Learn more about Wine Country before you arrive and enjoy your stay all the more. 

Wine Country has hundreds of options to choose from when it comes to wine tasting rooms to visit.

Deciding which wineries to see is only half the battle…

Planning ahead for a fun filled weekend of good wine, food, lodging and most of all, good people… is entertaining in it’s own right. Wine Country provides everything one could need to plan the ultimate travel getaway weekend.

There are a few items to consider that will make anyone’s trip more successful and stress free.

First Things First… Wine Country Tips

What time of  the year will you be visiting Wine Country?

Before choosing the where… comes the when. Spring, summer, and fall are usually the busiest seasons for folks traveling to taste wine, while winter is much quieter.

What kind of experience are YOU looking for – relaxing or shenanigans or a little of both? Do you want to photograph the vineyards with a rainbow of colors in Fall or would you rather have pictures of the grapes beginning to bloom in Springtime?

Answer these questions before you pick a season to visit.

Where are YOU staying?

Wine Country regions can be large and diverse. It also can take quite some time to get from one location to another. Without proper planning of routes, time can be wasted with unecessary travel…

…this is time that COULD be spent tasting wine… Priorities and all that!

If you do not already have a hotel in mind, perhaps deciding which regions you want to visit first is the best option, than you can decide on lodging based on what is best in that area.

Which Varietals of Wine do YOU enjoy most?

When doing a little research beforehand, you can yield plenty of reasons to visit specific tasting rooms. If wine is the highlight, start your itinerary by selecting spots that make wines you have already tasted and liked.

If you have already been there, done that or you are simply new to the world of wine, then seek out wineries that make the types of wine that appeal to your palate.

What types of tours/ special attractions are YOU looking to experience while there?

Though tasting rooms are all based on the same premise, sip the wines, the experience varies tremendously. Some are open all the time, while other wineries are open to public by appointment only. A visit to a winery often goes beyond the basic tastings.

Many locations offer behind-the-scenes tours, private tastings, wine caves, picnics, seminars, food pairings and soo much more. View specific winery websites for offerings.

How do YOU plan to get from one tasting room to another? 

When wine is the focus…so must be… responsibility.
It is important to decide how to get from here to there in Sonoma County before you arrive for a hassle free trip. The simplest option would be to have a designated non-drinking driver in the group around to escort the wine lovers throughout the journey. That is not always an option.

When everyone wants to equally share in the wine country sipping while visiting, it is best to look into shuttles or car services. Perhaps and uber or taxi even. Be safe and responsible when drinking. Do NOT drink and drive. Since you know you will be drinking, it is a simple solution to plan ahead and enjoy your time that much more with a designated driver.

What will you put in YOUR belly, other than wine?

Before any day of wine tasting, make sure to have a full breakfast and plenty of fluids. A day of tasting usually starts early and most folks are NOT use to starting drinking at 11am. When you are tasting wine, it’s important to eat enough throughout the day and to drink plenty of water in the process.

The variety of food in Wine Country is delicious. Most folks don’t realize that after “tasting” small pours of 5-6 wines, they have already consumed a glass or more. Make sure to drink water and small bites, pack granola or protein based snacks to eat in between stops and thank me later.

Have YOU called ahead to check on events during your stay or the need for reservations?

A bit of simple planning….and YOU will find it much easier to get the most out of your Sonoma County Wine Getaway, one that anyone could enjoy.  From wine tasting to tours, to outdoor adventures with plenty of other great things to enjoy while tasting….

If you want to revel in wine and food or seek inspiration from celebrity chefs and wine county styled restaurants… Look these up, Find out when they are holding events and TRAVEL to Wine Country then.

Most importantly…?

Is YOUR glass ready?!?