Girls Weekend in Sonoma, A trip report
Jun 12th, 2006 | 08:06 AM
#1
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 409
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Girls Weekend in Sonoma, A trip report
Just returned from an extremely enjoyable weekend in Sonoma/Napa Valleys.
A little about us. We are 4 girlfriends in our early to mid 30's who had not seen each other in years. We planned a girls trip to get away, enjoy some good food/wine and laugh a lot. That's exactly what we did!
STAY: A+! A vrbo.com house at the end of E. Napa Street. Really, it ended up being perfect for us. A pool, outdoor fireplace, hot tob, 2 rooms w/Queen beds, kitchen/dining rooms and 2 bathrooms. A little rambler with well manicured grounds and a very private location. Everything was beautiful and top notch.
DRIVE:
CALIFORNIA WINE TOURS-C. California Wine Tours provided car and driver for our wine trip. We rented a suburban. There were communication problems between the office and our driver (driver didn't realize we had appointments at at least one of our wineries), and when we informed her it through her whole itinerary off course. We think she was new, as she didn't know policies of the wineries (allow or not allow picnics), what was on the way to where or even where our first winery was. I think the driver tried, but really, she didn't add to the experience at all.
VERNS TAXI-A to C. We took Vern's taxi (who apparently is the only outfit that services the town of Sonoma) 4 times. They were our DD for our evenings. If you can, request Matthew. He was our first and last driver. The other two drivers where various shades of characters, and drove vehicles of vaious degrees of cleanliness and acceptability. And one almost got us into an accident. Ask for Matthew.
A little about us. We are 4 girlfriends in our early to mid 30's who had not seen each other in years. We planned a girls trip to get away, enjoy some good food/wine and laugh a lot. That's exactly what we did!
STAY: A+! A vrbo.com house at the end of E. Napa Street. Really, it ended up being perfect for us. A pool, outdoor fireplace, hot tob, 2 rooms w/Queen beds, kitchen/dining rooms and 2 bathrooms. A little rambler with well manicured grounds and a very private location. Everything was beautiful and top notch.
DRIVE:
CALIFORNIA WINE TOURS-C. California Wine Tours provided car and driver for our wine trip. We rented a suburban. There were communication problems between the office and our driver (driver didn't realize we had appointments at at least one of our wineries), and when we informed her it through her whole itinerary off course. We think she was new, as she didn't know policies of the wineries (allow or not allow picnics), what was on the way to where or even where our first winery was. I think the driver tried, but really, she didn't add to the experience at all.
VERNS TAXI-A to C. We took Vern's taxi (who apparently is the only outfit that services the town of Sonoma) 4 times. They were our DD for our evenings. If you can, request Matthew. He was our first and last driver. The other two drivers where various shades of characters, and drove vehicles of vaious degrees of cleanliness and acceptability. And one almost got us into an accident. Ask for Matthew.
Jun 12th, 2006 | 08:17 AM
#2
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 409
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EAT:
HARVEST MOON CAFE - A. Eat there. It's only been in business for 5 months, and therefor didn't have the crowds. We sat outside and each had extremely enjoyable meals. A really wonderful way to start our Sonoma weekend.
OAKVILLE GROCERY - A: We picked up picnic lunch boxes for our winery tours. They were nicely packaged and gourmet sandwiches. YUM!
DELLA SANTINAS - C: Ho hum. We'd heard terrific things about this Sonoma Landmark. It was okay at best. Outdoor seating was supposed to create nice ambiance, but just felt dirty. We had to send several bread/appetizer plates back to be properly cleaned. Entrees ranged from lukewarm to bland to oily. Really, a highly forgettable meal.
THE GIRL AND THE FIG - A-: We had Sunday brunch at the girl and the fig. Food was excellent. Just one weird moment with an egg order and our waitress, but we'd go there again.
HARVEST MOON CAFE - A. Eat there. It's only been in business for 5 months, and therefor didn't have the crowds. We sat outside and each had extremely enjoyable meals. A really wonderful way to start our Sonoma weekend.
