Tour (and Taste) The Best of Wine Country

SAMPLE ITINERARY
Jun 11
5 min read

Updated: Jul 4

Why do we think of wine country as the ultimate Great Escape? Because the moment you arrive, something shifts. The pace, the light, the way a glass of wine stretches out a whole afternoon—it all feels a little removed from real life, in the best possible way. You don’t just visit these places; you settle into them. Not far, but deep.

The U.S. has a handful of wine regions that can hold their own on the world stage, each with its own rhythm, character, and charm. We’re spotlighting three of them here—not as a definitive guide, but as a starting point. A taste. The stays and ideas we’ve pulled together are just one version of the experience. The rest is up to you.

REGION NUMBER ONE: SONOMA, CA

Life's possibilities are endless in Sonoma County. Located just 48 kilometers north of San Francisco, this gorgeous coastal region offers even more than its famed wine scene. This is a place where you can connect with local artisans, winemakers, farmers and chefs, or indulge in a relaxing spa treatment – all while surrounded by the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline, soaring redwoods, picturesque vineyards and charming small towns. The acclaimed food and wine and natural wonders of Sonoma County create a wine country experience like no other.

Wine enthusiasts already know about Sonoma County's famed wineries and nearly 20 distinct wine-growing areas encompassed within 405,000 hectares. Vintners produce a stunning array of wines. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised to find that wine tasting in Sonoma is a casual, friendly affair, often with the winemaker pouring for visitors. Sonoma County produces some of the world’s best wines. Top wines include pinot noir, chardonnay, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc.

STAY: The Farmhouse Inn

Nestled in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, among gently rolling hills and stunningly majestic vistas, The Farmhouse Inn welcomes you to an inspired escape. Siblings Joe and Catherine discovered the Farmhouse over 21 years ago, and have poured their talents and passion into the exquisite renovation ever since.

Your Farmhouse stay will be unlike any other. Not just special, spectacular. More than memorable, magical. Our family has been here for five generations, creating meaningful experiences in a setting most sublime. We’ve cultivated long-standing connections with brilliant local artisans—cheesemakers and patissiers, brewers. And, of course our winery partners—to transform custom itineraries into treasured, life-long memories. All you have to do is get here. We’ll take it from there.

ACTIVITY: Private Wine Tour

Your private wine tour can be tailored to your specific preferences, if you like. You will be tasting world-class wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. This region offers such a wide variety of unique, lifetime memorable activities, so there are literally thousands of different combinations available for creating a perfect wine-tasting day!

REGION NUMBER TWO: NAPA VALLEY, CA

Napa Valley isn’t just a wine region—it’s the high-gloss, high-drama capital of American viticulture. With just 30 miles of real estate, it punches way above its weight, producing less than 0.5% of the world’s wine but commanding global reverence. This is the land of cult Cabernet, where names like Screaming Eagle and Opus One drip with status, and terroir is practically a religion.

Unlike neighboring Sonoma—which sprawls wider and leans more low-key, more laid-back—Napa is curated, polished, and unapologetically luxe. Think château-style wineries, Michelin-starred feasts, and tasting rooms that feel more like fashion houses.

But don’t mistake it for a one-note symphony. Beyond the cellar doors, Napa delivers with hot-air balloon rides over sunrise-kissed vineyards, mud baths in Calistoga that feel like decadent rituals, and design-forward boutique hotels that seduce with rooftop pools and vineyard views. This isn’t wine country—it’s wine kingdom. And it’s built for those who like their adventure with a side of decadence.

STAY: Stanly Ranch

On the southern edge of Napa Valley, the banks of the Napa River contour around the historic Stanly Ranch, where pristine vineyards blanket gently rolling hills that rise up to meet the wide-open California sky. Here, an extraordinary luxury resort is taking shape.

Stanly Ranch, a new destination in the heart of wine country, celebrates the romance of connecting with family and friends in a setting that’s steeped in winery-estate tradition, inspired by the beauty of the land, and infused with a fresh, convivial spirit, allowing you to explore the adventures of Napa Valley.

ACTIVITY: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Why not take in wine country from the air? A driver meets you at your hotel before sunrise, and you're whisked away to the launch site as the valley slowly wakes up. Then it’s just you, the sky, and acres of vineyard unfolding below.

Floating above the patchwork of vines, winding roads, and quiet estates, you get a perspective most never do—silent, still, and a little surreal. It’s a side of Napa that doesn’t clink glasses or chase status. Just open sky, cool air, and the slow drift of a balloon tracing the curves of the valley.

REGION NUMBER THREE: WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OR

The Willamette Valley doesn’t scream for attention—it lures you in with a wink and a whisper. This is Pinot Noir country, cool-climate and cool-attitude, where the winemakers wear flannel and the wine critics still bow. Stretching over 150 miles from Portland to Eugene, the valley has become Oregon’s vinous backbone, revered for its ethereal, Burgundy-worthy Pinots and a deep devotion to craft over spectacle.

Unlike Napa’s flash and Sonoma’s sprawl, the Willamette Valley runs on quiet confidence. It’s more fermentation barn than tasting palace, more foragers and farmers than sommeliers in suits. But don’t mistake humility for simplicity. Here, you’ll find experimental blends, biodynamic vineyards, and winemakers who moonlight as philosophers. And when you’re not swirling something sublime, you're hiking misty trails, cycling vineyard routes, or crashing a winemaker’s dinner that feels more like a backyard secret than a PR event.

ACTIVITY: Regional Wine Tour

Discover why the Willamette Valley is one of the country’s most important wine-producing regions. On this guided tour, you’ll visit a curated selection of the valley’s top wineries. With over 400 estates to choose from, spread across more than 100 miles, we’ve handpicked the very best for you to explore!

ACTIVITY: Visit Silver Falls State Park

A short jaunt from the valley, Silver Falls State Park is all dense forest, winding trails, and the steady sound of water. The main loop takes you past ten waterfalls, including a few that you literally walk behind—cool mist on your face, moss-covered rock all around.

The air feels cleaner out here. Pines stretch impossibly tall, and the light filters through in that quiet, Pacific Northwest way. It’s an easy shift from tasting rooms to trailheads—just trade the glass for a good pair of walking shoes.