We have filled our calendar with a years worth of celebrations (Wine Road style).
The Beginning
In 1976 when the Wine Road launched, there were no cell phones with maps and voice guided directions. Wine Road also pre-dates the internet and social media — sources we now rely on for travel and tourism information. The wineries and lodgings in northern Sonoma County needed a way to tell visitors they existed and how to find them on the county’s rural backroads.
Millie Howie, a local writer and publicist, was the mastermind who organized the nine original members into forming the Wine Road. Howie’s first task was creating a map showing members’ locations, phone numbers and a few details. Pre-internet and no with advertising budget, word-of-mouth was the primary method of spreading information about this newly formed group.
The best way to celebrate the Wine Road turning 50 is to visit. Explore and experience the wineries and wines along the Wine Road. Check out for yourself why this is such a special place.
We have planned something for every month of the year, to showcase our members and the beauty that is Sonoma County. We hope you can join us.
JANUARY 17-18
Winter Wineland ❄️
A full weekend to get out and explore some new wineries, check out your favorites and simply get out of the house. The holidays were a blur and ow you can take a breath (fresh vineyard vibes) and spend some time with family and friends, sipping amazing wines.
FEBRUARY 14
Wine Love Wine Trail ❤️
We’re showing off our love of wine and throwing in some Chocolate Kisses and Conversation Hearts for the fun of it.
MARCH 7-8
Barrel Tasting Weekend 🍇 🍷
Until you’ve gotten into the cellar and tasting wine while it’s still aging in the barrel…you haven’t really gone wine tasting! This is our flagship event, now in it’s 48th year! Get into the cellar, meet winemakers, chat with owners and maybe even buy some futures.
APRIL 1-30
Selfie with our Sign 📸
Enter to win a $200 credit for any Wine Road event. You’ll find our 50th sign on display at all of our wineries – just take a selfie with the sign, tag us @thewineroad add #WineRoad50 and you will be entered to win a $200 Wine Road credit! Show us your best side
MAY 16
Wine Trail ☀️
As the weather starts to warm up, wineries will be showcasing their Whites, Rosé and Sparkling wines during our May Wine Trail
JUNE 20th
FREE Wine Tasting 🍷
At nearly 50 wineries for this ONE day…don’t miss out. Register online for $5 per person, then check the winery list and off you go…no reservations needed. Just show your registration at the wineries you visit and skip the tasting fees!
Winery List Here
JULY – 11
Summer Wine Trail 🍔 🥩 🍗
This one day event is the perfect time to stock up on your favorite BBQ wines. The summer is kicking into high gear and you know you need wine -for the boat, the patio, for your friends BBQ, for…SUMMER.
AUGUST 1-30
Wine Road Tasting Pass 🎟️
We’re bringing back our Wine Road Tasting Pass for this one month only. Click on the link to buy your pass on CellarPass, then use it as many times as you want at any of the participating winresi, during the month of August…(fine print – we’re running this through Sept. 19). For just $50 you will have your little magic pass on your phone, just show it at the wineries you visit and this will take care of your tasting fee. One pass needed per person.
SEPTEMBER 12
Harvest Wine Trail 🍇
If you can only visit once a year, harvest along the Wine Road is magical. Our Wine Trail events are $50 for the day, and we have 20 wineries you can visit (at your own pace, as many as you’d like). No reservations or tasting fees – click HERE to the list of wineries, what they’re pouring and to order your ticket(s).
SEPTEMBER 19
This is the biggie – our 50th Anniversary GRAND TASTING. 🥂
Hosted at one of our founding members, Foppiano Vineyards. This event will feature a grand walk-around tasting with 50 wineries pouring (about 150 wineries being featured), amazing food from our local renowned chefs/restaurants, live music…wear dancing shoes, a silent auction benefitting the Redwood Empire Food Bank and The Healdsburg Museum (also celebrating their 50th). We wanted to beat the heat of the day, and catch a glimps of the sun setting, so we’ll be celebrating from 4:00-7:00pm Tickets, the list of wineries and restaurants will be posted on August 1st. Stay tuned
OCTOBER 1-31
Picnic Time 🧀
Wine country is the perfect place to slow down, take in the scenery, reconnect with family and friends…all while sipping on the perfect wine. And to make the day even better, we encourage you to pack a picnic. So many wineries have incredible gardens, vistas and seating areas, just calling your name. Bring your food – of course you need to buy some wine (don’t bring wine from other wineries or home) and bring the people you want to catch up with. Here is a list of wineries with the perfect picnic spot. Note, some do want you to call ahead.
NOVEMBER 7-8
Wine & Food Affair 🍴
Our premier event, now it its’ 28th year. This is a full weekend of wine and food pairings at over 50 wineries. Each winery will have a few wines for you to taste and one will be paired with the perfect tasty bite. All recipes served will also be on our website, so you can recreate your favorite paring once you are back in your home kitchen. Tickets on sale August 27th. Details HERE
DECEMBER 5
Holiday Wine Trail + Market 🌲
20 wineries not only showcasing their favorite wines for you, but also helping with your holiday shopping needs – you will find locally made treasures, enticing foodie gifts and so much more. Wine tasting is great, wine tasting while holiday shopping is even better! Tickets on sales in November. DETAILS
We hope that we have piqued your interest in a little wine country get-away and that you see an event that is calling your name.
Tickets for most events go on sale about 6 weeks prior to the event. We will continue to add links and details to this page as we finalize plans.
50 years is quite an accomplishment and we could not have made it this far without the support of so many visitors from across the country that have supported our events, and visited and bought wine from our winery members and booked rooms with our lodgings. YOU have made 50 years possible. ❤️
Cheers to all of us!
Sincerely,
The Wine Road crew and Board of Directors