After being cooped up inside for so many months, we could all use a return to some version of normalcy…and some good vino couldn’t hurt either. Thankfully, wineries have started reopening and are getting very creative with their offerings in order to adhere to state and county social distancing guidelines. From vineyard hikes to sculpture garden tours, we’ve rounded up eight unique, wine-filled adventures. Expect most tasting experiences to take place outside, by reservation only, and don’t forget to bring your mask.
8 Napa & Sonoma Wineries Offering Socially Distanced Tasting Experiences
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Published Jul 16, 2020
Soma by Subodh Gupta, Courtesy of The Donum Estate
1. The Donum Estate
The Donum Estate is as much an outdoor art gallery as it is a tasting room, so it’s no surprise that the owners pivoted to put art first and wine second for this special socially distanced winery experience. Guided open-air sculpture tours will lead guests through the estate’s 40-plus works by world-renowned artists, including Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei and Louise Bourgeois—with a glass of the winery’s limited-production rosé in hand, of course. Then, when the tour ends, you’ll taste through a few of Donum’s award-winning pinot noirs and chardonnays.
24500 Ramal Rd., Sonoma; 707-939-2290 or thedonumestate.com
2. Oakville Ranch Winery
Want to go for a ride through a mountain-top vineyard? No problem. Send an email to Oakville Ranch Winery (info@oakvilleranch.com) and reserve a private weekday tour, where they’ll take you for a spin around their 330 acres of organically farmed vines in an open-air utility vehicle. You’ll enjoy sweeping views from 1,000 feet above the valley floor, followed by wine tasting of cabs and chardonnay on the pool deck.
7781 Silverado Trail, Napa; 707-944-9665 or oakvilleranch.com
Bricoleur Vineyards
3. Bricoleur Vineyards
Sonoma County’s newest winery (which was originally slated to open in May) is now offering a number of outdoor tasting experiences, including picnics packed with produce from the property’s gardens. If you’re in need of a little wellness with your wine, book a Vino & Vinyasa class hosted by Well Sonoma every Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. Downward dog underneath the trellis by the Winery Barn overlooking a pond? Don’t mind if we do. And afterwards, you’ll be rewarded with a glass or two of Bricoleur Vineyards wine.
7394 Starr Rd., Windsor; 707-857-5700 or bricoleurvineyards.com
4. Jordan Winery
Looking for an ideal day in Wine Country with fresh air and fine wine? Jordan Winery has added a new socially distanced way to experience the estate, and it’s pretty exceptional. Book your spot on one of the winery’s vineyard hikes where for four miles, you’ll be taken on a guided hike via private trail through woods, meadows and sustainability farmed vineyards. From the hilltop, you’ll have a panoramic view of multiple wine regions and mountain ranges before you descend into olive orchards, wind your way around a lake and cattle pasture and finally arrive at the chef’s garden and apiary. There you’ll be treated to a well deserved charcuterie picnic and wine pairing.
1474 Alexander Valley Rd., Healdsburg; 707-431-5250 or jordanwinery.com
Douglas Friedman
5. Flowers Vineyards & Winery
The gorgeous grounds at this Healdsburg winery are tailor made for social distancing. Reserve a spot at one of the property’s open seating arrangements among picturesque gardens to enjoy the winery’s new alfresco bottle service experience. Choose from either the Flowers Camp Meeting Ridge Chardonnay or Flowers Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir, both of which will be paired with picnic provisions from none other than 3-Michelin starred restaurant Single Thread.
4035 Westside Rd., Healdsburg; 707-723-4800 or flowerswinery.com
Trefethen Family Vineyards/Facebook
6. Trefethen Family Vineyards
Celebrating special occasions during the pandemic has been difficult…until now. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening this summer, Twilight at Trefethen opens up one table, where guests will have the entire estate to themselves for a private tour of the property followed by a seating tasting.
1160 Oak Knoll Ave., Napa; 707-255-7700 or trefethen.com
Courtesy of Robert Mondavi Winery
7. Robert Mondavi Winery
Every year, we look forward to the summer concert series hosted at Robert Mondavi Winery’s breathtaking outdoor amphitheater. Sadly, the series won’t be happening in person this year, but the winery is offering the next best thing: virtual concerts live streamed on YouTube, plus “concert kits” that you can purchase in advance to enjoy during the show. Get your “Rosé All Day” package, post up in your backyard and tune in to the next Summer Sunday (July 19) with Matt Nathanson.
7801 St. Helena Hwy., Oakville; 888-766-6328 or robertmondaviwinery.com
8. Iron Horse Vineyards
Outdoor tasting has always been the name of the game at Iron Horse Vineyards, where sipping bubbly includes views all the way across Sonoma to Mount St. Helena. Book a Sunday visit and you’re in for a special treat with your sparkling wine—the Oyster Girls are back and shucking all the oysters you can eat.
9786 Ross Station Rd., Sebastopol; 707-887-1507 or ironhorsevineyards.com
