Wine Tasting on the Cheap

Free wine tasting is quickly becoming a thing of the past, and at $5 to $20 per winery, those tasting fees can add up. Here are a few resources for wine tasting on a beer budget.

www.econcierges.com

The site offers clip out coupons for 2 for 1 tastings (and discounts on wine purchases) at several Sonoma County (and Napa). Examples: two for one tasting at Blackstone, Rodney Strong, and Ravens Wood, free tasting at Kunde Estates, $10 off tasting or tour at Simi, You can download the entire brochure from the website.

Featured wineries on Sonoma.com

There are also some specials listed in this site. Examples: complimentary classic tasting for two at Arrowwood; 15% off wine sales at B.R. Cohn or Chateau St. Jean; two for one tastings at Gallo Family Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Mayo Family Winery, or be a Keller Estate Club member for a day (15% discount).

Free wine tasting for 2 at over 60 at 60 Sonoma wineries if you have a Visa Signature Card

Wineries that still offer free tastings*:

• Alexander Valley Vineyards
• Annapolis Winery
• Christopher Creek Winery
• deLorimier Winery
• Dutton Estate
• Foppiano Vineyards
• Frick Winery (open Sat & Sun only)
• Francis Ford Coppola Wines (pours Rosso & Bianco wines  free, tasting fee for other wines)
• Hartford Wines
• Homewood
• Hook & Ladder Winery
• Hop Kiln Winery
• Hudson Street Wineries
• Joseph Swan Vineyards (open Sat & Sun only)
• Korbel Champagne Cellars
• Loxton Wines
• Murphy-Goode has an online coupon for free wine tasting (reg. $5)
• Pedroncelli Winery
• Raymond Burr Vineyards
• Rodney Strong (download coupon for free tasting before arrival)
• Trentadue Winery

* This may change, call first to be sure the winery still offers free tastings

Non-Winery Wine Deals

• Every Tuesday Central Market Restaurant in Petaluma offers free wine tasting to dining guests. June 9 – Sept. 29, 6-8pm
• There are complimentary wine tastings featuring  local wineries  in the Hotel Healdsburg lobby every Thursday and Friday from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

Other freebies and offers

• Hobo Wine Company in Healdsburg will trade your $5 tasting fee for a vinyl record album, (There is a turntable in the tasting room so you can play it one last time before turning it over.)
• Free wine cave tours at Kunde (download a $10 off tasting coupon here) on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays
• Free horse drawn wagon tours and music at Landmark on Saturdays in Summer
• Free orchid tours at Raymond Burr Winery Saturday and Sunday at 11 am by appointment
• Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville has free 50 minute tours and complimentary tastings