California’s wine country is world famous for its beauty and of course its products, but the lifestyle amenities are what make this region a world-class destination for any avid traveler.
Whether you’re looking to relax amid the mountains with one of our vineyard’s well-rounded wellness programs, see the sights on a wine country hike, explore architectural wonders, do a bit of good with your visit, or simply kick back and enjoy a tasting knowing you’re taking part in a sustainable initiative, the wineries on our list below offer much more than just divine vines.
See also: Spice Up Any Meal With These 18 California Wine And Food Pairings
Enjoy this quick guide to some of our favorite wineries and their extracurricular attractions, culled from the monthly wine columns of San Francisco magazine. Be sure to check the full lists in our digital editions. Our editors are always uncovering the next best thing!
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8400 Graton Rd, Sebastopol; 707-829-8500 / Website
Jenny Harrow-Keeler, a certified nature therapy guide and Sonoma County wine professional, guides Red Car Winery guests in a meditative practice, opening senses to the forest and vineyard that surrounds them. From there, guests are led on a gentle hike to a hilltop and taste single-vineyard pinot noir and chardonnay—from grapes grown on those very vines.
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7394 Starr Rd, Windsor; 707-857-5700 / Website
Bricloeur’s wellness programs are the epitome of balance, as it has cultivated these experiences to be harmonious with the winery’s core values on the gorgeous 40-acre estate. The team offers yoga, sound healing, meditation and aromatherapy, utilizing estate flowers and herbs, plus a range of shifting seasons opportunities. Bonus: Insiders know the staff will personalize wine-tasting and wellness experiences.
Read more about our favorite wellness-oriented vineyards in our full wine column from the May 2023 digital edition.
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9711 W Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg; 707-473-9171 / Website
Hike Lily Hill with Karen Austin, who’s a registered dietician, nutritionist, certified health coach and behavior change specialist. Taste and cool down in the vineyard caves afterward.
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9825 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood; 707-833-5501 / Website
Kunde’s fifth-generation team of winegrowers lead fun and educational hikes around the 1,850-acre estate. Insider tip: Some of the hikes are catered to dogs and the people they happen to hang out with.
Read more about our favorite winery hikes in the May 2023 digital edition.
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15 Chateau Ln, Napa; 707-337-5943 / Website
This Napa Valley winery is built entirely into a Coombsville hillside cave. This hidden gem is lauded for its wines and the winery design. “I helped design the space, so I’m not impartial,” says designer and artist Richard Von Saal of Vonsaal Design and Build, who helped us with a list of standout architecture gems in California wine country. “Everything flows into the natural surroundings. From the rusted gate to the enormous doors and cave design, it’s very welcoming. Hats off to Juan Carlos of Signum Architecture for this incredibly clandestine, natural and modern concept.”
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401 St Helena Hwy South, St Helena; 707-967-2626 / Website
This winery is loved by visitors and locals for its events, exceptional wines and impressive grounds. Von Saal says he chose this winery because of its art (one can’t miss the bunny sculpture), along with the art of interior design and architecture. “Nicole Hollis’ use of reflection and reds and drops of wine in the fermentation room is impressive,” he says. “When you visit this winery, it’s like you’re immersed in the space instead of just passing through it—the whole place has a rhythmic groove.”
Read about the rest of Von Saal’s design-centric picks in our March 2023 digital edition.
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11455 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg; 707-431-1533 / Website
This family-owned winery has been committed to the community since 1959 and has a long history of philanthropic involvement with local schools and many charitable organizations. Rodney Strong supports the World Central Kitchen, Meals on Wheels Sonoma County and Sonoma County Grape Growers’ Farmworker Resiliency Fund, which supports agriculture workers and their families who were displaced from their homes and lost wages as a result of the Northern California wildfires. In 2021, Rodney Strong Vineyards was presented with the Nick Frey Community Contribution Award to recognize the company’s ongoing support of local agriculture, farm workers and the Sonoma County grape-growing community.
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8301 St Helena Hwy, Napa; 707-635-2680 / Website
A new winery to Napa, One Hope opened its doors in 2021 with philanthropy as one of its primary objectives. Every bottle of One Hope supports the meaningful cause, with more than $8 million donated t date. From building three schools in the developing world to planting a forest in Indonesia, One Hope is making a difference with every bottle it sells. Try the benchmark wine-and-bites experience from grape to glass with a behind-the-scenes tour of the production space, followed by a seated food and wine pairing.
Make even more space for good deeds at one of the other philanthropic vineyards on our full list in the November 2022 digital edition.
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1620 S Whitehall Ln, St Helena; 707-967-8027 / Website
A local favorite and hidden gem, Tres Sabores is nestled into the base of the Mayacama Mountains in St. Helena; it’s as welcoming as any winery in Napa Valley. The wines are world class, and guests may sip in a cool cave, at a picnic table amid the vines, under massive oak trees or in a comfortable tasting cottage. Visits are by appointment only; be sure to book in advance.
Tres Sabores is the oldest certified organic vineyard in the region; it’s carbon negative and committed to improving the vineyard’s soils and habitat while preserving resources. The winery’s beloved founder and environmental leader, Julie Johnson, puts it simply: "We pay attention, and we cherish our space. The best fertilizer is the footstep of the grower.”
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1902 Madrona Ave, St Helena; 707-963-0134 / Website
This family winery offers a very personal, grounded tasting experience; guests visit the organic vineyard and tour the historic estate property, which includes elegant gardens and Victorian buildings. The vineyard team hosts a limited number of guests, so make sure to book well in advance.
The 42-acre Spottswoode Estate Vineyard has been farmed organically since 1985. The vineyard holds organic, biodynamic and Napa Green Land certifications, and Spottswoode was the first Napa Valley winery to earn Certified B Corporation status. Spottswoode is a member of the International Wineries for Climate Action and a signatory of the Porto Protocol and a Carbonfund.org partner. The winery is solar-powered, and the team measures greenhouse gas emissions annually and participates in Marin Clean Energy's Deep Green program. Over the past 15 years, Spottswoode has donated more than $1.24 million to an array of impactful environmental groups.
Read more about the sustainable wineries we love to visit in the September 2022 digital edition.
Interested in more wine country news? Meet the next generation of wine country superstars, or find the perfect pairing for your next big dinner party from our list of favored California reds and whites.
Photography by: franckreporter / Getty
