Sonoma County Wine Country DAY TRIPS 10 Fun Wine Tasting Trips with 51 Preferred Tasting Room Reviews

Spring/Summer 2011 Sonoma County Wine Country DAY TRIPS 10 Fun Wine Tasting Trips with 51 Preferred Tasting Room Reviews

A publication of

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ACORN CHRISTOPHER DE LA MONTANYA CREEK Westside Road ARMIDA . RODNEY STRONG D Downtown R RD. E ER ID V S MERRIAM PagesRI 15-18 T S E W Healdsburg 116 HOP KILN WEST SI CHALK HILL Pages 19-23 D E R Russian D . River Chalk RUSSIAN Hill HILL ESTATE

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OCCIDENTAL RD. Bunch OCCIDENTAL RD. FULTON RD. BALLETTO Pages 30-35 Kenwood BODEGA H CELLARS IGHW AY FREESTONE OF SONOMA VINEYARDS Hwy. 12 VA LL EY FO R Russian River Pages 48-52 D C U T O F LEDSON Sebastopol/F 101 Sonoma /Olivet ST. FRANCIS 116 Freestone Coast Pages 40-47GRANGE CHATEAU ST. JEAN Pages 36-39 VJB VINEYARDS & CELLARS BENNETTMATANZAS VALLEY RD. CREEK PETALUMA HILL ROAD

MAYO FAMILY ROBLAR RD. ERIC ROSS ARROWOOD Glen Ellen MOONDANCE B.R. Pages 53-60 COHN 10Tomales Wine Tasting Trips BODEGA MOUNTAIN Bay HWY 12 TERRACES Dry Creek Valley 7-13 WASHINGTON VINEYARDS Clary Ranch Sonoma Valley Westside Road 20-25 Portworks Corda FRATES HAWKES WINE

Adobe STAGE GULCH CHARLES Downtown Healdsburg 14-19 Road Winery CREEK Alexander Valley 26-32 116 116 Keller Estate ANABA 101 Winery 12Sonoma/ Eastside Bunch 33-38 121 LAKEVILLE RD. 121 Sebastopol/Freestone 47-51 CarnerosLos Carne Kastania Region Vineyards CLINE Pages 61-67 CELLARS Russian River/Olivet 39-46 JACUZZI FAMILY VIANSA TO TO TO NAP Kenwood/Highway 12SAN FRANCISCO 48-52 SAN FRANCISCO 37 Glen Ellen 53-60 TO VALLEJO Sonoma/Carneros 61-67 San Pablo Bay PREFERRED Spring/Summer 2011 Sonoma Country Wine Country

DAY51 TRIPS TASTING ROOM REVIEWS Acorn Winery 32 DeLoach Vineyards 44 Anaba Wines 64 Dry Creek Vineyards 14 Armida Winery 16 Dutcher Crossing Winery 10 Arrowood Winery 56 Dutton Estate Winery 38 Asti Winery 25 Eric Ross Winery 59 B.R. Cohn 57 Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery 9 Balletto Vineyard 39 Forchini Vineyards & Winery 11 Boisset Taste of Terroir 21 Freestone Vineyards 37 Cellars of Sonoma 47 Hawkes Wine - Healdsburg 27 Chalk Hill Estate 35 Hawkes Tasting Room – Sonoma 62 Charles Creek Vineyard 63 Hook & Ladder Winery 46 Chateau St. Jean 51 Hop Kiln Winery 18 Christopher Creek Winery 33 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards 66 Cline Cellars 65 Kendall-Jackson Healdsburg 20 De La Montanya Vineyards & Winery 17 Kendall-Jackson Wine Center 41 Ledson Winery & Vineyards 49 A Publication of Martin Ray Winery 43 Matanzas Creek Winery 54 Mayo Family Winery 55 Medlock Ames 28 Mercury Wines 26 Merriam Vineyards 34 Moondance Cellars 58 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Mountain Terraces Vineyards 60 669 Broadway, Suite B • Sonoma, CA 95476 Peterson Family Winery 13 P.O. Box 92 • El Verano, CA 95433 707-938-3494 Fax 707-938-3674 Rodney Strong Vineyards 31 PUBLISHER Mike Giangreco Russian Hill Estate 42 Direct (707) 938-3734 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 50 [email protected] SALES REPRESENTATIVE Margaret Villarreal, 707-338-2894 Sbragia Family Vineyards 8 [email protected] Simi Winery 29 MANAGING EDITOR Chandra Grant Stephen & Walker Winery 23 Phone 707-938-1783 • Fax 707-938-3674 [email protected] Suncé Winery 45 OFFICE MANAGER Cathy Gore Topel Tasting Room 22 Phone 707-938-3494 • Fax 707-938-3674 Email [email protected] Truett Hurst Winery 12 EDITORIAL Introductions by Abigail Zimmerman VJB Vineyards & Winery 52 CONTRIBUTORS Michelle J. Baker Viansa Winery 67 James Marshall Berry Brendan Conroy Ronda Giangreco Index & Winery Varietals 68-69 Charles Neave Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Sonoma County Wineries Map 70-71 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com 3 Notes on Wine Tasting It’s a good idea to plan to visit several wineries as every wine-tasting experience offered is different. With so many distinctive viticultural areas, one can easily taste many of the world’s best varietials and winemaking styles without learning the region. Listed below are five basic types of tasting experiences. The experience will vary in style from winery to winery. Wine Bar Tasting The most common tasting experience is a Wine Bar Tasting. You step up to the bar where typically a list of wines being poured is displayed. Expect to pay a tasting fee between $10-$40. Some tasting bars will offer you the option to taste a library or reserve wine. Exercising this option increases the fee, but will allow you to taste very unique, old or rare wines. Sit Down Tasting A Sit Down Tasting usually requires an appointment and there may be a slightly higher fee than a wine bar fee. Seated in an elegant room, you are poured several wines by your winery host. Expect your host to describe the unique characteristics of each wine and how it was made. Table Service Tasting A Table Service Tasting, popular at sparkling wine facilities, is a tasting experience where you are seated at a ery to pour the first round. Then you move to another table and the tastings are brought to you. place within the winery to sample the next wine. This ex- Walk Around Tasting perience continues until all the wines are tasted. A Walk Around Tasting is a combination of a tour and Barrel Tasting a tasting. Your host brings along several bottles of wine on Another popular tasting experience that can be part your tour, and may take you to a garden area of the win- of a tour or a Walk Around is a Barrel Tasting. Your guide takes a “wine thief,” a special siphon placed into a hole in the top of a barrel to extract tasting samples of a matur- ing wine. The sample allows you to taste what the wine is like in the middle of developing its full potential. Why make an appointment? Some wineries are so small that they need to know when you are coming so someone will be there to greet you. Other wineries have permit restrictions that limit the number of guests that can visit each day. Others have sit-down tastings that start and end at specific times. It’s always a good idea to schedule your appointments well in advance of your visit because some of the more popular wineries fill up their appointments weeks in advance. WWW.LEGENDARYNAPAVALLEY.COM

4 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Do the Math

Oneofthequestionsmostaskedwhenitcomestowineishowmuchofthisdoesittaketomakethat,andsoon.Wewon’t pretendthatit’ssimple,butherearesomeindustrystatisticsthatwillgiveaprettygoodanswertothatquery.Aswithany- thingagricultural,ofcourse,theyareallbasedoncountlessvariableswhenitcomestoacreyields,butthisisagoodstarting point.Therestoftheinformationvarieslittleifatall. A case of wine includes: …adozen750mlbottles (or24halfbottles) or 307.2 ounces total, = which comes from 30poundsofgrapes. A single bottle contains: …750mlofwinewhichis25.6ouncesmade fromabout2.4poundsofgrapes(39oz.)andis enoughforfourormaybefiveglasses.

An acre of vineyard land can give the grower: …fivetonsofgrapes(thoughitisalsoless,depend- ingonavarietyoffarmingandwinemaking practices, and on the varietal and the vineyard One standard oak barrel of wine holds: location)whichwillgiveyou797gallonsofjuice …295bottlesofwine(or59gallons)madefrom740poundsofgrapes (or thirteen-and-a-half barrels) which is pretty close whichworksouttoalmost–butnotprecisely–30casesofwine. tofourthousandbottlesofwine.

What does all that information on a wine label mean? The U.S. Department of Alcohol,Tobacco & Firearms regulates wine labels and requires that information be given in a straightforward XYZ Winery way. Basically,youwillwanttolookforthetypesofgrapesgrown, wherethegrapesaregrownandwhenthegrapeswerepicked. RESERVE • Brand name Dry Creek • Designation for a special wine Sonoma County • Vineyard or appellation known for its grapes might be designated • Location where the grapes used were grown ZINFANDEL • Grape Variety used 2002 • Vintage year in which the grapes were picked • Location where the wine was made and/or bottled Produced and Bottled by (Not to be confused with the area the grapes are grown.) XYZ winery, Healdsburg, California • Alcohol content may be stated or the the label may simply say ALCOHOL 14.6% BY VOLUME "Table Wine” WWW.LEGENDARYNAPAVALLEY.COM www.WineCountryThisWeek.com 5 Heading to the Tasting Room Do not be intimidated for any car or on a plane, buy a card- reason. That is rule number one board box with Styrofoam wine (and there are very few real rules inserts. Fill it during the day and after that). For the most part, this keeps wine from rolling going wine tasting is about the around in the trunk. easiest thing in the world, espe- Check out the smaller winer- cially here in Northern California ies. It is a revelation. where wineries and tasting Take notes on the wines you rooms abound. You can find most enjoyed. wineries specializing in red Take advantage of tours wines of all types, those that are Twomey Cellars when the winery offers them, but famous for their white wines and keep in mind that they take any- others who pour sparkling wine. It is a matter of doing a where from 20 minutes to well over an hour, so one a day little research and planning your day. is plenty. Most tasting rooms open around 10 a.m. and close be- Buy wines that you can only find at the winery. These tween 4:30 and 6 p.m. As a rule sparkling wine houses are often include smaller (375 ml) bottles of limited produc- opened the latest. Before you start off pack a few essen- tion Ports or dessert wines. Don’t buy a wine you can get tials: Water (plenty of water) and something to snack on at a supermarket back home. You’ll pay more, and besides, – crackers or a baguette. Many wineries have picnic areas what’s the point? and there are plenty of delis and bakeries that can make up Look for tasting rooms in towns. Many of these are co- a lunch for you, or make your own. Which brings us to operative tasting rooms, where in one place you might find eating and drinking, the kind that doesn’t directly involve wines from a dozen or more small-to-medium premium wine. producers. They are scattered throughout the area and Be sure to nibble during the day and make sure you more are opening all the time. make time for lunch. Two tips: drink at least twice as much Don’t give too much thought to ratings and vintages. water as you do wine, and remember that you don’t have It’s like art: if you like it, it’s a good wine. It is as simple as to drink everything poured into your glass. There is a rea- that. son tasting bars have dump buckets and a pitcher of water Remember that you don’t have to do the driving. It to wash out your glass. takes no more than a phone call to rent anything from a That said, here are some tips that have proven to be Town Car or restored Packard convertible to stretch limos helpful and are designed to help make the sensory adven- and a 20-passenger bus. All have drivers that will stow ture of wine tasting all the more enjoyable. your wine for you and the local companies know the area. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Time and time again As to taking that wine home, ten people sharing one of I have heard knowledgeable winery workers say that there those impossibly long limousines is fine and fun, but if you is no such thing as a stupid question, and they mean that. all plan to buy a couple of cases the trunk – which is no You can drink what you want, in the order you want. bigger than a normal luxury cars – is going to fill up fast If you only like reds, say so; if you don’t like sweet wines, and you’re going to find yourself filling the interior floor speak up. But the idea of starting with whites, then going with boxes and using cases of Cabernet as footrest. on to reds and then sweet wines is a good guide. Tell the transportation company what you have in Zinfandel is red. I am sure you know that but it never mind and listen to their advice. They know the territory hurts to remind everyone. and the people and personalities. If there is a particular wine you want to try and it is Know your limits. If you get close to it let others taste not on the list, ask. There might be a bottle around that and you can listen. It beats ending the day in a blur, and if was opened for a trade tasting or by the winemaker. Most need be calling a taxi is cheaper than the alternative. tasting rooms are happy to pour a little if you show en- And if at a seated tasting, don’t be afraid to leave a gra- thusiasm. tuity. It’s more than worth the five or ten dollars to get If you plan to take wine home with you, either in the wisdom – and wine – and a great time. BY CHARLES NEAVE

6 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Dry Creek Valley Dry Creek wine country is one of the smallest enclosed American Viticultural Areas in the nation, only 16 miles long and two miles wide. With 9,300 acres of vineyard along this beautiful valley’s floor, Dry Creek is a “must see” for first-time and veteran wine lovers. Dry Creek boasts 63 wineries producing a diverse range of wines from the famed Zinfandel to Bordeaux and even Mediterranean varietals. Don’t let its small size fool you… Dry Creek winemakers have been growing grapes and making great wines for more than 135 years!

THINGS TO DO Lake Sonoma Hatchery 3333 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville (707) 433-9483, www.parks.sonoma.net Located in the beautiful foothills of Northern Sonoma County, Lake Sonoma is surrounded by vineyards and While you’re here – don’t miss the beautiful gardens of Ferrari-Carano this time of year! land rich in history. Here, visitors can observe the operation of the hatchery and see displays which describe the life TO cycle of the coho salmon, steelhead and chinook. MENDOCINO TO COAST EUREKA Dry Creek Olive Oil, 4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg Cloverdale (707) 431-7200, www.DryCreekOliveCompany.com Rooted in traditions as rich as the Dry Creek Soil, Dry Creek Olive Oil Company is your destination for artisan,

R very fine, extra-virgin olive oils. A U S S

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E Oakville Grocery, 124 Matheson Street, Healdsburg SBRAGIA H 101 C T U (707) 433-3200, www.OakvilleGrocery.com FAMILY D “Little Country Store” with overflowing shelves and a Lake VINEYARDS CHIANTI RD Hope Merrill/ Sonoma Hope Bosworth deli chock full of handmade, gourmet picnic items, House the Oakville Grocery is an absolute MUST. 128 FERRARI-CARANO WALLING

N RD O Y Dry Creek General Store, (707) 433-4171 N A 3495 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg Lake C TO Sonoma DUTCHER CROSSING FORCHINI So much more than just a corner store, established in 1881, COAST Hatchery PETERSON FAMILY this is also a full-service deli and beer garden with live STEWART S POINT Dry Creek music occassionally, spectacular views and a wealth of TRUETT Olive Oil YOAKIM BRIDGE R G U information on wine tasting, tours and even fishing! S HURST E S Y I D S A R SOUVERAIN E N Y R R V C I I V R L W E LODGING L E R E . E D K R A Y R V Grape Leaf Inn, 539 Johnson Street, Healdsburg C D E R . . E E Dry Creek . K RD (707) 433-8140, www.grapeleafinn.com R AL. D E General TO R V . DG T N SP INGS NDE RI Y R XA Driving Time: 16 minutes BERT B Store L LE M A A picturesque Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast, A From Sbragia Family L the Grape Leaf Inn seamlessly blends modern decor to Ferrari-Carano 1 mile DRY CREEK with timeless antiques. Gracious staff provide the best to Dutcher Crossing 2 miles VINEYARD to Truett Hurst 2.5 miles hospitality in this relaxing, romantic environment. to Forchini >0.5 mile to Peterson Family .5 miles Hope Merrill & Hope Bosworth B&B to Dry Creek 1.5 miles 21253 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville Total 8 miles (707) 857-3356, www.hope-inns.com Once an early stage-coach stop, these now two strikingly Not to scale 128 restored Queen Anne Craftsman homes welcome you with open arms. Truly where wine and romance intertwine! m www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Dry Creek Valley 7 Ed and Adam Sbragia

If you are planning a visit to Sonoma County and Healdsburg in particular, do not miss a visit to Sbragia Family Vineyards! PLAN AHEAD It’s less than 10 miles out on Dry Creek Road from downtown Visitors are encouraged to purchase wine by the glass (or Healdsburg. This is a very special place; well worth the trip! by the bottle), pick out some snacks from the deli case and relax at one of the many outside picnic tables. The cellar is downstairs, with large windows providing a view into the inner workings of the winery. The tasting room is LITTLE KNOWN FACT upstairs, with a large covered patio that wraps around the back, Owner/founder Ed Sbragia is the only winemaker to have providing a breathtaking view of the Dry Creek Valley’s vine- won awards for crafting both the best red wine and the yards and redwood studded hills. best white wine in the world! The tasting room is bright with windows looking out onto the valley. There is a vast assortment of tastefully displayed VARIETALS wine-related merchandise. Freshly cut flowers from the family’s Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel and garden are artfully arranged around the tasting room. As well Cabernet Sauvignon as growing beautiful flowers they also have a wonderful PRIVATE EVENTS produce garden too! Sbragia’s event center can accommodate up to 350 There is a $5 tasting fee to taste four wines and a $10 guests. There is a state-of-the-art professional kitchen, tasting fee to taste four of the reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. which is a caterer’s dream, not to mention the stunning Tasting fees are refundable with your purchase. The wines are views and world-class wines which will make it an event wonderful! no one will forget! Private tours and tastings are available by appointment. Sbragia Family Vineyards has a lovely private tasting room, PRIVATE TOURS “The Ark,” which is named after their historic family Private tours and tastings are available by appointment. bar/restaurant on the Russian River in Healdsburg, where visitors can enjoy wine and food pairings, vertical flights and Sbragia Family Vineyards other memorable experiences. Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The saying here at Sbragia is, “The only thing better than the view is the wine!” Come see for yourself! 9990 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench www.sbragia.com • (707) 473-2992

Mention this story for complimentary tasting. Tell ‘em The Wine Wench sent you!

8 Dry Creek Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Inside Villa Fiore, the magnificent Italian-style villa that serves as Ferrari-Carano’s hospitality center, guests DID YOU KNOW... Ferrari-Carano has a tasting bar and boutique on the Healdsburg will find a world of tasting opportunities. On the main Plaza? “Seasons of the Vineyard” features wines from Ferrari- floor wine shop and tasting room, guests may taste many Carano and Lazy Creek … fantastic Anderson Valley Pinot Noir! brand new releases of Ferrari-Carano’s Classic Wines in addition to the Villa Fiore wines, which are only avail- SPECIAL TOURS AND PRIVATE TASTINGS able at the winery. Take your sample and browse the Winery tours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m., based on availability. Seven diﬀerent private tasting shop’s extensive selection of gifts and souvenirs, opportunities are available by appointment, seven days a week including many great wine and cookbooks, housewares at 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m, also based on availability. and wine country home décor. Downstairs in the cellar, the luxurious Enoteca offers WHAT TO TASTE guests Ferrari-Carano’s Limited Release and Reserve For the classic tasting, Pinot Grigio, Fumé Blanc, Chardonnay, Bella Luce (aromatic white blend), Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Wines. Try a flight of lovely Russian River Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Siena (Tuscan-inspired red blend). Chardonnays, or compare the two delicious PreVail In the Enoteca , Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignons that hail from the winery’s two PreVail and dessert wines. mountain ranches in Alexander Valley. Guests are welcome to stroll the enclosed garden, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery which has a meandering path and foot bridges along a Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. rippling stream that empty into fish-filled ponds. The 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg garden has more than 2,000 species of trees and shrubs, www.ferrari-carano.com all marked with informative identification tags, including For tours and private tastings, call (707) 433-6700 some of the few successfully growing Portuguese cork trees in the area. Art lovers will also find bronze sculp- Seasons of the Vineyard tures from world-renowned artists such as Dennis Smith, Open Tuesday - Sunday 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Douglas Van Howd and Jane DeDecker throughout the 113 Plaza Street, Healdsburg • (707) 431-2222 gardens. By Michelle J. Baker Look for them on Facebook and Twitter! 18,000 bulbs are planted annually. It makes for a beautiful color display in the spring. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Dry Creek Valley 9 Dutcher Crossing Winery has everything a wine-loving visitor could hope for – delicious, reasonably priced wines, a PLAN AHEAD beautiful tasting room staffed with friendly and knowledgeable The picnic area is lovely and its views of the employees, a gorgeous picnic area with stunning views of Dry Creek Valley are breathtaking. There are Dry Creek Valley and a winery dog to welcome you. six picnic tables under a wisteria-covered arbor. Let’s start outside – you pull into the parking lot and notice The colorful, fragrant landscaping and manicured the beautiful landscaping surrounding the brown, barn-like lawns will make you want to kick oﬀ your shoes building that is the winery and tasting room. A flagstone path and stay a while. leads you through a riot of colorful flowers to a breezeway that separates the winery from the tasting room. Glass doors pro- VARIETALS vide a view into the barrel room and winery. Most likely, you’ll Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, be greeted by Dutchess, a sweet, tail-wagging yellow Labrador Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Port Retriever, owned by Dutcher Crossing Winery’s Proprietor, Debra Mathy. ANOTHER FUN FACT The tasting room is large, bright and airy, with high Winemaker, Kerry Damskey is known as ceilings, glossy wood floors and tasteful décor. A vintage “the Indiana Jones of the wine world.” high-wheeled bicycle (used as the winery’s logo) sits against a wall, beckoning to be ridden (well, I was tempted to try to ride LITTLE KNOWN FACT it, but I restrained myself). A selection of non-wine items is Dutcher Crossing’s self-appointed greeter and available for browsing as you sip and stroll around the room. mascot Dutchess is a rescue dog. Owner, Debra Mathy During the week, there is a $5 tasting fee (waived for wine transported her all the way back from Taiwan! club members) to sample a variety of six wines, and on weekends a $10 reserve tasting is available as well. Dutcher Crossing Winery Winemaker Kerry Damskey does a wonderful job crafting Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. these wines! I tasted a few wines during my visit and they were 8533 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg all excellent! www.dutchercrossingwinery.com Taste some great wines, pet a friendly dog, relax and stay a (707) 431-2700 while! by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Look for Dutcher Crossing on Facebook. For a perfectly sweet pairing, enjoy the custom-made chocolates with the port. Yum!

