Wine Tasting in Sausalito: Where to Sip & Sample

Sausalito is not in Northern California’s wine country (Napa and Sonoma counties), nor is it particularly close (an hour’s drive) – but if you are visiting in Sausalito and don’t have the time to travel further north to the vineyards and tasting rooms, it might be the closest you get.

So while our lovely little town by the bay is not a wine destination, we do have some options for wine tasting in Sausalito. To be completely honest, they are limited – and they’re not going to be the same as going to wineries in Napa or Sonoma – but they will hit the spot if one of your goals for your Bay Area visit and Sausalito day trip includes trying some great wine.

Read on for more info about your two Sausalito wine-tasting options, and then decide: which one do you want to visit? Or maybe – given that there are only two – you can opt for both. Cheers!

Sausalito is the traditional lands of the Graton Rancheria, Miwok, and Me-Wuk (Coast Miwok) peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation to the past and present stewards of these lands. To learn more, I invite you to explore Native Land.

Bacchus & Venus

Ask the locals for a place to go wine tasting in Sausalito and the first place to come out of their mouths is Bacchus & Venus. Located on the town’s main drag, this chic wine retailer offers a tasting room and an art gallery.

Their collection is small, but it’s full of superb boutique California wines that you can’t find anywhere else. Plus, there are great bottles across many price points.

But what I love the most about Bacchus & Venus is their staff. They’re great at guiding you through your tasting journey and offer expert suggestions for any occasion or taste profile you are looking for. You can choose from their rotating flight selections or by the glass.

Real Napa Tasting Room

If you’re into wine but can’t make it to Napa, don’t worry. Head to Broadway Promenade and drop by Real Napa, the Sausalito wine-tasting room that brings a slice of Napa into the bayside town.

The tasting room belongs to Fotsch Vineyards, and they offer the same wines that they make and sell in their Napa winery. It sits right on the waterfront, which makes it the perfect place to sit back and take all the views of Sausalito while sipping a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. 

Bonus: Hanson of Sonoma Tasting Room

If you’re looking for one last option, Hanson of Sonoma Distillery has a tasting room right in the heart of Sausalito, too. They don’t have wine, but they do have artisanal spirits and make some amazing cocktails. It’s obviously not for everyone if you’re just craving a glass of bold red or dry white, but I wanted to share one last option in case you want to do a bit of a self-guided drinking tour through town.

While there aren’t many options for wine tasting in Sausalito, there are enough to have a good time – and to inspire you to plan a trip to Wine Country next! Have any questions about where to go wine tasting in Sausalito? Let me know in the comments below.