5 Reasons You Should Visit Sonoma in the Winter
Winter in Sonoma is a time to enjoy mild temperatures, cozy fires and all the beautiful sights and offerings of this magical destination including the bountiful wellness opportunities. We put together a few of our favorite ways to experience winter in Sonoma with the help from our friends at Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, so check out our list and plan your winter getaway to Sonoma wine country. (If you prefer a day-by-day planning guide, go here for 100 days of Sonoma wellness!)
Taste the Flavors of Sonoma
It might be obvious, but wine tasting in Sonoma is an activity you can enjoy year-round. During winter, the crowds are thinner and some wineries will even give you a behind the scenes tour. Oh, and what better way to get warm and toasty than by sitting near a fire sipping a glass of red (or white)?
The Sonoma Friday Farmers Market runs year-round, and now is the time to load up on fresh citrus, leafy greens, root vegetables and wonderful preserves. Eat local, eat fresh, eat Sonoma Valley produce!
Participating in “Dry January?” Enjoy a zero-proof, hand-crafted mocktail at The Beacon. (These refreshing drinks are every bit as fun and delicious as their boozy counterparts.)
Olive you! Extra Virgin Olive Oil is packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, olive oil promotes cardiovascular health, aids in digestion, and boosts overall well-being. Swap out butter for olive oil and be heart healthy for the month of February. Check out the Olive Press at Jacuzzi Winery for local oil and recipes!
While not something to taste directly, a visit to Sonoma in the winter deserves time set aside to appreciate the much-anticipated Mustard Season. From adorning your Instagram feed to providing a panoply of health, culinary and viticultural benefits, this multi-faceted plant is an honored and iconic winter staple of wine country.
Enjoy A Day At The Spa
Pamper yourself with a spa day at one of many Sonoma spas, including The Spa at MacArthur. Get ultra cozy with a Journey that goes beyond a singular massage or facial. Journeys combine renewing benefits of treatments mindfully paired together while highlighting holistic healing elements. Following the frenzy of the holidays a Reboot Ritual helps to dissolve mind fatigue and accumulated stress with a purifying massage on a Chakra Mat and contouring gua sha facial massage. Browse the menu and current specials.
Take A Class
Learn something new or hone your skills in the heart of wine country at Relish Culinary Adventures. Learn how to use seasonal ingredients and expert techniques to create something delicious and impress your dinner guests. They offer family-friendly, hands-on workshops, demo classes with top chef-instructors and more.
Embrace the ethereal glow of the full Wolf Moon at FlatBed Farm’s enchanting sound healing evening. As the moonlight dances upon the fields, engage in a one-hour sound healing journey into serenity and harmony. Nestled in the heart of wine country, the rustic indoor barn sanctuary invites you to unwind and connect with the rhythm of the cosmos. Laying down cozy in your space allow the soothing sounds of crystal bowls, gentle percussion, and melodic chimes to wash over you, harmonizing mind, body, and spirit.
Explore the Montini Preserve with an expert naturalist and learn about the plants with the Montini Walk with Local Biologist: Explore Plant Communities. This free event is led by retired field botanist Greg Perrier. Bring sturdy hiking shoes!
Experience Art
Browse through one of Sonoma’s many art galleries and peruse a wide range of artwork by featuring local and national artists. Nourish the soul with the “First Thursday Sonoma Art Walk” around the Sonoma Plaza, a brief stroll away from MacArthur Place.
Indulge your inner child with a visit to the largest collection of original Peanuts artwork in the world at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Then learn how to draw from a professional cartoonist during “Sip and Sketch Happy Hour”. Adults are invited for fun drawing activities and exercises at this 21+ event. Get inspiration from the Museum galleries and work with professional cartoonist Justin Thompson to learn how to draw emotions while enjoying adult beverages!
There’s nothing like soulful music when it comes to fostering wellness. That’s why you won’t want to miss Green Music Center‘s performance, “This Land is Your Land,” featuring Martha Redbone and the American Patchwork Quartet-a wonderful celebration of the rich cultural tapestry of America. American Patchwork Quartet expertly weaves together jazz refinement, country twang, West African hypnotics, to create a musical patchwork that celebrates both our differences and commonalities as a nation.
Have an Adventure
Head to Sonoma Adventures and rent an e-bike for the day, or better yet, sign up for a guided tour of Sonoma Valley to learn about the history and culture of the Valley of the Moon.
Bartholomew Park is a wonderful place adjacent to the stunning Bartholomew Estate Winery. Situated on 375 acres of vineyards, gardens, and forest, the Park is a protected space where the public can enjoy the beauty and history of the land. Open year-round from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Dog friendly to friendly dogs, on leash. Get out in nature an enjoy the Sonoma winter sunshine!
Experience the magnitude of the redwoods of Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. The serene, majestic beauty of this Grove is a living reminder of the magnificent primeval redwood forest that covered much of this area before logging operations began during the 19th century. The grove offers solace from the hustle and bustle of daily life, offering the onlooker great inspiration and a place for quiet reflection. Take a short walk or roll along the gentle path, or tackle a longer hike along the ridges of the park.
However you plan to winter in Sonoma, we invite you to make MacArthur Place your home base where luxurious accommodations, mindful dining and indulgent spa treatments will allow you a true escape from the day-to-day grind.
