Let’s face it—there’s no shortage of places to sip wine these days. But what sets a great tasting apart from the rest? Experience. Modern wine lovers want more than a pour; they want connection, discovery, and a dash of surprise.
Whether you’re sipping Pinot in a treehouse in Texas, crafting your own Napa blend from barrel to bottle, or diving deep undersea (for real), these wineries prove that creativity and craftsmanship make for memorable, and sometimes offbeat, memories. Let’s dive in!
Tucked within the Sonoma Valley’s Glen Ellen, Benziger Family Winery has been family-run for four generations, crafting wines that reflect both place and purpose. The winery’s diverse portfolio—ranging from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir—comes exclusively from vineyards that are certified sustainable, organic, or Biodynamic.
For a tasting unlike any other, climb aboard the Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour. This 60-minute journey through the estate’s vineyards offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Benziger’s Biodynamic approach to winemaking. Between sips of limited-production wines, you’ll see how the family’s holistic farming philosophy transforms the land into a living, thriving ecosystem.
Visit: 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Contact: (707) 935-3000
At Edivo Vina on Croatia’s Pelješac Peninsula, wine tasting plunges to new depths—literally. After a short boat ride from the coastal village of Drače, certified divers can descend with a PADI instructor to explore the world’s first underwater wine cellar, where bottles sealed in amphorae rest inside a sunken ship 60 to 80 feet below the Adriatic’s surface. The sea’s cool, stable conditions gently age the wine while coral and shells naturally decorate each vessel. Back on shore, guests sample both sea-aged and land-aged wines at Edivo Wine Bar, discovering firsthand how the ocean lends its own quiet influence to each sip.
Visit: Edivo Vina, Drače 18A, 20246 Drače, Pelješac Peninsula, Croatia
Hop aboard one of California Wine Country’s most unique experiences on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Chugging its way through vineyards and beautiful landscapes, guests can choose from several wine tasting experiences, but one of the best is the Vista Dome Dinner. You’ll be seated in one of the observation-style dining cars, specially designed to maximize those gorgeous Napa views, for a four-course meal as the sun sets on the valley. Perfect for date night!
Visit: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA 94559
Contact: (800) 427-4124
The owners of Sandy Road Vineyards thought outside the box… er, traditional tasting room when they created a relaxing tasting space in a tree! That’s right—your wine tasting takes place on the deck of a treehouse, perched 15 feet above the ground with sweeping views of the vineyards below. This is Texas, however, so note that tastings here are weather-dependent—on particularly hot days (think 90 degrees and up) or during sudden windstorms, your experience will be thoughtfully rescheduled. For those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground, a covered pavilion offers the same great wines and hospitality—just without the climb.
Visit: 383 Vineyard Row, Johnson City, TX 78636
Contact: (512) 589-1826
In the heart of Tuscany’s Bolgheri region—renowned for its world-class Super Tuscan wines—Campo alla Sughera is blending tradition with cutting-edge technology through an innovative Virtual Reality harvest experience. Guests are invited to slip on VR visors and step inside the rhythms of harvest season, from the hand-picking of sun-ripened grapes to their journey through the cellar and into fermentation tanks. The virtual immersion is paired with a guided walk through the estate’s vineyards and winery, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Bolgheri winemaking without lifting a single grape crate. The experience ends with a curated tasting of four premium wines. Now that’s what we call unique!
Visit: Campo alla Sughera, Via Bolgherese 189, 57022 Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
Film director Francis Ford Coppola has created a destination in Sonoma County that’s as imaginative as his films—a place where visitors can sip acclaimed wines, explore movie memorabilia, dine at the on-site restaurant, and even take a dip in the sparkling pools. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience designed for everyone to enjoy, blending wine, food, and a touch of Hollywood magic.
While you’re there, don’t miss the gallery dedicated to Coppola’s legendary career. With artifacts from more than 50 films, including several Academy Award winners, the collection offers an unforgettable glimpse into cinematic history.
