The holiday specials fill you with hope and reflection. Even the Sound of Music (which I still do not understand the Christmas link) offers hope with Maria telling the children where one door closes a window opens — not to…
Why Sonoma in January?
Sonoma in January is peaceful, cozy, and crowd-free. With quiet tasting rooms, crisp winter scenery, and a relaxed pace after the holidays, it’s the perfect time to enjoy wine country at its most authentic — and it provides an ideal setting for our Explorers Course 2026 to take place. The live/live stream of the course will take place from January 22-24, 2026 at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma, CA.
While attending the Explorers Course 2026, make sure to take advantage of Sonoma’s winter charm by enjoying a few local highlights:
- Visit nearby wineries for relaxed, crowd-free tastings and cozy fireplace lounges
- Explore the Sonoma Plaza with its boutiques, cafés, and historic architecture
- Take a scenic winter hike on the Sonoma Overlook Trail or at Jack London State Historic Park
- Warm up with farm-to-table dining at one of Sonoma’s acclaimed restaurants
- Stroll through the Sonoma Botanical Garden for peaceful winter greenery
- Enjoy a drive out to the Sonoma Coast for dramatic views and fresh ocean air.
The following hotel activities are offered in January for all guests.