10 Dry Creek Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Just north of Healdsburg, a few miles out Dry Creek of the tasting room. Road is a very special place, where you’ll feel like part of Forchini Vineyards has been growing premium vari- the family. Turn at the Bacchus sign, drive up the narrow, ety wine grapes since 1971. There are two properties – winding, rosemary-edged driveway and you’ve arrived at the Dry Creek Bench (where the winery and tasting room Forchini Vineyards & Winery. You’ll be greeted by at least are located) is comprised of 67 acres and is planted to two happy, tail-wagging dogs, which will escort you to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carignane, Petit the tasting room. Verdot and Zinfandel with 13 Forchini Vineyards & Win- Forchini Vineyards & Winery acres of 100-year-old Zinfandel ery is a family-run winery that remaining. The Russian River produces only estate grown Open Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Terrace is comprised of 24 acres and bottled wines. Owned by or by appointment and is planted to Chardonnay, Jim and Anita Forchini, Jim is 5141 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and the winemaker, Andrew For- (707) 431-8886 • www.forchini.com Zinfandel with four acres of 90- chini is the vineyard manager, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, year-old Zinfandel remaining. Michael and Carla Forchini Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel The winery was built in 1996 lend a hand with marketing, and produces 3000 cases per special events and in the tast- Bring a lunch to compliment your tasting and be year. surrounded by the beautiful vineyards, rose gardens, ing room. You can’t get more Italian fountains and exceptional views. Let’s talk about the wines – I family-operated than that! tasted two wines during my The building, surrounding picnic area and vineyards visit and they were both excellent! The 2007 Pinot Noir, look as if they are right out of an Italian landscape – Proprietor’s Reserve is a classic, with aromas and flavors stucco walls, tile roofs, splashing fountains, flower gar- of black cherry, strawberry, baking spices and vanilla, all dens and vineyard-striped hills delight the senses. Just wrapped up in a silky-smooth mouthfeel. The 2006 Old wait until you taste the wines – then your senses will be Vine Zinfandel, Proprietor’s Reserve is also wonderful, delighted even further! with abundant blackberry, raspberry, bramble and pep- Once inside the main building, you feel as if you are pery spice aromas and flavors. It is big and bold in the in someone’s comfortable home. There is a large dining mouth and almost too easy to drink! room, with a table ready to serve eight, a fully appointed You really should visit this beautiful, comfortable, kitchen, an office and the tasting room which is deco- delicious winery! The tasting room is open 11 a.m. 4 p.m. rated in warm tones with faux-painted walls, wood Friday – Sunday and by appointment. For more infor- flooring and a granite-topped oak bar. Behind the bar, a mation, call (707) 431-8886 or visit their website at portrait of Bacchus, the god of wine, is the central focus www.forchini.com. by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Dry Creek Valley 11 Set in the heart of Dry Creek Valley is a special estate called Truett Hurst. As you drive in, the sheep and goat pasture is the VARIETALS Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir first indication that this is not in any way your average winery. Vineyards are flanked by habitat islands for birds and beneficial PLAN AHEAD insects, and there are bluebird and owl boxes. Maintaining On most Saturdays they have live music from some ﬁne biodiversity and habitat are part of the farming philosophy local musicians who deliver everything from a jazz- here. Their commitment to responsible stewardship of this swing vibe to a third-world groove to Americana and some classic tunes from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. There property is matched by the passion with which they handcraft may even be something from the grill to munch on award-winning Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir. while you take it all in. The wines are made by fermenting grapes in small, open- top stain fermenters. The grapes are punched down during SPECIAL TASTING fermentation, rather than pumped over, allowing for gentle ex- Tell them in the tasting room that Luci the black goat sent you and you can taste the special Zinfandel that’s traction of color and flavor components, while avoiding bitter named after her. tannins. Then wines are barrel aged in approximately 30% new French oak, until the flavors and structure of the wine perfectly FUN FACT balance. The result: big, bold, textured wines with lots of spice A 60-year-old olive grove, a four-acre chef’s garden and and jammy fruit. the beautiful Dry Creek (which, by the way, is never dry) are all part of the estate. You can savor these wines in one of the most comfortable and relaxing wineries in the valley. You have a choice of Adirondack chairs down by the creek where you may see Steel- Truett Hurst Winery head or Coho salmon. Or hang out on the patio and listen to Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily music while enjoying the sublime scenery of Dry Creek, or 5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg enjoy a picnic or a slow lunch in the olive grove. If this is not (707) 433-9545 • www.truetthurst.com enough, you’ll always be served by the friendly wine pourers who will make you feel right at home in this inviting tasting Follow Truett Hurst Winery room. on Facebook and Twitter. Mention “Day Trips” and receive a complimentary tasting valued at $5.

12 Dry Creek Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Fred Peterson (grape grower and father) has been growing wine grapes and making wine in Dry Creek Valley for VARIETALS Zinfandels, Syrah, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon more than 20 years. Jamie Peterson (winemaker and son) Blanc, Muscat Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignons & blends has been around wine and the wine business his whole life. These guys work hard, yet they don’t take themselves PLAN AHEAD too seriously. The result of their labors is delicious, reason- Open for tasting Friday-Monday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., ably priced wines with a casual, comfortable environment to Tuesday-Thursday by appointment. When available, Jamie loves giving visitors tours of the winery and enjoy them in. offering sips straight from the barrel. Give yourself at The Petersons call their approach to grape growing and least an hour to visit this special place. winemaking “Zero Manipulation,” meaning that they cap- ture the essence of vintage and vineyard with a low-tech, LITTLE KNOWN FACT yet high-touch methodology. It’s all about the vineyards at Peterson Winery releases as many as twelve different wines annually, and sometimes more. Currently they have Peterson Winery (which Fred farms in a sustainable man- four different Zinfandels, two Cabernet Sauvignons, a ner). Simply put, they let the grapes do the talking. Bordeaux blend, plus several other current releases. Let’s talk about the wines. I tasted a handful of excellent wines during my visit. The following were my favorites: FUN FACT 2007 Zinfandel Tradizionale, Dry Creek Valley ($29): Friendly winery cats, Red & Whitey are always nearby Mouthwatering aromas and flavors of blackberry and rasp- for a pet – they love visitors! berry are enhanced by a touch of savory herbs. Balanced and juicy in the mouth. This is a big, rustic, friendly Zin. Peterson Winery 2007 Syrah, Gravity Flow Block ($48): This wine is big, Open Friday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. balanced and intense, with abundant aromas and flavors of Tuesday-Thursday by appointment blackberry, plum, coffee and peppery spice, all wrapped up 4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg in a luscious mouthfeel. www.petersonwinery.com Don’t miss Peterson Winery! Tell ’em The Wine Wench sent you! by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench For tasting appointments, call (707) 431-7568 Mention this story for a 10% discount on your wine purchase. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Dry Creek Valley 13 Dave Stare, Don & Kim Wallace

Dave Stare, founder of Dry Creek Vineyard, can be charac- terized as a man of tenacity and vision, unafraid to experiment VARIETALS to create a new future. A lover of Loire Valley French wines, Chenin Blanc, Fumé Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Dave’s vision was to make excellent Fumé Blanc (Sauvignon Petite Zin Rosé, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc) and Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley style in California. and Meritage His new winery, founded in 1972, was the first to be built in the Dry Creek Valley since the era of Prohibition. He had no GOOD TO KNOW one else’s expertise or experience to draw on, and many pre- Do-not-miss wines include the highly acclaimed dicted that he would fail, but failure was not in Dave Stare’s 2007 Beeson Ranch Zinfandel and the delicious makeup. His young daughter Kim was with him to help turn over the first shovel of dirt for the winery’s foundation, and she 2009 Fumé Blanc. Chilled wines are available for your is still side-by-side with her father as she and husband Don after-tasting picnic on the lawn. Also remember many Wallace have become the second generation of the family to of their wines are available only at the tasting room. carry on the tradition of fine wines made from Sonoma County grapes. CELEBRITY FACT Although the winery’s flagship wines are still the outstand- You might notice glamorous photos in the tasting room ing Fumé Blanc and Chenin Blanc (the only wine whose grapes of Kim Stare Wallace in the company of A-list movie stars. come from outside Sonoma County), Dry Creek now makes That’s because for eleven years (and counting), Dry Creek many other varieties, including excellent Chardonnay, Mer- Vineyard has been the oﬃcial wine poured at the annual itage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel as well as a few red-carpet Screen Actors’ Guild award ceremonies. single-vineyard-designated wines. Many of these wines are available only at the tasting room, so treat yourself to a visit to the pioneer winery of Dry Creek Valley. Dry Creek Vineyard After 39 years, the winery’s stone walls are covered with soft Open 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily ivy and clinging vines, stately and serene. Inside the tasting 3770 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg room, you’ll see many photos and illustrations of sailing boats. (707) 433-1000 • www.drycreekvineyard.com Sailing boats are the primary illustration on the winery’s labels, reflecting a life-long passion for sailing shared now by Follow Dry Creek Vineyard three generations of Stares and Wallaces. on Facebook and Twitter!

Mention “Day Trips” and receive one complimentary tasting, valued at $5.

14 Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Westside Road Westside Road is, quite literally, one of the most recommended routes to take for wine tasting THINGS TO DO in this Russian River Valley AVA. Westside Road is slow and winding, filled with redwood trees, Shoffeitt’s off the Square heritage oaks with moss beards and famous vineyards. Should you wish to slow down and 208 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg experience wine country up-close-and-personal, Westside Road is your road. (707) 433-5556 • www.shoffeittsoffthesqure.com This is a shopping mecca of antiques, collectibles, local arts and gifts, as well as fine & custom jewelry. “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” ... the building goes on forever!

Dragonfly, 425 Westside Road, Healdsburg (707) 433-3739, www.dragonflyfloral.com By appointment only, this is a unique botany and flower- lover's destination. They can custom pick and arrange flowers.

Wohler Bridge, 9765 Wohler Road, Forestville A true Sonoma County landmark, Wohler Bridge is one of the few old-old-OLD bridges left in California. This steel truss bridge crosses the Russian River at quite a beautiful spot, too.

R U S DaVero, 766 Westside Road, Healdsburg S IA N (707) 431-8000 ,www.DaVero.com R IV W E . R Driving Time: 8 minutes Guided tastings of wines, olive oils and jams — as well as D R

Y HEALDSBURG AVE From Armida fresh produce. It's also a great spot for a picnic, or just to wan- C R Shoffeitt’s to De La Montanya .5 miles E EK Off the Square to Hop Kiln >3.5 mile der the field. Check the website for hands-on cooking clases. RD. Total 4 miles Madrona Dragonfly 128 Manor Mill Street Mill Street Antiques DaVero Farms Antiques 44 Mill Street, Healdsburg, (707) 433-8409 DE LA Take the time to seek out the treasures here - ARMIDA MONTANYA there’s sure to be something for everyone! LODGING

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R 101 Madrona Manor, 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg

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1-800-258-4003, www.MadronaManor.com

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R A world-class destination for guests seeking gracious service S C E I D D W E O and luxurious accommodations in the heart of wine country.

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. H W Oh yes... "Rated #1 in Napa & Sonoma" Y . by Travel & Leisure... Need we say more? WINDSOR RIVER RD Farmhouse Inn, 7871 River Road, Forestville (707) 887-3300, www. FarmhouseInn.com

O SHILO RD. L D Representing the finest level of Sonoma inns, restaurants A R E D W d W and Spas, sublime guestrooms, farm-fresh food, and seasonal O O D H body treatments come together for one unforgettable experi- D W R S a C E AIRPORT BLVD Y ID . ence. Wohler S A ST EA

. Bridge G

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R T T N D. (707) 887-3300, www.farmhouseinn.com S R E ER M V I

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R T A Tucked into one of the smallest, lovely towns in wine country, Farmhouse PINER RD. Inn the Farmhouse Inn boasts an exquisite restaurant. Each plate TO

LAGUNA LAGUNA by Chef Litke tells the story of Sonoma's diverse agriculture BODEGA RIVER RD. Not to scale BAY MIRABEL RD. and artisan producers. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Westside Road 15 Located not far from Healdsburg on Westside Road, ArmidaWinery sits atop a vineyard-striped knoll. Wend your way up the driveway and PLAN AHEAD you are in for a real treat! To start with, the views from the oak-shaded Bring a picnic, or purchase your cheese, crackers deck/picnic area and bocce court are unforgettable – the Russian River and other snacks here. Play a little bocce and relax Valley unfolds before your eyes in a glorious patchwork of vineyards, a while. This is one of the best places in Sonoma trees and hills, the Mayacama range a majestic backstop. County to have a picnic! The whole atmosphere at Armida Winery is one of delicious fun, with a bit of mischief thrown in. The wines are seriously good, but the WHAT TO TASTE folks at Armida Winery are serious about anti wine-snobbery Don’t miss their single vineyard Zins and Pinots, The tasting room is light, bright and airy feeling, with an octagonal including PoiZin,“the wine to die for!” shaped wooden bar that is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable servers, all of whom have been at Armida for many years. PoiZin FUN FACT themed gifts are placed everywhere in the artfully merchandised tasting Armida Winery is family owned and they make room. A full-sized wooden Indian gazes solemnly at visitors as they sip, sure all of their guests feel like family, too! swirl and shop. Against the back wall, a glass-fronted refrigerator is well stocked with cheeses, hummus and other picnic fare. VARIETALS Armida Winery is a popular stop along the wine road because the Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, tasting room is unique, the views are stunning, these folks really know “PoiZin”and“Antidote” how to show visitors a good time, there is no tasting fee and the wines ROCK. About the wines – I just had to taste the 2008 PoiZin. It is a classic Sonoma Zinfandel, loaded with aromas and flavors of ripe black- Armida Winery berry, plum, caramel, vanilla and peppery spice, with a big, rich mouthfeel and long, juicy finish. It’s a great deal at $25! Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. I also tasted their 2008 Durrell Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45), which 2201 Westside Road, Healdsburg was another delicious, varietally correct wine. The nose drew me in, www.armida.com • (707) 433-2222 with mouthwatering hints of rose petal, violet, cherry and baking For tours & reservations, spices. These aromas continued as flavors in the oh-so-silky mouth and e-mail: [email protected] on through the finish. Be sure to visit this unforgettable place and tell them The Wine Follow Armida on Wench sent you! by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Facebook and Twitter.

Bring in this story for one complimentary reserve tasting. (No fee for regular tasting.)

16 Westside Road www.WineCountryThisWeek.com How does the idea of a picnic and a glass of Pinot, in a private peaceful setting outside of a beautiful little redwood barn VARIETALS located in one of the most idyllic spots in Dry Creek sound? If Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, it’s a taste of fine wine and casual luxury that you’re looking for, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo, Tempranillo and unique blends then search no further than the De La Montanya Tasting Room in its Felta Creek Vineyard, just a few minutes from PHILOSOPHY central Healdsburg on secluded Foreman Lane. Fine winemaking may be serious business, not least when “If you’re looking to taste some of the most unique red wine producing 4,500 cases that range from oﬀerings of just 25 in Sonoma County, you’re in the right place,” said Dennis to 250 cases per year. Yet De La Montanya and his tight- De La Montanya, whose wines have yielded an impressive knit winery team take equal pride in their shared dedication to the art of a laugh and the craft of good liv- collection of gold medals. ing. “We’re small, quaint, hard-to-find and well worth the effort,” said De La Montanya, one of Dry Creek Valley’s most FUN FACTS celebrated hosts and champion of the art of understated Several “rock star” special signature bottlings for bands winemaking. Their meticulously crafted wines are bottled from like Journey and Whitesnake have raised thousands of dollars for a variety of worthy charities. And their limited the best of the winery’s premium, estate-grown, hand-selected edition wines include a rather cheeky range of “pin-up” grapes: 15 varieties from five distinctive appellations with ideal wines for wine club members. soils and microclimates. Visit the bucolic “barn” style tasting room in the vineyards De La Montanya Estate and discover the secrets of their success. It’s the unmistakable Vineyards & Winery spirit, charm and attention to detail on three acres of Zinfandel Open Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and an acre of Primitivo surrounding a vintage apple orchard Monday-Thursday, by appointment only that provides a leafy, shaded canopy over inviting lawns and 999 Foreman Lane, Healdsburg patios, rose arbors, a fire pit, outdoor pizza oven, pathways (707) 433-3711 • www.dlmwine.com and a bocce court. There is even a private two-bedroom Look for them on Facebook cottage on the property available for wine club members. and become a Fan!

Mention this article and receive a special taste of the De La Montanya Whitesnake Zinfandel. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Westside Road 17 Robert Janover Robert

In the words of the very nice people at Hop Kiln Win- Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. With a very lim- ery, it is all about “Honoring the past, and handcrafting the ited production, most of the wines are sold at the winery future.” When you start with a 250-acre piece of prime or through their very popular wine clubs, including the property located within Sweetwater Springs Historic Dis- new HKG Collection with its long lists of benefits and ac- trict, add a structure that dates back to 1905 (California cess to some spectacular bottlings, many of them in very Historic Landmark # 893), and then you have it posi- limited production. tioned in Sonoma County’s fabled Russian River Valley, You may also enjoy the Hop Kiln Chardonnay, Sauvi- well, you pretty much have it all. gnon Blanc, the pleasantly fruity Thousand Flowers or the The ranch property be- versatile Rosa Bellissima. Or for came a viticultural mecca in Hop Kiln Winery the reds: an aromatic 1975, when grapes, not hops Grenache, the rare full-bodied Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (as in beer, the original crop Malbec, an aptly-named Big that was mainly shipped to the 6050 Westside Road, Healdsburg Red or the Syrah/Grenache brewmasters of Washington (707) 433-6491 • hopkilnwinery.com blend fancifully called Rushin’ State) became the crop and the HKG Pinot Noir and Chardonnay River Red. All of them at an ex- original kilns became working Hop Kiln Thousand Flowers, Big Red and Malbec ceptionally reasonable price. space for a winery and a com- One treat is to buy a bottle fortable, casual tasting room. FUN Hop Kiln also features mustards, oils, vinegars, of a favorite, get some artisan An enlargement of the tasting FACT pestos, vinaigrettes and dessert sauces. cheese and meat from the deli bar, to be unveiled this spring, case, a loaf of bread (they sup- will provide an exciting personalized experience. ply glasses, cutting board and knife) and sit outside by the Every weekend throughout the year there are up to 60 pond. You can watch the waterfowl land, look out over the of their award-winning gourmet products to sample, from property and relax. Be sure to bring your camera to cap- a staggering array of locally made mustards to grapeseed ture the three drying towers, silhouetted against the sky, oil, chocolate wine truffles, pesto sauces and more … the fragrant beauties in the rose garden and the miniature every one of them first-rate. replica of the winery floating in the pond serving as a duck But of course you go there first for the wines pro- rest. duced from Hop Kiln’s prime real estate under the HKG It is the perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon, and label. Both unfiltered, there is the complex Sonoma think about how things have changed over the last century Chardonnay and a delicious, classic Russian River Valley at this historic property, and all for the better, year after Pinot Noir that recently took a “Gold” medal at the San year. by Charles Neave

18 Westside Road www.WineCountryThisWeek.com DRY CREEK RD

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LINCOLN JOHNSON PRINCE DowntownHealdsburg is charming. Every brick, every flower box, every elegant shop and eclecticHealdsburg gallery, every five-star restaurant and cozy cafe on every single corner speak to FITCH ST Seghesio CENTER ST COLLEGE ST this town's genuine individuality and down-to-earth-treasures. DowntownGROVE ST Healdsburg may be surrounded by bucolic rolling hills and picturesque vineyards, but around this age-old square, its hard to imagine being anywhere else more delightful. No matter what time of year, HealdsburgGRANT is a ST town for every season. GRAPE LEAF INN THINGS TO DO Zin Restaurant & Wine Bar, 344 Center Street Cyrus Restaurant Reservations recommended, (707) 473-0946 29 North Street, Healdsburg

Sonoma County Wine Library HEALDSBURGAVE. 139 Piper Street, Healdsburg Dinner served daily, lunch Monday-Fridays (707)Sonoma 433-3311, County www.cyrusrestaurant.com Wine Library (707) 433-3772, www.sonomalibrary.org/wine Zin features delicious seasonal cuisine with Consistently reviewed as one of THE best restau- A free visit with a wealth of information! produce grown especially for them. rants in all of wine country by Wine Spectator,PIPER ST The library has more than 5,000 books dealing101 with all aspects Wine industry locals often gather here for Gourmet, Food & Wine, Esquire, Wine Enthusiast, of making wine, some of them date even back to 1512! a little nourishment and “shop talk.” and Wall Street Journal. Knowledgeable librarians are on hand to help guide you. Raven Theater 115 North Street, Healdsburg Raven Theater (707) 433-6335, www.raventheater.org NORTH ST Where would we be without performing arts? Zin Restaurant A big, dark nowhere, that's where. It’s thanks to cultural Cyrus theaters like the Raven, that publics can experience entertainment that is beyond a moment's blip of distraction. Enjoy wonderful performances and expand your world. Ferrari-Carano’s PLAZA ST Erickson SEASONS OF POWELL’S SWEET SHOPPE Segway Tours Fine Art Gallery THE VINEYARD (707) 953-3477, www.segwayofhealdsburg.com KENDALL JACKSON BOISSET Take a fun tour of Healdsburg on a rented Segway. TASTE OF PLAZA ST TERROIR Historic Homes Getaway Adventures Walking Tours Santa Rosa, (707) 568-3040, www.getawayadventures.com Healdsburg Sip 'n Cycle: Visit the sites and learn local wine Dry Creek Plaza TOPEL MATHESON facts throughout downtown Healdsburg and into the vineyards Kitchen on this innovative, healthy tour! Tours include a picnic and Options Gallery bocce. Hotel Healdsburg MATHESON FITCH ST Healdsburg Inn LODGING on the Plaza

Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza CENTER 112 Matheson Street, Healdsburg STEPHEN (707) 433-6991, www.healsburginn.com & WALKER Built in 1901, this classic California inn is located right on the Not to scale Healdsburg Plaza. From summer concerts to holiday tree lightings, the town's best events take place right here. Guests are also sur- Shoffeitt’s MILL rounded by shops, galleries, tasting rooms and restaurants. EAST ST off the Square Hotel Healdsburg 25 Matheson Street, Healdsburg 1-800-889-7188, www.hotelhealdsburg.com Chic, beautifully appointed Hotel Healdsburg is located on the historic square and is one of the premier Wine Country luxury lodgings in all Sonoma County. FOOD Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen Hotel Healdsburg, 317 Healdsburg Avenue (707) 431-0330, www.charliepalmer.com Celebrating Sonoma's pioneering wines and spirits, celebrated Chef Charlie Palmer takes the best of our farm-fresh produce and culinary cradle and infuses it with his passion and trademark style. HUDSON www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Downtown Healdsburg 19

KINLEY

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Kendall-Jackson wines are known to virtually every wine lover. And the historic Sonoma County town of Healdsburg is VARIETALS Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, rapidly becoming a destination in itself. In every way this is a Muscat Canelli, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah and perfect place to introduce (or reintroduce) yourself to the Cabernet Sauvignon. portfolio of Kendall-Jackson wines. Near the northwest corner of the Healdsburg Plaza, the rich FUN FACT and varied world of Kendall-Jackson wines seems to shrink Taste small-production, vineyard-designated wines down to an intimate, unhurried scale that wraps each visitor available only in the tasting room. in a unique welcome. It’s not intimidating – you’re simply WALK TO … encouraged to enjoy the limited production wines and the Healdsburgs’ bistros, bars (wine and otherwise) and grills, incredible surroundings. bed and breakfasts and small inns, some of the nation’s You’ll be greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable staff and ﬁnest restaurants plus galleries, shops and some soon find yourself discovering unexpected dimensions of the ﬁrst-class hotels. Or just stroll through the historic 19th-century plaza. winery. With hand-crafted wines and exceptional vineyards, this is one of the must-see attractions in Sonoma County. DID YOU KNOW Many visitors admit that they’ve never seen this side of Jess Jackson, winery founder, also has some of the world’s Kendall-Jackson. The “Eureka” moment comes with the look most famous and successful racehorses in his stable. on the faces of visitors becoming acquainted with the more exclusive Kendall-Jackson wines they will find only in the Tasting Rooms. Kendall-Jackson Healdsburg Visitors can choose either the Classic tasting which features Tasting Room wines available only at the winery, or a Reserve tasting focusing Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily on exclusive single-vineyard wines. No matter which route 337 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg you choose, you can be assured that it will be both a memo- (707) 433-7102 • www.kj.com rable and enjoyable experience here in the heart of wine country. Follow Kendall-Jackson on Facebook and Twitter.

