help a newbie plan first trip to Sonoma
 

My husband and I are in the process of planning our first trip to Sonoma. The vast array of wineries is a little overwhelming! I'd appreciate input from anyone on their favorite winery visits in Sonoma. We're looking for beautiful scenery, great wine and friendly staff! If you've had an especially positive experience at any particular winery in Sonoma, please share.
Thanks.

Artesa winery is close to Sonoma and has a very friendly staff, great selection of wines, and a fabulous view of the area. It is definately a cool place to visit. We stopped there on our way to Sonoma for lunch at the Girl and the Fig which I would also recommend.

Do you want info on wineries near
the town of Sonoma or the entire county?
I ask because there are about 200
wineries throughout the county, which
is roughly the size of Maryland.

You are going to get suggestions
which are all over the county and could be an hours drive (or more)in-between.
So it would be best to group them by
location.

Are you here for 2 days or a week ?
What time of year ?
Also, put Sonoma in the search box and you'll get loads of info.

Beautiful scenery is quite subjective-
would you like coastal ? hills ?
redwoods and river ?
vineyards & valleys ? We have them all!

Artesa Winery is in Napa County,BTW
about a 20 minute drive to the town of Sonoma. It is very cool,very modern.

R5

We are staying in Healdsburg and will be there from Monday through Friday, the first week of October.
I just thought I'd ask which wineries in Sonoma County travelers especially liked, ie: nice grounds, good wine, tastings, etc...
If any particular visit stands out in your mind, please let me know. It will help me narrow down our search of the over 200 wineries in the area.
Thanks.

Personally, I find that "discovery" is half the fun. My brother lives in Sonoma County and frequently when I'm down to visit, we just get in thte car and go. There are a "zillion" wineries in that area and we have found some wonderful wines at the smaller places. You also have to remember that each year the wimes are different. You can find say a 2002 Merlot at a winery that is just fabulous and the 2003 may not be as good. It's all subjective...what ever tastes good to YOU is a good wine. I went on the winter wine tour this last January and there were 90 wineries participating and that didn't even begin to scratch the surface. So it might be fun for you to try a little "serendipity". Have a fun trip.

You have done well on two points-early October and Healdsburg. Type in www.wineroad.com and you will get a preview of what is in store. R5 is a great source of info so follow any and all of her suggestions. I have my favorites which include Rafanelli(make an appointment) for screamin' zin. Sapphire Hill for Zins, Pinots and Syrahs. Nalle's Zins were the first we ever tasted and we were hooked. R5 just went there during barrel tasting and, to my memory, thought it was great. I also like Sausal for Zins.
Seghesio is a very old family in the Healdsburg area. They have a nice and hosptiable tasting room. I recommend going for their old vine zins.

Thanks everyone! I too like the "discovery" method of travel. Most likely we will pick out a few "musts" and spend the rest of the time just popping in to places that catch our eye.
Although it's still months away, I am really, really looking forward to the trip. And planning is half the fun :)

Yes, planing is a lot of fun! We recently returned from the Sonoma Wine Country and had a great time! :)

Some of my favorites are: Chateau St. Jean, Imagery, Ledson, Sebastiani, Blackstone, Valley of the Moon, Kunde, and KAZ.

In the Healdsburg area, check out the Chateau Souverain winery. It's gorgeous, has great wines and a very nice restaurant there, The Alexander Valley Grille.

For a special dinner, we really enjoyed The Farmhouse Inn in Forestville. Cheers! ***kim*** ((f))

Why,Thankyou Pam and I would offer
that Pam's advice and suggestions in the area
are also quite trustworthy!

Healdsburg+October=Perfect!
wineroad.com-Great website!

In addition to Pam's excellent list
(loved the Nalle zin!)
I would add a few from the Westside
Road in the Healdsburg/Russian River
Valley:
<b>Roshambo</b>-very cool,very modern
<b>Hop Kiln</b>-historic bldg.,try the Valdiguie if they are pouring it
<b>Rochiolli</b>-divine Sauvignon Blanc,
breathtaking views
<b>Gary Farrell</b>-everything he makes is good, excellent 2002 Pinot Noir.

The wineroad website has very good maps
of the area to help you find all of these, and more as you prowl the countryside.

Here's my list for Healdsburg eats.

My list includes local favorites,
mine,as well as friends in the
wine and food industires in this area.

OK,here we go, you've got many choices:
For Hip and trendy, you have
<b>Barndiva</b>
-read about it here-
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...ve/2005/01/30/
CMGAB98FPN1.DTL

One of my favorites:
<b>Willi's</b>
Oysters and yummy small plates,

<b>Ravenous</b>
A local favorite;steaks pasta,fish
very fresh local ingrediants

<b>Madrona Manor</b>
Continental cuisine in a richly
decorated Victorian setting.
Very romantic for a B'Day.

<b>Santi</b>
A short jaunt to Geyserville

<b>Cyrus</b>
Located within the new luxury hotel
Les Mars, is getting raves and my
industry friends say the buzz is
that it will be the French Laundry
of Sonoma County. I know the room has to be gorgeous as an old boss,
Howard Backen of Backen Gillam Architects is the architect/interior designer, it will be sumptuos for sure!
It is going to be expensive-dinners are
3,4,or 5 courses and start around $50.
We shall see.....

Have you thought about taking a day or afternoon to drive out to the Coast?
The drive through the redwoods along the Russian River (Hwy 116 West) is fabulous.

Enjoy!
R5

Thank you, R5, the information you gave is great! I am adding all of it to my trip file. It will be my 30th birthday while we are there, sounds like a dinner at Cyrus could be the perfect way to celebrate!
And, yes, you read my mind, we would like to take a trip to the coast one day and seeing Redwoods is high on our list. Is Armstrong State Reserve the best place to see Redwoods?