These days many wine lovers want immersive and eco-friendly experiences, a chance to engage with the land, the winemaking process and cutting-edge viticulture practices — all the while having fun with friends.
In honor of California Wines Down to Earth Month this April — which celebrates the wine community’s dedication to environmental stewardship and commitment to future generations of winegrowers and producers — we’ve gathered some of the best experiences at past California Green Medal Award-winning wineries. Whether you want to tour biodynamic vineyards, do a farm-to-table cooking class or a sustainable harvest experience, these wineries make every visit more than just a tasting — it’s a journey you and your friends can take into the heart of sustainable winemaking.

Benziger Family Winery, Sonoma
Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour
This tractor-drawn tram tour takes guests on a guided ride through their estate vineyards, fermentation facility and wine caves — a rare opportunity to see every step of the winemaking process. Along the way, you’ll stop to observe composting sites, insectaries, grazing animals—such as sheep—and cover crops, learning how each element contributes to a thriving, chemical-free vineyard ecosystem. The combination of a scenic, guided vineyard ride and behind-the-scenes winery access makes this one of the most immersive and educational wine tours in Sonoma.

Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Lower Lake
Earth Month Guided Hikes
Six Sigma Ranch is blessed with a good chunk of “Earth”, so every day feels like Earth Day! Hardworking mountain bike enthusiasts helped  build miles of scenic trails after they lost their public trails to fire 10 years ago.  To celebrate Earth Month in April, the public is invited to come for weekly guided four-mile hikes on roads and trails. For the rest of the year,  guided hikes are offered  the first Saturday of each month, as well as self-guided hikes.

Clif Family Winery, Napa
Celebrate Earth Month & Seasonal Tasting Menus
Throughout April, foodies can enjoy a special Golden Latte by local roaster Naysayer Coffee with turmeric, superfood mushroom powder, and Clif Family Solar Grown Honey. They can pair it with a veggie-forward Farm Frito Misto from the Clif Family Bruschetteria Food Truck, made with seasonal organic produce from their farm. All proceeds benefit American Forests. Not visiting in April? Savor their Seasonal Tasting Menu paired with organically farmed wines. They also offer a Seasonal Wine Tasting of small production wines and seasonal bites.

Cakebread Cellars, Napa
Hands-On Cooking Class & Garden Tour
In this farm-to-table cooking class and garden tour, you begin with a guided stroll through the winery’s organic produce garden, learning about seasonal ingredients and sustainable growing techniques before heading inside for a hands-on cooking class led by Cakebread’s chefs. The experience concludes with an elegant, multi-course meal paired with Cakebread wines, showcasing fresh flavors from their own garden.

Spottswoode Estate, Napa
Estate Vineyard & Regenerative Farming Tour
This experience offers one of the most detailed looks at regenerative farming and holistic vineyard management, leading you through their wildlife-friendly vineyard and showing how cover crops, owl boxes and soil restoration techniques create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Then you’ll visit their historic 1884 stone winery building for a guided tasting of their estate wines.

Each of these experiences offer more than just a great glass of wine—they provide a deeper connection to the vineyards, the farming, and the future of responsible winemaking. So, whether you’re exploring Biodynamic vineyards by tram, harvesting grapes, or enjoying a farm-fresh meal straight from the winery’s garden, these wineries offer the perfect excuse to gather your friends and raise a glass to wineries that are making a difference—one delicious sip at a time.

To learn more about Down to Earth Month go to DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com/d2e.