Complimentary reserve tasting if you bring in ‘Day Trips’.

20 Downtown Healdsburg www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Owned and founded by Jean-Claude Boisset, this über-chic wine tasting salon is an unforgettable place where VARIETALS Pinot Noir, Chardonnay (from France and California) you may taste some of the best wines from the Burgundy and Burgundian bubbles region of France and the Sonoma County region of California. “Oceans of the world separate us, great wines unite us” is PLAN AHEAD the philosophy on which that this delicious adventure was Truly enjoying the variety of wines offered here takes time – give yourself at least an hour to relax and enjoy founded, and there are some GREAT wines to taste here! Tast- a flight or two. ing flights range from $8 for the “Explorateur” selection up to $100 for the “Grand Cru” selection. I tasted a few wines dur- FUN FACT The friendly, knowledgeable staff of Taste of Terroir ing my visit and the following were my favorites: actually opens bottles of bubbly by slicing off the tops 1999 Perle d’ Or ($25): Aromas of baking bread, apples, with a saber. pears and exotic spice continue as flavors in the effusively sparkling mouth. This is a real steal at $25! LITTLE KNOWN FACT Taste of Terroir features the Boisset family-owned 2006 JCB Pinot Noir No. 7 ($50): This Pinot made my collection of wineries, each with its own unique history, knees weak! Mouthwatering aromas of rose petals, cinnamon, identity and style. Together, they share more than 17 black cherry and a whiff of smoke lure the taster into a silken centuries of winemaking tradition, an uncompromising mouthful of consistent flavors. Absolutely luscious! commitment to quality and a deep and abiding respect for their terroirs, showcased by rigorous sustainable The large table that spans the middle of the room is set farming practices. with white linen, an array of wine glasses and lit by an impressive Baccarat crystal chandelier. There is a small tasting Boisset Taste of Terroir bar across the back of the room, which is painted black and Open Sunday-Wednesday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. decorated with descriptive graphics. Displays of wine and Thursday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Baccarat crystal are artfully set up around the room. Tres 320 Center Street, Healdsburg chic! www.tasteofterroir.com Boisset Taste of Terroir is simply an experience not to be missed! by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench For more information, call (707) 473-9707 Mention this story for a complimentary “Sparkling Pearls” flight of wines. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Downtown Healdsburg 21 Known as the hidden jewel of Mendocino’s Duncan Peak, VARIETALS Topel Winery is a far cry from the well-trodden highways and Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Noir, Pinot Noir, Gamay, byways of California’s most visited wine country. Meritage, Super Tuscan Blend, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, The craggy 14-acre mountain “Hidden Vineyard” is a haven Chardonnay, White Wine Blend and Orange Moscato of spiritual sustenance for owners Marcus and Donnis Topel. The former sheep ranch that produces many of the winery’s FUN FACT most sought-after wines is a world away from the chic down- Topel publishes a calendar every year – Topel Wine Tails – town address of Topel’s trendy and attainable Healdsburg tasting a benefit for the Healdsburg Animal Shelter. room. The Topel Tasting Room opened to wine aficionados in Sep- SPECIAL TASTINGS tember 2008 just off the Plaza and across the street from the A minimal fee of $5 offers visitors a choice of four wines, Oakville Grocery. Here, tastings are available of Topel’s Biody- $8 for a choice of six and $11 for all nine wines – namic® wines that are gently crafted to reveal a unique $5 is refundable with purchase. evolution of each varietal. Minimalist techniques have trans- Estate room tastings are available for private groups of formed the grapes into world-class, soulful wines that reflect four to 12 people by appointment only and a fee of $25 the steep, rocky soil and foggy climate of their origin. per person is refundable with a minimum purchase of a Owner/winemakers, Marcus and Donnis infuse a wealth of half-case (six bottles) per person. Private tasting includes aesthetic senses and experiences into their wines. Leading a all Topel Flight wines, plus at least two library wines and a dual life, Marcus Topel is a prominent attorney handling some selection of cheeses, breads and light appetizers. of this country’s most complex criminal and civil litigation. The cozy tasting room was artfully designed with comfort Topel Tasting Room and style as commanding elements in the details of its copper countertops, sleek black fixtures and cherry wood library seat- Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily ing area with digital slideshow of the compelling vineyard cycle. 125 Matheson Street, Healdsburg A snug and attractive estate room tasting area off the main www.topelwines.com room is a regular hot spot for blending parties with the Topels For more information, call (707) 433-4116 frequently hosting special events. www.facebook.com/topelwinery

Bring in this article with you and get 20% discount on any wine purchase.

22 Downtown Healdsburg www.WineCountryThisWeek.com The tasting room at Stephen & Walker Winery is home to Nancy Walker’s celebrated, limited production wines, some of VARIETALS the most praised wines in Sonoma. The tasting room is just Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, down the street from Healdsburg’s plaza, midway between two Sauvignon Blanc, the new and award-winning Muscat world-class hotels. It offers a wonderful flight of wines show- Canelli, Late Harvest Chardonnay and a very special Port casing her elegant, signature style. The charming tasting room, called, rather cleverly, ‘Portentous’ with its big windows, long bar, polished floors and high ceiling is a great complement to the wine being offered by a most A NICE TOUCH hospitable staff. You can expect to sample a small bite with your flight. “We’re a small, artisanal, family-owned winery located in the heart of wine country,” Nancy says. “We started our label in GOOD TO KNOW 2004 and are proud and passionate to bring you wines made Unlike most tasting rooms, they stay open until 7 p.m., from the remarkable vineyards we tend with our growers in which means you can drop by for a guided tasting and Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Monterey counties.” then head out to dinner. “We craft our wines to showcase the grapes and their PLAN AHEAD vineyard provenance that allows for the subtle nuances of the Since these are rare wines you’ll seldom find elsewhere, appellation to shine. And and with only a few hundred case leave some room in your suitcase (or buy a wine shipper of each wine produced, we can control the wines for the most and check them as luggage if you are flying - or have optimum result.” them shipped) and buy some bottles to take home and “This philosophy allows us to create wines that are truly an share this discovery with family and friends. Which, after expression of our style. Every bottle we produce has our com- all, is what savoring wine is all about. mitment and unique perspective, to bring you the true flavors realized from the terroir. We believe each wine is a specific, Stephen & Walker Winery individual expression of the fruit from our vineyards and of the winemaker’s craft.” Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily One thing you can be assured of is that you will long 243 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg remember the quiet, unhurried experience, and, of course (707) 431-8749 • www.trustwine.com these very special, lovingly handcrafted wines.

Recent wins at the 2011 SF Chronicle Wine Competition: DOUBLE GOLD – 2008 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, GOLD – 2009 Green Valley of Russian River Sauvignon Blanc and GOLD – 2004 Portentous www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Downtown Healdsburg 23 Gateway to Alexander Valley Only an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Alexander Valley is leaps and bounds away from Healdsburg Ridge Hiking Trail any hustle and bustle. Visitors looking for a more relaxed, authentic wine country experience, will Entry gate at Arabian Way and Bridle Path. be happy here. Brimming with hospitality, this stunning corner of the world is home to 40 winer- (Sorry, no pets allowed). ies, each boasting distinctive, unassuming wines. One of Sonoma’s favorite nature preserves, take the Ridge Hiking Trail to the Fox Pond Run and Fox Pond Overlook. A wonderful place to get some fresh air and exercise in wine country! FOOD Jimtown Store, 6706 Highway 128, Healdsburg (707) 433-1212, www.jimtown.com Literally tucked into the vineyards in the Jimtown store. For more than 100 years, Jimtown has provided Healdsburg with fresh baked goods, hot coffee, and local products. Linger over the eclectic American antiques and old-fashioned toys. Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria 21021 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville (707) 814-0111, www.diavolapizzeria.com VETERANS MEMORIAL BEACH • WWW.HEALDSBURG.COM Diavola is not only a great stop for picnic items such as house-cured salumi and olives but also features traditional Italian cooking THINGS TO DO including gourmet pizzas from brick ovens and delicicious pastas. Veterans Memorial Beach, Bosworth & Son General Store Diavola uses the most locally available ingredients combined with 13839 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg 21060 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville centuries old recipes. (707) 433-1625 (707) 857-3463, www.bosworthandson.com Truly one of Healdsburg’s most favorite Once a mortuary and even a buggy store – Hoffman House Restaurant riverside beaches! Bring a picnic, kick off the buggy paint still stains the floor – Bosworth 21712 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville your shoes, or even borrow an inner tube. & Son General Store is an old-fashioned store (707) 857-3264, www.hoffmanhousegeyserville.com Nothing to do here but relax, breathe deeply meeting the Western-inspired needs of today’s Built more than 100 years ago by the Hoffman family, this and listen to the river roll on by. customer. cafe serves healthy breakfast and lunch with striking views of the majestic mountains nearby. Seasonal dinners, call first. LODGING A S

D Not to scale T

R I Grape Leaf Inn, 539 Johnson Street, Healdsburg R

K D ASTI E

. . . E . R 101 (707) 433-8140, www.grapeleafinn.com C Cellar 8 &

R E H SouverainSouverain C A picturesque Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast, the Grape T CHIANTI RD. U FERRARI-CARANO D Geyserville Inn\Hoffman House Restaurant Leaf Inn seamlessly blends modern decor with timeless antiques. Bosworth & Son General Store Hope Merrill/Hope Bosworth House MERCURY WINES Gracious staff provide the best hospitality in this relaxing, ON Diavola Pizzeria romantic environment. Y N

C 128 Belle de Jour Inn, 16276 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg (707) 431-9777, www.belledujourinn.com G E A single-story Italiante built in the 1870s, Belle du Jour nestles Y S E R on six acres of hilltop overlooking rolling hilltops and valleys. V I L Jimtown L

R HAWKES Store D Hope Merril & Hope Bosworth B&B

. WINE . RD D L L. 21253 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville Y VA R ON S DER Y T PRINGS T AN T C X C T LE Y H A R L O (707) 857-3356, www.hope-inns.com E I E Q N MEDLOCK AMES K U IT A Driving Time: 29 minutes RMS Once an early stage-coach stop, these now two strikingly restored D FA SIMI KLAN From Asti PAR G H Healdsburg Ridge Queen Anne Craftsman homes welcome you with open arms. R E

to Mercury Wines >10 miles O A

L V

D Hiking Trail to Hawkes Wine >7 miles E Truly where wine and romance intertwine! S

B to Medlock Ames >.5 miles U R to Simi 4 miles G Geyserville Inn, 21714 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville 101 A

V Total 21 miles E Veterans Memorial Beach (707) 857-4343, www.GeyservilleInn.com First class accomodations at more affordable prices in the heart of wine country!

24 Alexander Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Take a trip up to Asti, just north of Geyserville along High- way 101, and you’ll discover the county’s most historic winery. ASTI SUPPORTS CHARITY The Asti Winery came alive all the way back in 1881, when Asti is helping to promote Colby Red wine, a delicious Genoa-born Andrea Sbarbaro first established the Italian Swiss blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot Colony. His idea was to create an agricultural cooperative to & Petite Sirah. Proceeds from the sale of Colby Red provide work for the local Italian immigrants, and at the same support charities that promote heart health. At just time produce world-class wines. $12.99 a bottle, stock up and support a great cause! This seemingly quiet spot in the northern reaches of WHAT TO TASTE Sonoma County was a bustling community and popular tourist You name it, they’ve got it. Chardonnay, Sauvignon destination for many decades. In 1962, Italian Swiss Colony Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, was the second most visited destination in California (after Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and dessert wine. Disneyland), with 440,000 visitors in that year alone. Asti was quiet for nearly 20 years, used just as a production DID YOU KNOW? facility for a few wineries. Now Asti is open to the public again For many years the Asti tasting room was also home to as home to two stellar wineries, Cellar No. 8 and Souverain. the town’s post office. Visitors were invited to fill out You’ve likely seen Cellar No. 8’s white label in the retail market, postcards to friends and family and the post office would but at Asti they’re showing off the winery’s black label wines, mail them for free. This great tradition was rekindled produced in quantities of 10 barrels or less. when Asti re-opened to the public, so when you visit The Souverain (formerly Chateau Souverain) wines are grab a handful of postcards and start filling them out! simply better than ever. Winemaker Ed Killian, the steady hand behind Souverain for 20 years, puts his best stuff in the Winemaker’s Reserves. The 2008 Souverain Winemaker’s Asti Winery – Reserve Chardonnay, with an eye-popping 92 points from Cellar No. 8 and Souverain Robert Parker, is as lovely and balanced as Chardonnay gets. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call ahead to schedule a tour of Asti where you can see the oldest parts of the winery dating back to 1887, plus Andrea 26150 Asti Post Office Road, Cloverdale Sbarbaro’s 1902 house modeled after Villa Pompei, and lots of www.cellarno8.com and www.souverain.com other surprises! by Michelle J. Baker To schedule a tour, call (707) 265-5490.

2 for 1 Tasting – Receive two tastings for the price of one. Terms and conditions apply. See site for details. Expires 12/31/2011 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Alexander Valley 25 The lyrics to the song “Mercury Blues” were going through my head during my visit with proprietor, Brad Beard SPECIAL TASTINGS at Mercury Wines in downtown Geyserville. I really enjoyed The barrel room that adjoins the tasting room is used for hangin’ with Brad. Every wine I tasted rocked and their hip large groups and private tastings or on a nice, sunny day, and modern tasting room is not to be missed! the patio is available, too. From the sidewalk, large windows in the tasting room offer views of barrels in one room and an adjoining wine- LITTLE KNOWN FACT filled, cubbyhole-lined retail room. Once inside, the vibe is I don’t usually write about tasting room restrooms, but super cool and chic, yet unpretentious. The tasting bar is a their bathroom is really worth checking out! The walls short plank, supported by two wine barrels. are painted bright blue, with one wall full of vinyl records (all with the Mercury Records label, of course!). The adjoining barrel room is used for large groups and private tastings and there’s a patio out back for relaxing in the FUN FACT Geyserville sunshine. Behind the bar is a DJ set-up with two turntables, Now for my favorite part - the wines! Here are my faves: sitting atop two vintage speakers that were part of the 2008 Freddie Rosé, Sonoma County ($18): Gorgeous! Woodstock experience. Dig that! During special events, Mouthwatering aromas of cherry, cranberry, vanilla and a there is usually a DJ on site, spinning the vinyl. pinch of green herbs continue as flavors in the bright, juicy mouth. Almost too easy to drink! VARIETALS 2008 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($25): This Pinot made my Pinot Noir, Bordeaux blends and exotic whites. knees weak! OMG! If for no other reason, go there for this wine – I kid you not! Alluring aromas of raspberry, strawberry jam and cloves lure you into a silken mouthful of Mercury Wines cherry, vanilla and spice. Oh yeah! Open Thursday-Monday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. When you visit Mercury, there’s a good chance that one of the Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment winemakers is on-site, pouring the wine and talking about their unconventional approach to wine. 21015 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville So, there you have it – great wines at reasonable prices, www.mercurywine.com cool vibe and nice people, too! by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench For more information, call (707) 857-9870

Join the wine club and get 20% oﬀ all purchases as a member!

26 Alexander Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Located a short drive from Healdsburg, right next door to the Jimtown Store, Hawkes Winery’s tasting room is a VARIETALS Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Library delicious haven for wine lovers. The building itself is a wines and large format bottles are also available converted garage, painted a bright, cheerful white. A riot of flowers is planted in flower boxes around the front. Once LITTLE KNOWN FACT The Hawkes family was one the first growers to plant inside the tasting room, the cheerful, bright theme contin- Cabernet in Alexander Valley, back in 1971. ues, with floor-to-ceiling windows all around the room and white open beam ceilings. A wood-topped bar spans one FUN FACT Hawkes Winery is family-owned. Stephen Hawkes and side of the room and a couple of tables are available for his son Jacob run the show with a little help from their those who wish to sit and sip. families and faithful staff. Alex was my server and she was fantastic! She is very LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION friendly, really knows her stuff and enjoys sharing her Hawkes Winery has a second tasting room located at 383 knowledge with visitors. She also writes a great blog for the 1st Street West on the historic Sonoma Plaza winery’s website. Let’s talk about the wines. I tasted a few wines during my PLAN AHEAD Give yourself at least a half hour to fully enjoy your visit visit with Alex and they were all wonderful, but I only have and to learn about the wines and winery. A nominal $10 room to write about a couple, so here goes: tasting fee (refundable with bottle purchase, excluding 2008 Home Chardonnay ($20): Unoaked, juicy and vi- Chardonnay) allows you to taste five fabulous wines, and sometimes a special library wine is thrown into the mix. brant, with abundant aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, exotic flowers and spices, all wrapped up in a crisp mouth- Hawkes Winery feel. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Monday 2006 Red Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ($60): This is a $120 Cab in a $60 dress! Mouthwatering aromas of ripe 6734 Highway 128, Healdsburg black cherry, mocha, rose petals and cigar box continue as (707) 433-HAWK • www.hawkeswine.com flavors in the decadently rich, perfectly balanced mouth. Twitter: @hawkeswine by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Facebook.com/hawkeswine

Free shipping for wine club members. Join today! www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Alexander Valley 27 When I first noticed the shiny new Medlock Ames Tasting Room & Bar sitting proudly where the old Alexander Valley VARIETALS Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Store and Bar used to be, it made me a little melancholy. Cabernet Sauvignon, a Red Blend and Rosé Change is inevitable, but the old store and bar was another local hangout that had gone by the wayside. Or so I thought… PLAN AHEAD This is a great place to have a picnic and play pétanque! Turns out that Medlock Ames has lovingly restored the Purchase your picnic supplies from nearby Jimtown bar (the best of old-meets-new) and the tasting room is gor- Store or from Medlock Ames’ selection of cheeses. geous. This place is industrial chic done really, really well! Occasionally, on warm Saturdays, the pizza oven At the Bar, Thursday is local’s night and it’s a really cool cranks out a variety of delicious thin crust pizzas, topped with organic produce from the property. place to hang out! You’ll find this Wine Wench there! After 5 p.m., the full bar is open. May through October Let’s start outside – olive trees surround the perimeter of enjoy live music Saturdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. the grounds, which are neat and orderly, with raised herb and FUN FACT vegetable beds, there is a pétanque court for those who like The original building was constructed during the 1860s. to play and a copper pizza oven sits off to the side. A large If only those walls could talk! shaded patio off the back of the tasting room is dotted with LITTLE KNOWN FACT picnic tables. In the season, Medlock Ames sells organic veggies and The tasting room is inviting, with lots of windows and olive oil, all grown on their property. light wood floors. The tasting bar is an island in the middle Medlock Ames Winery of the room, lit with stylish drop-down light fixtures and a galvanized pipe around the bottom of the bar serves as a foot Tasting Room is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. rail. There is also a long table next to the bar and a few tables Bar is open Sunday-Thursday 5 to 9 p.m. along the walls and windows where visitors may enjoy their Friday & Saturday 5 to 11+ p.m. tasting experienced while seated. 3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg The wines are great, the staff is friendly and the place is www.medlockames.com gorgeous! Don’t miss Medlock Ames Winery! For more information, call (707) 431-8845. by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Become a Fan on Facebook!

Try out the old-fashioned photo booth in the bar – it actually works!

28 Alexander Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com It was more than 75 years ago when Isabelle Simi Haigh announced to her workers that she wanted them to convert a VARIETALS Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and huge, unused wine vat into a tasting room. Since then, Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Winery has built a reputation for offering visitors not just tastes of superb wine, but also a comfortable and unique set- TOURS ting where you can taste. When the days are warm tours Tours of the historic stone cellar, built in 1850, are offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. often begin in the redwood grove by the tasting room. The grove also serves as the focal point for events and food and FUN FACT wine pairings. In the redwood grove nearly everyone in- The Simi Winery tasting room was originally from a huge volved with the winery loves to tell the story of this historic wine vat. Definitely a story you can take home to tell your family and the teenage girl who kept the winery operating friends over a glass of Simi wine, of course. profitably when both her father and her uncle died unex- PLAN AHEAD pectedly within weeks of each other. Even the stones used in Starting in May, on each Friday and Saturday afternoon, the waterfall’s construction have a story to tell. For instance, the redwood grove is transformed into an exotic sort of all the materials that went into the creation of this idyllic pizza café, offering a menu of exotic pizzas created by Chef Eric Lee. The pizzas are made in the East Coast thin- spot were recycled from earlier structures, or they were natu- crust style, but the toppings are all strictly local, with ral stones found on the property as, over the years, more and generous use of fresh-from-the-farm greens that Eric se- more land was cleared for vineyards. lects for the pizza he calls “Forage.” Even the Italian Today, the long communal tables are where wine fanciers sausage is made in the winery kitchen. from everywhere sit down as perfect strangers and rise as friends, were crafted from staves of old fermentation tanks. Simi Winery If it is early recycling that you want to find, look no further Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily than this innovative, eco-sensitive winery on the outskirts northeast of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, where fine wine (707) 473-3232 • www.simiwinery.com is served along with a bit of wine country history. Follow Simi Winery on Facebook

Two-for-one tasting with this story. Limit 4 people. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Alexander Valley 29 Eastside Bunch The "Eastside Bunch" (as they call themselves) are eight top- D flight wineries located close together along the eastern stretch R Y

C of the Russian River in Sonoma County. Specializing in Pinots, R E E K cool-climate Syrahs, and that famous Zinfandel, the Eastside R FERRARI-CARANO R U D S . S Bunch represents some of the finest winemaking and culinary 101 IA N 128 R talents in all of Northern California. Don’t miss the annual IV E R Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival in September!

THINGS TO DO W . DR CHALK HILL RD Powell’s Sweet Shoppe Y CRE EK 322 Center St., Healdsburg Giorgi’s 128 Restaurant (707) 431-2784, www.powelsss.com CHRISTOPHER CREEK Remember yesterday, today! An old time, old fashioned candy, ice cream and sweets shop sure to delight your child within!

LIMERICK MERRIAM This is the first shop for Powell's now beloved franchise. L O

Riverfront Regional Park ACORN A M I G 7821 Eastside Rd, Healdsburg, (707) 565-2041 O RODNEY S ARATA

Once an old quarry, Riverfront Regional Park is now home to W STRONG O E Russian River L S D CHALK HILL T two sparkling lakes perfect for swimming and non-motorized BROOKS Valley Produce S R

I E D D boating...or hike a trail through serene redwood groves! E W

R O Rodney Strong Vineyards D O . D 101 H 11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg W HEMBREE Y . FRAUGHT LAKEWOOD PLEASANT 1-800-678-4763, www.rodneystrong.com WINDSOR RIVER RD O LD R E D Join visitors and locals alike on the lawn outside W O Driving Time: 22 minutes O Rodney Strong Vineyards for warm summer evenings, CONDE D From Rodney Strong H Gilardi’s W good food, great wine, and a variety of musical guests. Y to Acorn >1 mile . Delicatessen SHILOH RD. Look for the summer 2011 online! to Christopher Creek >2 miles to Merriam 1 mile Russian River Valley Produce to Chalk Hill 7 miles 400 Grapevine Lane, Healdsburg, (707) 433-7933 Total >11 miles AIRPORT BLVD A four-acre, family-owned ranch, Russian River Valley Produce farms top-notch vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers sure to Riverfront brighten any palate and table. Excellent farm tours Wohler Regional Park by appointment. The best of California farming! Bridge

Not to scale FOOD Giorgi’s Restaurant 25 Grant Street, Healdsburg, (707) 433-1106 Great family-style Italian restaurant…pasta and hand-thrown pizzas. Has a full bar, open late and food available to go. Gilardi's Delicatessen 810 Den Beste, Windsor, (707) 838-9869 Certainly a vine above the rest! Feast on homemade lasagna and freshly baked sourdough garlic breads.

