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Korbel Champagne Cellars (free): Reservations are a must to taste at Korbel, which has produced “California Champagne” since 1882. The Marketplace tasting of three wines is free; $15 buys the three-wine Premium tasting that includes Korbel's limited-production California champagnes and sparkling wines. For those frothing for fizz, the All Bubbles tasting of five wines ($20) is a good deal. Reservations required. 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7319, korbel.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Alexander Valley Vineyards (free): This east-of-Healdsburg winery offers a tremendous tasting bang for the buck, or less. The Estate Tasting is free. Tours of the 25,000-square-foot underground cave are free. A sampling of reserve-tier wines is just $20. A pairing of four local artisan cheeses with four of their favorite wines is $35. Even the splurge experience here is a very fair $60 and includes a guided hike through the vineyards, wine and a boxed lunch. 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-7209, avvwine.com (Alexander Valley Vineyards)
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Frick Winery (free): Frick Winery’s tiny tasting room is an intimate gem among its grander neighbors, with just enough space for four guests at a time. Winemaker and proprietor Bill Frick has been making Rhone varietal wines since 1976. Today, he continues that legacy as a one-man show, acting as winemaker, vineyard manager, harvester, barrel washer and tasting room host all rolled into one. Tastings are free. Reservations required. 23072 Walling Road, Geyserville, 707-484-3950, frickwinestore.com (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
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Frick Winery in Geyserville. (Melissa H./Yelp)
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Locals Tasting Room (free): Locals Tasting Room serves wine from 10 boutique wineries. The complimentary tasting flight includes small bites, and you'll often find winemakers pouring their own wines behind the bar. Don't miss the excellent pizza, salumi and Italian dishes at nearby Diavola and Catelli's restaurants. 21060 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0713, localstastingroom.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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David Coffaro Winery ($10): David Coffaro has been making wines in the Dry Creek Valley since 1979. His 20-acre vineyard is primarily planted with zinfandel, carignan, petite sirah and pinot. But recently, he has also experimented with lesser-known varieties, including lagrein, souzao and aglianico. Tasting is $10, which may be waived with a purchase. (Tasting is complimentary for club members and up to four of their guests.) Reservations recommended. 7485 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville, 707-433-9715, david-coffaro-winery.myshopify.com (David Coffaro Winery)
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Tastings are free at David Coffaro Winery in Dry Creek Valley. (David Coffaro Winery)
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The tasting room at David Coffaro Winery. (David Coffaro Winery)
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Sonoma Portworks ($15): Port-style fortified wines are the specialty at Bill and Caryn Reading’s Sonoma Portworks, along with liqueurs, brandies and sherries, including the popular hazelnut-infused DUET. For just $15, guests can step into the cozy-industrial tasting room inside Petaluma’s Foundry Wharf to taste four California ports and two distilled spirits. The tasting finishes with a sampling of Sonomic vinegars. 613 Second St., Petaluma, 707-769-5203, portworks.com (Jason F./Yelp)
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Balletto Vineyards ($20): Balletto's Estate Tasting is a fine value at $20. So is the $25 Reserve Tasting of five wines, including block and vineyard designates. The winery, founded by John and Teresa Balletto, produces sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, gewürztraminer, rosé, chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wine. Reservations required. 5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, 707-568-2455, ballettovineyards.com (Balletto Vineyards)
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Belden Barns ($20): Nate and Lauren Belden's winery produces a variety of estate wines, including pinot noir, syrah, grenache, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and viognier. The 55-acre property is kid-friendly, with special backpacks full of useful tools to help them explore the fauna and the flora on the site. Tastings of six wines are $20. Fee is waived with the purchase of two bottles. By appointment only. 5561 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, 415-577-8552, beldenbarns.com. (Adam Decker)
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Kivelstadt Cellars/Bloom Carneros ($20): This hidden gem in Sonoma boasts a sprawling wine garden, restaurant and showcase for its namesake winery. It's a family-friendly place, where kids can roam, dogs have their own menu and there’s a tasting lounge for lip-smacking sippers like the KC Labs Syrah and Mother of Invention White Rhône Blend. The side-by-side tasting is $20 and compares two styles of the same grape variety, currently rousanne, carignane, charbono and syrah. 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-7001, kivelstadtcellars.com
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The Meeker Vineyard ($20): Winemaker Lucas Meeker produces a wide range of wines — something for everyone — with rosés, grenache, merlot and “pet nat” sparklers among the stars. As many as eight wines are poured in a $20 tasting, with the fee waived when you buy one bottle. 5 Fitch St., Unit B, Healdsburg, 707-431-2148, meekerwine.com