OAKVILLE GROCERY - A: We picked up picnic lunch boxes for our winery tours. They were nicely packaged and gourmet sandwiches. YUM!
DELLA SANTINAS - C: Ho hum. We'd heard terrific things about this Sonoma Landmark. It was okay at best. Outdoor seating was supposed to create nice ambiance, but just felt dirty. We had to send several bread/appetizer plates back to be properly cleaned. Entrees ranged from lukewarm to bland to oily. Really, a highly forgettable meal.
THE GIRL AND THE FIG - A-: We had Sunday brunch at the girl and the fig. Food was excellent. Just one weird moment with an egg order and our waitress, but we'd go there again.
Jun 12th, 2006 | 08:29 AM
#3
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 409
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DRINK (wine):
CAKEBREAD - A. We did the tasting and instantly felt like we were introduced as part of the family. The tour was quick but informative. Their wines were excellent, and several of us packed some home. The grounds have a very comfortable feel, makes you want to hang out a while. The hosts were unpretencious and good humored.
OPUS ONE - A. I love Opus One. Their winery as well as their wines. The both times I have visited, it has been nearly deserted and we've been able to sip our tastes on their terrace overlooking the valley in peace. Atmosphere inside is more formal than Cakebread, but enjoyable in a completely different way.
MUMM - C: There's a huge tasting patio here, and the bubbly seems to attract all the bachelorette parties (we counted at least 4 tiaras while we were there). It's noisy, crowded, the staff is impatient and does not appear to love their work. And they kept trying to push the gallery on us. Does anyone know why? Next time, we'll see about visiting J (better product IMO and hopefully atmosphere) instead.
DRINK (other):
STEINER'S - C. An odd mix of cleintele. It appeared locals and tourists converge here for some poorly prepared (but inexpensive) drinks. We stayed for only one.
MAYA - A. After a diappointing dinner at Della's, we headed almost next door for some margaritas. Maya helped turn our evening around. Drinks were great, service was good and we stayed long enough to shut them down.
CAKEBREAD - A. We did the tasting and instantly felt like we were introduced as part of the family. The tour was quick but informative. Their wines were excellent, and several of us packed some home. The grounds have a very comfortable feel, makes you want to hang out a while. The hosts were unpretencious and good humored.
OPUS ONE - A. I love Opus One. Their winery as well as their wines. The both times I have visited, it has been nearly deserted and we've been able to sip our tastes on their terrace overlooking the valley in peace. Atmosphere inside is more formal than Cakebread, but enjoyable in a completely different way.
MUMM - C: There's a huge tasting patio here, and the bubbly seems to attract all the bachelorette parties (we counted at least 4 tiaras while we were there). It's noisy, crowded, the staff is impatient and does not appear to love their work. And they kept trying to push the gallery on us. Does anyone know why? Next time, we'll see about visiting J (better product IMO and hopefully atmosphere) instead.
DRINK (other):
STEINER'S - C. An odd mix of cleintele. It appeared locals and tourists converge here for some poorly prepared (but inexpensive) drinks. We stayed for only one.
MAYA - A. After a diappointing dinner at Della's, we headed almost next door for some margaritas. Maya helped turn our evening around. Drinks were great, service was good and we stayed long enough to shut them down.
Jun 13th, 2006 | 06:47 AM
#7
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 409
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NoryGlory, Cakebread was the one we needed to make an appointment for. They have an indepth tour as well as the tasting. Indepth is 1-1/2 hours, and complimentary. Tasting is 1/2 hour and $10.
Enjoy! It was a terrific experience. I believe that if you reserve far enough out (min. party size?) you can have it be a culinary/wine experience. They were preparing a luncheon for 18 when we were there. Unfortunately, not for us!
Enjoy! It was a terrific experience. I believe that if you reserve far enough out (min. party size?) you can have it be a culinary/wine experience. They were preparing a luncheon for 18 when we were there. Unfortunately, not for us!
