7 Tour Ideas for Exploring Sonoma Wine Country

Planning to explore Sonoma Wine Country? For an extra relaxing experience, leave your car behind and go with a winery-savvy local guide and/or chauffeur. Guides can answer questions about wineries and points of interest on an excursion, whether you want to focus on wine castles, wine and food pairing, or wineries with art collections or sensational views.

There are a lot of options for visiting Sonoma County wineries with a guide — from vans and limos to bikes and Segways — even hot air balloons! Here is a round-up of the best ways to visit wineries in Sonoma County.

By Car

Pure Luxury Transportation

This is one of California’s largest chauffeured fleets with transportation options that include hybrid sedans, Lincoln Navigators, stretch limos, and 56-passenger motor coaches. With a concierge on staff, Pure Luxury will put together a private tour to match your preferences. From meeting winery owners and winemakers to popular package trips that may include wine and cheese, seven-course wine and food pairings, or an exclusive tasting from a favorite region or varietal.

Beau Wine Tours & Limousine Service

With a large fleet of new Mercedes and Cadillac sedans, SUVs, limos, vans, and buses, Beau Wine Tours can handle transportation needs for everything from a couple on their honeymoon to a corporate conference.

The staff specializes in wine knowledge and creates a Sonoma Wine Country experience that will entertain and educate whether you are new to wine tasting, at an intermediate level, or a connoisseur. Choose from one of many private tour packages to immerse yourself in the renowned wine regions of Sonoma County, or select your own wineries to visit.

Artisan Wine Tours

Seeking to redefine luxury travel in Wine Country, Artisan Wine Tours focuses on creating customized wine tours and “dream adventures” for discerning travelers that include authentic behind-the-scenes experiences at exclusive wineries, cooking schools, organic vineyards, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The vehicle? A six-passenger Lincoln Navigator, custom-designed for style and comfort.

By Bike

Getaway Adventures/Sonoma on a Bike

Venture through Sonoma Wine Country on two wheels, with gentle breezes cooling you under the warm sun. Take a relaxed 10- to 12-mile ride along quiet country lanes, taste wines along the way, and keep your energy going with a Wine Country picnic lunch. More advanced cyclists can choose a challenging 30- to 35-mile morning ride followed by lunch and an afternoon of wine tasting by van.

A separate division of Getaway Adventures, Sonoma on a Bike offers multi-day, hassle-free, guided bicycle tours along the back roads of Sonoma County with gourmet meals and luxury accommodations. A six-day, five-night tour for four to eight participants is offered about once a month, and the company also creates private, customized tours for six to eight people.

Sonoma Valley Bike Tours

Enjoy the scenery and discover boutique and family-owned wineries at a casual pace, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Choose from different-length rides, all on scenic roads that include unique Sonoma Valley winery tours and options to self-explore at some tasting stops. All routes are relatively flat and easy, and there’s also the option of a pedal-assist bike, which makes riding effortless when needed.

Ace It Bike Tours

Take a leisurely ride and visit two to three award-winning Sonoma County wineries along the way. Some tours may include cruising through the rolling hills on relatively flat nature trails and the quiet country roads of the world-famous Russian River Valley wine region. Or start in downtown Windsor and head into the country for scenic vineyard views and stops at exceptional Healdsburg wineries. If wine isn’t you’re thing, experience craft beers at their finest with visits to local taverns and brew pubs.

Bike Healdsburg

Get together nine of your favorite cycling friends to eat, drink, and pedal your way through downtown Healdsburg on an all-inclusive party bike tour. Looking a bit like a small bus or trolley, this party bike is a group bicycle powered by participants’ collective pedaling. There are also four non-pedaling seats (two over the back wheels and a back bench that holds two). Choose from different tours that can include nibbles, a bit of local history, and, of course — stops for bars and wine tasting.

On Foot

Food & Wine Walking Tours

Sometimes, strolling leisurely is the best way to get to know an area, especially when you’re following a fun and friendly local guide who takes you to all the best places for a real behind-the-scenes experience. Several Sonoma County companies offer guided food-and-wine walking tours in their local communities.

Healdsburg Wine & Food Walking Tours
Savor Healdsburg Food Tours
Sonoma Food Tour
Gourmet Food and Wine Tours – Sonoma

By Trolley

Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley

The views can be more magical through open-air windows, and the journey can be as much fun as the destination when you travel to wineries in this trolley car! It’s an authentic, old-fashioned replica of a vintage 1890s San Francisco cable car, with modern appointments like the rockin’ sound system.

Tour guides keep everyone laughing while pointing out landmarks and sharing Sonoma County stories on this rolling party. Stops may include boutique retreats, estate favorites, and a catered picnic lunch.

On a Segway

Sonoma Adventures

In addition to wine tasting at a variety of Sonoma County wineries, these Segway tours sometimes offer a tasty stop at the award-winning cheese factory. 

On a Horse

Whether riding alongside neat rows of grapevines, on a hillside with stunning views, or on a sandy beach — exploring Sonoma County by horse is a wonderful way to get close to nature while exploring Wine Country. Several Sonoma County companies offer guided horseback rides in a wide variety of settings. 

Chanslor Stables
Horse N Around Trail Rides
The Ranch at Lake Sonoma Horseback Riding
Rollin F Ranch
Sonoma Valley Trail Rides
Triple Creek Horse Outfit

In a Hot Air Balloon

Many have dreamed about soaring in a hot air balloon over Sonoma Wine Country. A bird’s eye view of the valley provides a breathtaking perspective of sun-dappled lakes, creeks winding like ribbons, and barns dotting the fields. Some flights finish with a champagne toast or brunch.
Santa Rosa Ballooning
Wine Country Balloons

With Sonoma County’s many experienced tour guides, you can explore Sonoma Wine Country just the way you like! For even more options, check our listings of Sightseeing & Tours.

Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.