Sonoma Sips Is Back With $15 Wine Tasting Specials

Designed to make wine tasting in Sonoma Valley more accessible, Sonoma Sips is back with over 50 wineries pouring the best of the region.


By Maci Martell

Despite its postcard splendor, the best of Wine Country can feel curiously out of reach for the people who call it home.

In the warm, sun-drenched months, tasting rooms swell with visitors and fees climb to the price of a decent bottle. Come winter, however, the tempo slows — and those in the know understand that the quiet season is when the region is most generous.

Now through March 15, Sonoma Sips, an annual promotion organized by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers, offers $15 tastings at more than 50 wineries throughout Sonoma Valley.

How it works

The premise of Sonoma Sips is simple. No tickets are required and most wineries do not require reservations, though calling ahead is encouraged. Upon arrival at a participating tasting room, guests mention Sonoma Sips and a host will outline the featured experience. Whether a curated flight or a wine-and-food pairing, the price is fixed at $15.

A complete and regularly updated list of participating wineries is available at sonomavalley.com/food-wine/wine/sonoma-sips.

Sonoma Sips
Sonoma Sips, which runs from Feb. 15 to March 15, invites visitors to experience world-class wines for just $15 per tasting at over 50 participating wineries. (Sonoma Sips)

Best bets

With over 50 wineries to choose from — a big increase from the 16 that participated last year — choosing one or a handful to visit can be daunting. Here are some top picks to help break the decision lock.

Calling chocoholics and art aficionados

Imagery Estate Winery: The Glen Ellen winery offers a trio of wines paired with chocolate, along with a self-guided tour of its art gallery. $10 for nondrinkers and complimentary for wine club members. No reservations required. 14335 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, 707-935-3000, imagerywinery.com

Imagery Estate Winery in Glen Ellen
Wine tasting at Imagery Estate Winery in Glen Ellen. (Imagery Estate Winery)
Larson Family Winery, in Sonoma Valley, welcomes dogs in their large, green outdoor space as well as inside their tasting room. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Larson Family Winery, in Sonoma Valley, welcomes dogs in their large, green outdoor space as well as inside their tasting room. (Sonoma County Tourism)
For dog lovers

Larson Family Winery: Bring your pup to this family- and dog-friendly Sonoma winery for a tasting of three estate wines: Pinot Grigio, rosé of Pinot Noir and its bestselling “Three Lab Cab” Cabernet Sauvignon. 23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma, 707-938-3031, larsonfamilywinery.com

A free tasting

Meadowcroft Wines: During Sonoma Sips, Meadowcroft offers a complimentary wine tasting flight of three pre-selected wines. That’s right, completely free. Guests who want to explore more of the winery’s offerings can upgrade to a $25 tasting for a full flight of wines of their choice. 23574 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-934-4090, meadowcroftwines.com

Meadowcroft Wines tasting room
Wine is poured for a wine-blending session at the Meadowcroft Wines tasting room at Cornerstone on Arnold Drive in Sonoma on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (Robbi Pengelly / Index-Tribune)
Cline Family Cellars wine tasting
Guests customize their Cline Family Cellars cabana retreat with bottle service and an array of nibbles. (Cline Family Cellars)
Small and casual

Cline Family Cellars: Taste four classic varietals from different Sonoma County regions in a standing tasting. A two-bottle purchase waives the $15 tasting fee. Best for individuals and small groups of up to four people. Reservations and walk-ins welcome. 24737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-940-4044, clinecellars.com

Right on the Plaza

Corner 103: Guests can choose five award-winning, limited-production estate wines to taste at this Sonoma Plaza tasting room. 103 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-931-6141, corner103.com

Corner 103 owner Lloyd Davis, right, talks to tasting room visitors Debra Cuthbert, Frank Cuthbert, Joe Fahs, and Jamila Fahs, in Sonoma on Friday, December 15, 2017. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Corner 103 owner Lloyd Davis, right, talks to tasting room visitors Debra Cuthbert, Frank Cuthbert, Joe Fahs, and Jamila Fahs in Sonoma on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Outdoor wine tasting at B.R. Cohn Winery
Outdoor wine tasting at B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Co. in Glen Ellen. The winery is offering a $15 taste of three wines during Sonoma Sips as well as complimentary tastings for locals on select weekends. (B.R. Cohn Winery)
For music buffs and locals

B.R. Cohn Winery: Stroll the beautiful property and learn about the winery’s musical heritage while sipping on three estate wines. (Fun fact: B.R. Cohn Winery was founded in 1984 by Bruce Cohn, former manager of The Doobie Brothers.) On select weekends during Sonoma Sips, the winery offers a “Local Love Tasting” featuring two complimentary tastings for Sonoma and Napa residents (ID required to prove local residency). Learn more and reserve on Tock. 15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, 707-938-4064, brcohn.com

Dane Cellars wine tasting room
Bart Hansen, winemaker/owner of Dane Cellars, has opened his tasting room in an over 100-year-old, 14,000-gallon redwood wine tank in the Jack London Village, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
A history lesson in a wine barrel

Dane Cellars: Taste wines in a more than 100-year-old, 14,000-gallon redwood wine tank while learning the history of California’s wine industry with winemaker and self-proclaimed cellar rat Bart Hansen. 14300 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-529-5856, danecellars.com

Drink in the views

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards: Guided by the estate’s wine educators, taste five pre-selected wines against a backdrop of mountain vistas and sweeping vineyard views. 100 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa, 707-833-0242, stfranciswinery.com

St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Santa Rosa, California
At St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, taste estate wines with a backdrop of mountain vistas and sweeping vineyard views. (St. Francis Winery & Vineyards)
Pomme Cider Shop on Broadway in Sonoma serves a wide range of flavors and styles of cider from all over the world. (Aimee Chavez/Aimee's Gallery)
Pomme Cider Shop on Broadway in Sonoma serves a wide range of flavors and styles of cider from all over the world. (Aimee Chavez / Aimee’s Gallery)
‘I prefer cider’

Pomme: Visit the county’s only cider bar and bottle shop for a tasting of three ciders from small-batch producers. Plus, souped-up hot dogs and a large selection of tinned fish are available. 531 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-343-7155, pommecidershop.com

Bonus perk for eco-friendly commuters

Sonoma Adventures: The bicycle rental and tour service offers 20% off rentals and tours during Sonoma Sips. A local tour guide leads winery tours that include lunch. Use the code “Sonomasips” at checkout online or mention Sonoma Sips when reserving by phone. 1254 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-2080, sonoma-adventures.com