(Forbes) - Wine tasting trips are a treat; what’s not to love about sipping wines in their natural settings? Even if you know nothing about wine, you can appreciate the tastes, the views, the cheese plates and bread sticks. But as the days go on, and the wine starts working, the process can be slightly redundant. The barrels, the vines, the Pinots, the tasting rooms, they start blending together.

Winemakers in Sonoma are addressing the problem by getting creative with their tasting experiences. Some are building tasting rooms in unusual or historically-rich settings. Others are offering activities for kids or restless adults to do in addition to trying wine. The result is a wine region that is fun and memorable to visit; there is no way to mix these wineries up! Here are a few to check out:

Three Sticks Winery At The Adobe

In the mid-1800s Sonoma was occupied by the Republic of Mexico under the rule of General Mariano Vallejo. The team built a series of stunning homes to showcase their might including one built by the General’s brother, Captain Salvador Vallejo. His residence is the only structure that remains today, and it was recently bought and renovated by Three Sticks Winery (owned by private equity big-shot turned winemaker Bill Price. Three Sticks stands for the three Roman Numerals that follow his name.)

It’s worth a trip to downtown Sonoma just to see the Adobe. The home, officially named the the historic Vallejo–Casteñada Adobe, was built in 1842, and you can still see the original wood paneling and kitchen. Artifacts that were unearthed during the renovation are displayed on the wall. But the winery also uses the residence as a reservation-only tasting room. Sommeliers bring you into the backyard, an area scattered with cozy bonfires and plush couches and chairs, and consult with you about your wine preferences. Then they serve you and chat with you as if you are a friend in their historic home.