasting can include pickleball on the winery’s vineyard-view court.

SONOMA COUNTY

Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg

No visit to Sonoma County wine country is complete without experiencing Jordan’s elegant 1,200-acre chateau winery in Alexander Valley, which specializes in French-inspired cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. The stunning estate features a nature preserve, farm animals, lakes, culinary gardens, and diverse tasting options ranging from standard seated tastings with estate olive oil to vibrant food pairings on the Chef’s Terrace. For the ultimate luxury experience, reserve the Estate Tour & Tasting. This includes a Champagne reception, a Mercedes Sprinter tour through sustainable vineyards with stops for wine tasting and culinary pairings, and ultimately, a mountaintop seated lunch indoors at Vista Point boasting breathtaking panoramic views of the wine country.

Robert Young Estate Winery, Geyserville

Perched on a peaceful, bucolic hill, Robert Young Winery offers a relaxing escape where guests can explore impressive wines. At many of the tastings, the focus is on its iconic Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but they produce a wide range of varietals including Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Pinot Blanc. Most of the wines are sold in the tasting room, in restaurants, or to wine club members making this a coveted tasting. 

The exclusive Vineyard Tour & Lunch begins at the stylish Scion House, guiding visitors through the production facility, wine cellar, and scenic vineyards with a special stop at Gertrude’s Grove. Guests enjoy a flight of five estate wines hosted by the team—or even Robert Young himself—before finishing with a terrace lunch offering gorgeous views. Sign up for notifications of events and upcoming live lawn concerts!

Flowers Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg

This dreamy, garden-centric winery specializes in elegant Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir crafted by winemaker Chantal Forthun. The sunny tasting room’s contemporary interior showcases natural art and opens to a sprawling deck featuring an outdoor kitchen with a wood-burning oven. 

Choose between three tasting flights: the Sonoma Coast Journey of four wines paired with a crudité and snack board, the Estate Vineyard Immersion featuring elevated culinary bites with four wines, or Elements of Site, a deep dive into vineyard coastal topography featuring five highly collectible estate wines. While weather dictates seating—with lush garden cabanas perfect for mild afternoons—joining the wine club unlocks year-round access to exclusive events.

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg

Perched high on a hill in the woods, this iconic winery offers sweeping Russian River Valley views, pairing a chic indoor salon with a secluded, treehouse-like terrace with shaded seating. Winemaker Brent McKoy meticulously crafts six distinct Pinot Noirs, a Pinot Noir Rosé, and five Chardonnays sourced from acclaimed vineyards like Rochioli-Allen, Ritchie, and Durrell. Taste these excellent single-vineyard wines through three distinct options: the curated Discovery Tasting Flight, a leisurely two-hour Picnic with a View on The Overlook, or unhurried glass and bottle options via the Signature Sips Bottle Service.

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Cover Photo Courtesy Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Robin Barr Sussman (rbs@pdq.net) is a freelance culinary and travel writer who studied at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, Calif. As a chef for Sonoma County wineries, her specialty was food and wine pairing. Sussman’s work appears in Texas Monthly, Fodor’s, The Infatuation, BestWineries.com, Style Blueprint, Texas Lifestyle Magazine, Bluejack National Magazine, and Private Clubs Magazine.