LODGING Country Garden Lodging, Healdsburg (707) 431-8630, www.hcountrygardens.com Three fully-equipped, affordable vacation homes located on a 25-acre wine country estate boasting spectacular gardens. Located just 1½ miles from charming downtown Healdsburg.

30 Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com There are few places on earth more beautiful than The Green, a bucolic nook of leafy splendor that graces GOOD TO KNOW The winery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the grounds of Rodney Strong Vineyards. It represents the guided winery tours are oﬀered daily at 11 a.m. and absolute perfect spot in which to savor the marvelous wines 3 p.m. They feature complimentary tastings and tours. they offer, nibble on picnic fare and revel in the glory of a day in the wine country. SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Mr. Strong was one of the first to recognize in this land Amazing wines, breathtaking views and concerts with the clues that pointed to its ideal nature as a grape growing contemporary artists – there’s no better way to enjoy a Sonoma County summer than at Rodney Strong’s annual region. He realized that the soil, the climate and the topog- Summer Concert Series presented in association with raphy here combined in a way to produce the conditions Omega Events. Surrounded by acres of beautiful vine- that are necessary to make world-class wines. All of the yards, guests enjoy top performers while picnicking at Rodney Strong wines come from grapes grown exclusively the winery’s intimate concert venue, The Green. in Sonoma County’s finest appellations: Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill and Sonoma Coast. He was FUN FACT Depending on the season, you can witness vines being also one of the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Russian River pruned, the sugar-testing of grapes or receive a crash Valley and the first to produce and release a Chalk Hill course on evaluating wines right out of the barrel. Chardonnay. Currently available for tasting is their luscious Char- FIND THEM donnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Look for Rodney Strong Vineyards on Cabernet Sauvignon and Symmetry, a red meritage wine. Facebook, YouTube and Twitter! Since 1989, the Klein family, who has been involved in Rodney Strong Vineyards California agriculture for four generations, has privately owned the winery. Their passion for sustainable farming Open Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. practices, solar power and other green business practices 11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg led them to become Sonoma County’s first carbon neutral For more information, call (707) 431-1533 winery. – Ronda Giangreco or visit www.rodneystrong.com. 2 for 1 Reserve tasting – good through August 2011 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Eastside Bunch 31 Bill & Betsy Nachbaur

Located just south of Healdsburg on Old Redwood High- way, Acorn Winery is easy to find. Turn onto the driveway PLAN AHEAD and wend your way past a few houses, through some well- Make your tasting appointment in advance and plan on kept vineyards and you’ve arrived at a very special place. spending at least an hour with Bill & Betsy at Acorn Really. LITTLE KNOWN FACT Acorn Winery’s owners (and founders), Bill and Betsy “Alegria” is the vineyard name at Acorn – the Spanish Nachbaur truly enjoy sharing their wines and educating peo- translation is “happiness,” and the name “Acorn” comes ple about the vineyards and the fruits of their labors. A visit from the majestic oak trees on the property – meaning with them is an up-close, personal experience that you won’t from small beginnings comes mighty results. soon forget. In fact, if you visit at harvest time, Bill will take you out in the vineyard, put a refractometer (sugar meter) in FUN FACT your hand, have you check sugar levels and create your own More than 40 diﬀerent grape varieties are grown in Acorn field-blend. Talk about hands-on! Winery’s vineyards and incorporated into their wines. The tasting room is a barrel against a wall in the winery. Period. This place is all about function – wine grape growing VARIETALS and crafting excellent wines is the focus here. Cabernet Franc, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, I had the pleasure of tasting a few wines during my visit. “Rosato” and “Medley” They were all excellent, but my particular favorites were: 2007 Sangiovese, Alegria Vineyards $25: This is one of the Acorn Winery best California Sangiovese I have ever tasted (and I’ve tasted a Tasting by appointment only bunch!). Aromas of black cherry, coffee, vanilla and a pot- 12040 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg pourri of spices meld seamlessly and continue as flavors in www.acornwinery.com the bright, juicy mouth. 2007 Zinfandel, Heritage Vines™, Alegria Vineyards $32: For your private tasting appointment, Wow! Aromas and flavors of raspberries, orange peel, caramel call Bill or Betsy at (707) 433-6440 and peppery spice delight from the first sniff, all the way through the finish. Yum! by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Follow Acorn Winery on Facebook.

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32 Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Quietly charming. It’s a good quality of the grapes. “The best phrase – perhaps the perfect one – to Christopher Creek Winery wines in the world are made in the describe Christopher Creek Winery. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily vineyard. The main job of the wine- The winery is owned by the 641 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg maker is to take care of the grapes Wasserman family who, in addition (707) 433-2001 and protect what Mother Nature to their grape growing and wine- www.christophercreek.com has given us in such abundance. making venture, have a long history Become a Fan on Facebook! That is the philosophy here, and of farming in California’s Central you’ll find the proof is in the bot- Valley where they have farmed oranges for the past 38 tle, and in your glass.” years. They adamantly believe that that growing the To taste their superb wines, just head to the tasting highest quality grapes possible must be the main focus room. Christopher Creek’s is cozy, comfortable and in- if you want to produce truly great wines. disputably and proudly rustic. As a result, it’s They, and their winemaker, Texas native Todd sometimes tough to tell where the tasting room ends Crowell understand and appreciate the fine balance be- and the serious business that constitutes a working tween the agricultural practices they employ and the winery begins, all of which happily adds to the charm.

RECENT AWARDS CABERNET ZINFANDEL 2007 Finlay's Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Cabernet 2009 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel • Gold Medal – Best of Class • Gold Medal – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, January 2011 – Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, April 2010 • Gold Medal – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, January 2011 PETITE SIRAH 2008 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Reserve Petite Sirah VIOGNIER • SWEEPSTAKES WINNER – Best Red in Show 2008 Catie's Corner Russian River Valley Viognier – Riverside International Wine Competition, May 2010 • Gold Medal – Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, April 2010 • Gold Medal – North of the Gate Wine Competition • Gold Medal – Sonoma County Harvest Fair, September 2010 PETITE SIRAH PORT SyRAH 2008 Petite Sirah Port 2007 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Syrah • Gold Medal – Sonoma County Harvest Fair, September 2010 • Silver Medal – Riverside International Wine Competition, April 2009 • Gold Medal – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, January 2011 Futures are often sold out before they are even bottled due to high demand, expectations and limited quantities. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Eastside Bunch 33 Winery owners Peter and Diana Merriam are both New Englanders transplanted to California. Their honeymoon in VARIETALS France led to a life-time love of fine wines, and his career as a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvi- wine retailer reinforced their love of Bordeaux wines. All of gnon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, a Bordeaux Blend and which led them to purchase an 11-acre vineyard property in the always refreshing Rosé of Cabernet. 2000 called Windacre Vineyard – the soils of which are FUN FACT uniquely suited to Bordeaux varieties. A second property was The Stainless Steel Chardonnay was just released. It is purchased in 2002. Some of the vineyards back up to the from the Simoneau Ranch Vineyard, made from five Chalk Hill appellation. A good thing, because it means the different fruit clones. It tastes like a vacation in the climate here is warm enough to produce richly ripe Bordeaux Tropics! Their Miktos (Greek, meaning “to blend well varieties. Winemaker David Herzberg is thrilled to work with together”), is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, some of the best Bordeaux vineyards in Sonoma County Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This is a huge wine with Merlot from Windacre Vineyard has great depth and plum and cassis flavors and powerful but tamed tannins. balance, with rich fruit flavors and smooth tannins. For white GOOD TO KNOW wine fanciers there is a Chardonnay from Alexander Valley. The tasting room offers gourmet picnic lunch items like Fermented in French oak barrels, it’s barrel-aged 10 months in paté, cheese, tapenades and salami. So you can enjoy a the barrel for a silky, creamy mouth feel. snack on the terrace with your favorite Merriam wine. The winery and tasting room at Merriam are reminiscent of New England farmhouses; the presence of a stately palm pays PLAN AHEAD homage to California and the generous warmth of this location. Cheese and wine pairings are available by appointment Magnificent views show off the rolling hills and vineyards ($20 per person). while a terrace dotted with tables and chairs invites visitors to linger, taste and enjoy the view. Merriam Vineyards Because of the limited production, their wines are available Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. spring, summer & fall mostly at the tasting room or to wine club members. You’ll also (Thursday-Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter) find limited distribution in some New England states. But why 11650 Los Amigos Road, Healdsburg not just enjoy a beautiful day in Sonoma County and come (707) 433-4032 • www.merriamvineyards.com visit the winery? Look for them on Facebook. Winery tours and barrel samplings are available by appointment. Traditional New England Lobster Bake takes place every July.

34 Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Founded in 1972 by Fred Furth, Chalk Hill Estate Vine- yards & Winery was the first established estate winery on SPECIAL TOURS AND TASTINGS • Private tasting: $10 per person, daily Chalk Hill Road. Current owner, Bill Foley, purchased the • Estate tour: $20 per person, Monday through Friday, property in August of 2010. includes tasting The beautifully designed winery sits atop a large hill and • Culinary tour: $75 per person, call for dates; provides visitors stunning panoramic views of Sonoma, Men- includes estate tour, culinary garden tour and private docino and Napa counties. Mount St. Helena punctuates the food & wine pairing with Chef Didier Ageorges background. PLAN AHEAD The visitors center is clean, elegant and well appointed, A “regular” wine tasting takes 30-45 minutes, the estate with a tasteful selection of upscale wine-related gifts. The staff tour takes about 1½ hours and the culinary tour takes is warm, friendly and informative. And the wines…let me tell about 2½ hours. you about the wines! I tasted a handful of wines during my de- LITTLE KNOWN FACT lightful and educational visit and the following two wines were All wines produced by Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & my favorites: Winery are 100% estate grown, unfined and unfiltered. • 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, $33: Mouthwatering aromas of ripe, juicy pear, melon, white flowers and cut hay continue as flavors in the luscious, balanced mouth. Chalk Hill Estate • 2007 Estate Red, $70: What an elegant, sexy wine! Picture Vineyards & Winery George Clooney in an Armani suit…OK, back to the wine – Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackcurrant, cigar box 10300 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg and mocha abound, all wrapped up in a decadently rich mouth. Oh, yum! www.chalkhill.com Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery has it all, wonderful wines, scenic views, friendly staff and a beautiful facility. Plan For tours and reservations, call to relax and spend some quality time here. Tell ’em The Wine (707) 657-4837 Wench sent you! by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Follow them on Facebook and Twitter! Mention this story for 2-for-1 tasting. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Eastside Bunch 35 Sebastopol/Freestone Sebastopol – Equal parts hippie chic and rustic POINTS OF INTEREST elegance, Sebastopol is a true insider's favorite. Antique Row Gravenstein Highway Shop Downtown Sebastopol! Located at the mouth of Russian River wine coun- Highway 116 from Cotati to Sebastopol Small town America meets hippie-chic try, Sebastopol offers authentically artisan (a.k.a Gravenstein Hwy) along this goldmine of a downtown. shopping, great tea houses, brew pubs and restau- Antiques, collectibles, glassware and furniture. Art and hand-hewn furniture galleries, rants and darling hotels all within a quaint Sonoma County Repertory Theater artisan clothiers and book sellers, tea houses one-street-downtown. Local families stroll the 104 N. Main St, Sebastopol, (707) 823-0177 and wine bars, high-end restaurants and sidewalks eating hand-made ice cream cones. Inspired, contemporary plays, top-notch perform- beer pubs, theater and live music venues, Visitors stretch out and relax in any one of the ances and educational programs. ice cream parlors and yoga studios. outdoor cafes, pubs and bistros. And the local theatre and live music scene is beyond lively. If you are looking for an off-beat (but still fabulous) wine Freestone – Freestone is Sonoma’s first historical district and it is easy to see why! Harkening back to days country experience, Sebastopol is your place! of western expansion and rural community, this small patch of old Sonoma County sits at the appropriately named intersections of Bohemian Highway and Bodega Highway. Drive along some of the most scenic LODGING stretches of pastoral California. Rustic bakeries, artisan wineries, creative day spas and roadside galleries Fairfield Inn & Suites and garden shops are among the relaxed stops to make in rural Freestone. 1101 Gravenstein Hwy. So., Sebastopol 1-800-465-4329 • www.marriott.com DINING POINTS OF INTEREST Fairfield Inn & Suites provides a high-end Mar- Wild Flour Bread Bakery Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary riott experience within the heart of Sebastopol and 140 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone 209 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, (707) 823-8231 Russian River wine country. (707) 874-2938 Rejuvenate yourself in this one-of-a-kind Japanese- The Sebastopol Inn An over-the-top, sensory overload destination influenced cedar enzyme baths and massages. 6751 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol full to the brim with espresso, sticky buns, Enduring Comforts 1-800-653-1082 • [email protected] goat-cheese flat bread, seeded wheat breads – 142 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone, (707) 874-111 www.sebastopolinn.com all made by hand, all fresh and all delicious! Lush gardens & fresh water fountains, wrap- A sweet mix of hand picked delights from new around porches and veranda-style-lounging Howard’s Station Cafe hats, scarves, jewelry and cloths to antique fur- Vine Hill Bed & Breakfast 3811 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental niture and an array of eclectic heirlooms. 3949 Vine Hill Rd, Sebastopol (707) 874-2838, www.howardstationcafe.com LODGING (707) 823-8832 • [email protected] This was originally a railroad station Green Apple Inn www.vine-hill-inn.com in the 1870s. Now serves a healthy, 520 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, (707) 874-2526 Enjoy relaxing accommodations in this award- organic breakfast and lunch stop. A classic five-room B&B. Enjoy freshly baked winning, stunningly remodeled 1890s Voted Best Breakfast. breads every morning! Victorian. Be pampered with a full breakfast,

Egyptian towels and glorious views! VINE HILL RD HILL VINE DUTTON ESTATE RD HILL VINE Vine Hill B&B DINING Driving Time: 26 minutes GREEN VALLEY RD GTO’s Seafood House From Freestone 234 South Main Street, Sebastopol to Dutton Estate 11 miles 116 to Balletto 4 miles FREI RD (707) 824-9922 Total 15 miles GRAVENSTEIN HWY A taste of New Orleans here in wine country! GRATON Hopmonk Tavern BALLETTO VINEYARDS

230 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol HIGH SCHOOL RD OCCIDENTAL RD (707) 829-7300, hopmonk.com OCCIDENTAL RD This killer brew pub is an absolute local favorite. Go for a pint and stay for the live music out back 116 HEALDSBURG AVE on the patio or the fun crowd at the bar. Sushi Tozai 12 Sushi Tozai Occidental Peter Lowell’s West County Organic MAIN 7531 Healdsburg Avenue, Sebastopol Inn at Occidental Sonoma County Repertory Theater Hopmonk Howard’s Station CafCafe SEBASTOPOL AVE PETALUMA AVE (707) 824-9886 • www.sushitozai.com GRAVENSTEIN HWY Sebastopol GTO’s Inn Creative cuisine fused with fresh fish and local Seafood ingredients! Impressive Japanese woodcarvings BODEGA HWY and fine art. Fairfield Peter Lowell’s West County Organic Osmosis Day Spa Inn & Enduring Comforts Suites 7385 Healdsburg Avenue, Suite 101 Wild Flour Bakery 116 (707) 829-1077 • www.peterlowells.com BOHEMIAN HWY Green Apple Inn Feel good from the inside out after one of Peter Lowell's delicious dinners made entirely from FREESTONE VINEYARDS locally produced and organic foods. TO BODEGA /SONOMA COAST Not to scale

36 Sebastopol/Freestone www.WineCountryThisWeek.com The hills and wizened old oaks give way to majestic redwood groves as you head toward the Pacific. And then you come to the WHAT TO TASTE What else? Their memorable, delicious, hand-crafted Pinot historic and serene town of Freestone. Here you will find a vibe Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast vineyards. that is decidedly tranquil, a place of peace and calm. But it was the arrival of the Freestone Vineyards Tasting Room that has now el- PLAN AHEAD evated the little village to a true destination. Special events are held the second Sunday afternoon of Located just minutes from the ocean, their vineyards enjoy the month and are the perfect opportunity to sample cool Pacific breezes that nurture and coax along the delicate na- wonderful wines (including new releases) and talk with the winemakers and vineyard staﬀ, as well as enjoy delec- ture of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Planted in 2000, table food like crab cakes, local artisan cheese and listen they are the realization of a dream for the Phelps family, who pur- to live music. chased the property and began planting vineyards that took advantage of the favorable growing conditions of the region. At an LITTLE KNOWN FACT elevation of 500 feet, with rolling hills and views of the ocean, it The name of this picturesque town of about 50 dates back to 1853 and refers to a public sandstone quarry. is an ideal location to plant grapes. Starting in 1873, Freestone was a stop on the North The tasting room is housed in the middle of town. The Paciﬁc Coast Railroad which eventually connected intimate space is perfect for enjoying the fine wines produced Cazadero to the Sausalito ferry. from the surrounding vineyards. Inside, you’ll be invited to take a seat while you’re poured a selection of their award-win- Freestone Vineyards ning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays; an outside seating area is Open Thursday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. perfect for enjoying not only the fabulous wines, but also the ocean breeze that the grapevines like. 12747 El Camino Bodega, Freestone “Because this is a relaxed, seated wine tasting experience,” (707) 874-1010 • www.freestonevineyards.com explains Brad Schenider, tasting room manager. “We usually take For groups of six or more you are an hour or so to pour our wines. This allows us time to explain encouraged to call ahead. what it is we do and why. We really enjoy not just pouring wine, Facebook: freestonevineyards but educating guests about the process and the art of winemaking.” Twitter: @freestonewine Join them each second Sunday of the month for special wine and food pairings, art and entertainment. Visit the website for the current schedule. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Sebastopol/Freestone 37 What makes visiting wine country so much fun is that provides grapevines the ideal combination of a nu- that, no matter how many times you visit, there’s always trient-poor yet well-draining base to thrive. Not long a new winery to discover. For some visitors there’s even after the Duttons first planted grapes, the Dutton Ranch a whole new wine region to explore, and all you have to name became synonymous with great Chardonnay. do is ignite your spirit of adventure, fire up the GPS or Fast forward to today, and the Dutton family farms take out a good map, and you’ll be richly rewarded. more than 1,100 acres of grapes in the Green Valley as Out in southwest Sonoma well as 250 acres of CCOF cer- County is one such area just Dutton Estate Winery tified organic apples. Warren’s waiting to be discovered – the son, Joe and his wife, Tracy scenic, rolling Green Valley Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Dutton, first started producing appellation. Green Valley is 8757 Green Valley Road, Sebastopol wine in 1995 and started their the foggiest and coolest wine (707) 829-9463 • www.sebastopolvineyards.com boutique winery called Dutton appellation along the North Estate which showcases wines Coast. While summer days in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, made from their best grapes. Green Valley are warm like the Syrah, Zinfandel and Late Harvest Zinfandel The Duttons hang their rest of wine country, the cool, tasting room shingle at a quaint foggy mornings and evenings here create the perfect cli- and cozy bungalow in front of the winery at the corner mate for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. of Highway 116 and Green Valley Road in Sebastopol. There’s no family more connected to the history of Dutton Estate’s wines are exclusively from the Dutton Green Valley than the Duttons, who began farming in family’s vineyard spread out through the Green Valley. Sonoma County in 1881. Warren Dutton began his Two tasting flights are available in the tasting room, farming endeavors out of downtown Graton growing Reserve and Estate tastings, both featuring selections of apples and recognized before anyone else the viticulture single-vineyard estate wines with eye-popping ratings in potential of the Green Valley area. In 1967, Warren the 90s from a variety of wine publications. planted the first Chardonnay grapes in western Sonoma Dutton Estate focuses its production on Chardonnay County and the Green Valley. Green Valley turned out to and Pinot Noir, but also offers Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, be a world-class spot for Chardonnay due to the cool cli- and an occasional surprise such as Zinfandel and Late mate as well as the area’s special soil type, Goldridge, Harvest Zinfandel. by Michelle J. Baker

Tracy Dutton’s mother is co-owner of the multi- generation Kozlowski Farms who are well known for producing and growing specialty foods since 1948 – located only 1 mile north from Dutton Estate Winery.

38 Sebastopol/Freestone www.WineCountryThisWeek.com You know that you are in real farm country when you head WHAT TO TASTE to Balletto Vineyards. Sheep graze, veterinarian offices out- The winery offers a wide selection of hand-picked number those of physicians, orchards border acres of vines, varietals for tasting, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Balletto Vineyards sits in the middle of it all. Zinfandel, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Rose and Syrah The estate wines you will find at Balletto grow in the distinct soils and climates of Sonoma County’s Russian River LITTLE KNOWN FACT The Ballettos started out as vegetable growers and Valley, and they invite you to come and, as they say, “Taste the transitioned into grape growers. Today, they farm 500 bounty that is Balletto” at their tasting room set in the middle acres of vines and sell off 90% of what they grow. John of a 200-acre vineyard. In all, they have a dozen vineyards in Balletto began farming in 1977 at the age of 17 and is a this world-famous appellation. As the grape-growing business big influence in this part of Sonoma County. grew, they decided to make wine instead of just selling grapes. FUN FACT As growers first, they have strong feelings that with good Be sure to ask them about their own “Field of Dreams.” grapes, good wine will follow. The answer will surprise you. To experience Balletto you can visit their comfortable and PLAN AHEAD friendly tasting room or relax outside with your picnic lunch There are a number of delis and groceries nearby where where there is plenty of seating and the sound of trickling you can pick up a picnic lunch. The winery’s patio and its water from the fountain. fountain is a great place for a lunch al fresco, with a bottle “One thing I want our visitors to know is that we offer a of their wine, of course. self-guided vineyard tour. While not many wineries allow you Balletto Vineyards to walk thru their vineyards, we actually encourage it,” said tasting room manager Nancy Woods. “People who come to Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily the winery both appreciate and enjoy this option.” Just one 5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa more reason to make the trip to this true “wine country” desti- (707) 568-2455 ext. 101 nation, where nature still dominates the landscape and the www.ballettovineyards.com wines will make you smile. by Charles Neave Look for them on Facebook and Twitter!

