Rain Plan: Cozy Tasting Stops Near Santa Rosa

Little Vineyards Family Winery pours its estate-grown reds Friday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 4:30 pm, at 15188 Sonoma Highway in Glen Ellen. When rain settles over Sonoma Valley, the best tasting plan slows down. You pick a few stops, call ahead, and let the afternoon unfold.

This guide covers wineries near Santa Rosa that suit a wet-weather afternoon. We start with our own tasting room, then share three more stops. Details come from each winery’s own pages and local coverage. Confirm hours and seating before you go, because conditions can change.

What Are the Best Wineries Near Santa Rosa for a Rainy Day?

Four tasting rooms make a strong rainy-day route: Little Vineyards Family Winery in Glen Ellen, Benovia Winery and Hook & Ladder Winery in Santa Rosa, and Anaba Wines in Sonoma. Here is a quick look at location, tasting fees, and booking notes for each stop.

• Little Vineyards Family Winery: 15188 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen. Estate tastings are $25.00 and Reserve tastings are $40.00 per person. Walk-ins are welcome Friday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Benovia Winery: 3339 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa. The Estate and Single Vineyard Tasting is $45.00 per person. Reservations are requested for all experiences, and the Ranch House lists indoor or outdoor seated tastings.
• Hook & Ladder Winery: 2134 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa. Tastings start at $25.00 per person. The tasting room sits inside the production facility and is open 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Tuesday.
• Anaba Wines: 62 Bonneau Road, Sonoma. Tastings run $45.00 to $65.00 per person, indoors in the Vintners House or on the patio. Open daily, 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Why Start Your Rainy-Day Tasting at Little Vineyards in Glen Ellen?

A gray afternoon is a fine time to taste estate-grown reds, and Little Vineyards Family Winery is set up for it. We pour both inside and outside, and our outdoor tasting area has an overhang, so you can stay dry and still enjoy the fresh air.

Tasting options

• Estate tasting, $25 per person: four of our latest releases, poured by a host.
• Reserve tasting, $40 per person: four Reserve wines.

Our estate-grown reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, and our signature Band Blend. Small-group tastings here feel laid-back and music-filled, and rain only adds to the cozy mood.

Walk-ins are always welcome, and reservations help

We welcome walk-ins Friday through Sunday, rain or shine. On wet weekends, though, a reservation guarantees your spot and makes sure we have seating ready for your group. Online reservations cover groups of up to 12. For larger parties, contact the Little Vineyards tasting room.

Finding us

Our driveway sits on Highway 12 and is marked by a sign. GPS may lead you to the wrong spot, so keep an eye out for it. Before you head over on a wet day, feel free to call the tasting room at (707) 996-2750 with any questions about seating.

Prefer to stay dry at home? Shop our estate-grown wines online, or plan your visit to Little Vineyards for another day.

What Other Sonoma County Tasting Rooms Work Well on a Wet Afternoon?

Benovia Winery and Hook & Ladder Winery both host tastings in Santa Rosa. Benovia lists indoor seated tastings at its Ranch House. Hook & Ladder’s tasting room sits inside its production facility. Both ask you to plan ahead.

Benovia Winery on Hartman Road

Benovia’s Ranch House Tasting Room offers “intimate indoor or outdoor seated tasting experiences”. Sonoma Magazine describes curved leather lounge chairs and a ceiling-high hearth, with views of the Martaella estate vineyard (Sonoma Magazine).

The Estate and Single Vineyard Tasting costs $45.00 per person. A $6.00 fee holds your spot, and the winery asks for 24 hours’ notice to cancel. That listing notes outdoor seating, so ask about indoor seating when you book.

Hook & Ladder Winery on Olivet Road

Hook & Ladder’s tasting room sits inside the winery’s production facility at 2134 Olivet Road, in the Russian River Valley. Tastings start at $25.00 per person. The room is open 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and closed Tuesday.

Groups of eight or more should call (707) 526-2255, extension 213, to schedule.

Anaba Wines in South Sonoma

Anaba Wines, at 62 Bonneau Road in Sonoma, hosts guided tastings in its Vintners House or on a vineyard patio. Sonoma Magazine describes plush sofas, armchairs, and a dramatic fireplace (Sonoma Magazine). Tastings run $45.00 to $65.00 per person.

Anaba’s site mentions live music by the fire in the Vintners House through the winter, and states that dogs are welcome. The winery is open daily from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Booking links are on its site, so confirm the walk-in policy before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions