Sonoma Wine Country tastings: Small wineries, custom itinerary

Build your own tasting route through Sonoma's back-road wineries

A six-hour private wine tasting activity in Healdsburg and Sonoma Wine Country where you visit small, boutique wineries of your choosing across Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill, often sitting with winemakers themselves. The operator has 18 years of industry access and customizes each day by your preferences (varietals, appellations, or style), and the van seats up to six. Pickup is included. Tasting fees are separate.

The experience

You pick the wineries or hand the choice to someone who has spent 18 years building relationships with the small producers here. The operator knows which places will pour for a group of six, which winemakers show up on a Tuesday, which appellations are worth a detour. You arrive in a private van with a driver who knows the route, not a shuttle full of strangers, and the day stays under your control: if a tasting runs long or a winery clicks, you stay. If it doesn't, you move on.

The six-hour window is built for depth, not speed. You'll taste at multiple small wineries across the valleys (Russian River, Dry Creek, Alexander, Chalk Hill) each one chosen to match what you actually want to drink. Bottled water and the van are included. Tasting fees are not, though many wineries waive them for groups. The van holds up to six people comfortably, so a couple or a small family books one vehicle and keeps the experience intimate.

Customization means you're not following a printed itinerary. Tell the operator you want to focus on Pinot Noir, or you're curious about natural wines, or you've heard about a specific producer: that shapes the day. Sitting with a winemaker instead of a tasting-room staff member changes what you learn and how the conversation goes.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a luxury van for up to six passengers.
• driver and concierge service.
• pickup included.
• bottled water.
• gas and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Howling Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Six hours leaves room for a leisurely lunch elsewhere in Healdsburg or a second activity in the afternoon, but not both. Plan the rest of your day around the tasting window if you want to fit other stops.

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Top questions

Can I visit specific wineries I already know, or do I need to let the operator choose?

You can request wineries you want to visit, or you can hand the operator your preferences (varietals, appellations, style), and let them build the route. Either way, the day is customized to what you want to taste.

What's included in the six-hour tour, and what do I pay extra for?

The van, driver, pickup, bottled water, gas and taxes are all included. Tasting fees at the wineries are separate, though many waive them for groups booking a full day.

How many people can fit in the van, and does it work for a couple or a solo traveler?

The van comfortably seats up to six passengers, so a couple or solo traveler books the same vehicle and keeps the experience private. Groups larger than six would need to arrange a second van.

Will I actually meet winemakers, or just tasting-room staff?

The operator's 18 years of relationships often means sittings with the winemakers themselves, especially at small, boutique producers. It's not guaranteed at every stop, but that access is part of what the long-standing connections unlock.

What's the difference between Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley?

Russian River Valley is known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a cooler climate; Dry Creek Valley focuses on Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc; Alexander Valley produces warmer-climate reds like Cabernet. The operator can route you through one valley or mix them based on what you want to explore.