It seems like ages since Sonoma County pivoted to appointment-only experiences in the wake of the pandemic. If you long for the days where you could escape to Wine Country on a whim, we have good news.
“As long as you are willing to be flexible and have a sense of adventure — spontaneity is back,” said Tim Zahner, Sonoma Valley Tourism executive director. “Planning is for when you absolutely need to have it right: anniversary or special trip. But if you want to take off for a few days, come on up.”
While an impressive roster of elaborate, sit-down Wine Country experiences require reservations to assure attentive service, there are arguably just as many that embrace spur-of-the-moment options.
Walk-in Wine Experiences
Ram’s Gate welcomes guests to its Sonoma estate without reservations for a variety of experiences, ranging from a guided five-wine seated tasting to The Caviar Experience, which pairs Ram’s Gate wines with caviar from Tsar Nicoulai.
In Healdsburg, J Vineyards & Winery welcomes walk-ins daily for its Signature Tasting of five Russian River Valley wines. And it never hurts to ask about availability in the Legacy Lounge.
For $20, spontaneous tasters can sip and swirl their way through current release wines at Dutcher Crossing in Dry Creek Valley.
“Guests can also bring their own picnic and enjoy views of Dry Creek Valley from our dog-friendly back lawn,” said proprietor Debra Mathy.
Winery dog Lady is known to stop by the tasting room to say hello and check if visitors brought extra snacks.
Impromptu tastings also offer a great opportunity to hone in on boutique wineries in more off-the-beaten-path locations. Bannister Wines in Geyserville does double duty as a tasting room and art gallery; newly opened Black Kite Cellars is the only tasting room in Freestone; and while Forestville’s Joseph Jewell Wines might be new to you, two of the label’s wines were poured at a U.S. State Department luncheon in Washington, D.C. last fall. Sonoma County Tourism offers a comprehensive list on its website of wineries and tasting rooms that offer walk-in tastings.
More Than Just Wine
Though vino may be the main draw, there’s more to Sonoma County than just wine. Enjoying the great outdoors is a year-round perk in these parts. From waterfalls to whale sightings, spontaneous hiking opportunities are seemingly endless. Stroll in the shadow of towering redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve; enjoy breezes from the Pacific Ocean while exploring Jenner Headlands Preserve; or picnic amid native and Asian flora at Glen Ellen’s Sonoma Botanical Garden, all without having to plan ahead to secure reservations.
Don’t discount guided tours when considering a last-minute getaway. Family-owned and operated Bike Healdsburg, the first party bike in Sonoma County, welcomes visitors who roll into town at the last minute. Bar crawl tours remain available on the website until the hour before the tour, and right up to the start time if there’s a tour already booked that still has space. The Bike Healdsburg website is the best way to snag a spot. If you don’t see availability online, don’t hesitate to call or text.
“It never hurts to ask,” said co-owner Jessica Pilling. “Because we are a small operation, we have flexibility. We have some groups that want to deviate from our set tour times because of their travel schedules or what not, and we are often able to accommodate them if they call.”
There are countless opportunities to eat well in Wine Country without a dinner reservation. Here’s a list of our favorite local restaurants that we love to revisit, but it just scratches the surface. Bringing your dog along? Spread Kitchen boasts a dog-friendly patio. Want to check out some food trucks? Santa Rosa’s Mitote Food Park serves up tasty Mexican eats. About two miles away, Shokakko offers Asian-inspired street food, and Gabacool Provisions pops up all around with New York-style pizza.
Stay the Night
No hotel wants to leave a room empty. Checking a property’s website or even calling the front desk can help when hunting for the best last-minute room booking. Select hotels even offer perks, like easy access to sought-after Wine Country experiences.
“We’re delighted that in our first couple of years, we’ve already established a great number of winery partners,” said Emily Glick, co-owner and general manager of The Stavrand in Guerneville. “Most notably with Marimar Estate, which provides a complimentary Classic Tasting, small charcuterie plate and preferred availability to all of our guests.”