These days, it feels like a new winery or tasting room opens nearly every day somewhere in the world—and who can blame them? The wine world has a certain allure: it’s sophisticated, playful, and just adventurous enough to spark curiosity. But now, everyone seems to be craving more than just a simple wine tasting. We all want a wine tasting experience. And sometimes, the more off-beat the better.

Whether sipping above the ground in a tree house or blending your own perfect creation, these 10 wineries deliver unique wine tasting experiences to note.

Benziger Family Winery

Benziger Family Winery, located in Glen Ellen on Sonoma Mountain, has been in the family for four generations. Benzinger produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and several other bottlings, all of which come from vines that have been certified sustainable, organic, or Biodynamic.

There are several seated tasting options when visiting; however, to really enjoy the scope of this stunning property, book the Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour. This unique 60-minute tour, which explores the vineyards on a tram pulled by a tractor, includes a tasting of four limited production wines. During the tour, you’ll get to see the vines up close while learning firsthand about the Benziger family’s commitment to Biodynamic farming practices.

Visit: 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Contact: (707) 935-3000

Hall Wines

HALL Wines is highly regarded for its wine, of course, but it’s also well-respected for its world-class art collection—curated by owner Kathryn Hall. Installations include indoor and outdoor sculptures, as well as furniture and oil paintings. One of the most coveted tasting experiences at HALL’s Rutherford location is in the wine caves. The centerpiece of the wine caves is the incredible chandelier designed by Donald Lipski. Made up of over 1500 Austrian crystals, it’s designed to resemble the root system of an ancient vine. Hanging above a solid cherry wood table with an inset of illuminated onyx, it makes for a pretty magnificent place to taste wine.

Visit: 401 St. Helena Hwy. South, St. Helena, CA 94574
Contact: (707) 967-2626

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Film director Francis Ford Coppola has created a space in Sonoma County where visitors can not only enjoy wine, but also a full restaurant and swimming pools! This is an experience the whole family can enjoy. One caveat, though… you cannot leave your kids unattended and go wine tasting. Maybe you can take turns with your friends or partner?

There are plenty of other unusual things to experience at Coppola, including an entire room devoted to the many Academy Award-winning films he has directed. In fact, Coppola has directed over 50 films, and the memorabilia is impressive. Don’t miss the Godfather Room, and be sure to tell them Don Corleone sent you.

Visit: 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA 95441
Contact: (707) 857-1400

Napa Valley Wine Train

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 Tasting on the Rails. Feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you settle in for a seven-course meal in a refurbished 1910 Pullman train car, paired with seven Napa wines like Charles Krug, of course. You’ll have three hours to take in the scenery and learn more about the area’s history on this luxurious adventure.

For those that want to up the romance factor, consider booking the Vista Dome Dinner instead. 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.

Visit: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA 94559
Contact: (800) 427-4124

Judd’s Hill

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

Jarvis Estate Caves

Go underground at Jarvis Estate, considered to offer one of the best cave experiences in Napa Valley. The entire Jarvis winery operation, including fermentation tanks, are underground inside the 45,000-square-foot space. While this is on its own quite an engineering marvel, there’s more. Nature supplies an underground spring that has been allowed to flow freely through the caves, controlling the temperature and humidity. It also adds a relaxing aesthetic 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 a one-of-a-kind experience. Be sure to plan ahead and snag a reservation for the Vintage Tasting early, because this excursion and their stellar wines are extremely popular, and book up months in advance.

Visit: 2970 Monticello Road, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (707) 255-5280

Sottomarino Winery

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

Sandy Road Vineyards

The owners of Sandy Road Vineyards took a chance and created a fun and relaxing tasting room…in a tree! That’s right, your wine tasting experience will happen from the tasting deck of a treehouse, 15 feet above the ground and overlooking the vineyards. Now it is Texas, so if the weather is extreme (think 90 degrees or higher), or a sudden windstorm kicks up, they will thoughtfully reschedule your tasting to another weekend. If you cannot climb the steps to the treehouse there is a covered pavilion also set up for tastings.

Visit: 383 Vineyard Row, Johnson City, TX 78636
Contact: (512) 589-1826

Becker Vineyards

Visit Provence in Texas at Becker Vineyards, located in Texas Hill Country. This time of year (April – May), you can enjoy a glass of wine while strolling through the lavender fields. Becker has an excellent selection of award-winning wines made from grapes sourced solely in Texas. If you can’t make it for the lavender season, there are 46 acres of vineyards to enjoy, along with seasonal tastings and dinners. Guided tours at the estate winery are subject to staff availability and winery production. However, the tasting room in downtown Fredericksburg is open daily for your sipping pleasure.

Visit: 464 Becker Farms Road, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Contact: (830) 644-2681

New Clairvaux Vineyard

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