This adventure is part of Wish You Were Here, VegNews’ vegan travel series—in partnership with Harley Quinn Smith and Meg and Komie Vora—where we chase down the best plant-based spots and experiences around the globe.
We’ve been on our fair share of wine tastings, but nothing quite prepared us for how special La Belle Vie’s vegan wine tour in Sonoma, CA would be. As three longtime friends (and longtime vegans), when we heard there was a wine tour in Sonoma that combined vineyard hopping with a visit to an animal sanctuary, we knew we had to try it. What’s better than spending the day with rescued animals and sipping bubbles in the sun? The tour was intentional and inspiring, and it ended up being one of the most memorable activities from our time in wine country.
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A very important, yet widely unknown fact about wine is that not all of it is vegan. Traditional wineries sometimes rely on animal-derived fining agents like egg whites, gelatin, or isinglass (which is made from fish bladders) to clarify the wine.
In contrast, vegan wines use cruelty-free alternatives, like bentonite clay or activated charcoal, to achieve the same clarity without the use of animal products. One of the many upsides of La Belle Vie’s vegan wine tour is that they do all the research for you, so you can just sit back and relax, knowing that your experience is catered to be completely cruelty-free.
La Belle Vie’s mission
From the moment the tour began, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your average wine country itinerary. Thoughtful, grounding, and full of heart, the day unfolded in a way that felt as nourishing as it was fun.
The tour was led by Michelle Rulmont, who created La Belle Vie after years working in Sonoma’s wine and hospitality industries. She brings together her knowledge of the region with a deep commitment to animal welfare and sustainability. Her goal? To offer a new kind of wine tasting experience, one that reflects the beauty of Sonoma without compromising on values.
When speaking about what inspired her to start La Belle Vie, Rulmont explained, “I started [the tour] because I went vegan in 2018 and thought others should know that there are vegan options here in Sonoma Valley. There’s beautiful, wonderful vegan wines as well as food, and [there’s] Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary, one of the happiest places in Sonoma.” Her down-to-earth warmth made everything feel easy, personal, and low-pressure, like being guided around wine country by a very organized friend.
Charlie’s Acres
We started our day at Charlie’s Acres, an animal sanctuary that is home to rescued pigs, goats, chickens, cows, and more. Our tour was guided by sanctuary team member Gustavo Perez, who shared with us that Charlie’s Acres has “140 residents that spend their whole natural lives [there].”
“Everybody is a rescue, everybody has their story,” Perez continued. “We welcome visitors to come and say hi to [our animals] and get to know them on a personal level so that they form more compassion towards them. That’s what we want here, to make people consider their choices when it comes to how they eat.”
Charlie’s Acres
Visiting the sanctuary was such a special way to begin the day, and was a perfect reminder of why choosing compassion matters. After spending much needed quality time with the animals and learning about some of their individual rescue stories, we got to sit and enjoy a meal: fresh wraps with side salads, which were catered from local restaurant Sunflower Caffe.
The sanctuary also provided us with a gorgeous curated cheese plate and a box of artisan vegan chocolates from Earth and Sky. It was the kind of lunch that makes you pause and really savor the moment, surrounded by nature and sweet animal energy. The sanctuary filled our hearts and lifted our spirits, which made everything that followed even more enjoyable. After lunch, it was time for the vineyards and trust us, they did not disappoint.
Vegan-friendly vineyards in Sonoma, CA
Our first stop was the elegant and airy Domaine Carneros vineyard, which felt like a sparkling wine dream come true. The estate, reminiscent of a European chateau, is stunning, and their commitment to sustainability really comes through not just in the wine, but in the overall experience.
They’re certified organic and focus heavily on renewable energy, water conservation, and biodiversity on the estate. Gita Mallya, viticulturist at Domaine Carneros, spoke in depth about the vineyard’s sustainable practices.
