Wine Tasting with Groups

Wine tasting with a group of friends or family members is a wonderful way to enjoy each other’s company. You’re in beautiful surroundings with a relaxed friendly environment, sounds perfect. But, there’s one challenge. Most wineries require advanced reservations for groups of six or more. That can put a damper on your day of fun, but it doesn’t have to.

With a little research, I discovered several wineries along the Wine Road that either don’t require reservations for reasonably sized groups, or take same-day reservations. The next time you’re out with a group, here are some choices for spontaneous wine tasting.

Drop-in Groups Welcome

There are several wineries that allow drop-in groups, and the group size varies from 6 to 12. With groups larger than 10, your options become limited. This is where planning ahead and making reservations in advance is more practical. With the wineries listed below, remember they will do their best to accommodate a walk-in group. However, on a weekend or holiday, you might have to wait for them to fit you in.

Many winery tasting rooms are not open mid-week, or their hours of operation may have changed since your last visit. Be sure to check the winery’s website, or the Wine Road site, to ensure the winery you want to visit is open on the day of your visit.

Groups of Six to Nine

Although they prefer you make a reservation, if space is available on their patio, Papapietro Perry Winery welcomes groups up to six people to stop in. And, well-behaved dogs are always welcome, too.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Merriam Vineyards both welcome group of eight or less without reservations. Without a group reservation, your flight choice is limited, but they are happy to have you stop by and taste some wine.

Carol Shelton Wines takes same day reservations and welcomes groups up to eight people to drop in. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Their tasting room is small, so if you do stop in, keep in mind you may have to wait a bit before they can accommodate you, but they’ll make it worth the wait.

The Pedroncelli Winery staff will do their best to accommodate groups up to 10 people without reservations, if space is available. Their newly renovated outdoor space offers a relaxing spot to sip while you gaze at the surrounding vineyards and chat with your group. Purchase a bottle or two of wine and enjoy a picnic after your tasting, if you remembered to pack one.

Groups of 10 to 12

Starlite Vineyards can accommodate drop-in groups up to 10 people. If your group is larger, they ask for at least a three-hour notice.

Trentadue Winery welcomes groups of 10 or less to stop in and they’ll do their best to accommodate you. They have a large outdoor space with vine-covered arbors, shaded gardens, redwoods and expansive lawns, perfect to host a larger group of eager wine tasters.

Both Raymond Burr Vineyards and Soda Rock allow groups of 10 or less to drop in, and they also will take same day reservations. If you want to bring a picnic with you, no problem. Picnickers are welcome, especially when you pair your meal with some of their wines.

Groups of More than 10

If your group has more than 10 people, the walk-in options are limited, but there are still a few wineries who can accommodate you. Ideally, you’d call first to ensure there is room for your group.

Mengler Family Wines can handle a group of up to 12 people as long as it’s not on Friday or Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30. That’s when they offer complimentary live music.

D’Argenzio Winery welcomes groups of 12 or even more, but they ask that you give them a 15-minute notice to set up the tasting. There is also an adjacent restaurant connected to the tasting room, so you can enjoy wine tasting with a meal or some snacks.

West Wines can accommodate walk-in groups up to 15 people. Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome, too. If your group is bigger than 15 people, both D’Argenzio Winery and West Wines might be able to accommodate you, but they’d need a call in advance to make sure they have the space available.

Same Day Reservations

Another option for groups is to make same day reservations, which need to be done via a phone call to the winery. Most of the online reservations systems will not take same day group reservations.

Mounts Family Winery will take same day reservations for up to six people. If your group is between seven and 12 people, please call the winery. Owner Lana Mounts says she may be able to accommodate your group depending upon the day and what other reservations are already booked.

deLorimier Winery may be able to take a walk-in group up to 12 people, but they prefer a phone call to make sure. They offer another attractive option for groups. They recommend buying a bottle or two of their wine for your group to enjoy on their patio. They’ll provide the glasses and a lovely setting for your group to enjoy your day.

Groups and Small Wineries

Everyone loves the intimacy of tasting at a small winery. But smaller wineries often have limited space so a group of more than six people can overrun their tasting area. If the weather is pleasant, some of these smaller wineries accommodate larger groups outside, but need time to set up the tables and make sure they have enough staff, chairs, and stemware available. Most urban wineries have limited indoor and outdoor space for tasting. If you have your heart set on tasting at one of the many small wineries along the Wine Road, you might have to come when your group is six or less people.

Time for a Group Adventure

Next time you’ve gathered with friends or family and want to go wine tasting, do it! There are wineries waiting to welcome you in.

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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