Tasting wine in Sonoma Valley is as educational as it is pleasurable, inviting you to pause, use all of your senses, and awaken to the mysteries in each glass. Tasting fees generally range from $20 per person to $100, with variations depending on the winery and their offerings. While the fees may seem more expensive than buying a glass of wine, the education and warm hospitality that comes with it pays for itself. This said, if you are a budget-savvy traveler, there are a lot of great ways to get the most value for the offer.

When making reservations for your tasting, be sure to ask about their policies to ensure you get the most value for your time there. If you are eager to learn more about Sonoma Valley wine, check out our Guide to Sonoma Valley Wine to prepare you for your visit.
 

BUY THE SONOMA VALLEY TASTING PASS

The Sonoma Valley Tasting Pass is a great way to get the most value from your tastings. Inclusive of a wide variety of family-owned wineries and vineyards, they allow you to taste up at up to three locations with 25% off the regular tasting price. Delivered instantly to your phone or by text, it makes redeeming your tastings super easy! And, having the focused time to taste within 24 hours is a great way to get serious about your wine education in a short amount of time. Click here to learn more about the program.
 

LIKE WHAT YOU TASTED? BUY 2-3 BOTTLES AND WAIVE YOUR FEE

Most wineries will waive your tasting fee completely if you buy between 2-3 bottles per person. Wineries like Fulcrum, for example, will refund your $40 tasting fee with the purchase of two bottles or a wine club membership sign-up, whereas wineries like Meadowcroft offer free tastings all day and only $25 if you want to choose which wines you try. If you want to organize a group, wineries like Sangiacomo Wines will waive one tasting fee for every three-bottle purchase for groups of eight or less. This is an incredible offer on the part of the wineries, and a great way gesture of mutual appreciation.
 

JOIN A WINE CLUB

Joining a wine club is a great way to take the experience of Sonoma Valley home with you to enjoy all year long—and at a great price, often 20%-30% off the retail price! Commitments and pricing tiers vary per winery, with anywhere from 6 to 24-bottle commitments, generally shipped two to four times a year. In addition to offering you a free tasting while you are here, wine club members enjoy a host of benefits, which range from place to place. Some wineries like Cochon Tasting Bar host annual pick-up parties for members, often with free tastings and light bites to enjoy. Others give you exclusive notice on new releases before they are offered to the general public. And better yet, others like Pangloss Cellars allow you to bring up to two guests to taste free of charge!
 

GET ON THE MAILING LIST

Being a part of a winery’s mailing list is a smart way to shop their wines. Wineries like Buena Vista and Benziger Family Winery offer shipping discounts or other specials during the holiday season to make gifting more attractive. Other wineries, like Bedrock Wine Co., who do not have wine clubs, offer allocations instead, so reading your email can be the only opportunity to jump on more exclusive labels that aren’t in distribution. It’s the perfect way to stay connected with wineries you really love.
 

GET TO KNOW THE DTC MANAGER

Visiting wineries is a chance to build relationships with the hosts and salespeople who help you. In addition to wine club managers, many wineries have a designated DTC (direct-to-consumer) manager, who maintains relationships with regular buyers and contacts them directly by their preferred methods (text, phone, or emails) when special offers, new releases, and rare library wines are available. Cultivating relationships with these folks is like having a personal shopper and is one of the smartest ways to build a connection with your wineries of choice, keeping you connected to Sonoma Valley for years to come.

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When visiting a winery, be sure to show your appreciation for the time spent. Unlike bars and restaurants, winery hosts see fewer guests each day so they have more to give to each individual guest. As such, tips are greatly appreciated—generally $5-$10 per person, particularly if you do not intend to buy. Even if you do, it’s a kind gesture when you take into account the special time, attention, and education they offer each guest.