Wine Country's newest tasting rooms arrive just in time for summer
The new Donum Home at the Donum Estate in Sonoma. (Courtesy of The Donum Estate/Margo Moritz)

Wine Country's newest tasting rooms arrive just in time for summer

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A flurry of tasting room design and renovation has been afoot in Sonoma and Napa over the past several months.

From a vino-pouring Airstream to luxe interiors with epic views (be ready for some serious Instagraming), these new hot spots are not to be missed. Be among the first to check out the expressive new spaces created by Wine Country's artisan producers.


The Donum Home at the Donum Estate in Carneros.(ourtesy of the Donum Home/Margo Moritz)

The Donum Estate

Donum spared no expense in the creation of their new tasting space, the Donum Home, at the center of their 187-acre estate. Designed by San Francisco-based MH Architects, the "home" pays homage to the traditional farmhouse with modern touches including five skylights, a 24-ft wide glass wall and sliding glass doors with unparalleled views of the vineyards and rolling hills. Inside, the airy space maintains minimalist decor and a neutral palette to keep the focus on the winery's pinot noir and Chardonnay. Tastings are available via reservation only. // 24500 Ramal Rd. (Sonoma), thedonumestate.com


Grab a drink from the winestream at Bowman Cellars.(Courtesy of Bowman Cellars)

Bowman Cellars

Founded in 2013, Bowman Cellars is coming of age with a lively new tasting room in the quaint little town of Graton (about 30 minutes north of Petaluma). The space comes complete with the "winestream," which is exactly as it sounds—an Airstream-turned-outdoor bar pouring vino, as well as a generous patio for outdoor sipping, dedicated area for indoor tastings, a tasty menu of well-paired small bites, and a calendar full of activities like live music and yoga under the stars. // 12pm-5pm Thurs-Fri, 11am-6pm Sat-Sun, Mon-Wed by appointment only, 9010 Graton Rd. (Graton), bowmancellars.com


The renovated tasting room at Benovia Winery is still cozy as ever. (Courtesy of Benovia Winery)

Benovia Winery

The Russian River mainstay, Benovia Winery, opened a newly renovated tasting room this April. Set in a historic ranch house, the rejuvenated space now has plush swivel chairs, rustic wood floors and a refinished fireplace that modernizes the room without sacrificing its luxe, exclusive club feel. Seated tastings allow guests to take full advantage of the spectacular views of the estate and Mount St. Helena through new floor-to-ceiling windows; and are available by appointment between 10am-3:30pm ($30). // 3339 Hartman Rd. (Santa Rosa), benoviawinery.com


Young & Yonder Spirits' new tasting room holds modern Moroccan flair.(Courtesy of Young & Yonder/Yelp)

Young & Yonder Spirits

Sonoma may be Wine Country but Young & Yonder Spirits' new tasting room near downtown Healdsburg is a good reminder that there's more to booze than bottles of red and white. The artisan distillery, which began in 2014, chiseled their sumptuous lounge-y tasting room—brimming with plush textiles and intricate patterns—out of an industrial park warehouse. Stop in for a taste of craft vodka, gin and bourbon or get down to business with absinthe served with the proper fixings. // 2pm-6pm Thurs-Sun, 449 Allen Ct. (Healdsburg), youngandyonder.com


Peep Claypool Cellars' new tasting caboose at Pachyderm Station.(Courtesy of Claypool Cellars/Yelp)

Claypool Cellars

Claypool Cellars' new tasting room, Pachyderm Station, is everything you'd expect from bassist extraordinaire and Primus front-man turned winemaker, Les Claypool. Tastings are set up inside a vintage train caboose in homage to the railroad days of yore with steampunk styling that includes bits of ephemera from toy train cars to conductor's gear. With their purple elephant mascot and L.E.S. wine club (League of Extraordinary Slippers), wine tasting at Claypool Cellars' Pachyderm Station is just a little different and damn proud of it. // 11am-4pm daily, 5425 Gravenstein Hwy N. (Sebastapol), claypoolcellars.com


The rustic tasting lounge at Rancho Maria.(Courtesy of Rancho Maria/Yelp)

Rancho Maria

Rancho Maria's estate vineyards are out in the Dry Creek Valley but to get a taste you need go no further than downtown Sonoma. There you'll find Rancho Maria's brand new tasting lounge, a cozy, rustic wine country "living room" accented with a ceramic tile floor and antique furnishings of leather and wood. Out back is a private garden with plenty of seating and a fire pit to cozy up to on chilly days. // 11am-6pm daily, 481 1st St W. (Sonoma), ranchomaria.com


Note the epic views outside Burgess Cellars' new mountainside tasting salon.(Courtesy of Burgess Cellars)

Burgess Cellars

In February, Burgess Cellars debuted their new wine tasting experience: a salon with panoramic views of the Napa Valley 1,000 feet below. Unlike their classic cellar tasting (which is still open to the public), the "mountainside tasting" offers a semi-private 90-minute experience with selections from their library including rare and small production vintages. // Tastings ($60) are offered daily at 10am and 2pm with a reservation, 1108 Deer Park Rd. (Deer Park), burgesscellars.com

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