Reservations Worth Making

Favorite Activities Worth Reserving

While it’s possible to visit the Wine Country without making reservations, you may miss out on special winery tours, fabulous restaurants, or activities that can only be accessed by calling ahead or reserving online. For one-stop shopping make your reservations online at www.winecountryguide.com. Below are some of our favorite places that either require a reservation or can be difficult to visit without one:

1. Sterling’s Exclusive Reserve Tasting Tour
Sterling’s Reserve Tour combines the best offerings from the winery in a single package. The tour starts with a beautiful tram ride up to the hospitality center where participants are treated to a private tour of the facility. The tour culminates with a guided tasting of a three-vintage vertical series of Sterling’s Cabernet Sauvignon. Tours start at 11:00 am and are limited to 12 people. Phone: 707-942-3349 or click here...

2. Patio Dining at BRIX Restaurant
Dining at BRIX near Yountville in Napa is wonderful for any time of the year but when the weather warms it's time to head for the patio. Dinina al fresco at BRIX meal offers a stunning view of the restaurant’s grounds including olive groves, sweeping vineyards and gardens. Patrons watch as the culinary team prepares your order using produce harvested from the on-site garden. With a wine list that annually earns “The Best of Excellence Award” from the Wine Spectator, BRIX is a don’t miss destination. Phone: 707-944-2779 or click here...

 3 Merryvale’s Wine and Food Pairing Seminars
If you’re daunted by the idea of pairing the right wine with your menu then make plans to attend one of Merryvale’s food pairing seminars in St. Helena. Conducted by Sandra Barros, Merryvale’s Hospitality Coordinator, visitors are first treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery. Next Merryvale wines and small samples of selected foods are paired together as participants are exposed to simple guidelines for enjoying food & wine pairing. Seminars are held on the fourth weekend of every month from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. Cost is $15 per person. Phone: 707-963-2225 or click here...

4 Benziger’s Sonoma Mountain Tour
Benziger Winery near Glen Ellen is famous for their commitment to biodynamic farming methods so it is no surprise that they offer a tour that begins in the vineyard. Several times a day they fire up the Massey 375 tractor and pull a tram of visitors through their  Sonoma estate vineyards, gardens and wildlife sanctuaries for a 45-minute adventure in wine growing. Along the way, visitors are able to take a closer look at the vines, learn more about site-specific farming practices and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. The Sonoma Mountain winery tour includes a visit to Benziger’s underground estate caves and ends with a tasting of wines back at the tasting room. Tram tours are offered daily. Tickets are $10 and seating is limited. Phone: 888-490-2739 or click here...

5 Touring Moshin’s Innovative Gravity Flow Winery
In the heart of the Russian River Valley, at the new family owned and operated Moshin winery, Pinot Noir moves through an ingenious four-tier, gravity-flow system from crush pad, to barrel, to bottle without the use of pumps that can bruise this delicate wine. Following several years of making wines with Gary Farrell and Davis Bynum, Rick Moshin has his own winery and spares no effort to move world-class wines from grape to glass as gently as possible. The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm but tours of the new facility are available only by appointment so be sure and call ahead. Phone: 707-433-5499 or click here...

6 Mayo’s Reserve Wine and Chef Prepared Food Pairing
Food and wine pairing are becoming very popular in The Wine Country and why not? Pairings can highlight the characteristics of  a wine in ways that wine tastings alone cannot approach. Located in the heart of Sonoma Valley Mayo offers seasonal pairings to compliment the Reserve wines from Mayo Family Winery. This is a great way to sample the best wines from Mayo and also enjoy the flavors of Sonoma County. While reservations are not required, it is always a good idea to call ahead to participate in this wine and food adventure. The pairings consist of 7 courses and the cost is $25 per person. Phone: 707-833-5504 or click here...