Check out our Millennial’s Guide to Wine Country to get familiar with unique and modern experiences available in Sonoma and Napa.
Millennial’s Guide to Wine Country
If you’re a millennial planning a trip to wine country, you’re in for a treat! The wine regions of Napa and Sonoma offer a diverse range of experiences that cater to the preferences of the millennial generation. Here’s a Wine tasting for Millenials guide to help you make the most of your visit:
- Embrace Boutique Wineries: Millennial wine enthusiasts often appreciate smaller, boutique wineries that offer unique and artisanal wines. Seek out wineries that focus on organic, biodynamic, or sustainable practices. These wineries often have passionate winemakers who love sharing their stories and engaging in conversation with visitors.
- Explore Tasting Experiences: Wine tasting experiences have evolved beyond the traditional bar counter. Look for wineries that offer immersive and interactive tastings. Some wineries have sensory experiences, blending wine with food, art, or music to create a multi-sensory experience. You can also find wineries that offer educational tours, blending sessions, or even blending your own bottle of wine.
- Opt for Unique Varietals: While Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are iconic wines in Napa and Sonoma, don’t be afraid to explore lesser-known varietals. Look for wineries that specialize in unique grape varieties like Malbec, Tempranillo, or Grüner Veltliner. It’s an opportunity to discover new flavors and expand your wine knowledge.
- Wine and Food Pairings: Millennial travelers often appreciate culinary experiences that combine food and wine. Look for wineries that offer wine and food pairing experiences, where you can savor small bites or gourmet meals alongside their wines. This enhances the tasting experience and allows you to explore how different flavors interact.
- Seek Out Sustainable Practices: Sustainability is important to many millennials. Choose wineries that follow sustainable farming practices, use renewable energy sources, or have LEED-certified facilities. Some wineries even have organic gardens or offer farm-to-table dining options.
- Engage in Outdoor Activities: Wine country offers more than just wine tasting. Millennials enjoy outdoor activities and adventure. Consider options like hiking or biking through vineyards, taking a hot air balloon ride over the scenic landscapes, or exploring the local nature trails. It’s a chance to connect with the natural beauty of the region.
- Discover Urban Wine Scenes: Wine country isn’t just about sprawling vineyards. You can also find urban wineries and tasting rooms in downtown areas. Explore places like Napa’s Oxbow Public Market or Sonoma’s Plaza, where you can find a variety of tasting rooms, restaurants, and artisanal shops in a lively setting.
- Share on Social Media: Millennials often enjoy sharing their experiences on social media. Capture the beautiful vineyard views, unique wine labels, or your favorite food and wine pairings. Don’t forget to use hashtags like #winetime, #winecountry, or specific winery hashtags to connect with fellow wine enthusiasts.
Millennial’s Guide to Wine Country
Wineries in Napa
- Ashes and Diamonds – mid-century modern design and fun wine tasting experiences are literally a breath of fresh air in Napa Valley. Modern, bright, airy atmosphere combined with young and excited staff makes Ashes and Diamonds a must stop for any millennial wine lover.
- Hoopes Vineyard – this experience is perfect for animal lovers and environmentally conscious wine tasters. All proceeds go to the animal rescue on site (you can pet the animals, btw). Hoopes offers outstanding Napa quality wines paired with meat free snacks and cheese boards. Bonus points – they also have dairy free options.
- Shadybrook Estate – while being one of the top wineries in Napa, Shadybrook found a balance between being welcoming and fun while still offering a ton of wine knowledge and education.
- Tank Garage Winery – the perfect place to chill with a glass of wine or a flight. Tank Winery is known for its “no fucks given” attitude which is much needed in wine country.
- Provenance Vineyards – laid back Napa oasis with famous Napa Cabernets and rare varietals. Dog friendly spot for a relaxing time in Napa.
Wineries in Sonoma
- Three Fat Guys – owned by three ex NFL football players. Three Fat Guys is the ultimate Sonoma hang-out spot. They are family friendly, dog friendly, and picnic friendly. Bring your buddies and enjoy a tasting flight or a bottle in the backyard.
- Taft Street Winery – picnic and dog friendly winery perfect for a relaxing get together. Taft offers wine flights as well as wine by bottle. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy with a group of friends. Bocce ball court is available to use!
- MacRostie Winery – located in Russian River AVA, MacRostie is a great Millennial way of wine tasting. The wine educators here are funny, friendly, and F*cking awesome. You will have so much fun tasting through their Pinots!
- J Vineyards – millennials don’t need a reason to enjoy bubbles on the daily, and J is here to support that. Choose from multiple flight options with optional food pairings to take your wine tasting day on the next level.
- Anaba Winery – bocce ball court, paddle tennis/pickleball court, and delicious wood-fired pizzas to go with your wine? Say no more. Chill out in the tasting room or back patio with multiple flight options
Restaurants in Napa
- Gott’s – no visit to wine country should go without eating at the Gott’s. The best burgers, fried chicken, salads, even seafood items available for a quick bite between wine tastings. Our guests love stopping at Gott’s burger for lunch.
- Brasswood – more upscale seated experience for Italian fare. Mozzarella pulled to order is a must!
- North Block – recently added to the Michelin Bib list, North Block is one of the newest, modern restaurants in Yountville.
- Ad Hoc + Addendum – while operated by the famous Thomas Keller, Ad Hoc offers a more relaxed environment for a younger crowd. Gluten Free fried chicken, anyone?!
- Bistro Don Giovanni – you can never go wrong with the best Italian in town. Try the fried Olives.
Restaurants in Sonoma
- TC Provisions – what’s more millennial than selling your Tesla stock to open a restaurant?! French trained chef, opened his own restaurant in the middle of the pandemic and the quality of food and service is out of this world! We have told Chef Stephane multiple times, he’s on the way to Michelin Star!
- Street Social – Petaluma based, husband and wife operated restaurant is always here to surprise you with new additions to the menu, wine maker dinners, and fun wine/cocktail list.
- The Shuckery – happy hour or dinner service, The Shuckery is one of the best restaurants in Sonoma. Fresh seafood, welcoming and friendly environment makes it a perfect dinner spot right in town. Female owned and operated too, girl power!
- Tasca Tasca – Portuguese tapas in downtown Sonoma is a great spot to try a ton of different shared plates with some wine. The service is friendly, fast and accommodating.
- Lou’s Luncheonette – wine country Southern comfort food staple offers a laid back backyard setting with pingpong table, large wine and beer selection, and perhaps the best fried chicken in wine country.
Need a Private Driver while exploring Wine Country?
Now that you’ve read the Millennial’s Guide to Wine Country it’s time to start exploring! North Bay Wine Tour’s has you covered, get in touch with our Wine Country Expert to help plan your perfect trip.
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