Bring in this story and receive complimentary wine tasting. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Sebastopol/Freestone 39 RussianFor more than a century, the Russian River has been a trueRiver/Olivet gateway to the grandeur of California's FOOD wild nature and dramatic coast. Today, it is still a destination for all naturalists as well as an John Ash & Co. Restaurant , 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa increasingly high-profile wine region – and rightly so. Russian River wines are quickly becoming (707) 527-7687, www.vintnersinn.com some of the finest, most sought-after wines in the world and artisan winemakers are finally Celebrate wine cuisine at its best. Cooking seasonally with fresh, getting their due. Come for the fresh air, fine wines, incomparable cuisines and relax! local foods and produce—and pairing these exceptional recipes with wines from the region, today the restaurant remains an THINGS TO DO Pacific Coast Air Museum icon of gourmet dining and wine country living. Safari West 2230 Becker Blvd., Santa Rosa Gilardi's Delicatessen, 810 Den Beste, Windsor, (707) 838-9869 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa (707) 575-7900 Certainly a vine above the rest! Feast on homemade lasagna (707) 579-2551, www.safariwest.com www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org and freshly baked sourdough garlic breads. Fun for all generations of your family! “Climb Aboard” vintage aircraft, Experience the spirit of Africa in the wine and learn about the history of where and LODGING country on a Safari Adventure or book a tent how it was used from the crew who has Vintners Inn, 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa and sleep overnight in the Animal Kingdom. lovingly restored it. Currently, the (707) 575-7350, www.vintnersinn.com Riverfront Regional Park F-14 Tomcat, F-16N Viper & F-5 Tiger II A luxury, 44-room, 4 Diamond intimate hotel that is 7821 Eastside Road, Healdsburg are featured. designed to showcase the very finest in gracious hospitality (707) 565-2041 Windsor Golf Club that Wine Country provides. Relax in the spa, walk the Once a gravel quarry site, this park now boasts 1340 19th Hole Drive, Windsor grounds, even take a cooking class with famed chef John Ash! 2 sparkling lakes perfect for fishing and (707) 838-7888, www.windsorgolf.com Truly an exceptional hotel! non-motorized boating. Explore redwood grove Fountain Grove Inn Follow in the footsteps of the pros at this picnic areas and more than 2 miles of trails 101 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa par 72 championship course regarded by around Lake Benoist! (707) 578-6101, www.fountaingroveinn.com the regulars as a must-play course. Charles Schulz Museum For business or leisure travel, the Fountain Grove Inn Four tee options provide an appropriate 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa Hotel & Conference Center is a luxurious, but not ostentatious, (707) 579-4452, www.schulzmuseum.com challenge for any skill level. hotel that is convenient to all of Sonoma County wine country. Armstrong Redwoods A tribute to the wonderful man who Hilton Sonoma Wine Country

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40 Russian River/Occidental www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Kendall-Jackson has always had a commitment to the land. Ask any vineyard manager or winemaker … it is a FUN FACT Family owned and operated, Kendall-Jackson winery is mantra that always rings true. Or as they say at this world-fa- now into its third decade of handcrafting wine in Sonoma mous Sonoma County winery: “One of the ‘truths’ we live by County. In 1974, Jess and his family bought an 80-acre pear is that from the best land come the best wines. Our Estate and walnut orchard. After converting the orchard to a vineyards are located atop cool coastal mountains, on rocky vineyard, Jess began selling his grapes to local wineries, and in 1982 he produced his ﬁrst bottle of wine under the ridge tops and rolling hillsides. These are places where soil, Kendall-Jackson label. climate and the vines come together to create remarkable fruit. It’s our commitment to crafting extraordinary wines DON’T FORGET Visit the fascinating wine sensory garden for a new way of from California’s best vineyards.” understanding and appreciating wines. Plantings represent At this magnificent chateau set on 120 acres, wine and aromas and/or ﬂavors in both red and white wines. These food lovers gather to experience the flavors of the region. two innovative and lovingly tended gardens have been A variety of options is available. Enjoy a seated wine and designed and planted to demonstrate terms that wine writers and educators use to describe what we smell and food pairing, visit the tasting bar, discover limited-edition taste in a glass of wine. Each garden also features produce wines and tour the demonstration vineyard and extensive that pairs well with red or white wines. culinary and sensory gardens that surround the chateau. The Classic tasting is $5 per person and you can choose PLAN AHEAD Be sure to ask about the Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival four wines to taste. For an additional $10 per person, you in the fall. It always sells out, so get your tickets early. can try the Reserve wines – many available only at the Music, food, wine and, of course, tomatoes. winery. The most extravagant choice is the Wine & Food pairing. This is a unique, not to be missed opportunity. Kendall-Jackson Wine Center Meet the chef, taste the wines and learn about the process of Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily pairing wines with food. No matter which of the three wine 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton and food options you decide upon, each is a fun and educa- (707) 571-8100 • www.kj.com tional experience in a beautiful setting. Follow Kendall-Jackon on Facebook and Twitter

Complimentary Reserve Tasting if you bring in Day Trips. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Russian River/Occidental 41 Russian Hill Estate is a family-owned and operated de rigeur winery dog and cat, Kiri and Ruska. (Both ani- winery in the Russian River Valley. Husband-and-wife mals, by the way, have official job functions at the winery team Edward Gomez and Ellen Mack began searching for aside from acting as greeters: they are in charge of the In- property in the area in the mid-1990s, knowing they tegrated Pest Management program, specializing in wanted to make Pinot Noir and well aware that Russian chasing birds away from the ripening grapes and catch- River Valley had already established an outstanding rep- ing little critters that could damage the vines.) utation as the premiere region for growing these grapes. Inside the tasting room, although you may be en- In 1997, they purchased a prop- tranced by the views, you’ve erty that had a home on it, but Russian Hill Estate come to taste Patrick’s delicious no vineyards. In the ensuing wines. The winery is dedicated years, they have planted vine- Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily to Pinot Noir and Syrah, but yards, built a winery and, under 4525 Slusser Road, Windsor Patrick also makes two excel- the winemaking leadership of (707) 575-9428 • www.russianhillestate.com lent white wines – Chardonnay their nephew Patrick Melley, from one of the prestigious have created their own reputa- Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier Dutton Ranch vineyards and an tion for excellence in Pinot Noir estate-grown Viognier. Now for and, perhaps uniquely, for a de- FUN Did you know that Russian Hill's tasting room the Pinot Noirs! Patrick cur- licious cool-climate Syrah. FACT was originally a dog kennel? Maybe that rently has five Pinots from You owe it to yourself to visit is why Russian Hill is so dog friendly! different Russian River Valley Russian Hill Winery to sample vineyards. This is an outstand- Patrick’s award-winning wines. A second good reason to ing opportunity to taste the difference that vineyard visit is to enjoy the stupendous views of one of Sonoma location makes in the wine. All are classic Pinot Noirs, County’s most enchanting regions. Why not bring your however, with rich cherry-raspberry and sweet spice fla- lunch to enjoy here? Russian Hill is set in the midst of vors. rolling hills with panoramic views in all directions, but it The real surprise of the tasting may well be Patrick’s is isolated in the sense that there are no delis or restau- Syrah. Unlike the wines from warmer climates, the cool- rants nearby, and you won’t want to hurry away once climate expression of the Russian Hill Syrahs is one of you’ve arrived. elegant restraint of characteristic ripe, black fruit and Drive up a winding driveway lined with olive trees to spice flavors. His Syrah is smooth and deeply rich with the tasting room and winery. The stately, pale-yellow soft tannins that come from extended bottle ageing be- buildings sit atop a hill covered with vineyards, and the fore release. Choose your favorite wine and enjoy a bottle tasting room has windows that let you admire the scenery with your picnic on the covered outdoor patio while you while you sip your wine. You will probably be met by the revel in the beauty of Russian River Valley. by Nan Reiley

42 Russian River/Occidental www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Martin Ray Winery is an ambitious amalgam of labels and wines, all housed in one of Sonoma County’s most historic winer- VARIETALS ies. Courtney Benham is a third-generation San Joaquin Valley Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Rosé, Pinot Noir, winemaker who knew he wanted to own a winery himself. In Merlot and Cab ernet Sauvignon 1990, he discovered a treasure trove of old library wines with the label of Martin Ray, a Santa Cruz Mountains winemaker. Courtney ON THE VINE bought the rights to the Martin Ray name and in 2003 purchased The longer “hang time” (the time a grape cluster remains on the vine) means riper, richer fruit. the historic Martini-Prati Winery in western Sonoma County; they You can ﬁnd the result right there in your glass. are now home to the Martin Ray line of wines. One common thread is the firm belief that vineyard location FUN FACT is crucial to character and quality. There is a special emphasis Martin Ray is one of the oldest historical winery sites in on mountain-grown wines, a conviction that mountain-side the Golden State – California – so take your time and elevation provides cooler nights during the growing season re- wander through the cellar and see the 10,000 gallon sulting superb fruit ripeness. Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley, old-growth redwood tanks. Sonoma Mountain in Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the south are three of the most prestigious vineyard PLAN AHEAD locations for Martin Ray grapes. Allow extra time for a tour by appointment only of the Wines available include fruit-forward, picnic-friendly historic production facilities as well as extensive tasting. Angeline wines, while Martin Ray wines have more structure and The scenic drive there on winding roads is a fascinating vineyard character and the Reserves are all vineyard designate. combination of forests and vineyards. You’ll know you’ve Courtney Benham wines are limited-production offerings from reached the winery when you see the large water tower that dominates the skyline at the winery. some of California’s most interesting wine regions. At the winery, picnic tables and chairs outside the tasting room look over verdant hills and vineyards. Lush, colorful land- Martin Ray Winery scape and flowers surround the tasting room and the tasting Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily room staff can suggest interesting wines to taste side by side so 2191 Laguna Road, Santa Rosa you can compare a Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Mountain (707) 823-2404 • www.martinraywinery.com with one from Alexander Valley. It’s not only a great educational experience, it’s also lots of fun! Look for them on Facebook and become a Fan!

15% discount on your ﬁrst purchase when you mention this story in the Tasting Room! www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Russian River/Occidental 43 This is a great place to consider if you are planning a private party. Behind the tasting room is the “guest house,” a PLAN AHEAD large rustic wooden building with lots of glass to let in the Schedule a tour of the grounds for $15 (includes a Russian River Valley sunshine. There is an elegant great wine tasting), or simply enjoy the wine tasting, sans tour room with comfortable furniture scattered about, a large for $10. Tours are at 11 a.m. Tasting fees are refundable with purchase. dining room with a long table at the ready for private tastings and dinners, a commercial kitchen (complete with VARIETALS in-house chef) and three bedrooms for overnight guests. The Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, walls are bedecked with gorgeous original art, created by Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon students of the San Francisco Academy of Art. The tasting room is spacious and comfortable. My first LITTLE KNOWN FACT impression was of bottles, bottles everywhere! The whole DeLoach Vineyards was recently licensed as wall behind the tasting bar and one other wall are covered biodynamic, which is a method of organic farming that looks upon the soil and farm as living organisms, with horizontally stacked bottles. There is a tasteful selection so all things on the farm are inter-connected. of wine-related merchandise artfully displayed around the At DeLoach Vineyards, there are sheep that keep the room. weeds under control in the vineyards and a huge flower I was very impressed by the wines I tasted. Here we go… and vegetable garden that provides produce and flow- 2007 Hawk Hill Chardonnay, $50: Big, intense and loaded ers for special events. with aromas and flavors of buttered toast, spiced baked apple and crisp pear from the first sniff, through to the long, DeLoach Vineyards luxurious finish. 2006 Le Roi Pinot Noir, $45: This Pinot made me weak in Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the knees. It is a gorgeous wine with a silken texture and 1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa balanced aromas and flavors of cherry and rose petals with a www.deloachvineyards.com hint of earthiness and spice. For tours and reservations, by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench call (707) 526-9111

Mention this story for one complimentary tasting.

44 Russian River/Olivet www.WineCountryThisWeek.com At Suncé, (“sun” in Serbo-Croatian), in the heart of the Russian River Valley appellation where open pastures and olive VARIETALS trees once dominated the landscape, old head-pruned Zinfan- There is quite a comprehensive assortment, many of them seldom found in Northern California. They include del vines assert their beauty. Nestled in this serene setting, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Barbera, Suncé Winery is the ideal place to picnic, play bocce, stroll Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, the Pinot Noir vineyard then chat with the winemaker, Frane Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre and Franicevic. Tempranillo. Franicevic was 17 when the family moved to Louisiana, before moving to San Francisco to take his PhD in East-West FUN FACT The Suncé tasting room and estate features a cozy picnic Philosophy. “I grew up in Croatia, in a small fishing village on area, complete with bocce courts that you are welcomed the Adriatic and I helped my father pick grapes and olives. My to use. It’s a perfect place to come and stay for a while. parents made wine for the family, but my grandparents were in the trade. It was hard work, but satisfying.” HISTORY Once inside Suncé’s cozy tasting room, you’ll find a wide Both Frane and Zinfandel have their roots in the array of vineyard-designated wines, beginning with a crisp country of Croatia. Sauvignon Blanc. Moving into the reds, start with the Russian GOOD TO KNOW River Valley Zora’s Estate Pinot Noir, a bold Burgundy-style You can go to their website to get on the wine club wine. Also not to be missed are the old-vine Zins. The Bastoni waiting list. Nearly all of Sunce’s highly sought after Vineyard Zinfandel is reminiscent of its old world origins, releases are limited to 200-400 cases (12-16 barrels) brimming with brambly, luscious blackberries and cracked each and are sold directly to wine club members, black pepper. Also not to be missed is the Double Gold Medal through the tasting room or right out of the barrel winning Nebbiolo (think of a domestic Barrolo), a collector’s before they’re ever bottled. wine that Suncé Winery owner and manager Janae Franicevic Suncé Winery says “touches places on the palate that have not been touched, statistically speaking that is, if it ever makes it out of the vine- Open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily yard (it’s more difficult to grow than Pinot Noir) it can have the 1839 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa perfect balance of acid and tannins.” And these wines are, be (707) 526-9463 • www.suncewinery.com assured, just the beginning of your visit to this amazing place. Follow Suncé on Facebook.

While you’re here, take advantage of the cozy picnic area including bocce courts. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Russian River/Olivet 45 Located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, Olivet Road has been home to the De Loach family for 35 years. Medal Time Hook & Ladder hit gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Cecil De Loach was a firefighter in San Francisco for 16 years Wine Competition: two Golds for Merlot and Zin; and in 1970, he and his wife Christine bought their first 24- Double Gold and Best of Class for Third Alarm Reserve acre vineyard in Sonoma County and started second careers as Pinot Noir; another Double for Sauvignon Blanc. winegrowers. Five years later they made their first wine and they went on to build one of the country’s most successful, The Land popular and iconic wine brands. On 375 acres situated in Russian River Valley, the Hook & Ladder vineyards produce cool climate grapes In 2003, with the De Loach Vineyards brand – one of the widely recognized as some of the finest in the world. biggest in the country, the De Loach family decided to start over. They sold their eponymous winery and concentrated on Fun Fact Hook & Ladder, which they’d started 20 years earlier with a Look for the shiny red Willy’s vintage fire truck near the Port. In 2004, they opened Hook & Ladder on Olivet Road driveway. on the first property the family purchased, next to the historic For Gourmets Barbieri Ranch. The long, cool growing season here yields hand-picked Cecil retired from firefighting in 1982, but there are lots of olives with the intense, ripe flavors for their extra-virgin firefighter themes at Hook & Ladder, including fire department olive oil. Made from mature Mission trees, the stone- patches and t-shirts from visiting firefighters decorating the crushed cold press master blend produces a richly tasting room. Now, three generations of the De Loach family flavored and beautifully colored oil. keep Hook & Ladder to just 35,000-case annually. As part of their philosophy of “keeping it simple to help Hook & Ladder Winery and Vineyards keep prices down,” the informal and friendly tasting room oc- Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily cupies a part of the winery itself. As to the wine? Medals, 2134 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa loyal followers and enthusiastic newcomers to the wines are (707) 526-2255 further proof that the De Loaches are still making great wine www.hookandladderwinery.com after all these years. Look for them on Facebook and become a Fan! Complimentary wine tasting...and public service (fire/police, etc.) get a 20% discount.

46 Russian River/Olivet www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Situated in the heart of Santa Rosa’s bustling Railroad Square, Cellars of Sonoma Tasting Room & Wine Bar has be- VARIETALS come one of the town’s biggest draws as the new place in town You name it. There are reds, whites, dessert wines, to discover handcrafted, award-winning wines from some of sparklers like the NV Mendocino Sparkling Brut Rosé, Northern California’s rising star wineries and both new and es- large format bottles and library wines that in some cases tablished winemakers. are available only to members. Vintners represented include Amorosa Bella, Bonneau CHECK THE DATE Wines, Bradford Mountain, DuNah Vineyards, Gann Family The full and ever-changing calendar of events at Cellars, James Family Cellars, La Sirena, Krutz Family Cellars Cellars of Sonoma includes live music, winemaker visits, and TR Elliott. All are small-production local wineries. special sales, wine recipe potlucks, live broadcasts, Adding to the appeal of this trendy spot which does, indeed annual parties like those held for the Oscars and more. feel as much like a restaurant and bar as it does a traditional Check their website for what’s coming up. wine country tasting room is that they sell their wines by the glass, and you can order food from one of the nearby restaurants CLUBBING IT and they’ll deliver. As one recent visitor wrote, “The atmosphere Their popular Wine Club offers both wines that you’ll be is friendly, comfortable, casual and fun.” hard-pressed to find anywhere else, as well as discounts. “Cellars of Sonoma provides regularly scheduled educational and special events geared toward Sonoma County residents and FUN FACT visitors alike,” said owner and founder Scott Jordan. “The expe- Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, right off Highway 101, is rience that we offer isn’t like a traditional wine shop but rather not only filled with historic buildings, it also has its own it’s akin to being in the tasting room of an upscale, family-owned boutique shopping. winery. The ambiance is meant to give our visitors a more authentic and memorable Sonoma Wine Country experience, Cellars of Sonoma while providing small lot wines to consumers, and it offers a Sunday - Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. valuable distribution channel to the wineries.” Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is, as they say in the business world, a classic “win-win” situation, and more than merits repeat visits, since each day at 133 4th Street, Santa Rosa this Sonoma establishment is always a new and welcome adven- (707) 578-1826 • www.cellarsofsonoma.com ture. by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Become a Fan on Facebook

Bring this in for a two-for-one current-release wine tasting – a value of $10. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Russian River/Olivet 47 Kenwood/Highway 12 First driving into the Valley of the Moon is certainly a lushly sensory experience. Rolling hills, centuries-old Heritage Oaks and verdant vineyards drape the slopes and valley floor beneath Sonoma’s majestically craggy Mayacama mountain range. Graceful old country manors and their largely still in-tact estates dot the countryside while cozy towns still speak to neighborly days gone by. Follow Highway 12, once the railway system, up through the Valley of the Moon to the bucolic bergs of Kenwood! The “one-stoplight town” of Kenwood may feel like a sleepy, locals town but culinary and wine magic awaits. Kenwood boasts some of the finest artisan wineries in all of northern California. Ty Caton, Muscardini Cellars, VJB, Kenwood Winery, Kunde, Deerfield Ranch, Enkidu, the Annadel Estate, St. Francis and Chateau St. Jean are only some of the award winning, gorgeous Wine Country Destinations located in and adjacent to Kenwood. Looking for a break from wine tasting? Enjoy antique shopping at Vita Bella or browse “Swede’s Feeds” for garden and both large or small pets’ needs. Splurge on an ultra-luxurious massage or facial at the Kenwood Inn & Spa. Or simply sit out, pick up a Kenwood Press newspaper and unwind on the patios at Café Citti, the Kenwood, or Doce Lunas restaurants. THINGS TO DO Kenwood Plaza Park FOOD Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Located on Warm Springs Road Kenwood Restaurant Highway 12 & Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood between Kenwood Depot and 9900 Highway 12, Kenwood, CA 95452 Hikes include views, bridges, impressive Kenwood Community Church (707) 833-6326, www.kenwoodrestaurant.com waterfalls. Home of Ferguson Observatory – This 5 acre park comes complete with a play A favorite restaurant for local winemakers, vintners largest in the western United States structure and picnic tables. & celebrities. Fresh ingredients, great views, local/international wines. Kenwood Depot Kenwood Farmhouse 314 Warm Springs Road, Kenwood 9255 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood Café Citti (707) 833-5190, www.kenwooddepot.com (707) 833-1212 9049 Highway 12, Kenwood Sonoma County Historic Landmark #46. Gift shop specializing in the works of local (707) 833-2690, www.cafecitti.com Now a venue for special events this historic artisans and craftsmen. A trattoria style restaurant with landmark was once a working train station Look for them on Facebook. “great food, great value, great atmosphere.” and was built from locally cut basalt. Swede’s Feeds Pet Garden & Gifts Vineyards Inn Kenwood Community Church 9140 Highway 12, Kenwood 8445 Highway 12, Kenwood 9637 Channing Row, Kenwood (707) 833-5050, swedesfeedskenwood.com (707) 833-4500, www.vineyardsinn.com www.kenwoodcommunitychurch.com Gifts, garden art, unsual plants Creative, organic, authentic flavors of Spain Charming church built in 1888 and pottery. LODGING

C Kenwood Inn And Spa O Driving Time: 4 minutes R R Adler Fels IC K From Ledson 10400 Highway 12, Kenwood TO LN to St. Francis 1 mile SANTA ROSA to Chateau St. Jean >2 miles 1-800-353-6966, www.kenwoodinn.com to VJB Vineyards & Cellars >1 mile A secluded, luxury hotel; Mediterranean-inspired private LOS AMOSLEDSON RD Total 3 miles restaurant; rated in the top three resort spas in the United

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TO SAN FRANCISCO 37 Located in the heart of the picturesque Sonoma wine country rests a majestic castle known as Ledson Winery. The absolute grandeur of WINEMAKER PHILOSOPHY the Castle is simply stunning. Driving up the road to the winery, one “To make a bottle of wine for every person on Earth feels they are being welcomed into a world where wine and decadence for both the price point and palate.” meets. Whether exploring the garden, sitting by the fountain and looking out over the estate vineyard, or combing through the seem- WHAT NOT TO MISS ingly endless amount of corridors within the Castle, one is sure to feel The intricately detailed architecture of the building is a must see. It is designed so that even the smallest detail they’re in for an unforgettable wine country experience. On every on the walls or the floor creates an impact. level, Ledson Winery aims to create an experience for their guests which goes well beyond common expectations. Once inside, you are TASTING MENU greeted by a concierge and invited to visit any of the three downstairs Ledson has numerous different varietals as well as tasting bars or peruse the gourmet marketplace fully stocked with diversified growing regions on the menu, so there really sandwiches, salads and artisanal cheeses – perfect for a picnic outside is a wine for every preference. Specific standouts include on one of many benches overlooking the vineyards. Upstairs are mul- the Dry Creek Zinfandel, the Knight’s Valley Cabernet tiple private tasting suites that one can reserve ahead of time. If Sauvignon and the Cépage blend. visiting with a large group this is really a wonderful way to experience the winery and I recommend calling to check on availability. YOU MAY NOW KISS THE BRIDE With a staggering 86 different wines produced Ledson offers a Ledson is one of the few Sonoma Valley wineries that wine tasting experience for all in both diversity and complexity. Not can be reserved for wedding ceremonies. There is truly one of the wines produced by Ledson Winery is distributed outside of nothing more magical than a wedding at the beautiful the tasting room. Steve Ledson, the winery’s owner and winemaker, castle in order to make a story book fantasy come true. says he prides himself on crafting wines for every palate. And to do so effectively, without compromising Ledson’s extraordinary attention to Ledson Winery & Vineyards quality, he limits his total case production to 40,000 cases a year. So if Open Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. you want to sample the incredible Ledson catalogue of wines, you must visit the Castle, in Kenwood. With such beautiful grounds, it’s no 7335 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood wonder this winery is constantly holding special events throughout (707) 537-3810 | www.ledson.com the year. The tickets for their annual Harvest Party, held every October Follow Ledson on Facebook! for wine club members, go quickly. So when planning for you next va- For tours & reservations, contact cation, or weekend excursion to the wine country, remember that Ledson Winery’s calendar is one you’ll want to check. by Brendan Conroy (707) 537-3823 or [email protected] Upgraded Tasting: Purchase a tasting of 6 wines and receive an upgrade to 9 wines. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Kenwood/Highway 12 49 With so many different options for wine tasting in Sonoma Valley, it can be difficult to choose one over another. One win- PLANNING A SPECIAL EVENT? The St. Francis Visitors Center is perfect for events ery may have great wine, and another may have a beautiful such as company meetings or wedding receptions. view. For the best of everything, come to St Francis Winery & It’s a gorgeous setting, ideal for all types of gatherings Vineyards. and celebrations. Start by admiring the majestic view surrounding the Visitor Center. With its plush foliage, acres upon acres of vineyards FOR THE SMART BARGAIN HUNTER The 2007 Pagani Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel is a classic and intricate, Tuscan-inspired architecture, St. Francis Winery Sonoma Valley Zin; spicy and brambly, with flavors of is nothing short of breathtaking. Sit on the back patio taking in dark fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, followed by the view of 136 acres of estate vineyards as well as the a long, balanced finish. It is currently being sold for a grandeur of Hood Mountain. whopping 30% off, so take advantage of the sale before With three different tasting options, there is a selection of it runs out. wines for every palate. Visitors can select from a mixture of WINES TO ENJOY whites and reds. Zinfandel fanatics can even enjoy a tasting ex- The 2006 Lagomarsino Cabernet (90% Cabernet with clusively comprised of different, distinct Zinfandels. The vast 10% Merlot) has silky, rich fruit on the front palate con- majority of St. Francis’ grapes come from Sonoma Valley, with sisting of mostly blackberry with touches of anise and the rest coming from other top appellations in Sonoma County, oak. For contrast, the 2007 “Tres Viejos” (meaning three such as Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley. old men) is a ripe Zinfandel with a distinguished flavor of blueberry in the front and soft jamminess on the finish. For the ultimate culinary wine adventure, reserve a seat at one of the daily wine and food pairings. The multi-course ex- St. Francis Winery & Vineyards perience costs $35 and pairs four premium wines with Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily exceptional gourmet foods from the winery’s talented onsite Executive Chef David Bush. Availability varies by season. Call 100 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa for information or reservations: 1-888-675-WINE. 1-888-675-WINE • www.stfranciswinery.com by Brendan Conroy Follow St. Francis on Facebook! Present this story to receive two-for-one wine tasting, plus 15% off your wine purchase.

