Happy Hour and More

Happy hour conjures up thoughts of relaxing with friends after work while sipping your favorite beverage. This time-honored tradition usually means gathering at a bar, restaurant lounge, or on a neighbor’s deck, but do you know you have other options along the Wine Road?

Wine Road wineries have been hosting happy hour for a while now, and it’s time to explore these offerings.

Happy Hour and Sunset Sips

Benovia Winery offers two slightly different opportunities to sip their wines and enjoy panoramic views of the Russian River Valley. Happy Hour at Benovia is one Thursday a month, through October from 4:30 to 7. The upcoming Thursday happy hour dates are August 28, September 25 and October 23. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. There is no charge (just enjoy the view), and wines are available by the glass and bottle.

Benovia’s Sunset Sips lets you sip wine while overlooking their vineyards and watching the sun slowly set. The winery also provides live music, wines by the glass or bottle and food is available for purchase. The cost is $15 per person, and advanced reservations are required. The next Sunset Sips happens on Friday, August 15^th from 5 – 7:30.

a table on a deck overlooking vineyards that is set with partially filled wine glasses, bottles of wine, and a pitcher of water — Happy Hour at Benovia Winery

Happy Hour Options in Windsor

If you’re looking for a convenient gathering spot, there are three options in and near the town of Windsor.

Baldassari Wines is open until 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday, until 9 p.m. on Friday, and 7 p.m. on Saturday. They offer a four-wine or six-wine flight, and on Thursdays and Fridays the four-wine flight is free!

Just about a block away from Baldassari, Oak Tree Winery hosts an official happy hour from 3 – 6 p.m. on Thursdays, and from 3 – 8 p.m. on Fridays with $2 off glasses of wine and 10% off bottles. On Saturday, they offer complimentary live music from 4 – 7 p.m., plus 10% off wine bottles purchases during the show. No reservations needed, and outside food is welcome. They also have a variety of board, card and dice games to play while you sip.

Colagrossi Wines, along with their neighbors, host happy hours from 4 – 7 p.m. every third Friday during the summer months, with the next two happening on August 15^th and September 19^th. Wine is available by the glass or the bottle, there is music outside, air conditioning inside, multiple food vendors, and picnics are welcome.

Seven people seated at a high table with wine glasses, wine bottles, a charcuterie plate. In the back ground are stacked wine barrels. — Happy Hour at Colagrossi Winery

TGIF @ Twomey

Twomey offers a happy hour experience from 3 – 6 p.m. the third Friday of the month through November. Reservations are recommended for this $40 wind-down wine tasting, but walk-ins are also welcome.

Outside a building people are gathered at umbrella-shaded tables to listen to music and sip wine. — Enjoy the beautiful outdoor space at Twomey in the Russian River Valley.

Saini Summer Happy Hour Series

Although summer is zooming by, mark your calendars for Thursday, August 28^th from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. for the final Saini Vineyards happy hour. Enjoy live music, hot food from a local food truck, cornhole and wines by the glass or bottle. No reservation needed, and there is no cover charge, just a great time!

outdoor party setting with tables, chairs, umbrellas, man playing a guitar and a food truck in the background — Happy Hour at Saini Vineyards

Need More Happy Hour Options?

Arriving from out of town and want to dive right into wine country beauty and tasting wine? Or, you want a happy hour spot close to your lodging? There are several options along the Wine Road. To find the right after-hours winery for you, visit the Wine Road After Hours page. There is even a Monday night happy hour option.

And More: Sip into the Weekend

When you read about Baldassari offering complimentary four-wine flights on Thursday and Friday, did you pause and wonder, “What’s up with that?”

The Wine Road has compiled a new list called Sip into the Weekend. It lists wineries who on Thursday and Friday are offering complimentary tastings, 2 for 1 tastings, or a complimentary cave tour. This list also showcases numerous lodging specials, and local restaurants that are offering something special for Thursday night diners.

three people sitting on a deck with wine bottles and glasses on the deck railing. A woman and two young children play corn hole out on a lawn , with a dog at the woman's feet. In the background are green, lush grapevines. — Enjoy complimentary wine tasting on Thursdays and Fridays at Foppiano Winery.

If you’re planning a staycation or a weekend getaway, consider shifting your schedule to arrive before the weekend so you can take advantage of these savings. There are almost 40 wineries on the complimentary tasting list, so you have plenty of terrific options if you’re looking for a no tasting fee day or two. There are twelve lodgings offering specials as well.

Please note: some wineries offering complimentary tasting also require advance reservations, so be sure to check out the details on the Sip into the Weekend web page.

What are you waiting for? Start planning a wine country getaway, or jump in the car on a Thursday or Friday soon and savor wine tasting along the Wine Road!

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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