Sonoma: Small Group Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch & Pickup

Summary

Three boutique wineries, shared tables, Sonoma’s laid-back pace

You’ll share tables with new friends at three small Sonoma wineries, taste unique local wines poured by people who know their land, and enjoy a relaxed charcuterie lunch with plenty of water and laughter along the way. It’s less about rushing through tastings and more about soaking in Sonoma’s slower rhythm—you might find yourself still thinking about those golden hills long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet the roads felt outside Santa Rosa—just that early sun and the smell of dry grass coming in through the window. Our guide, Mike, had this way of making everyone laugh without trying too hard. We were just twelve, all strangers at first, but by the time we pulled up to the first winery (I think it was somewhere near Sebastopol), someone had already started passing around homemade cookies from their bag. Not what I expected on a Sonoma wine tasting tour, honestly.

Each stop had its own vibe. At the second winery, we sat around this long wooden table—one of those you can tell has seen a lot of stories—and tried four or five wines I’d never even heard of. The owner poured them herself and told us about her dad planting the first vines back in the ‘80s. I tried to pronounce “Viognier” right and Li laughed when I butchered it—she said even locals mess it up sometimes. The air smelled like lavender and something earthy; maybe it was just the barrels stacked behind us.

Lunch was this little charcuterie box—cheese, apples, grapes—nothing fancy but somehow perfect after a couple glasses. Someone mentioned how nice it was not to rush; we could actually taste things instead of just sipping and moving on. Water bottles kept appearing whenever anyone needed one (thanks again, Mike). By the third winery my notes were getting messy and my phone photos even messier, but nobody cared much. The light was soft by then—one of those afternoons you wish would last longer than it does.

I still think about that view from the last tasting room: rows of vines fading into gold hills, everyone a little quieter than before. It wasn’t about ticking off “top wineries” or anything—just good company and that slow Sonoma feeling. If you’re looking for something loud or flashy, this isn’t it… but if you want to actually feel where you are for a while, well—I’d do it again tomorrow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit three Sonoma County wineries

• Pick up from your location
• Travel to first winery
• Enjoy traditional tasting flight
• Travel to second winery
• Enjoy traditional tasting flight
• Eat individual charcuterie box
• Travel to third winery
• Enjoy traditional tasting flight
• Return to pick up location

Top questions

How many wineries do we visit on this Sonoma wine tour?

You’ll visit three different small-production wineries during the tour.

Is lunch included on this Sonoma County wine tasting tour?

Yes, an individual charcuterie-style lunch is included at the second winery stop.

Are tasting fees covered in the price?

No, tasting fees are not included but may be waived with minimum purchases or joining a wine club at each winery.

How many people are on each group tour?

The group size is capped at 12 guests for an intimate experience.

Is hotel pickup available for this wine tour?

Yes, pickup is offered from various locations including Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, and Cotati.

How long does the Sonoma wine tasting tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5–7 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated for lunch?

Yes, let them know your dietary needs ahead of time—they’ll do their best to customize your charcuterie box.

What’s included

Your day includes convenient pickup from local hotels or vacation rentals around Santa Rosa and nearby towns, bottled water throughout to keep you hydrated between tastings, a personalized charcuterie-style lunch at one of the wineries (with cheese, fruit and more), plus all transport between three handpicked boutique wineries before returning you home in comfort later that afternoon.