50 Kenwood/Highway 12 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com As patrons arrive at Chateau St. Jean they are greeted by an expansive European inspired garden. The topiary is a true WHAT NOT TO MISS spectacle which creates a defined ambiance of both grandeur The gardens stand alone as truly a spectacular sight. The and sophistication. The adjacent patio allows patrons to fully Vineyard Room tasting may be $10 more than the regular, but one should invest in the experience itself and taste admire the garden even before they have had a chance to taste. premium wines in the comfort of an outside patio over- Chateau St. Jean has two wine tasting room options. The looking beautiful hills and vineyards. main tasting room has one of the biggest wine-related gift shops in Sonoma Valley and gives the patron a well-balanced STANDOUT WINES sampling of both whites and reds. The Vineyard Room, located The Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages, Merlot Reserve, directly across from the main tasting room, focuses on Reserve Chardonnay, Benoist Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chateau St. Jean’s higher-end wines. The most enchanting Malbec, Fume Blanc and for the sweet wine drinker, the part about the Vineyard Room tasting experience is the fact Gewurztraminer. that it can be enjoyed outside. Imagine a brilliant, sun-struck ONE STOP SHOPPING day sipping wine with friends and family as delightful min- Chateau St. Jean has an exquisite merchandise section utes turn into contented hours without a care in the world. with assorted cheeses, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, With a total annual production of slightly under 400,000 as well as anything one would need in order to create cases, consisting of 32 different wines (10 of which are a superb picnic experience. With grounds as beautiful distributed), Chateau St. Jean is well known in many wine as this, one can plan an entire day around the bounty circles. One of its most highly reputable wines is known as of Chateau St. Jean. the Cinq Cépages. A winner of countless awards over the years, the Cinq Cépages is arguably the most complex wine in Chateau St. Jean Chateau St. Jean’s wine repertoire. In fact, for $75 per person, Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily one can experience all of the different components that go 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood into the wine with the Cinq Cépages blending seminar. www.chateaustjean.com It lasts roughly two hours and the everyday wine drinker can feel like an expert as they create their own blend and com- For tours & reservations, call pete with other tour members in the “Best Blend” contest. 1-800-543-7572 – Brendan Conroy Follow Chateau St. Jean on Facebook!

2 for 1 wine tasting and 15% off wine purchases with this story. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Kenwood/Highway 12 51 As one of the few family owned and operated wineries in Sonoma Valley, VJB emphasizes hospitality. Derived from WINE STANDOUTS The Double Gold awarded 2009 Gabriella Chardonnay rich, Italian upbringing, the Belmonte family treats guests as is made in all stainless steel fermentation tanks and if they were family. In fact, most of the time one is even able has about 25% maloactic fermentation (what gives to meet the actual family members working diligently in the Chardonnay a butter-like taste). It embraces the fruit on tasting room and appreciate their love of wine and people. the front with citrusy notes of orange peel and lilac. Pair The idea for the winery originally stemmed from the Bel- this wine with light seafood such as crab cakes or scal- monte family’s restaurant known as Caffe Portofino located lops for optimal results. Also try the flagship red known near the town square of Santa Rosa. They wanted to make as the Dante. This combination of Cabernet Sauvignon wine specifically to serve their patrons at their restaurant in and Sangiovese begins with ample spice and blackberry order to add a more personal connection to the meal. These and finishes with notes of refined, silky dark cherry. customers were certainly in for treat with these wines. WINE CLUB CRUISE One of the best representations of VJB’s wine is the 2007 From June16th-June 23rd, the Belmonte family is Barbera. It begins with ripe cherry, a hint of boysenberry, and offering to wine club members an opportunity to travel ends with rich notes of cinnamon and a trace amount of jam- with them to 10 different parts of Alaska on a cruise miness. This is from start to finish one of the best Barberas in which includes a winemaker’s dinner, wine tasting with the valley. the family, and much, much more. To embark on this Now producing roughly 5000 cases annually, VJB has ex- life-changing journey with some of the most sincere tended its neighborly hospitality to the tasting room itself. people that you will ever meet go to the website at www.vjbcellars.com and join the wine club.. The wines are exclusively sold at the tasting room and through the wine club known as “Club Enoteca.” The wines VJB Vineyards & Cellars themselves are mostly grown in Sonoma Valley on their estate vineyards and they use, for the most part, neutral oak in Tasting available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Espresso bar opens at 7 a.m. weekends order to emulate the Italian style of winemaking. Not only 6 a.m. Monday-Friday does VJB serve wine, but it also offers exceptional Italian coffee and homemade biscotti so that patrons can enjoy the 9077 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood facility at all hours of the day. by Brendan Conroy (707) 833-2300 • www.vjbcellars.com

Mention this story for Complimentary tasting + 15 % savings on any wine purchase!

52 Kenwood/Highway 12 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Glen Ellen Follow Highway 12, once the railway system, through the Valley of the Moon to the bucolic berg of FOOD Glen Ellen! Glen Ellen is more than just a town. It is the “foodie” and wine destination for Sonoma Glen Ellen InnOyster Grill & Martini Bar locals. Located north of downtown Sonoma on Arnold Drive, just west of Highway 12, Glen Ellen 13670 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen (707) 996-6409 www.glenelleninn.com restaurants and town market celebrate the best of local wines, produce and services. Check out Glen Ellen’s award-winning wineries such as Eric Ross, Benzinger, Audelssa, HKG and Fusion of local ingredients paired with French, Moondance Cellars. Enjoy a rejuvenating spa experience inside a large, historic wine cask at Asian and Italian influences. Magical Massage. Walk Jack London’s hillsides and explore the famous ruins of his Wolf House. Or Saffron gather with friends and family at local spots such as The Fig Café, Glen Ellen Inn, Garden Court 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen Café, Saffron and Yeti – the best curry you’ll have outside of India. (707) 938-4844, www.saffronrestaurant.com Whatever your taste, Glen Ellen is one sweet town that satisfies time and again. “The menu of California fusion cuisine constantly evolves, with the only constant entrée being Chris’s centerpiece dish, THINGS TO DO Paella.” Jack London State Historical Park Bouverie Preserve Yeti Restaurant 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen 13935 Highway 12, Glen Ellen (707) 938-4554, www.egret.org 14301 Arnold Drive, Jack London Village, Glen Ellen

C Half-mile-long trail cirlcles throughO R Adler Fels (707) 996-9930, www.yetirestaurant.com R Magnificent 535-acre property features a IC world-famous author, Jack London’sK TO LN rich and distinct combination of plants Fusion of both Nepalese and Indian cultures. SANTA ROSA Beauty Ranch – features the remains and animals, including more than 130 LOS AMOSLEDSON RD of Jack London’s dream home destroyed species of birds, 350 species of flowering Garden Court Cafe 13647 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen by fire before moving in as well asPYTHIAN a ST. RD FRANCISplants, and numerous large mammals DR (707) 935-1565, www.gardencourtcafe.com museum and the graveOAKMONT site of Jack and such as the bobcat, grey fox, and coyote. Charmian London. Sugarloaf Ridge A local favorite for breakfast, brunch and lunch. State Park YON RD The Red Barn EStore CAN at. Oak Hill Farm “If you leave hungry, it’s your own fault.” OB TO LAWNDALE 12 15101 HighwayAD 12, Glen Ellen QuarryhillSANTA ROSA Botanical Garden (707) 996-6643, www.oakhillfarm.net Glen Ellen Village Market Vineyards Inn 12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen T. JEAN RD U S TEA 13751 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen RusticCHA 100-year-old dairy barn selling (707) 996-6027, www.quarryhillbg.org CHATEAU ST. JEAN VJB CELLARSCafe Citti fresh herbs, lettuce, heirloom vegetables, (707) 996-6728, www.sonoma-glenellenmkt.com Asian botanical gardensMAYO featuring RESERVE one ofROOM flowersSwedeʼs and Feeds ornamental greens, hand- Pack the perfect picnic at this wine country inspired the largest collections of documented,Kenwood Farmhouse craftedPets, Gardens wreaths, & Gifts dried goods, bouquets and gourmet market with fresh, local products. wild-collected Asian plants in the world.WARM SPRINGSPark gifts.RD Depot Church LODGING Kenwood Restaurant Kenwood Inn and Spa Gaige House Inn 13540 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen D Driving Time: 39 minutes MATANZAS R

S CREEK G From Matanzas Creek (707) 935-0237, www.gaige.com N I

B E R to Mayo Family 7 miles N P

N S E Asian-inspired ambiance combined with modern luxury.

T M to Arrowood >2 miles

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A W to B.R. Cohn >1 mile L Granite soaking tubs and private Japanese gardens perfect L Beltane Ranch E to Moondance 3 miles Y D

R R RD D for in-suite spa treatments. Michelin recommended. R to Eric Ross >1 mile . TRINITY A B to Mountain Terraces 6 miles Ranked as 18 in Conde Nast’s Top Small Hotels in the U.S. UN

D D D D

D Total 19 miles R R R R R R R R R R

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M MAYO FAMILY 11775 Highway 12, Glen Ellen

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W W W W W W W NCH RD. RA Saffron Quarry Hill Botanical Garden www.beltaneranch.com, (707) 996-6501 Jack London ON ND Glen Ellen Inn Garden Court Cafe State Park LO 1892 ranch house and cottage – walking trails lead past Jack London Lodge HKG Tasting Room Bouverie Preserve Glen Ellen Village ARROWOOD horses and cattle, through vineyards, olive orchards and Market ERIC ROSS organically farmed produce gardens. MOONDANCEYeti BR COHN CELLARS Jack London Lodge The Red Barn Store at Oak Hill Farm 13740 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen www.jacklondonlodge, (707) 938-8510 MADRONE MOUNTAIN Situated on Sonoma Creek quiet, peaceful setting with CAVEDALE TERRACES VINEYARDS a pool, heated spa, and lovely gardens. Facility includes Not to scale MOON MTN Wolf House Restaurant and historic Jack London Saloon.

AGUA CALIENTE ROAD www.WineCountryThisWeek.comARNOLD DRIVE Glen Ellen 53 BOYES BL VD

AVE 12 D O R N A E . K N R L C E I V D R

H R A HAWKES E Y E G IN GROVE . V Depot Museum RD TLE Swiss Hotel LOVELL CAS ORANGE Girl & The Fig Sonoma Hotel SPAIN ST. VALLEY RD THE California Mission El Dorado Kitchen PLAZA

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DENMARK ST 5th ST 5th MacArthur BROADWAY Place

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BONNEAU

TO PETALUMA Cornerstone 121 101 CLINE JACUZZI VIANSA

TO SAN FRANCISCO 37 This is what wine country is all about – leave the big town or the big highway, roll down the windows and let the fresh WHAT TO TASTE The Journey wines are crafted from the most pedigreed vine- country air flow as you meander the narrow, winding road past yard sites in Sonoma County. Try the Journey Chardonnay or horses, dairy cows and vineyards. All just to see where the the Journey Red Wine, a Bordeaux-style blend. road takes you. LAVENDER CLASS! In this case it will take you to Matanzas Creek Winery, a Matanzas Creek is hosting a series of lavender seminars for place that offers something for the wine lover, the green thumb fans of this aromatic and versatile plant. Learn how to plant, and most anyone in between. tend, harvest and dry lavender. For more details, check the Matanzas Creek, which put the bucolic east Santa Rosa winery’s website. neighborhood of Bennett Valley on the map, took its name SPECIAL TOURS AND TASTING OPPORTUNITIES from the creek that drains away the runoff in the valley. The Matanzas Creek oﬀers private tours and tasting daily at area enjoys a unique microclimate among North Coast appella- 10:30 a.m. Choose from a Tour and Vintage Room Tasting or go all out with a Tour, Vintage Room Library Tasting and tions, with cooling influences from several fronts – the Russian Cheese Pairing! Reservations are required. River Valley and Petaluma Gap from the west and southwest, and the San Pablo Bay to the south and southeast. LITTLE KNOWN FACT You can take a free, self-guided vineyard tour during regular Matanzas Creek produces a wide range of wines that reflect tasting room hours. The walk is less than a mile and is de- the viticultural diversity of Bennett Valley and Sonoma signed for all ages and levels of wine experience. No County. The winery is perhaps best known for its Merlot and reservations required. Sauvignon Blanc. At Matanzas Creek, the cooling influences in Bennett Valley produce a Merlot that is not only great, but Matanzas Creek Winery wonderfully expressive and complex. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors flock to Matanzas Creek in the spring and early 6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa summer when the lavender fields are in bloom. Lavender has www.matanzascreek.com long been the honored co-star here, and a section of the tasting For Tours and Reservations, call room is dedicated to the lavender products (soaps, scents, oils 1-800-590-6464 or (707) 528-6464 and more) that are made at the winery. By Michelle J. Baker or email: [email protected]

Mention “Day Trips” for a complimentary tasting of Journey Red Wine.

54 Glen Ellen www.WineCountryThisWeek.com With its two different locations in the heart of Sonoma BUBBLES ANYONE? Valley, Mayo allows patrons the chance to experience fulfill- Few wineries in Sonoma Valley offer sparkling wines. Mayo ing, yet diametrically different tasting room experiences. The has its premier 2006 brut from the Laurel Hill Vineyards Reserve Room located in Kenwood emphasizes hospitality which won a gold medal at the Sonoma County Harvest and community. This is best depicted in its wine and food Fair. Notes of peach, honeysuckle melon, and a balanced pairing program. One is treated to a display of culinary acidity prove exactly why it won such a prestigious award. mastery that will not soon be forgotten. Enjoy an outstanding display of seven different wines paired with seven different WINE STANDOUTS courses by the very talented onsite chef, Max Porter-Elliot. The 2007 Malbec from Trio B Vineyard imparts lush black- Enjoy the Reserve Room with friends and family because berry, cedar, as well as a touch of plum. The mouth feel is very creamy and yet stays present long into the finish. wine and food of this caliber is meant to be shared with loved The 2009 Viognier is a drier style white with notes of ones. refined lemon, citrus, and is extremely refreshing. To The second location is known as the Main Tasting Room potentially coin a new wine tasting description, the nose located in Glen Ellen. This facility focuses on highlighting on the Viognier is highly reminiscent of cotton candy. Mayo’s superb wine. With over twenty wines on the menu, Come down to the tasting room to see what I mean. one has ample room to enjoy a multitude of different wines with such distinct complexities that it would suit any IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH discerning palate. The best part about Mayo is the fact that it Mayo wine is also featured at the Cellar Door located at the Lodge at Carneros in Sonoma. It shares its space with is opened late. Most wineries in the valley close at 4:30 p.m., Chandelle, Haywood and Guerrero wineries. but Mayo stays opened until 6:30 p.m. This allows the patron to leisurely make his way to a final wine destination without Mayo Family Winery worrying about the time. Mayo’s wines are only available at Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. the tasting rooms themselves, so stop by and pick up some of the highly acclaimed award winning wines that people all 13101 Arnold Drive at Highway 12, Glen Ellen around the valley can’t stop talking about. by Brendan Conroy (707) 938-9401 • www.mayofamilywinery.com Follow Mayo Family Winery on Facebook at Mayo Family Reserve Room www.facebook.com/mayofamilywinery 9200 Highway 12, Kenwood, (707) 833-5504 Show this story for a 2-for-1 food and wine pairing experience at the Mayo Family Reserve Room in Kenwood. Limit one per table. For reservations, call (707) 833-5504. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Glen Ellen 55 HENRIK KAM

With a roaring fireplace in the tasting room and a wrap- around veranda offering sweeping views of Sonoma Mountain, PLAN AHEAD Arrowood Winery is the perfect winery to visit anytime of year. For a more intimate and in-depth experience, call ahead to reserve a spot in the daily winery Tour and Private At Arrowood, the focus is squarely on great wine, and lead- Wine Tasting, held at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily ($20); ing the way is a slate of truly special Cabernet Sauvignons. for just $10 more visitors can add cheese pairing to the Arrowood is one of a scant few wineries that makes Cabernet Private Wine Tasting. Sauvignon from the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard, which was first planted all the way back in 1888. Arrowood’s Monte VARIETALS Rosso Cab, hailing from a small block of the vineyard planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, is classically dark and intense, with Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Côte de Lune beautiful aromatics, complexity and elegance, with a lengthy Blanc (white Rhône-style blend), Côte de Lune Rouge and soulful finish. (red Rhône-style blend) and a decadent Late Harvest Arrowood makes a vast selection of other varietals, includ- Riesling. ing three Syrahs that each show a different face of this versatile LITTLE KNOWN FACT and interesting varietal. The same is true for the winery’s vari- Arrowood has a by-the-glass wine list; it’s easy to stop by ous Chardonnays, and for white wine lovers Arrowood offers for a glass of wine and enjoy the roaring ﬁreplace in the Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Viognier produced in very winter; in the summer, hang out on the wrap-around limited quantities. veranda and enjoy the spectacular view. Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden took over winemaking duties in 2010 after three years as Arrowood’s assistant winemaker. Heidi has the good fortune to work with fruit from Arrowood Winery some of the best vineyards in the area, including Arrowood’s Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. certified organic estate vineyard, Saralee’s Vineyard in the 14347 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen Russian River Valley and Monte Rosso Vineyard. For tours or more information, contact On your trip through Sonoma Valley, drop by Arrowood for 1-800-938-5170 | (707) 935-2600 a Classic Tasting, featuring the best of what Sonoma County www.arrowoodvineyards.com has to offer, or a Reserve Tasting, representing the best quality fruit selected for Arrowood wines. By Michelle J. Baker Become a fan on Facebook!

Mention “Day Trips” and receive a complimentary tasting of the Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% oﬀ your wine purchase!

56 Glen Ellen www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Rounding a curve on Highway 12, the sight of the pristine, white farmhouse that is home to the B.R. Cohn Winery looks like FUN FACTS: a postcard in the making. This small family-operated winery, sur- • Bruce Cohn sold his first crop of grapes to rounded by the Olive Hill Estate Vineyards, says “Sonoma” in a August Sebastiani. way that no other winery quite can. • Soon to be famous winemaker, Helen Turley, The vineyards are warmed by underground hot springs, while was an early member of the B.R. Cohn team and cool ocean breezes from the west swoop in to create the ideal wowed the wine world with stellar releases of growing conditions for the B.R. Cohn line of wines, including ex- B.R. Cohn’s first four vintages. ceptional Cabernets, Zinfandels, Malbec, Merlots and • Bruce Cohn's favorite car is his classic 1933 Chardonnays. The Olive Hill designation is famous throughout Willys Roadster, one of only 98 built in Australia. the region for providing the highest quality of grapes and many of • Besides owning one of Sonoma’s most famous wineries, the region’s top winemakers have utilized fruit from these vine- Bruce Cohn is also the manager of the Doobie Brothers. yards in their production of premium wine. • The B.R. Cohn farmhouse was once used as a But magnificent wine is not the only draw of this popular win- stagecoach stop for Wells Fargo. ery. In 1990, Bruce Cohn began producing gourmet extra virgin olive oil from the 140-year-old Picholine olive trees that dot his land, as well as handcrafted vinegars. His B.R. Cohn Olive Oil is B.R. Cohn Winery now considered one of the finest examples of ultra-premium olive & Olive Oil Company oil in California. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Music is another passion of this very Renaissance man. The Charity Fall Music Festival held at the winery, now in its 25th 15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen year, has garnered a loyal following and helped to make the win- (707) 938-4064 | www.brcohn.com ery a primary destination spot for visitors to the area. Email: [email protected] Don’t miss the Gourmet Shop either, where you can sample their line of gourmet olive oils and hand-crafted vinegars. To schedule tours by appointment, call On the many sunny days that grace this beautiful corner of the 1-800-330-4064 ext. 124 world, their patio area provides the perfect location for a picnic and a chance to gaze out at the rolling vineyards surrounding the Look for B.R. Cohn on estate. by Ronda Giangreco Twitter, Facebook, youTube and Flickr. 2-for-1 wine tasting when you mention this article. New food products in the Gourmet Shop: Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar & Fig Balsamic Vinegar! www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Glen Ellen 57 Not everyone in the wine industry takes themselves seriously. Some have a blast doing what they love and enjoying the ride. FUN FACTS Priscilla and David Cohen are two of the most friendly, • David and Priscilla are “mom & dad” to a virtual approachable vintners in Sonoma County. Their casual, “zoo” of horses, dogs, cats and birds welcoming tasting room offers exactly the kind of personal, • David’s pride and joy is his 1965 blown candy one-of-a-kind wine country experience that many people seek brandy-wine Corvette. when visiting this famous region. Moondance Cellars is truly a boutique winery, producing small • David and Priscilla are ardent supporters of lots of award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Canine Companions for Independence and are Zinfandel from grapes grown in some of the most celebrated partnering with them through the sale of the vineyards of Napa, Sonoma, Russian River and Dry Creek Valley. Life Unleashed Moondance Merlot. Located in the sleepy, little village of Glen Ellen, Moondance • Priscilla likes to spend her days off exploring Cellars requires that you take a moment and step off the beaten the beautiful back country of Sonoma astride path. You will be amply awarded for your efforts. Either David or her paint gelding, Jester. Priscilla themselves will likely be around to greet you and pour their marvelous wines, along with a few tall tales sure to produce a hearty round of laughter at the tasting bar. This is where wine tasting means a darned good time. Moondance Cellars David came by his skills as a winemaker through family connec- Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tions. His cousin, Bruce Cohn owns the famous B.R. Cohn Winery. With the assistance of such luminaries of the trade as Helen Turley 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen and the late John Speed, David was able to hone his craft and take (707) 823-0880 his place alongside the best. [email protected] For the ultimate in wine country experiences, gather together a group of your friends and make some vino of your own at Moon- For tours & reservations, call dance Cellars. It starts with a private tasting tour, lunch and even a (707) 938-7550 serenade in the gardens. Then your group will actually participate Follow them on in the bottling and labeling of approximately twenty-five cases of Facebook, youTube & Twitter. your own custom-blended wine. by Ronda Giangreco

Complimentary tasting with mention of this magazine. 100% Satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back – LOL.

