The mission of Wine Road is to increase awareness of Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys through education and marketing while promoting Sonoma County as the year-round wine country destination. Cover Photo: Dee Dee Daus TABLE OF CONTENTS About Us . 4 Sustainability . 6 Events . 7 Location, Location, Location . 8 AVA Info . 9 Online . 11 Wineries . 12 Lodgings . 16 ABOUT US WINE ROAD 190 WINERIES 56 LODGINGS 50 MILES NORTH OF SAN FRANCISCO Wending through some of the most picturesque wine country in California, the Wine Road takes visitors on a sensual journey of natural beauty, sublime tasting experiences, and memorable personal encounters with the state’s most devoted winemakers. Even for travelers already well acquainted with California wine country, the Wine Road is likely to be uncharted territory—sure to imbue a fresh sense of discovery. Along the way are some of California’s oldest wineries, run by vintners whose commitment to tending the vines and producing world-class wines, true to the appellation, runs back generations. Founded 35 years ago, the Wine Road is an association of wineries and lodgings in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys This lively and committed of northern Sonoma County. From its modest beginning as an organization has created a organization of nine wineries, it has grown into a spirited constellation myriad of programs, events, of nearly two hundred wineries and fifty lodgings. It is not actually a and services certain to “road” in the sense of a single, continuous stretch of paved highway, enhance any visitor’s but more of a treasure map to the many jewels nestled among the experience of the region. hills and valleys of a region where fresh air, fine wine and exquisite {}cuisine await those who traverse it. This lively and committed organization has created a myriad of programs, events, and services certain to enhance any visitor’s experience of the region. Among them are three major events: Winter Wineland, Barrel Tasting, and A Wine & Food Affair. A free Wine Road map is the key to exploring the glories of the area and is available online at www.wineroad.com along with detailed event information and ticket sales. The Russian River was named for the Russian fur trappers who established a trading colony here in the early 19th century. Following on their heels were French and Italian immigrants, who brought their own centuries-old traditions of winemaking to the area. Wine has been made in Sonoma County for over 130 years. Even during the Prohibition years (1920-33) many wineries continued to make wine for medicinal and sacramental purposes. The Russian River itself meanders among three AVAs that combined, represent a pastiche of microclimates and soils which yield a startling diversity of ultra-premium varietals. To be sure, each appellation has its stars: Russian River Valley’s is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Dry Creek Valley is known for its Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc; and Alexander Valley is known for its Cabernet and Merlot. Dozens of other varietals are also grown in these regions, including Barbera, Carignane, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Grenache, Reisling, and Gewürztraminer, to name a few. 4 190 WINERIES 56 LODGINGS 50 MILES NORTH OF SAN FRANCISCO The region’s winemaking traditions were forged in large part by Italian immigrants who must have experienced a sense of déjà vu when beholding the landscape that would become their home, as many parts closely resemble their native country. They planted a mix of their favorite varietals, which to this day result in interesting field blends found nowhere else. This early Italian influence is still very much in evidence at venerable establishments like the Simi Winery, founded by brothers Giusseppe and Pietro Simi at the northern edge of Healdsburg in 1876. Originally named Montepulciano, this proved too difficult for non-Italian locals to pronounce, leading to the more approachable name. In 1981, French investors Möet Hennessy Louis Vuitton bought the winery, and helped turn Simi into a financial and critical success. Seghesio Winery was founded by Italian immigrants Edoardo and Angela Seghesio, who planted vineyards in 1895 and added a winery in 1902. Today, descendent Ted Seghesio carries on the tradition of his ancestors Today the Wine Road is also where modern, state-of-the-art wineries such as Kendall- Jackson and Ferrari-Carano co-exist with small, artisanal producers for whom making wine is a way of life, completely intertwined with the responsibilities of home and family. From Italian-style villas and French-style chateaux to small garagiste wineries (a name coined because many began making wine in their garages), the Wine Road provides a colorful glimpses into the world of winemaking. This is what makes traversing the Wine Road a uniquely personal experience, and visitors will find their own enthusiasm for great wine reflected in the appreciation of these passionate producers. The Wine Road additionally includes plentiful