Sooner or later, every first-time visitor to Sonoma wine country has the same question: How much does wine tasting cost in Sonoma?

The easy, unsatisfying answer is: It depends, but probably not as much as you think. On a per-glass basis, tasting wine in Sonoma is cheaper than tasting in Napa, if that’s your yardstick. And, let’s be honest, it usually is.

This question has a longer, more complex, and ultimately more helpful answer too. Read on to learn what to expect — financially speaking — from your experience.

Expect to pay between $25 and $40 per person for a basic (non-reserve) wine tasting in Sonoma this year. This is less expensive than the typical non-reserve tasting fee in Napa, where you’ll pay anywhere from $40 to $60 on average for a similar experience.

For reference, Roche Winery’s Select Family Tasting Flight costs $30 per person at both our downtown Sonoma tasting room and our main production facility’s tasting room. This experience includes your choice of four non-reserve wines — including sparkling, white, red, dry rose, and sweet wine — as well as “sneak preview” tastings of our Futures wines directly from the barrel.

Other types of tasting experiences cost a bit more. Add 25% to 50% to the non-reserve price for reserve tastings; private and custom tasting experiences (including food pairings) can cost more still. Of course, you get what you pay for. Sublime as it is, a seated non-reserve tasting in a public tasting room can’t match the unforgettable ambiance of a vineyard and barrel room tour followed by a private tasting hosted by a master winemaker.

What Does Wine Tasting Cost at Roche Winery?

Maybe we’re biased, but we know what other Sonoma wineries charge for tastings, and we’re proud of the value we offer our guests. With the standard caveat that our pricing is subject to change, current pricing for Roche Winery tasting experiences is as follows:

• Select Family Tasting Flight - $30/guest: As described above. Your choice of four non-reserve wines, often accompanied by select Futures wine tasting directly from the barrel.

• Reserve Tasting - $40/guest: This experience includes your choice of four of our finest reserve wines, including Chardonnays, reserve Merlot, reserve Pinot Noirs, and Cuveé Genevieve. You’ll also enjoy Futures wines directly from the barrel.

• Group Tasting - custom pricing: Pricing for groups of 6 or more is customized. We’ll add a 20% gratuity to your bill, but each new wine club sign-up (wine paid for and taken on the day of) gets 2 tasting fees waived.

• Private Tasting - custom pricing: Our private tastings can also be customized to your needs. Pricing is dependent on group size, wine selections, food pairings, and other factors.

• Vineyard and facility tour - $65/guest: Our vineyard and production facility tour package offers exceptional value for guests who’d like a peek behind the scenes at Roche Winery’s operations. You’ll sip your wine selections as you walk through our 20-acre Tipperary vineyard and absorb insights from your expert guide, then visit our production floor (with tastings right from the barrel) and finish the experience with a hand selection of library and reserve wines.

If you’ve purchased a Futures wine from us in the past 12 months or you’re a member of our Carneros Club (meaning you’ve purchased our most recent club), please ask your host about member tasting benefits. The above reflects non-member pricing. 

Finally, all tasting experiences are available with food pairings from our catering partner or with a la carte meat, cheese, and snack selections from our deli case. Pricing for food pairings depends on the selection and quantity.

How Much Is Wine Tasting at Other Sonoma Wineries?

We hope you’ll make either Roche location (or both) your first and possibly second stop on the Sonoma wine trail. And we’re equally hopeful you’ll visit some of our favorite non-Roche wineries while you’re in the area.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for tastings and/or by-the-glass wines at four popular wineries within easy driving distance of downtown Sonoma. As always, pricing is subject to change — refer to each winery’s website or call ahead for specifics.

Gundlach Bundschu Winery

One of the oldest wineries in Sonoma and among the most beloved as well, Gundlach Bundschu (“Gun Bun”) offers a variety of tasting experiences as well as wines by the glass.

Pricing for tasting experiences here is generally higher than at Roche Winery, but all experiences offer unique value that you can’t find anywhere else. Some examples:

• Rhinefarm Tasting: What passes for a “standard” tasting experience at Gundlach Bundschu is an indoor-outdoor affair with optional snack add-ons. Pricing starts at $50/guest.

• Vineyard + Cave Experience: Tour Gun Bun’s vineyard (weather permitting) and wine caves with an expert guide and an assortment of select wines. Pricing begins at $75/guest.

• Pinz Excursion: An off-roading journey across the vineyard with expert narration and some of the finest wines Gun Bun has to offer. Pricing begins at $105/guest.

Where: 2000 Denmark St, Sonoma

Hours: Daily, 11am to 4:30pm

Viansa Sonoma Winery

Viansa Sonoma Winery is like a little slice of Italy in the lower Sonoma Valley. Though tastings here are pricey by Sonoma standards, they’re much less expensive than transatlantic airfare, and they’re much quicker affairs to boot. Plus, no jet lag.

Viansa offers several unique tasting experiences at various price points:

• Wine Tasting on the Summit: This “standard” tasting comes with beautiful views of the Sonoma Valley and hills beyond. Pricing starts at $35/guest.

• Vista Lounge: Two different Vista Lounge experiences each cost $50/guest. Choose from private chair seating or seating by the lounge’s firepit.

• Fireside: Cozy up by Viansa’s grand fireplace for an intimate experience suitable for smaller groups. $75/guest.

Where: 25200 Arnold Dr, Sonoma

Hours: Daily, 10am to 5pm

Cline Family Cellars

Cline Family Cellars is another Sonoma institution with a deep winemaking pedigree and a reputation for excellent tasting experiences. At the “Cline Ranch” not far from our own production facility and vineyard, you’ll find a variety of options to suit your needs:

• Cline Ranch Tasting: Cline’s “basic” tasting (if you can call it that) starts at $25/guest. Add a charcuterie board (one per two guests is recommended) for an additional $25.

• Poolside Sips & Bites: Sit by one of the intimate spring-fed ponds at Cline Ranch and enjoy a leisurely tasting with curated bites. The standard tasting fee applies, plus at least $25 in add-ons (such as a charcuterie board for two or a picnic basket for four).

• The Gust Exclusive: Enjoy an oenological tour of exclusive Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Syrahs in an intimate setting. $55/guest and up.

• Group Tasting: This standing tasting is appropriate for groups of up to 20 guests. The base fee is $35/guest plus gratuity.

Where: 24737 Arnold Dr, Sonoma

Hours: Daily, 10:30am to 5pm

La Prenda Wines

La Prenda Wines makes small-batch wines from grapes harvested all across Sonoma. At their intimate tasting room in downtown Sonoma, you’ll experience a stunning variety of local grape varieties and terroirs — yes, beyond even what you’ll find at Roche. 

La Prenda’s standard wine tastings start at $20/guest for six selections. Pricing may vary depending on the selections, however. 

Special experiences generally cost more. For example, a recent Valentine’s Day floral arrangement workshop — an opportunity to sip exquisite wines and create your own custom display with fresh-cut local flowers — cost $100/guest. Other special events, such as “sip ‘n shop” partnerships with downtown Sonoma vendors, are free except for the cost of the wine provided.

Where: 535 1st St W, Sonoma
Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 12:30pm to 5pm