58 Glen Ellen www.WineCountryThisWeek.com If one is charged with finding a perfect wine for the perfect meal, Eric Ross is the place to look. With a wide variety of dif- WINES NOT TO MISS 2009 Marsanne Roussanne – Lemon, citrus with a ferent grapes originally descending from such prestigious balanced acidity which would be perfect with shellﬁsh. regions as France, Spain and even Croatia, any consumer can 2009 Saralee Pinot Noir – Light body with hints of discover a wine that would not only go with their favorite meal, bramble and raspberry. but also could be enjoyed on its own. Stylistically, each wine has 2009 Dry Creek Old Vine Zinfandel – Classic example of a bold, fruity front palate which only blossoms the longer one the 90 year old vines working hard to deliver smooth rich darker berry aromas with balanced smokey undertones. savors it and very elegantly finishes without bite or harsh tan- nin. The wine makes a statement without being abrasive. MEET THE MASCOT As one is deciding on a preference between the different At Eric Ross, the mascot is a rooster which sits quite com- wines (which is no easy feat), take a moment to experience the fortably on top of the bar. Feel free to inquire about its back story and enjoy the humorous anecdote. photography adorning the tasting room. The winemaker, Eric Luse, began his wine journey as a photographer for the San LEARN MORE Francisco Chronicle. Fascinated by the wine and its lifestyle, As stated earlier, each of Luse’s photos has a vivid story Luce began taking pictures of vineyard workers as they worked behind it, so feel free to also inquire into the individual diligently day-by-day in the vineyards. Each one of his photo- lives of the vineyard workers that he has so eloquently depicted and memorialized. The beauty of some speciﬁc graphs has a story to be told, and yet the viewer can by pictures stem from the minimalistic presentation of the themselves relive life from moment to moment through the photograph contrasted with the depths of emotion in the eyes of these dedicated vineyard workers. central point of focus. With a total annual production of roughly 3000 cases, Eric Eric Ross Winery Ross does not distribute outside of the tasting room and thus is Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. very hard to come by. So plan a day at Eric Ross and make sure to think of your favorite meals because this truly premier win- 14300 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen (707) 939-8525 | www.ericross.com ery will make any dinner exceptional. For more information, For private tastings, contact visit ericross.com. – Brendan Conroy Dennis & Diane Mitchell Become a Fan of Eric Ross Winery on Facebook! (707) 939-8525 or [email protected] Each wine from Eric Ross is unique and complex for one reason only, great wine is made in these quality driven vineyards, not the cellar. Once you “Taste The Vineyard” your palate will be forever spoiled! www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Glen Ellen 59 As one travels up the mountain, miles upon miles of ter- raced vineyards cascade in perfect symmetry down the OVERALL PHILOSOPHY “Don’t forget to stop and smell the vino.” summit while being juxtaposed to the cool, silk-like fog em- The overall message imparted by the Schaefer family bankment that highlights the terrain. Very few sites in the is very festive and emphasizes the celebration of life. area embody such aesthetic beauty as Mountain Terraces Vineyard. Located on the Sonoma side of Mt. Veeder, this SEEING THE SIGHTS From Mountain Terraces Vineyard, one can see not only pristine masterpiece of agricultural artistry will leave any a beautiful slice of Sonoma Valley, but one can also see viewer with a sense of awe and appreciation. San Pablo Bay, San Francisco and the top of the Golden With 125 acres (80 of which are planted) as well as Gate Bridge. The true majesty of the view is nothing multiple elevations within the estate, it is no wonder that short of amazing. Mountain Terraces Vineyard is capable of growing a multi- BRING SOME SNACKS tude of Bordeaux and Rhône varieties. There are also 800 We would highly suggest packing some picnic items for Italian olive trees adding to the beauty of the property from the trip because once you see the view; you will not which absolutely lovely estate olive oil is made. want to leave for a very long time. There are also conve- The winery on the top of the estate is called Akóma niently placed picnic tables from which one can take in the charm of the mountainside. Don’t forget a loaf of Zoúme which is Greek and means “live on.” Thoughtfully bread for dipping in the estate olive oil. crafted from these premium mountainside grapes are truly delightful, complex and balanced wines. Mountain Terraces Vineyard Mountain Terraces Vineyard will offer the quintessential Open by appointment only. day trip experience. With such majestic views, one cannot help but to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a bright, sunny af- For tours or more information, contact Dan and Gloria Schaefer ternoon with friends and family in the heart of naturalistic (707) 481-7377 | [email protected] decadence. Vineyard tours are presented only by appointment so that the guests may have the finest experience and Follow Mountain Terraces Vineyard on Facebook make a memory to last a lifetime. at www.facebook.com/MtTerracesVnrd by Brendan Conroy and also on Twitter @MtTerracesVnrd

“Check in” or “Tweet” about your visit and receive a gift while you are here!

60 Glen Ellen www.WineCountryThisWeek.com C O R R Adler Fels IC K TO LN SANTA ROSA

LOS AMOSLEDSON RD

PYTHIANST. RD FRANCIS DR

OAKMONT Sugarloaf Ridge State Park YON RD E CAN . OB TO LAWNDALE 12 AD SANTA ROSA Vineyards Inn T. JEAN RD U S TEA CHA CHATEAU ST. JEAN VJB CELLARSCafe Citti MAYO RESERVE ROOM Sonoma/CarnerosSwedeʼs Feeds Visitors seeking an over-the-top ultra-luxuryKenwood Farmhouse wine countryPets, Gardens experience & Gifts would best steer clear of FOOD idyllic, slow Sonoma Valley. Sure, doublewideWARM SPRINGS tractorsPark RD grace the two-lane Highway 12, wide-open Swiss Hotel Bar & Restaurant Depot Church ranchlands blanket the Valley between towns,Kenwood and woolyRestaurant sheep keep weeds and grasses minimal in 18 West Spain Street,Sonoma the vineyards. But no doubt you will also find countlessKenwood award-winning Inn and Spa wineries and world-class (707) 938-2884, www.swisshotelsonoma.com

MATANZAS R restaurants throughout all of Sonoma.

S Located on the Plaza; local favorite; historic bar; sidewalk CREEK G N I

B E R café; modern renditions of classical Italian fare Living in Sonoma ValleyN is all aboutP life, about taste and enjoying each da. “Sonomans” are very

N S

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A W L L Beltane Ranch E Hopmonk Tavern Y D

On the south end of townR is one of the most uniqueR appellations, Los RD Carneros, that bridges both D R . TRINITY A 691 Broadway, Sonoma

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D (707) 935-9100, www.hopmonk.com

has long been known for its cool, coastalS climate, natural beauty and unparalleled Pinot Noirs,

N I Large selection of beers; traditional and innovative Chardonnays, Syrahs and sparkling wines.R Gaige P

S House

M MAYO FAMILY pairings of beer and food. Check the website for live music. R

A Inn W NCH RD. THINGS TO DO RA Saffron DepotQuarry HillMuseum Botanical Garden Jack London ON ND O Glen Ellen Inn Garden Court Cafe Girl & The Fig DowntownState Park LSonomaJack London Lodge 270Bouverie First PreserveSt. West, Sonoma HKG Tasting RoomARROWOOD 110 West Spain Street, Sonoma Picturesque city plaza boasts Glenunique Ellen Village shops, (707) 938-1762, www.vom.com/depot ERIC ROSS Market (707) 938-3634, www.thegirlandthefig.com award-winning restaurants and fine wines Open 1-4:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday MOONDANCEYeti BR COHN available for tasting.CELLARS Historic points in- Fine museum with historically significant “Country food restaurant with a French passion” clude: Mission San Francisco Solano, collections.The Red Barn Admission Store is FREE. at Oak Hill Farm Fremont Diner Barracks, Toscano Hotel and the home of 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma General Vallejo. MADRONE CornerStoneMOUNTAIN Sonoma 23570CAVEDALE ArnoldTERRACES Drive, Sonoma (707) 938-7370 VINEYARDS Sonoma TrainTown Railroad (707)MOON MTN 933-3010 Old-fashioned style roadside hamburger joint with updated 20264 Broadway, Sonoma www.cornerstonegardens.com menu. Fresh, local ingredients. Try the pulled-pork sandwich or (707) 938-3912, www.traintown.comAGUA CALIENTE ROAD CornerStone Sonoma is an eclectic collec- grilled cheese with sage and be sure to splurge on the milkshakes! “The Most Well-Developed Scale Railroad tion of shops, wineries and a gourmet cafe LODGING in the Americas!” Steam ARNOLD DRIVEand diesel scale set amidst nine acres of garden installa- El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen railroad rides, petting zoo, miniature town, tions created by the world's leading BOYES BL 405 1st Street West, Sonoma ferris wheel and carousel rides VD landscape architects (707) 996-3220, www.eldoradosonoma.com 27-room contemporary boutique hotel located on the Plaza. Restaurant is “sophisticated urban style with relaxed wine- AVE 12 D O R N Not to scale A E . country dining.” K N R L C E I V D R

H R A HAWKES E Y E G IN GROVE . V Depot Museum RD TLE Sonoma Hotel Swiss Hotel LOVELL CAS ORANGE Girl & The Fig Sonoma Hotel SPAIN ST. VALLEY RD THE California Mission 110 West Spain Street, Sonoma El Dorado Kitchen PLAZA

CHARLES CREEK 4th E 7th ST (707) 996-2996, www.sonomahotel.com EAST NAPA ST AVE

PETALUMA A 16-room, 19th-century hotel with modern amenities.

WEST WEST

DENMARK ST Located on the downtown plaza

5th ST 5th MacArthur BROADWAY BROADWAY Place

Lodge at Carneros Traintown 8th ST EAST Cellar Door NAPA ROAD MacArthur Place AD RO NI ERO Fremont 29 E. MacArthur Street, Sonoma TO LEV 12 BURNDALE Diner PETALUMA 5th ST EAST 12 (707) 938-2929, www.macarthurplace.com 121 CARNEROS RD 116 ANABA TO NAPA 19th-century estate transformed into a luxurious inn and FREMONT spa featuring Saddles – Sonoma’s best steakhouse

BONNEAU Driving Time: 14 minutes The Lodge at Sonoma TO From Hawkes Wine PETALUMA Cornerstone Renaissance Resort & Spa 121 to Charles Creek >1 mile to Anaba 5 miles 1325 Broadway, Sonoma 101 CLINE JACUZZI to Cline 2 miles 707) 935-6600, www.thelodgeatsonoma.com to Jacuzzi >1 mile VIANSA to Viansa >1 mile Spacious and luxurious accommodations; world-class Total 8 miles TO Raindance Spa; award-winning Carneros Bistro & SAN FRANCISCO 37 Wine Bar; excellent venue for weddings and corporate events www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Sonoma/Carneros 61 If you are visiting the historic town of Sonoma, you just gotta visit Hawkes Winery’s tasting room. It is located just off VARIETALS Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – Library the Sonoma plaza, right behind The Girl and the Fig Restau- wines and large format bottles are also available. rant (which is fabulous, by the way!). The tasting room is a LITTLE KNOWN FACT converted bungalow that sits on a quiet side street. Neat, mini- Total production at Hawkes is only around 3000 cases mal landscaping surrounds the tasting room. The interior is and all of the grapes are estate grown. painted bright white, with lots of windows and light colored FUN FACT hardwood floors. Tasteful paintings dot the walls. The overall All of wines are small production and estate grown in- atmosphere is light and airy, much like their other tasting cluding the 2006 100% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($40) room in the Alexander Valley. T-shirts and hats are available for from vines the Hawkes family planted in 1971 – first purchase, but the focus is really on the wines here. Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Alexander Valley! Corinne was my server and I really enjoyed visiting with LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION her. She is very friendly and knowledgeable about everything Located just barely off the Sonoma plaza, the tasting Hawkes (and other stuff, too). She will put you at ease and room has patio seating available in the summer to sit, sip and savor as you watch the world go by. serve you some great wines. Let’s talk about the wines. I tasted a few wines during my PLAN AHEAD visit – the following wines were my favorites: Give yourself at least a half hour to fully enjoy your visit and to learn about the wines and winery. A nominal $10 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley ($60): This tasting fee (refundable with bottle purchase, excluding is Cabernet Sauvignon with a capital “C!” Mouthwatering aro- Chardonnay) allows you to taste five fabulous wines, and mas of spice box, black cherry, cassis and mocha delight the sometimes a special library wine is thrown into the mix. nose and continue as flavors in the decadently rich mouth. 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Pyramid Vineyard ($60): In a Hawkes Winery word, luscious! Black cherry, chocolate, potpourri spice and Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Monday pipe tobacco aromas and flavors abound, all wrapped up in a 383 1st Street West, Sonoma velvety smooth mouthfeel. (707) 938-7620 • www.hawkeswine.com Hawkes Winery offers world-class wines and nice people Twitter: @hawkeswine with beautiful surroundings. by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench Facebook.com/hawkeswine

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62 Sonoma/Carneros www.WineCountryThisWeek.com The wholesome, unpretentious charm of the Sonoma Plaza is undeniable. Fortunately for the Charles Creek Vineyard Tast- FUN FACTS: ing Room, it is also the view out their front door. • Charles Creek Winery’s Tecolote Wine Club is named Being located directly across from the historic stone city hall after his grandmother. It is Spanish for “owl” and was and leafy expanses of the famous Sonoma Plaza is certainly an his grandfather’s nickname for her. advantage, but having award-winning wines to pour is really • Bill Brinton is a direct descendent of John Deere, who the true measure of a tasting room’s draw for the wine lovers gained fame and fortune as the inventor of the self- who flock to the Sonoma Valley. scouring steel plow and started one of America’s most successful companies. The Charles Creek Winery does not fail to deliver. Their 2009 “Saralee’s Vineyard” Chardonnay recently took the Double • Charles Creek is named after Bill and Gerry’s son, Gold at the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Charley. Created when Bill and Gerry Brinton, the descendants of Charles Creek Vineyard Midwestern farm stock, took the step to expand their little Open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. family vineyard into a real commercial winery. Charles Creek 483 First Street West, on the Sonoma Plaza Winery specializes in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, (707) 935-3848 | www.charlescreek.com but they also produce some marvelous smaller lots of Malbec, Find them on Facebook and Twitter. Tempranillo and Grenache. The Brintons are also dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists. One very eye-catching piece, however, is not for sale. “Ms. Moolot” a near-life-sized cow made entirely of wine corks graces the middle of the tasting room…in fact, she nearly takes over the space. But no one complains. She’s a whimsical addition to the tasting room and famous for happily posing with visitors. She has appeared in literally thousands of vacation photos and has become an icon of the winery. by Ronda Giangreco

Show your “Day Trips” guide and receive complimentary tasting (up to 4 persons) and a special discount: 10% off 3 bottles or 20% off any case of 12. Does not combine with other discount offers. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Sonoma/Carneros 63 Don’t let the palm trees in front fool you, there’s nothing tropical going on here, just some incredible Rhône blends and A LITTLE TRIVIA traditional varietals grown in the Carneros region at Anaba The tasting room is a 100-year old farmhouse, that Wines. Owner John Sweazey, originally from Chicago, fell in belonged to a family for three generations. love with the Rhône region of France many years ago and decided the Sonoma Valley was where he wanted to join forces GOOD TO KNOW with winemaker, Jennifer Marion in 2006. With a case produc- • Tasting room favorite is the Coriol Red. tion of less than 5,000, Anaba can truly be considered a • Winemaker Jennifer Marion spent time “boutique” winery. at MacRostie before coming to Anaba. Anaba’s name (pronounced “Ann-ah-bah”) comes from the • Enjoy a picnic or glass of wine on the porch. anabatic winds that blow through this part of the Carneros. A LITTLE FUN The flagship brands are Rhône varietals called “Coriol,” named • Wine club members get 15% oﬀ wine – free to join. after the Coriolis Effect, which is the name for how the earth • Blending party for wine club members in October. and the magnetic fields of the poles affect the wind on earth, • Try the port chocolate sauce over cheesecake. and if you’ve ever been to the Carneros region, then you’ve felt the wind. Anaba takes advantage of these winds, utilizing a 45' tall wind turbine to power the 100-year-old farm house tasting Anaba Wines room, as well as the property’s irrigation pumps on the eight Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. acres of estate vines. Wine tasting offered until 5:15 p.m. Anaba’s 2009 “Coriol” White is an exceptional blend Large groups, please call in advance. of Roussanne, Voignier, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne. 60 Bonneau Road, Sonoma The 2007 “Coriol” Red is a blend of Grenache, Mouverdre, Petite Sirah and a lesser known varietal called Counoise. 1-877-990-4188 (Toll Free) Anaba also has a fine estate-grown Pinot Noir, and new this (707) 996-4188 (Local) year will be Gaps Crown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well www.anabawines.com as a mouthwatering Grenache Rosé. Look for Anaba Wines on Another treat not to be missed is the late-harvest Viognier, Facebook.com/anabawines with all natural sugar and no fortification. by James Marshall Berry Twitter.com/anabawines

Special Oﬀer?

64 Sonoma/Carneros www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Wine tasting is never just about the wine. A picturesque winery, warm and welcoming hosts and a bucolic setting in FUN FACT The vineyards were once the site of a Miwok village, as which to enjoy a picnic, all combine to produce the memo- well as the site of the original Sonoma Mission before it ries everyone hopes for when they set out to visit the wine was moved to downtown Sonoma. country. No place delivers all three better than Cline Cellars on the southern edge of Sonoma. MUST SEE The California Missions Museum is a marvelous collection Fred Cline and his wife Nancy moved their winery from of to-scale models of all of the California missions. It was its original home in Oakley in order to enjoy the magnificent first debuted at the 1939 World’s Fair at Treasure Island. splendor of the Sonoma countryside, as well as to take ad- The models are acclaimed as an extraordinary and accu- rate depiction of California history. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. vantage of the long and fruitful growing season that the Carneros region offers. Their tasting room, located in an WINERY TOURS/TASTING 1850s farmhouse, is surrounded by lush green lawns, six Tours are available at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. daily. Compli- spring-fed ponds and a glorious array of flowers, including mentary tasting is offered daily. Food and wine pairing, wine blending and barrel tasting can be arranged by ap- more than five thousand rose bushes. The scene is the per- pointment. fect backdrop for an afternoon of wine tasting, a wedding or a special event. WHAT’S COMING UP Their historic 350-acre estate is planted to Syrah, Cline Cellars will host the 15th Annual Dixieland Jazz and Wine Festival on July 16th. A local favorite in the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, producing wines that have wine country, this event is the perfect way to spend a consistently garnered rave reviews. But it is Fred’s passion summer day. for the Rhone varietals that have made the winery famous. Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne flourish on the Cline Cellars estate and produce award-winning wines that have visitors Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. coming back time and time again to this quintessential 24737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma Sonoma winery. – Ronda Giangreco (707) 940-4030 | www.clinecellars.com For tours & reservations, contact Eric Hansen Follow them at facebook.com/clinewine and on Twitter @clinecellars. [email protected] or (707) 940-4061 Join the Wine Club and receive special offers and discounts on wines. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Sonoma/Carneros 65 The sun is shining on an endless sea of vineyards. You’re sipping a luscious glass of Sangiovese and dipping fresh bread FUN FACT in a bowl of rich, buttery olive oil. A scene from a villa in Tus- Their first vineyards were planted in 1936 and consisted of Zinfandel, Carignane and Mourvedre grapes that they cany? No, just another perfect afternoon at the Jacuzzi Family sold for a mere $30-$35 a ton! Vineyards in Sonoma. The Jacuzzi family first emigrated from Italy in the early WINE TOURS 1900s to work on the railroad. Eventually however, the Jacuzzi While the tasting room is open daily for complimentary brothers would venture into the aviation business, the spa tastings, wine tours are available only by appointment. business and to the delight of visitors to the Sonoma Valley, the Please call (707) 931-7576 and they will gladly arrange wine business. to give you a guided tour of their remarkable winery. The vineyards lie primarily in the Carneros wine region that Food and wine pairings can also be arranged. stretches between Napa and Sonoma. Here, the winery sits on DON’T MISS one hundred and ninety acres of lush, fertile land that boasts The Jacuzzi Family museum. A fascinating collection rolling green hills and the historic flatlands of the San Pablo of photos and memorabilia documenting this amazing Bay. Concentrating on Italian wines, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Italian/American family’s history. produces Moscato Bianco, Dolcetto, Aleatico, Aglianico, Primi- tivo and the hard-to-find varietals, Lagrein and Vernaccia, one of Tuscany’s most historic wines, just to name a few. There is no Jacuzzi Family Vineyards need for a passport to be transported to the wine regions of Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Italy, just a short drive to Sonoma will provide all the charm, scenery and magnificent wines of the country without the time 24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma and expense of overseas travel. (707) 931-7575 | www.jacuzziwines.com No visit to the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards is complete without For tours & reservations, contact a stop by The Olive Press Olive Oil Tasting Room and Gift Teresa Hernando (707) 931-7576 Shop. Dedicated to anything and everything having to do with olives and olive oil, the shop offers samples of the Jacuzzi Fam- Follow them on Facebook: ily Vineyards’ award-winning olive oil that was inspired by the facebook.com/jacuzziwines rich olive oils of Italy and Southern France. – Ronda Giangreco and Twitter: @JacuzziWines

