Barrel Weekend: A Wine Tasting Tradition

The Wine Road’s Barrel Weekend is a tradition that wine lover’s look forward to every March. 2026 is Wine Road’s 50^th anniversary and their 48^th Barrel Tasting Weekend on March 7 -8. With decades of practice, the wineries have this weekend-long event dialed in. If you enjoy wine and love to taste new wines still aging in the barrel (also called wine futures), current release wines, or older vintage (aka library wines), then read more to learn about this must-attend annual event.

Special Barrel Weekend Ticket Price

In honor of its 50^th anniversary, the Wine Road is offering retro pricing on Barrel Weekend tickets — only $50 per person for the weekend. Enjoy sipping at your choice of over 40 wineries for one low price. Wine Road Insider members get 20% off two tickets—an even better deal.

Plus, almost 30 wineries will honor your ticket on Friday. Be sure to check out the Wine Road’s website for details and a list of the wineries participating on Friday. Look for the heading: BONUS day of tasting on Friday March 6^th.

Barrel Weekend Lodging Specials

Take the guesswork out of where to stay, as the Wine Road has teamed up with five excellent local lodgings to offer package deals. Each lodging package includes two Barrel Weekend tickets and a two-night stay (Friday and Saturday), plus other amenities. These lodgings are centrally located to help you launch out on your tasting adventures and have delicious dining options nearby.

The lodging special can be selected through the Wine Road ticketing process via CellarPass. There are a limited number of rooms available, so don’t wait to book your lodging and get your tickets! For a list of the lodging packages, visit the Barrel Tasting Weekend Info page and look for the heading Make Your Wine Country Weekend Unforgettable.

Add-on Options

Whether you spend Friday tasting wines, or arrive later in the day, there are some fun Friday evening options you can tack on to your weekend adventures. The full list with details is also available on the Barrel Tasting Weekend Info page.

Limerick Lane Cellars is kicking off Barrel Weekend by sharing library wines with visitors from 4 – 6 p.m. on Friday. This gives you a chance to taste and purchase past vintages, which will be offered at special pricing. Return the next day and sample their three future offerings. There is no cost to attend, but you do need to RSVP.

On Friday, Pedroncelli Winery is offering a deep dive into what oak means in their winemaking practice. You’ll smell, taste and learn how the choice of oak barrels influences the outcome of a wine. A great way to start off the weekend and get your palate ready for Barrel Weekend. This event is from 4 – 5:30 and there is no extra charge, simply show your Barrel Weekend ticket (printed or on your phone).

If you’re looking for wine and food on Friday night, D’Argenzio Winery is offering an evening of wine tasting and live music. Taste their Italian varietal wines and order appetizers, entrees, salads, and desserts. They have music by acoustic guitarist YngSolomon and food options by Cibo Rustico Pizzeria. Reservations are requested, so be sure to check the link on the Barrel Tasting Weekend info page.

Breakfast at the Winery

On Saturday, March 7^th, Coyote Sonoma, in Healdsburg, is offering ticket holders a sausage and pancake breakfast with mimosas on the side! The cost is $25 per person.

If you select Coyote Sonoma as your check-in location, after breakfast you can pick up your glasses, wristbands and start tasting without getting back in your car.

Taste The Future

There are so many reasons Barrel Weekend is special, but my favorite is sampling wine directly from the cellar. At several wineries, you’ll actually taste in the cellar, and the wine you’ll be trying will be drawn out of a barrel by using a wine thief. Yes, that’s what the long glass tube that looks a little like a turkey baster is called.

The person drawing out or thieving the barrel sample might be the winemaker, the owner or someone who works in the wine cellar. Their presence gives you the perfect opportunity to ask questions about their wine, winemaking, winemaking philosophy, and more. Or, you can just sip the wine and enjoy the experience.

Taste the Present and the Past

If tasting wine futures isn’t your favorite, no worries. Wineries will also be pouring a few of their current release wines and some will also be taking a deep dive into their cellars and pulling out some beautifully aged older vintage wines.

A Balanced Approach

As you taste your way through each day, keep in mind that the more water you drink, the more you’ll enjoy the wine. Staying hydrated helps cleanse your palate in between wines or wineries, and it also help you stay the course. It’s a long day of tasting so be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks and a picnic lunch. Barrel Weekend is not a food event, so don’t forget you’re on your own to provide your nourishment to stave off hunger.

Tasting Opportunities on Barrel Weekend

Every winery has gems to savor and there is something for every palate. Here is a smattering of highlights from the upcoming Barrel Weekend.

Amphora Winery is tasting and selling Wine Futures of GSM (a Rhône blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre), Petite Sirah and Sangiovese.

Carol Shelton Wines is offering past, present and future tastings, including two barrel samples from the renowned Florence Vineyard in the Rockpile appellation and three other barrel samples. Shelton Wines will also have magnums (1.5L bottles) for sale, and owner/winemaker Carol Shelton will be on hand to sign the bottles.

At De La Montanya Winery, try Futures of Primitivo, Tempranillo and Zinfandel, and if you enjoy them, you can purchase them that day for pick-up or delivery in the future.

Looking for a little bubbly? Harvest Moon Estate & Winery will be pouring their Sparkling Pinot Noir, plus a late harvest Zinfandel and three futures — Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Zinfandel. Williamson Wines will pour their Sparkling Shiraz along with an old vine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon at their Yoakim Bridge location.

If you want to take a deep dive on Italian varietals, be sure to check out Colagrossi Wines, Orsi Family Vineyards and Sunce Winery & Vineyards.

Some wineries are pouring three vintages of the same wine. Peterson Winery is offering their Tradizionale Old Vine Zinfandel—2012 (past), 2020 (present) and 2022 (future). This lets you taste how the wine will age and what it tastes like during the different stages of aging.

Peterson will also be pouring their 3V — a blend of Vermentino, Verdelho and Vernaccia — and a Cabernet Sauvignon Port.

Looking for Just Zinfandels or Pinot Noir or Cabernet?

There are plenty of wineries focused just on one or two varietals, so be sure to scope out the Barrel Weekend program and find the right fit for your palate’s pleasures.

There are also participating wineries who produce and pour a variety of wine so everyone in your group will find something to love. Again, the Barrel Weekend program is the perfect guide to help you navigate your way through a nirvana of wine tasting.

Don’t Miss Barrel Weekend

This is the perfect event to pick your path and meander along the Wine Road. You’ll have three days to soak up the flavors and fill up with fun. Now, get your tickets, and maybe your lodging, too! And, don’t forget to book a winery event on Friday night or breakfast on Saturday.

Happy Sipping!

Posted by Rebecca Germolus

Rebecca Germolus, co-owner of Maximum Value Marketing, loves Sonoma County and playing along the Wine Road. Rebecca daily immerses herself in wine country by providing cost-effective marketing and writing solutions to wineries and restaurants.

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