Russian River Weekend Wine Tasting & Gourmet Lunch
8 Hours | Round-Trip Transportation
Wine Tasting | Gourmet Lunch | Weekends Only
Small groups. Sonoma Wine. Weekend Fun.
Gather your loved ones for wine tasting in the Russian River region, including a gourmet 5-course lunch with wine pairings at the acclaimed Kendall-Jackson Winery. This day trip is designed for foodies and wine lovers who want to have some elevated fun with small-batch wines at Hook & Ladder Winery followed by a farm-to-table lunch experience. We do everything for you, from arranging your tastings to providing round-trip transportation in our luxury Mercedes sprinter with pickup and drop-off at most San Francisco hotels.
About the Wine Weekend Tastings and Lunch Tour
This is not a wine bus tour to Sonoma County wineries. It’s about truly experiencing the Russian River and Sonoma County wine region in a small-group setting. We have taken care of the details to curate a relaxed and delicious afternoon of wine and food for you.
Our day begins with a gorgeous drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and past the Marin Headlands. In just 1.5 hours, your small group arrives at Hook & Ladder Winery, a locally owned winery that showcases the best wine in the Russian River Valley.
Sip on local, small-batch productions of pinot noir, old vine zinfandel, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends. It’s the picture-perfect setting for wine tasting in Sonoma wine country: vineyards, giant barrels, and plenty of indoor and outdoor space to sit back with glass in hand.
From there, we head to Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates & Garden for a fresh 5-course lunch with much of the menu sourced from the on-site garden. It’s a true farm-to-table culinary experience paired with limited-release wines.
After lunch and some time to roam the culinary garden, all you have to do is hop back in your provided transportation for a scenic drive back to San Francisco. We will get you back by early evening so you can rest and relax before whatever is next on your list of things to do.
Sample Itinerary
| 8:30 – 9:15 am | Pickup from your San Francisco hotel in most downtown and waterfront areas including Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and Lombard, among others. |
| 9:30 am | Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying views of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sausalito, and Marin County on the 1-hour drive to Sonoma County. |
| 10:30 am | Your small group arrives for intimate tastings at Hook and Ladder winery. This is a boutique winery that specializes in pinot noir, old vine zinfandel, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends. Learn all about the owners of the winery, the De Loach family, as well as the unique terroir of Sonoma County. |
| 1:00 pm |
It’s time to head over to Kendall-Jackson Estate. Founded in 1974, this Santa Rosa winery is a staple of the Sonoma and Napa wine-making scene. The estate is not just the home to award-winning wines — it also features a lush herb and vegetable garden that is the source of ingredients for some of the Bay Area’s most prestigious chefs, including the team preparing your 5-course lunch. Enjoy a casual stroll of the garden before lunch. Constant on every menu: decadent dessert, fresh produce, and limited-release wines paired with every course. |
| 3:00 pm | After lingering over the last bites of dessert and sips of wine, it’s time to enjoy a scenic ride back to your San Francisco hotel. Sit back and relax to views of Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline. |
| 4:30 pm | You return to your hotel around 4:30pm. Just in time for whatever the night ahead brings you. |
*Tour times are approximate
What you can expect with Best Bay Area Tours
You get to learn more: From the time of morning pickup at your San Francisco hotel to drop off in the late afternoon, your guide shares anecdotes and history about the places you get to visit on this full-day experience.
You’ll be entertained: What’s the point of doing a tour if you can’t have fun? Every aspect of your tour has been carefully thought out so you get the most out of your visit to the Bay Area.
You get a truly local experience: Best Bay Area Tours is owned and operated by San Francisco locals. We create intimate, relaxed experiences that allow you to truly get to know all the beauty and bounty of the region.
FAQs
Are wine tastings included on this tour?
Absolutely. All tastings included. The 5-course lunch includes wine pairings selected by the team at Kendall-Jackson. You are welcome to purchase additional tastings or bottles.
Does this tour always go to Kendall-Jackson Winery?
Yes, this Sonoma wine tasting tour visits the Kendall-Jackson Winery in addition to a boutique winery in the Russian River region.
Can Kendall-Jackson Estate accommodate dietary restrictions?
At the time of booking, please let us know your dietary needs, and we can coordinate with Kendall-Jackson Estate to be sure you enjoy your 5-course lunch and wine tasting experience.
How long does it take to get from San Francisco to Kendall-Jackson Winery?
Kendall-Jackson Estate is just over an hour north of San Francisco in Santa Rosa, California. The most popular route is along scenic 101, with views of the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, and Marin County.
What makes Russian River Wines so special?
Russian River Valley appellation lies at the geographical heart of Sonoma County. This is where some of wine country’s best known and most beloved varietals really earned their reputation. This is the appellation that set the standard for California, and perhaps New World, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while remaining home to sought-after old vine Zinfandel.
This is where the top wineries in Napa go to get their cool-climate grapes. True to the Sonoma County spirit, it’s where the leaders of the premium wine boom, now household names, were not wealthy businessmen, but inspired farmers and newspapermen, some even a dancer and a pilot, and in the case of Hook and Ladder — a firefighter.
Tour Pricing
| Adults | Children (under 12) | |
| Tour Price | $234 | $189 |
*Price includes all park entrance fees (unlike other tour companies).
Always Small Groups
We don’t do big bus tours. We create intimate, relaxed experiences that allow you to truly get to know
the Bay Area and its surrounding region.
Check out our other tours.
Russian River Weekend Reviews
Kristen S
This tour was fantastic! It was the perfect balance of guidance and free time. Had we tried to visit the park on our own, we would not have got to everything we were able to hit on this tour. Brian was a fantastic guide…
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and shared a lot of interesting stories and facts that made us appreciate the park more. We are looking forward to coming back for another tour!
Mike U
Brian was an excellent guide. Extremely knowledgeable about the sites and history. He kept the drive fun and interesting, and he set up telescopes for us to spot climbers on El Capitan. It is clear that he loves his job and…
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has a passion for nature and the parks. This just makes the experience all the more enjoyable, and Brian works hard to ensure everyone has the best experience possible.
The entire process of working with the tour company was fantastic. They kept us updated on meeting times and locations, and they were very understanding and accommodating when 2 Uber drivers and 1 lift driver cancelled on us. Brian redirected us to one of the later pick up points to ensure we didn’t miss the tour and miss out on this fantastic experience.
Carol P
Excellent tour from start to finish. Our guide was informative and enthusiastic! He even made the morning drive out enjoyable with an excellent playlist! Yosemite was breathtaking. We had multiple stops and never once felt…
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rushed. If you only have one day to spend in the park, this is the trip for you!