Visit: 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA 95441
Contact: (707) 857-1400
Sipping wine made by Trappist-Cistercian monks might sound like an experience straight out of the Dark Ages, but a tour of New Clairvaux Vineyard is anything but. The Trappist-Cistercian religious order of monks has been producing wine since the 11th century, originally cultivating vineyards across France. After purchasing the land in 1955, the tradition was carried on in Vina, California—on the site of what was the once thriving Vina Ranch, home to over 4,000 acres of vines. While only 30 acres are left today, you’ll get the chance to sample a wide variety of unique wines like Assyrtiko (a varietal grown in Santorini), Barbera Rosé, and Trebbiano, along with favorites like Petite Syrah.
Visit: 26240 7th Street, Vina, CA 96092
Contact: (530) 839-2200
A family owned operation through and through, Judd’s Hill has carried on the Finklestein tradition of winemaking since the 1970s. What started as a garage, microcrush passion project has blossomed into their small lot winery, tucked along the Silverado Trail. Embrace your inner winemaker by signing up for the one-day Bottle Blending Day Camp, better known as the Blending Experience, for a chance to create a unique-to-you vintage. You’ll roll up your sleeves and get to work concocting the perfect Bordeaux-style wine by mixing and matching four different red varietals alongside a blending guide.
Visit: 2332 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (707) 255-2332
Texas Hill Country is an up-and-coming wine growing region that’s known for its distinctive limestone soil and character-driven wines. You’ll find this dedication to creating something unique at Charleston Taylor, a vineyard that offers immersive experiences like their unique Well Aged Tasting. Guests will have the opportunity to sample wine that’s been aged in an 1800s-era well. Peering down to the core of the well, visitors can glimpse the unique setting that provides naturally ideal aging conditions—cool, dark, and never above 50°F. Whether the well’s depths are haunted is a mystery best pondered with a glass in hand.
Visit: 6212 W US Highway 290, Johnson City, TX 78636
Contact: (830) 307-1095
Go underground at Jarvis Estate, home to one of the best cave experiences in Napa Valley. The entire winery—fermentation tanks and all—is tucked within a sprawling 45,000-square-foot subterranean space. Beyond the engineering feat itself, nature plays a starring role here: an underground spring flows freely through the caves, naturally regulating temperature and humidity while adding a tranquil, almost otherworldly ambiance you won’t find anywhere else. Then there’s the Crystal Room, filled with geodes imported from Brazil. Touring the wine caves at Jarvis is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience.
Visit: 2970 Monticello Road, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (707) 255-5280
Think good wine can’t be found on a submarine? Think again. Treasure Island, a former navy base in the San Francisco Bay, is now home to several wine tasting experiences, but only one claims the submarine, Sottomarino (which means “submarine” in Italian). Appropriately, Sottomarino serves wine made from Italian varieties like Sangiovese and Dolcetto. Visit this historic winery to experience what it’s like to sip wine inside an authentic World War II submarine training vessel, then spend the day exploring the island and taking in the stunning views of the Bay and city skyline.
Visit: 400 California Avenue, Building 2 Annex, Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA 94130
Contact: (415) 967-4200
Arizona might not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking of American Wine Country, but the Verde Valley AVA is slowly making a name for itself. Alcantara Vineyard takes it up a notch with unique adventures like its Water to Wine experience. Kick off this one-of-a-kind wine tasting by kayaking down the Verde River. You’ll paddle your way through stunning desert landscapes before eventually docking at Alcantara Vineyard’s private beach. Head over to the winery next, where you can sip Alcantara’s diverse portfolio of wines in their Tuscan-inspired tasting room or on the lawn with views of the vineyards.
Visit: 3445 S Grapevine Way, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Contact: (928) 649-8463
So, the next time you’re looking to shake up your standard tasting routine, these standout spots offer something a little different, and more memorable. Because great wine is even better when the experience around it is just as fun or unique, right?
Wineries
