Hi.

I'll be in Sonoma for my first time, a week from tomorrow, and staying at the Madrona Manor in Healdsburg. I've read about countless wineries in the area, and I'm overwhelmed.

Does anyone have any advice as to wineries I should see. I think I'd prefer small ones, but any advice would be great help.

Thanks

I can highly recommend two small wineries. Firstly, Iron Horse Vineyards -- You must make a reservation, but worth the hassle. They are known for their sparking wines (very well known Wedding Cuvee -- a derivative of which was served at the White House on New Year's Eve 1999), but we found other vines very nice -- especially the sangiovese (sp?). Also try to locate Gary Farrell -- they had a tasting room on the square in Healdsburg, but now have an actual winery you can visit (try www.garyfarrell.com). We were also pleasantly surprised by the Clos du Bois vinyard -- which had some interesting wines you can't find in the stores (like a late harvest semillion that we really loved).

We were thinking of looking at Madrona for a wedding -- let us know what you think of the place.

Madrona Manor is tops! They have hundreds of weddings there each year and one was in progress when we stayed. It didn't interfere with guests of the hotel though. When you arrive in Healdsburg go immediately to the Chamber of Commerce and pick up a winery map. Figure out what kind of wine you most enjoy or want to know about and then visit those wineries that make that type of wine. One of our favorites is Souverain and there's a lovely cafe there for lunch. Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma is a nice winery and The Girl and the Fig restaurant in the town of Sonoma is good. Have fun.

MM is very close to many of the best wineries in N. Sonoma: Belvedere, Rabbit Ridge, Rochioli, Limerick Lane, Rafanelli, Ferrari-Carano, Davis Bynum, Simi, Preston, and a little farther Korbel for champagne. It's easy
to be overwhelmed by the choices. Check Sonoma.com for a complete list.

Have dinner at Cafe La Haye just off the square in Sonoma! It's very small so you should make reservations but the food is fab.

As for wineries, I'd steer clear of Cline. When we were there it was packed with people and we waited 30 minutes, trying to get someone's attention for a taste and finally gave up.

I second Iron Horse (in Sebastopol, I think?). Their champagne is tops.

Chateau Souverain - pretty, good wine, good restaurant...
Ridge - not a winery (it's elsewhere), just the vineyard/tasting room - fabulous wines esp. Zins
Ferrari-Carano (sp?) is worth a visit - spectacular buildings and grounds - good wine - not small though...
Rochioli - small, pretty views, outstanding Pinot Noir (always limited quantities, not always available)

Rob:

All of the wineries you've been recommended are good. My recomendation is not to worry about it so much. Once you get there start at one winery, get a wine map and then wing it. Some of the best wineries are the ones you stumble on by accident. The worst that can happen is you don't like it, and you leave.