Sonoma’s scenic backroads and oak-dotted hillsides have always drawn travelers in search of something a little more genuine. And in 2025, word is officially out. Wine lovers are heading to Sonoma not just for the wines—but for the warmth, the character, and the relaxed, welcoming feel that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Sonoma’s Magnetic Pull
2025 marks the 200th grape harvest in Sonoma Valley, a milestone rooted in vines first planted in 1825. That long legacy shows up in the easygoing pace, family-run tasting rooms, and roads where GPS still gets confused. Sonoma’s charm lies in its people as much as its landscape—winery owners who pour with pride, and guides who’d rather tell a good story than recite a script.
Small-Group Tours: The 2025 Advantage
Driving yourself might sound flexible, but small-group tours like those from Platypus Wine Tours deliver something much better:
Hidden-Gem Access
Platypus guides take you to small production, family-owned wineries tucked off the beaten path—places that can’t accommodate large bus tours but open their doors gladly to small groups. And the best part is trying wines you can’t find back home.
Stress-Free Transportation
With local area lodging pickup, you can sit back and enjoy the day in a comfortable shuttle with big windows and perimeter seating that makes it easy to connect with your fellow guests.
Added Value
For Platypus Tours, their character-rich winery partners discount the tasting fees to around $25 and often waive the fee with bottles purchased or joining a wine club. That leaves room in your budget for something tasty—or another bottle to take home.
Built-In Camaraderie
Platypus Tours small group tours are 8–12 people (capped at 14) on purpose. By the second winery, you’re swapping stories and raising a glass with new friends.
What’s New in 2025
Sonoma’s 200th Harvest
This year marks two centuries of grape growing in Sonoma Valley. Expect special events, commemorative tastings, and winemaker-led experiences celebrating the region’s deep-rooted heritage.
Platypus Tours Turns 20
The fun, social small-group format hasn’t changed much, but the tour experiences have expanded. Guests today enjoy more access to unique wineries and richer, more immersive tastings than ever before.
Moments That Feel Special
Sonoma wineries still share their winemaking passion and stories, but now there are unique tasting experiences to choose from on private tours—like hip-hop brunches, yoga and wine, vintage baseball games with wine pairings, and more.
Choosing the Right Tour Operator
Look for wine tours that keep groups small, include lunch, offer thoughtful, curated experiences, and have consistently great reviews. Platypus Wine Tours hits all of those marks, with guides who are warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited to share Sonoma with you.
Pro Tips for First-Timers
Try New—to You—Wines: Some of the best moments on tour happen when you taste something unexpected and love it. Be open—you might discover your new favorite.
Dress in Layers: Morning fog often gives way to afternoon sun, so plan for variety.
Be Curious: Wineries love guests who ask questions—it opens the door to special pours and deeper conversations.
Getting It Home: Buying cases? Let the wineries ship. But if you’re picking up a bottle or two at different locations, ship everything together at the end or check it with the airlines in a wine shipper box.
Final Swirl
Whether you’re sipping Chardonnay in the shade of ancient oaks or sharing a bold Zin with new friends, wine tours in Sonoma in 2025 offer the right mix of comfort, connection, and discovery. The hardest part? Choosing which tour to take. Once you’re on board, everything else is easy.