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66 Sonoma/Carneros www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Viansa Winery & Marketplace is a property like none other; a true destination in wine country. From the moment WINES TO ENJOY guests enter the grounds they’re met with miles of well kept, 2009 Arneis – The grape itself is an obscure Italian variety that is quite uncommon in the area and imparts aesthetically intriguing vineyards and preserved wetlands, notes of lemon, citrus and a touch of dry acidity. endless rows of olive trees and gorgeous Italian statues and Perfect with light seafood such as scallops or oysters. sculptures. All leading the way to winery’s iconic Tuscan Villa, 2005 “V” is a Bordeaux blend consisting of Cabernet perched high above the valley. Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It is a bold wine Offering guests a unique taste of California and Italian that does not overpower the palate with notes of cedar, wine history, Viansa is renowned for producing a wide array blackberry and a hint of dark cherry. of Cal-Ital, award-winning wines. Winetasting here is a must; a chance to try wines that are only available directly through LOTS OF CHOICES the winery, the extensive menu includes Estate wines, popu- With four distinctly diﬀerent wine clubs at Viansa, there are options for every palate and preference. lar California varietals and proprietary blends that combine their California and Italian roots. MASTERFUL COOKING Also a must, a trip through the winery’s Marketplace, the In addition to a wide array of wine and food pairing largest in the valley. From freshly prepared gourmet foods, books sold in the Marketplace, Viansa's website has an to artisan cheeses and sweets to enjoy while picnicking expansive library of recipes, including appetizers, main overlooking the vineyards and wetlands, to exploring the courses, side dishes and desserts. All accessed under the hundreds of foods created exclusively for Viansa, unique “Food” section, it’s a great resource for delicious wine and wine tools and accessories and imported ceramics and food enjoyment. keepsakes, it’s much more than a tasting room visit. Viansa Winery A winery experience not to miss, it’s all this and more. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit viansa.com for more details or find Viansa on both Facebook and Twitter, (there’s even a Facebook page 25200 Arnold Drive, Sonona (707) 935-4700 | www.viansa.com specifically for Viansa wedding). There are few places better for spending the day in wine For tours & reservations, contact country. – Brendan Conroy (707) 935-4717 or [email protected]

Enjoy tasting with a friend. Purchase one tasting package and receive one complimentary wine tasting as our guest. Plus: enjoy15% savings on all wine purchases during your visit. *Simply present this printed oﬀer to your Viansa Winery Host to redeem. Special available for guests visiting thru 08.30.11. Limit 4 guests per visit. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Sonoma/Carneros 67 Find Your Favorite Varietals Chardonnay Gewurztraminer Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris/ Pinot Grigio Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Viognier Other Acorn Winery – Healdsburg, tasting by appointment only, 707-433-6440 P32 Anaba Wines – Sonoma, daily 10:30am-5:30pm, 707-996-4188 P64 Armida Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-433-2222 P16 Arrowood Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 10am-4:30pm P56 Asti Winery – Cloverdale, daily 10am-5pm, 707-265-5490 P25 B.R. Cohn Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 10am-5pm, 707-938-4064 P57 Balletto Vineyards – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-5pm, 707-568-2455 x101 P39 Boisset Taste of Terroir – Healdsburg, daily (check hours), 707-473-9707 P21 Cellars of Sonoma – Santa Rosa, daily (check hours), 707-578-1826 P47 Chalk Hill Estate – Healdsburg, daily 10am-4pm, 707-657-4837 P35 Charles Creek Vineyard – Sonoma, daily 11am-6pm, 707-935-3848 P63 Chateau St. Jean – Kenwood, daily 10am-5pm, 1-800-543-7572 P51 Christopher Creek Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-433-2001 P33 Cline Cellars – Sonoma, daily 10am-6pm, 707-940-4030 P65 De La Montanya Estate – Healdsburg, open by appointment, 707-433-3711 P17 DeLoach Vineyards – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-5pm, 707-526-9111 P44 Dry Creek Vineyard – Healdsburg, daily 10:30am-4:30pm, 707-433-1000 P14 Dutcher Crossing Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-431-2700 P10 Dutton Estate Winery – Sebastopol, daily 10am-5pm, 707-829-9463 P38 Eric Ross Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 11am-5pm, 707-939-8525 P59 Ferrari-Carano – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-6700 P9 Forchini – Healdsburg, Fri-Sun 11am-4pm, 707-431-8886 P11 Freestone Vineyards – Freestone, Thu-Mon 11am-5pm, 707-875-1010 P37 Hawkes Winery – Healdsburg, Thu-Mon 10am-5pm, 707-433-HAWK P27 Hawkes Winery – Sonoma, Thu-Mon 10am-6pm, 707-938-7620 P62 Hook & Ladder – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-4:30pm, 707-526-2255 P46 Hop Kiln (HKG) – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-6491 P18 HKG HKG HKG Jacuzzi Family Vineyards – Sonoma, daily 11am-5:30pm, 707-931-7575 P66 Kendall-Jackson Tasting Room – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-7102 P20 Kendall-Jackson Wine Center – Fulton, daily 10am-5pm, 707-571-8100 P41 Ledson Winery & Vineyards – Kenwood, daily 10am-5pm, 707-537-3810 P49 Martin Ray Winery – Santa Rosa, daily 11am-5pm, 707-823-2404 P43 Matanzas Creek Winery – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-4:30pm, 707-528-6464 P54 Mayo Family Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 10:30am-6:30pm, 707-938-9401 P55 Medlock Ames Winery – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-8845 P28 Mercury Wines – Geyserville, Thu-Mon 11am-6pm or by appt, 707-857-9870 P26 Merriam Vineyards – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-4032 P34 Moondance Cellars – Glen Ellen, daily 11am-5pm, 707-823-0880 P58 Mountain Terraces Vineyard – Glen Ellen, by appointment only, 707-481-7377 P60 Peterson Winery – Healdsburg, Fri-Mon 11am-4:30pm or by appt, 707-431-7568 P13 Rodney Strong Vineyards – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-431-1533 P31 Russian Hill Estate – Windsor, daily 10am-4pm, 707-575-9428 P42 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-5pm, 1-888-675-WINE P50 Sbragia Family Vineyards – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-473-2992 P8 Simi Winery – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-473-3232 P29 Stephen & Walker Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-7pm, 707-431-8749 P23 Suncé Winery – Santa Rosa, daily 10:30am-5pm, 707-526-9463 P45 Topel Tasting Room – Healdsburg, daily 11am-7pm, 707-433-4116 P22 Truett Hurst Winery – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-9545 P12 VJB Vineyards & Cellars – Kenwood, daily 10am-5pm, 707-833-2300 P52 Viansa Winery – Sonoma, daily 10am-5pm, 707-935-4700 P67

68 Wine Varietals www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Barbera Cabernet Franc Cab Sauvignon Carignane Grenache Malbec Merlot Petite Sirah Petit Verdot Pinot Noir Sangiovese Syrah Tempranillo/ Primotivo Zinfandel Other Sparkling Rosé Port Dessert Wines Chardonnay Gewurztraminer Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris/ Pinot Grigio Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Viognier Other Acorn Winery – Healdsburg, tasting by appointment only, 707-433-6440 P32 Anaba Wines – Sonoma, daily 10:30am-5:30pm, 707-996-4188 P64 Armida Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-433-2222 P16 Arrowood Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 10am-4:30pm P56 Asti Winery – Cloverdale, daily 10am-5pm, 707-265-5490 P25 B.R. Cohn Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 10am-5pm, 707-938-4064 P57 Balletto Vineyards – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-5pm, 707-568-2455 x101 P39 Boisset Taste of Terroir – Healdsburg, daily (check hours), 707-473-9707 P21 Cellars of Sonoma – Santa Rosa, daily (check hours), 707-578-1826 P47 Chalk Hill Estate – Healdsburg, daily 10am-4pm, 707-657-4837 P35 Charles Creek Vineyard – Sonoma, daily 11am-6pm, 707-935-3848 P63 Chateau St. Jean – Kenwood, daily 10am-5pm, 1-800-543-7572 P51 Christopher Creek Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-433-2001 P33 Cline Cellars – Sonoma, daily 10am-6pm, 707-940-4030 P65 De La Montanya Estate – Healdsburg, open by appointment, 707-433-3711 P17 DeLoach Vineyards – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-5pm, 707-526-9111 P44 Dry Creek Vineyard – Healdsburg, daily 10:30am-4:30pm, 707-433-1000 P14 Dutcher Crossing Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-431-2700 P10 Dutton Estate Winery – Sebastopol, daily 10am-5pm, 707-829-9463 P38 Eric Ross Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 11am-5pm, 707-939-8525 P59 Ferrari-Carano – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-6700 P9 Forchini – Healdsburg, Fri-Sun 11am-4pm, 707-431-8886 P11 Freestone Vineyards – Freestone, Thu-Mon 11am-5pm, 707-875-1010 P37 Hawkes Winery – Healdsburg, Thu-Mon 10am-5pm, 707-433-HAWK P27 Hawkes Winery – Sonoma, Thu-Mon 10am-6pm, 707-938-7620 P62 Hook & Ladder – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-4:30pm, 707-526-2255 P46 Hop Kiln (HKG) – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-6491 P18 HKG HKG HKG Jacuzzi Family Vineyards – Sonoma, daily 11am-5:30pm, 707-931-7575 P66 Kendall-Jackson Tasting Room – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-7102 P20 Kendall-Jackson Wine Center – Fulton, daily 10am-5pm, 707-571-8100 P41 Ledson Winery & Vineyards – Kenwood, daily 10am-5pm, 707-537-3810 P49 Martin Ray Winery – Santa Rosa, daily 11am-5pm, 707-823-2404 P43 Matanzas Creek Winery – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-4:30pm, 707-528-6464 P54 Mayo Family Winery – Glen Ellen, daily 10:30am-6:30pm, 707-938-9401 P55 Medlock Ames Winery – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-8845 P28 Mercury Wines – Geyserville, Thu-Mon 11am-6pm or by appt, 707-857-9870 P26 Merriam Vineyards – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-4032 P34 Moondance Cellars – Glen Ellen, daily 11am-5pm, 707-823-0880 P58 Mountain Terraces Vineyard – Glen Ellen, by appointment only, 707-481-7377 P60 Peterson Winery – Healdsburg, Fri-Mon 11am-4:30pm or by appt, 707-431-7568 P13 Rodney Strong Vineyards – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-431-1533 P31 Russian Hill Estate – Windsor, daily 10am-4pm, 707-575-9428 P42 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards – Santa Rosa, daily 10am-5pm, 1-888-675-WINE P50 Sbragia Family Vineyards – Healdsburg, daily 11am-5pm, 707-473-2992 P8 Simi Winery – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-473-3232 P29 Stephen & Walker Winery – Healdsburg, daily 11am-7pm, 707-431-8749 P23 Suncé Winery – Santa Rosa, daily 10:30am-5pm, 707-526-9463 P45 Topel Tasting Room – Healdsburg, daily 11am-7pm, 707-433-4116 P22 Truett Hurst Winery – Healdsburg, daily 10am-5pm, 707-433-9545 P12 VJB Vineyards & Cellars – Kenwood, daily 10am-5pm, 707-833-2300 P52 Viansa Winery – Sonoma, daily 10am-5pm, 707-935-4700 P67

www.WineCountryThisWeek.com Wine Varietals 69 Rockpile

R Wattle Creek U S S I Pastori Fritz A

U N T Lake C R ASTI H I E V Souverain, Cellar No. 8

R E

C R Sonoma R

Silver E

E Oak SBRAGIA FAMILY K Vinwood Cellars FERRARI-CARANO Kachina 101 Alexander TO THE DUTCHER CROSSING Frick MENDOCINO David Caﬀaro J Rickards Valley COAST Bella Vineyards Pedroncelli STEWART’S PO Preston Vineyards INT R D Zachichi CANYO Geyser Peak N Talty RD Yoakim Bridge . Palmeri FORCHINI Route 128 Winery Dry Amphora Raymond Burr VineyardsDRY CREEK RD. Papapietro PerryMeeker Local Göpfrich Kokomo deLorimier Creek MERCURYTerroirs TRUETT HURST Trione Martorana PETERSON Michel-Schlumberger Unti Clos Quivira Du Bois Rued FAMILY Vintners Signatures Passalacqua Francis Mounts Teldeschi Ford Coppola A RafanelliW

. DRY CREEK Trentadue D Lambert BridgeR TO THE Y D Mauritson R C R Y 128

MENDOCINO E C E R Mazzocco K COAST Pasterick E LYTTON SPGS Garden Creek RanchRobert Young E

AmistaK Stryker Sonoma

ALEXANDER R Ridge

D Nalle

. SIMI HAWKES Grove Jordan VALLEY Deux AmisDuchamp Sausal Street Stuhlmuller Wilson MEDLOCK AMESStonestreet BOISSET TASTE OF TERROIR Montemaggiore FERRARI-CARANO’S White Oak Northern Forth J Wine SEASONS OF THE VINEYARD Everett Ridge KENDALL-JACKSON Johnson’s STEPHEN & WALKER Sonoma Michael Bernard Flowers DaVero Alexander Valley Vineyards TOPEL 1 Hanna Vineyard Alderbrook Field Stone & Winery Knights Downtown Wine MacPhail Foppiano ChristieLimerick Mill Creek Vineyards Lane Lancaster Estate Edmeades ACORN Front Street Wineries: Vérité/ Valley ARMIDA MeitzCHRISTOPHER • Camellia Cellars Caz adero Russian Archipel • Davis Family

DE LA MONTANYA. CREEK • Sapphire Hills D

R Starlite E RODNEY STRONG D • Holdredge I Twomey Vineyards River Matrix S T Hauck Cellars S C. DonatielloE Hawley Tasting Room & Gallery Korbel W MERRIAM HOP DeNatale Hudson Street Wineries . Chateau Felice T • Bluenose Wines KILN S WINDSORVine RIVER Tastings RD E • Grove Street 116 Bradford Mtn CHALK HILL R Rochioli O • Owl Ridge F Gary Farrell Arista Chalk D • Sadler-Wells

L E E I Porter L • Rocking Z Vineyard D I F I I Thomas H S Moshin Creek R • Teira T T George S OLD REDWOOD HWY K Hill A PLEASANT L E La Crema A P E

H Lake Sonoma

Copain C

Longboard Vineyards

Manzanita Creek

Murphy-Goode Mueller Gustavo ThraceOptima Pezzi King Hartford Family RUSSIAN HILLSonoma-Cutrer Portalupi 1 R B I Roadhouse Winery VE O Russian River VnydsEmtu Estate R R ESTATE KENDALL-JACKSON H D. Russian River Wine Co. E Iron Horse Seghesio M River Road WoodenheadSLUSSER WINE CENTER I A Selby Green Joseph Swan Tara Bella N Martinelli . Thirty Four North Wine Merchant AR D H Pellegrini M K R WE S I DUTTON ESTATE MARTIN S G St. Helena Road Thumbprint G Harvest Moon T S RIN H Valley P Winery Toad Hollow

W Occidental Road RAY SUNCÉ Robert Rue Waterfront Tasting Room A Atascadero Creek LAGUNA RD. OLIVET Y Dehlinger Benovia • J. Keverson Graton Ridge HOOK & LADDER • Christie Marimar TorresGRATON RD. Red Car Carol SheltonInspiration Inman INDUSTRIAL • Hart’s Desire Dutton-Goldﬁeld DeLOACH PINERNovy Williamson Lynmar GUERNEVILLEBattaglini Emeritus Merry Edwards Siduri Paradise Ridge

FOUNT OCCIDENTAL RD. AIN MONTGOMERY D&L Peters G 29 BALLETTO ROV MONTECITO Taft Street WineryCarinalliFamily OCCIDENTAL RD. E

Freeman Hanna FULTON RD. D’Argenzio

GOLD FREESTONE VINEYARDS TROUGH WATER CELLARS OF Gourmet au Bay Kruta 128 GUEST CENTER RIDGE SONOMA BODEGA H IGH CALISTOGA RD. WA Y Sheldon BURNSIDE Littorai Wines

VA LL EY

FO R D Sonoma 12 C U T O F F 116 101 Valley LEDSON Sonoma PYTHIANST. FRANCISRD. GRANGE Landmark Sugar Loaf Coast Kaz Ridge 128 Sable Ridge MATANZAS CREEK Paradise Ridge State Park Muscardini & Ty Caton Cellars TO Enkidu LAKE BERRYESSA Pavo Wines VJB CELLARS CHATEAU ST. JEAN AND Bevan BENNETT VALLEY RD. SACRAMENTO Cellars MAYO RESERVE ROOM Kenwood Winery PETALUMA HILL ROAD Family Wineries

Deerﬁeld RanchKunde

Loxton Wellington ROBLAR RD. MAYO FAMILY Benziger Family Audelssa EstateHKG ESTATE PETALUMA Imagery VA LL E Y ERIC ROSS 1 F BR COHN O R MOONDANCE CELLARS D ARROWOOD R Little Vineyards D Bucklin Old Hill Ranch . Valley of the Moon Winery Bartholomew Park Petroni Vineyards Robert Hunter BODEGA MOUNTAIN TERRACES VINEYARDS HWY Paint Horse Moon Mountain Hanzell WASHINGTON 12

ORANGE RD. Clary Ranch

Sonoma Valley Port Works HAWKES Gundlach Bundschu Roche Ravenswood Clarbec Roessler Adobe Road Corda FRATES Sebastiani Adobe CHARLES CREEK Eric K James Tomales STAGE GULCH Hwy 12 Winery Road Westwood Winery Sojourn LOVALL VALLEY BONNESS RD BONNESS TheSonoma Enoteca Bay Robledo Buena Vista CELLARCave 116 Family E NAPA ST 116 DOOR NAPA RD 7TH E. Favero ANABA Keller MacRostie Estate Schug 12 8TH E.Parmelee-Hill Larson Family 101 Bonneau 121 Kamen Tin Barn

LAKEVILLE RD. Gloria Ferrer Meadowcroft Gofessel Caves & VineyardsKeating Wines

BURNDALELos Carneros Kastania Region Vineyards 121 Homewood Nicholson CLINE Winery JACUZZI Ranch VIANSA TO NAPA 37 RAMAL

TO VALLEJO

TO TO SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO San Pablo Bay Rockpile

R Wattle Creek U S S I Pastori Fritz A

U N T Lake C R ASTI H I E V Souverain, Cellar No. 8

R E

C R Sonoma R

Silver E

. DRY CREEK Trentadue D Lambert BridgeR TO THE Y D Mauritson R C R Y 128

MENDOCINO E C E R Mazzocco K COAST Pasterick E LYTTON SPGS Garden Creek RanchRobert Young E

AmistaK Stryker Sonoma

ALEXANDER R Ridge

D Nalle

. SIMI HAWKES Grove Jordan VALLEY Deux AmisDuchamp Sausal Street Stuhlmuller Wilson MEDLOCK AMESStonestreet BOISSET TASTE OF TERROIR Montemaggiore FERRARI-CARANO’S J Wine White Oak Northern Forth SEASONS OF THE VINEYARD Everett Ridge KENDALL-JACKSON Johnson’s STEPHEN & WALKER Sonoma Michael Bernard Flowers DaVero Alexander Valley Vineyards TOPEL 1 Hanna Vineyard Alderbrook Field Stone & Winery Knights Downtown Wine MacPhail Foppiano ChristieLimerick Mill Creek Vineyards Lane Lancaster Estate Edmeades ACORN Front Street Wineries: Vérité/ Valley ARMIDA MeitzCHRISTOPHER • Camellia Cellars Caz adero Russian Archipel • Davis Family

DE LA MONTANYA. CREEK • Sapphire Hills D R Starlite • Holdredge E RODNEY STRONG D I Twomey Vineyards River Matrix S Hauck Cellars T S Hawley Tasting Room & Gallery C. DonatielloE Korbel W MERRIAM Hudson Street Wineries HOP DeNatale . Chateau Felice T • Bluenose Wines KILN S WINDSORVine RIVER Tastings RD E • Grove Street 116 Bradford Mtn CHALK HILL R Rochioli O • Owl Ridge F Gary Farrell Arista • Sadler-Wells Chalk D L E • Rocking Z Vineyard E I Porter L D I F I I • Teira Thomas H S Moshin Creek R T T George S OLD REDWOOD HWY K Hill La Crema A PLEASANT L E E A P Lake Sonoma

Copain C Longboard Vineyards

Manzanita Creek

Murphy-Goode

Mueller GustavoOptima ThracePezzi King Hartford Family RUSSIAN HILLSonoma-Cutrer Portalupi 1 R Roadhouse Winery B I VE O Russian River VnydsEmtu Estate R R ESTATE KENDALL-JACKSON Russian River Wine Co. H D. Seghesio E Iron Horse M River Road WoodenheadSLUSSER WINE CENTER Selby I A Green Joseph Swan Tara Bella N Thirty Four North Wine Merchant Martinelli . AR D H Pellegrini M K R WE S Thumbprint I DUTTON ESTATE MARTIN S G St. Helena Road G Harvest Moon T S RIN Toad Hollow H Valley P Winery W Occidental Road RAY SUNCÉ Robert Rue Waterfront Tasting Room A Atascadero Creek LAGUNA RD. OLIVET Y Dehlinger Benovia • J. Keverson Graton Ridge • Christie Red Car HOOK & LADDER Marimar TorresGRATON RD. Carol SheltonInspiration • Hart’s Desire INDUSTRIAL Inman Williamson Dutton-Goldﬁeld DeLOACH PINERNovy Lynmar GUERNEVILLEBattaglini Emeritus Merry Edwards Siduri Paradise Ridge

FOUNT OCCIDENTAL RD. AIN MONTGOMERY D&L Peters G 29 BALLETTO ROV MONTECITO Taft Street WineryCarinalliFamily OCCIDENTAL RD. E

Freeman Hanna FULTON RD. D’Argenzio

GOLD FREESTONE VINEYARDS TROUGH WATER CELLARS OF Gourmet au Bay Kruta 128 GUEST CENTER RIDGE SONOMA BODEGA H IGH CALISTOGA RD. WA Y Sheldon BURNSIDE Littorai Wines

VA LL EY

Deerﬁeld RanchKunde

ORANGE RD. Clary Ranch

Sonoma Valley Gundlach Bundschu Port Works HAWKES Roche Ravenswood Clarbec Roessler Adobe Road Corda FRATES Sebastiani Adobe CHARLES CREEK Eric K James Tomales STAGE GULCH Hwy 12 Winery Road Westwood Winery Sojourn LOVALL VALLEY BONNESS RD BONNESS TheSonoma Enoteca Bay Robledo Buena Vista CELLARCave 116 Family E NAPA ST 116 DOOR NAPA RD 7TH E. Favero ANABA Keller MacRostie Estate Schug 12 8TH E.Parmelee-Hill Larson Family 101 Bonneau 121 Kamen Tin Barn

LAKEVILLE RD. Gloria Ferrer Meadowcroft Gofessel Caves & VineyardsKeating Wines

BURNDALELos Carneros Kastania Region Vineyards 121 Homewood Nicholson CLINE Winery Travelling around Sonoma County JACUZZI Ranch TRAVEL TIME MILES PAverage) (Peak) VIANSA TO NAPA Golden Gate Bridge to Sebastopol 49 60 80 37 RAMAL Sebastopol to Santa Rosa 7 12 20 Downtown Santa Rosa to Healdsburg 16 20 30 Healdsburg to Geyserville 8 15 15 TO VALLEJO

TO TO SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO San Pablo Bay