Experiences

Take a Hike Then Sip Some Wine at These Sonoma County Wineries

Sonoma County is home to some of the best hiking trails in Northern California and many of those trails end conveniently close to winery tasting rooms. If you’d like to pair a hike with some wine tasting, we’ve listed a few favorite destinations below, including guided winery hikes.

Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail & Hanna Winery, Santa Rosa

The 1.8 mile trail at Laguna de Santa Rosa offers more of a stroll than a strenuous hike — a great warm-up for your wine tasting. There are two entrances to the trail, one by 6303 Highway 12 and another by 5420 Occidental Road. If you park at the Occidental Road entrance, you’re about a minute’s drive from Hanna Winery’s Russian River Valley Tasting Room. Yes, it’s that close. 5353 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, 707-431-4310, x140

Jack London State Historic Park & Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen

Historic trails lead the way to the Wolf House and Beauty Ranch in Jack London State Park (2400 London Ranch Road). Sonoma Mountain, the ancestral home of the Coast Miwok and Pomo Indians, at Jack London State Historic Park Park. For a more strenuous hike, there are nearly 30 miles of backcountry trails to choose from. The park is located less than a mile from Benziger Family Winery. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-935-3000

Benziger Family Winery was the first vineyard in Sonoma (and one of the first in North America) to receive biodynamic certification in 2000. Walk-ins are welcome in the winery’s tasting room but tasting experiences, like the Estate Seated Tasting and the Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting, must be booked in advance. The Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting includes a visit to the underground wine cave.

Soda Springs Reserve & Annapolis Winery, Annapolis

This remote 48-acre reserve (24550 Kelly Road) boasts a number of short, easy strolling trails through giant redwoods. It’s located less than a 10-minute drive from family-owned and operated Annapolis Winery, where you can sip wine and take in the views at an elevation of about 1,000 feet. Tastings include three to five wines and there’s often live music on Saturdays. 26055 Soda Springs Road, 707-886-5460

Sonoma Valley Regional Park & Imagery Estate Winery, Glen Ellen

The Valley of the Moon trail in Sonoma Valley Regional Park (13630 Highway 12) offers an easy stroll before your wine tasting. Paved and ADA accessible, the 1.2-mile trail stretches through the center of the park from Highway 12 to Arnold Drive. The park is just a couple of minutes drive from Imagery Estate Winery, where walk-ins are welcome in the tasting room for groups of eight or less. 14335 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, 877-550-4278

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve & Korbel Champagne Cellars, Guerneville

Home to more than 800 acres of coast redwoods, there are a variety of trails for all ages and fitness levels at Armstrong Woods (17000 Armstrong Woods Road). On your way to the woods, stop by Korbel Champagne Cellars for a glass of bubbly. 3250 River Rd, Guerneville, 707- 824-7000

Guided hike at Alexander Valley Vineyards, Healdsburg

This one-mile tour includes tastings of four wines, a box lunch prepared by Big John’s Market in Healdsburg and Alexander Valley views. Reservations are required with a 48-hour notice; a minimum of two people is typically required for vineyard hikes. 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-7209

Guided hike at Amista Vineyards, Healdsburg

This 90-minute guided tour includes a tasting of sparkling and still wines and an introduction to the winery’s Habitat Enhancement Project, designed to restore the natural fish habitat in Dry Creek. 3320 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-9200

Guided hike at Warnecke Ranch & Vineyard, home to Sutro Wine Co., Healdsburg

Sutro’s founder and owner, Alice Warnecke Sutro, takes guests on a 45-minute vineyard hike before hosting a wine tasting in a shady oak grove. Reservations required; tours are limited to six people. Plan on 90 minutes for the hike and tasting. 13301 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, 707-509-9695

Guided hike at Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg

Hikers cover an impressive amount of the estate on this moderately strenuous four-mile trek. Along with vineyards and olive groves, guests visit the winery’s recently planted pollinator sanctuaries designed to provide habitat for native bees, Western monarch butterflies and butterflies. 1474 Alexander Valley Road Healdsburg, 707-431-5250