Budman

We will be visiting the Sonoma wineries over Memorial Day weekend. Should I plan on a Saturday or a Sunday? Are most places closed on Sundays? How about crowds? Thanks.

Grasshopper

I think they will be crowded both days! If you want to avoid crowds, choose some of the smaller wineries and the less travelled routes. You might want to check out the Alexander Valley, Russian River and Dry Creek Wineries. The wineries will be open on Sunday.

Here is a great interactive map for planning: http://www.wineroad.com/maps/

PamSF

Agree..or journey on up to the Anderson Valley wineries which will be even less crowded and open on Sundays.

Budman

Thanks. How does the area's wineries around Heraldsburg compare with the ones around Sonoma, such as Ravenswood and Benzinger mentioned on a different thread on this site?

Grasshopper

Budman, If you are looking for big, familiar wineries you will find them; Chateau Souveraign, Ferrari Carano, Korbel being examples of must stops. They both have beautiful buildings, gardens and tasting rooms with lots of commercial opportunities. The best finds, however, are the small wineries where you actually may get a chance to chat with the winemaker while you taste. You will be there one day. You are going to find that after 5 or 6 wineries you've had enough! Trust me, there is plenty in the area to keep you happy. If you want to plan a good route for a day you may want to check out my journal on www.igougo.com

Budman

Grasshopper, I need a little help finding your journal on that site?

Grasshopper

Here's a link, or type in Grasshopper where it asks for "guide":

http://www.igougo.com/planning/journal.asp?JournalID=9312

B

Budman

Thanks, Grasshopper. I think I am heading up that way. I would like to visit 1-2 large wineries and then go to a few of the "smaller" ones. My wife doesn't drink wine, so I have my own designated driver.

Any good recommendations for lunch or place to picnic?

I want to bring back 2 cases of wine from all the different wineries, in addition to my carry-on. Do the wineries provide packing material so they can be safely transported with my airline checked baggage?

Grasshopper

Several recommendations, depending on your taste. I love Chateau Souveraign. They have a really beautiful "cafe" restaurant with great gourmet food and a wonderful view out the wall of windows. There's a brewery restaurant on the main street in Healdsburg that has creative, tasty foods, characteristic of the area. There are lots of delis if you want to pick up a picnic. Several of the wineries have picnic areas on their grounds; Hop Kiln, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Davis Bynum, Korbel. Actually, probably most of them do. See where you find yourself at lunch time and play it by ear.

Budman

I want to bring back 2 cases of wine from all the different wineries, in addition to my carry-on. Do the wineries provide packing material so they can be safely transported with my airline checked baggage? Anybody done this before?

Anybody?

Suzie

Most wineries have boxes with handles that hold about 4 bottles that they either provide to you or that you can purchase. If you are taking a larger quantity you can tell them you want the bottles wrapped for travel in the case. Or have them shipped the wine directly to your home if that's allowed by your state. Most winery staff are very helpful in this regard. While we were in Sonoma last year, sister purchased a case of wine and they wrapped it and carried it to the car for her, making sure it was stable in the trunk too!

BTW We ate at the brewery mentioned by Grasshopper. I believe it's called The Beer Republic. Great place VERY popular.

PamSF

If I may...here are some wineries in the area I would recommend you try ..some of them have tasting rooms (free standing)..Seghesio(Healdsburg Chiantis, Zinfandels-old clone wines), Merry Edwards(check out their web site as I think they will have a tasting room somewhere-same goes for the winery Saphhire Hill) has some of the best pinot noir I have ever tasted..same for Saphhire Hill. Rosenblum has a tasting room in downtown Healdsburg next door to Oakville Grocery. They make some great Zinfandels as well. Sausal has some good Zins and cabarnets. Ridge is up there now as well and they, although not strictly local, have some really good reds. Check out the wine store off the plaza in downtown Healdsburg. If you have something in mind from the region and can't find it, chances are they have it. You can get sandwiches at the Jimtown Store if you are out tasting in the Alexander Valley, I would also recommend Santi in downtown Geyserville. Check to make sure they will be open for lunch that weekend. They are great for dinner as well.

Brutforce

Try Quivera (they make an awesome red blend) bottled under what they call a Cuvee & Preston where they have a bakery on site, also a great place for a picnic.

highbay

We were just in Sonoma this January and inquired about having a case of wine shipped to our home in Florida. We were given a quote of $40.00 a case (this is only shipping charges, not including wine of course). This really made it very impractical. We instead brought home wine carefully insulated between our clothing.