View of Domaine Carneros vineyard | Photo courtesy of Harley Quinn Smith and Meg and Komie Vora
“We have quite a few sustainability efforts in place,” Mallya said. “One of our biggest is our water reuse program. We actually take all of the winery process water that goes into making our wine, recycle and treat it, and then irrigate our vineyards with it. So, all of the water we use is basically used twice.” Everything is thoughtfully done with the future of the planet in mind, and it adds a whole new layer of appreciation as you’re sipping.
We tasted four different sparkling wines, each one unique in flavor. Our tasting was accompanied by, you guessed it, another vegan cheese plate, but we definitely weren’t complaining. The view alone is worth the visit, with rolling vineyards, grand architecture, and a peaceful calm that makes you want to slow down.
It’s easy to see why this is one of the most beloved sparkling wine houses in the region—there’s a quiet luxury to the whole experience, and we loved every second of it. It’s polished but still approachable, and the kind of place where every detail feels intentional, from the glassware to the garden landscaping. Honestly, we could’ve stayed all day.
Sparkling wine and cheese plate at Domaine Carneros vineyard | Photo courtesy of Harley Quinn Smith and Meg and Komie Vora
Our second vineyard was Deerfield Ranch Winery, which had a totally different feel: more rustic, grounded, and magical in its own unique way. There’s a small lake out front with ducks wandering freely, and the atmosphere feels relaxed and personal, like you’re being welcomed into someone’s home. They also have a wine cave on property (more on that below).
One of the highlights of our visit was getting to sit down with the owners, Robert and PJ Rex, who couldn’t have been more welcoming. Upon arrival, Robert greeted us with a glass of sparkling Syrah. We then took our glasses on the go as Robert led us through the vineyards, acting as our own personal tour guide.
A pioneer of the clean wine movement, Robert explained every aspect of the wine making process to us, including Deerfield’s sustainability efforts: “[Our wine is] biodynamically grown, which is a whole step beyond organics,” he said.
“Part of the principle of biodynamics is you keep the ecosystem true to itself—you replace as much or more of what you take out. We’re a very green winery, we recycle 100% of our solid production waste that stems in the season.”
After exploring with Robert, we were then handed off to PJ, who took us inside “the cave.” This 23,000 square-foot cave, which is truly a visual marvel, is where the wine is kept and aged. It’s also where their tasting room is located.
Deerfield Ranch Winery, wines are made with organically grown grapes, are free from unnecessary additives, and are crafted using sustainable practices that minimize water usage and energy waste.
The wine cave was even designed with environmental efficiency in mind, and uses natural insulation to reduce the need for artificial cooling. The wines themselves were smooth, complex, and vibrant, somehow made even better by the laid-back vibe of the setting.
We spent the rest of the afternoon sipping wine and hearing stories from PJ, from meeting Robert in 1968, to Robert’s first time making wine, to the specialty wine named after PJ. It was fascinating getting to hear about their life together, and how Deerfield came to be.
Deerfield Ranch Winery
Visiting Domaine Carneros and Deerfield Ranch Winery provided us with two contrasting, yet equally unforgettable experiences. It should be noted that there are a variety of wineries that Rulmont chooses from when curating wine tours, so your itinerary may be different. However, you can always submit a request when booking.
La Belle Vie does a beautiful job of gently educating along the way. We loved getting to chat with the winemakers, ask questions, and learn about how these wines are made with care for animals, the land, and the people drinking them. Plus, the wines tasted amazing. You don’t lose anything by going vegan when it comes to wine. In fact, it felt like we gained something: a deeper connection to the process.
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We ended the day feeling refreshed and happy. When it was all said and done, we were relaxed and satisfied—the tour had a real purpose and flow, and it felt like more than just another wine tasting. It was one of those experiences that just clicks, where everything fits together and you leave feeling good about what you’ve done and learned.
So if you’re planning a trip to Sonoma and are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience that vegans and non-vegans alike can enjoy, book La Belle Vie’s vegan wine tour. It’s a day we’ll never forget, and we’re already aching for another tour.
Watch the full episode over on Instagram on @VegNews or on the Wish You Were Here YouTube channel.
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