picnic areas—with many wineries offering patios, decks, and gardens for leisurely lunches—and wine-worthy food available for take away at such beloved, timeless outlets as the Dry Creek General Store and the Jimtown Store. All of these elements breathe new life into the poet Omar Khayyam’s description of the ingredients for a perfect moment: “A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou.” 5 SUSTAINABILITY 190 WINERIES 56 LODGINGS 50 MILES NORTH OF SAN FRANCISCO Being green is no longer the sole domain of activists and Kermit the Frog. Sustainability is on the national radar--its practices quickly becoming part of long-term business strategies. Nowhere is that more apparent than the Wine Road. Representing more than 190 northern Sonoma County wineries from the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley AVAs—Wine Road members are enthusiastically embracing greener principles, from biodynamics and organics to dry farming and solar energy. Green is the Wine Road’s new red. While dry farming practices are almost a given in France (irrigation is forbidden for making anything except table wine), the practice is surprisingly less common in California, where water can be scarce. Dry farming, which relies entirely on rainfall, not only conserves water, making a vineyard’s growing practice more sustainable, but produces more concentrated grapes, intensifying the flavors, structure, and body of the resulting wines. Peterson Winery, Selby Winery, Hook & Ladder, Ridge, and Suncé are among the Wine Road wineries that dry farm some or all of their vineyards. The solar panels at Alexander Valley Vineyards (operational since early 2006), provide the winery, tasting room, and offices with nearly half its yearly energy needs, even pushing power back into the grid on weekends. Rodney Strong, David Coffaro Wines, Quivira, and Ridge also take advantage of solar technology to power some or all of their wineries—reducing dependence on fossil fuels, decreasing pollution, and saving money. Truett Hurst, Selby, and Suncé wineries also practice sustainability Wine Road wineries exhibit through organic farming techniques, starting with non-chemical dedication to the fertilizers and pest-management practices. Taking organics one environment and business step further, wineries such as Quivira, DeLoach, and Ridge grow savvy besides producing biodynamically—an integrated cultivation approach that treats the some of the finest entire vineyard as a living system, with organic guidelines for wines in the world. fertilization and insect/predator management, as well as rules for {}planting, harvesting, and production. Moreover, nearly half of the 50-plus wineries awarded Sonoma County Green Business certification are members of the Wine Road. This designation is given to businesses that meet certain requirements, including conservation of resources, pollution prevention, and waste reduction. In addition, Clos du Bois, Kendall-Jackson, J Wine Company, and Jordan Winery have achieved a second level of certification by the Bay Area Green Business Program, which employs even more stringent guidelines. What does all of this mean? Business-savvy Wine Road wineries exhibit dedication to the environment, producing some of the finest wines in the world. So sit back and pop the cork on a more sustainable wine business. 6 EVENTS WINTER WINELAND BARREL TASTING A WINE & FOOD AFFAIR WINTER WINELAND JANUARY Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday Weekend A great opportunity to meet winemakers and taste limited-production wines. Enjoy a weekend of wine tasting, meeting winemakers, touring wineries, and participating in seminars. The event has focus on Wine~Art~Education. TICKETS Online in advance: $45 weekend; $35 Sunday only; or $5 designated driver Available starting previous November at www.wineroad.com Once online tickets sales end, price at the door is: $55 weekend; $45 Sunday only; or $5 designated driver BARREL TASTING MARCH First two weekends A chance to sample wines from the barrel and talk with winemakers. A special opportunity to purchase “futures,” often at a discount, then come back to the winery when the wine is bottled (typically 12–16 months later) and pick it up. Many wines are so limited, buying futures is your only chance to purchase the wine you like. TICKETS Online in advance: $30 per person, per weekend Once online tickets sales end, price at the door is: $40 per person, per weekend A WINE & FOOD AFFAIR NOVEMBER The first full weekend Our premier event: a full weekend of wine and food pairings, complete with the current edition of Tasting Along the Wine Road cookbook and event logo glass. All participating wineries will have a favorite recipe in the cookbook, which they will prepare both days for you to sample, paired with the perfect wine. Many Wine Road lodgings also provide their favorite recipes for inclusion in the cookbook. TICKETS Online in advance: $70 weekend; $50 Sunday only; or $30 designated driver Available starting previous September at www.wineroad.com Advance ticket sales only, NO tickets at the door.