As the United States and countries around the world continue to apply social distancing measures during the coronavirus outbreak, images of empty streets in major cities and stories of restaurants and bars upending—and in some cases shutting down—have proliferated. But the pandemic’s impact extends well outside the borders of major metropolises, into more rural areas of states with major outbreaks like California and New York.

Statewide shelter-in-place mandates have meant that life and work in rural wine countries have changed dramatically. With the warmer spring weather, tasting rooms would usually be packed—but they’re now closed to the public. Instead, wineries are getting creative, with virtual wine tastings to recreate the experience from the comfort of your couch. A number of wineries will ship tasting kits to your door, so you can join vineyard owners, winemakers, and wine educators on video chat platforms like Zoom and Facebook Live to take a deep dive on what you’re drinking.

While a trip to a sunny Napa Valley vineyard might temporarily be on hold, your wine drinking doesn’t have to be. Here are some virtual wine tastings to check out in the meantime.

Matthiasson, Napa, California

Steve Matthiasson, Napa’s winemaker of the year in 2014, and his wife and partner Jill are conducting both one-on-one and group Zoom tastings. Simply order up their tasting pack, which has a bit of everything: red, white, and rosé blends along with chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. They’re the same wines you’d get to sample if you were in their tasting room. Once you’ve placed an order for the sampler, the winery will connect to organize a time to meet up online. (Six-pack, $249)

St. Supery, Rutherford, California

Every Thursday this spring, the winemakers at this Napa winery bought by Chanel in 2015 will choose a bottle from a six-pack assembled specifically for a virtual tasting. Even better is that they’re offering free shipping with their wine. Send an email to the winery and they’ll hook you up with an invitation to the online tastings. The tasting calendar for May features rosé and sauvignon blanc. (Six-pack, $267)

Ken Wright Cellars, Carlton, Oregon

Oregon’s Ken Wright Cellars offers three different virtual tasting options with wines from three different grape-growing areas of Oregon. Each collection comes with three bottles (a white or rosé and two different Pinot Noirs) and the opportunity to schedule an individual Zoom session with someone from the winery to walk you through the intricacies of each wine. (Three-packs, from $160)

Far Niente, Oakville, California

Far Niente, which began operations in Napa in the 19th century, and the other wineries under its umbrella (Dolce, Nickel & Nickel, EnRoute, and Bella Union), are offering bespoke online experiences. Reach out to the vineyard directly and you can order any wines from any of the five wineries—sent with free shipping—before arranging a private tasting via video chat. Of the five wineries, only Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel actually have tasting rooms, so these virtual chats are among the only ways to have tasting of the rest. And, if you want to chat about something you already have in your wine rack or cellar, let them know. They’re up for that, too. (Price available on request)

Schramsberg, Calistoga, California

Most people know Schramsberg for its beautiful line of aromatic, sophisticated sparkling wines, and while they may be best consumed on the winery’s dreamy Napa Valley property, the virtual tasting translates beautifully, even in the limited confines of an New York apartment. For the tasting we attended, the winery sent six bottles—four sparklers, and two reds (a pinot noir and a cabernet sauvignon) from its sister winery, J. Davies. Vintner Hugh Davies led the tasting, enthusiastically explaining the winery’s history (its caves date to the 1800s, even though they weren’t originally storing wine), as well as the points of differentiation that mark each bottle. Hugh is leading another virtual tasting in May, with more down the road pending demand. (Tasting sets from $105)

Terra Valentine, St. Helena, California

The winery offers some of the most striking sunset views of any Napa cellar from its spot on top of Spring Mountain. Since you can’t see the view for yourself right now, the winery is offering the next best thing: “Care Package” bundles with half a dozen different bottles of its 13 wine varieties and free Zoom tastings on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. PDT, which you can sign up for on Terra Valentine’s Facebook page. (Six-pack, $323)

Clos du Val, Napa, California

Clos du Val will hook you up with a little gear as well as good wine. Their tasting package includes four bottles, including their highly rated Hirondelle Vineyard Cabernet, as well as a Coravin Model One—the wine preservation system used by restaurants and wine bars around the world whose makers say will keep a bottle tasting fresh for years. That’s particularly useful right now as you’re probably not having company over to share your wine. (Four-pack and a Coravin Model One, $385)

Tolosa, San Luis Obispo, California

The San Luis Obispo winery known for its Pinot Noir is holding Tasting Tuesdays each week (along with Technical Thursdays for the hardcore wine nerds where you can get access to virtual experiences like a look into the tank room). Just log on to Tolosa’s website a week ahead and check what bottle they’ll be tasting, then order one up and you’ll be ready to go. (Bottles from $58)

Belden Barns, Sonoma County, California

A hidden gem of a winery in Sonoma is tasting through its portfolio of 11 different wines every Sunday through May 24 on Zoom. Since food pairing options may be slightly limited right now, the Beldens themselves are answering important questions, like does canned tuna go with Sauvignon Blanc (it does). Order a full portfolio package from their website (currently available for 35 percent off) to join in. (11 bottle package, $270)

Hamel Family Wines, Sonoma, California

Like all of California’s wineries, HFW can’t welcome visitors to its thoroughly modern tasting room and estate house right now. Instead they’re offering two different virtual tastings they call At Home with Hamel Family Wines. A three bottle option includes a sauvignon blanc, a zinfandel and the flagship cabernet blend called Isthmus (named for the spit of land between Lakes Monona and Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin, where the family went to school) as well some additional winery goodies and a virtual tour of the grounds beforehand. A four bottle option has everything from the three bottle one along with a cabernet from their library collection. All the tastings can be set up at your convenience seven days a week. (Tastings from $200)

Silver Thread, Lodi, New York

This small Finger Lakes winery is best known—as are most of the region’s wineries—for its Riesling, which you can try for yourself with the help of Facebook Live tastings throughout the month. Pick up a four pack at a discount, along with the $10 flat rate shipping, to join in. (Four-pack, $65)

Passalacqua, Healdsburg, California

Depending on your feelings about keeping open bottles of wine and how much you can realistically drink in a sitting, there is a potential drawback to some of these tastings: There is a lot of wine leftover at the end (although we know that one person’s drawback is another’s major upside). Passalacqua, which usually likes to bring guests to drink al fresco under its redwood trees, does its virtual tasting more like those you’re used to. Instead of full bottles, they send two-ounce pours based on your preferences. That makes for no pressure to finish four bottles of wine in a hurry—and a deal of a price point. (Three wine tasting, $30 with free shipping)

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