Ever thought about pedaling a boat across a vineyard lake with a glass of Cabernet in hand? Or tasting vintages straight from the cellar cave? Those kinds of experiences are on the menu when Access Alexander Valley Wine Week debuts Sept. 22–28, 2025.
For one week only, Alexander Valley growers and winemakers are opening their gates for small-group adventures that go far beyond the tasting bar. Organized by the Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association, the event brings visitors onto nine family-owned estates — some never before open to the public.
“This is a return to our roots,” said Jessie Vallery, marketing and operations director for the growers association. “We’re farmers, and we’re inviting you in to experience the land and the life we love.”
Beyond the tasting room
Don’t expect festival tents or plastic wristbands. Wine Week is designed as the opposite of crowded wine festivals. Each experience is capped at small numbers and rooted in authenticity. Guests can book activities such as vineyard bike rides, vertical Cabernet tastings, brunch with winemaking families, hand-bottling sessions, or even yoga among the vines.
One highlight teased by organizers: a pedal-boat “sip and swirl” on a hidden vineyard lake. Another: private architectural tours of historic wineries. Organizers say some offerings are one-time only — not likely to be repeated once Wine Week is over.
Community flavor
The event doesn’t stop at the vineyard gate. Evenings spill into Healdsburg and Geyserville, where local restaurants will offer special menus, corkage breaks for Alexander Valley bottles, and chances to sit down with winemakers over dinner. Hotels are pitching in too, with discounted Wine Week rates for out-of-town guests.
The week wraps with a farm-to-table Alexander Valley Winemaker Dinner, limited to just 40 seats. Five winemakers will pour their personal picks and share stories over a communal meal.
Why it matters here
Sonoma County prides itself on being a place where wine is still a family business. More than 80% of local wineries are family-owned, a figure that outpaces Napa. Events like Wine Week are a reminder that behind every polished tasting room is a farm, a family, and land that’s been worked for generations.
For locals, this isn’t just another wine event. It’s a rare chance to see the valley from the inside out — to walk vineyards you’ve only driven past, to hear stories straight from the people who farm the land, and to taste wines in the places they were born.
Tickets for each experience are limited, and the lineup is already drawing attention from both local wine lovers and out-of-town visitors. Whether you’re a serious collector or just curious about your own backyard wine country, Wine Week promises to deliver something fresh, personal and memorable.
