Restaurants and Wineries in Sonoma
 

I will be staying in Santa Rosa in late July<BR>and would like to know which wineries and restaurants you recommend. Was there a few years ago, but only for a day so did not know what choices to make. How long a drive to the French Laundry from SR. [Where is it located in Napa Valley]<BR> Dee

Dee:<BR><BR>Do a search on Napa, I have a trip report I recently posted. It lists a number of Wineries in Sonoma Valley that we visited. <BR><BR>The French Laundry is located in Yountville. Can't remember how far that is from Santa Rosa...probably a good 45 minutes.<BR><BR>Sheli

Dee,<BR> We also just returned and my trip report should be in archives. If you want me to email it to you, send me your address at [email protected]<BR>We had a gal at Meeker (Geyserville) give us personal choices and they were right on!Went to both the popular and some smaller-but-fabulous places. Not to be missed in Sonoma Valley : J's, Meeker, Foppiano,Raymond Burr, Ferrani-Carrano,Limerick Lane ...oh so many!

Linda:<BR> I tried to e-mail you but my service did not recognize your address.<BR>Could you check the address again please, or put the info on this thread. Thanks! <BR> Dee<BR>

Dee, Sorry I called you Edie. Sent your trip report. There are a couple of books we enjoyed as well- Wine Country and Wine Country Winners- which has the winner of all the various competions. This helps you narrow your choices! Be sure to check the status of your state for shipping- we had to have ours shipped to an office. The wineries will tell you how you can do this. Be prepared to tote a carry-on 6-pack as well (or as many as you can handle, LOL)Have a great trip!

Linda<BR> Received your report.Thanks so much.It will be very helpful to me. Lots of wineries that are new to me, which is great. I'll let you know how we make out. We are taking an extensive trip starting at a wedding in Boulder co and flying home from sfo.Cant wait!

My wife and I just returned from Sonoma County for our honeymoon in late August 2002. We stayed in Glen Ellen, which is a beautiful and quaint alcove of neat restaurants. Our recommendations would be as follows:<BR><BR>Best Wineries:<BR><BR>1. BENZIGER - had a comprehensive tour of grapes and winemaking that was worthwhile. Try to sample the 1999 Merlot and the 2000 Muscadet. <BR><BR>2. MATANZAS CREEK - it's a 15-20 minute drive from Glen Ellen off the beaten path, but well-worth the trip. This place had outstanding red wines, an elegant interior tasting room, and lovely fields of lavender. If you only stop at one winery, this is it.<BR><BR>BEST EATS:<BR><BR>3. GLEN ELLEN INN - this place had a relaxed ambience with a creative flair for dishes. Dinner for 2 is anywhere from $100-150 with a glass of wine. Downright reasonable compared to the rest of Napa Valley.<BR><BR><BR>4. THE FRENCH LAUNDRY - it's not in Sonoma County, but a 45 minute drive away. The $135 per person tasting menu was the most refined and elegant meal I have ever had and probably will ever have in my life. Each dish is an artistic tour de force for the senses. Tom Keller has painstakingly obsessed over the minute details of each dish to render you speechless. Expensive, but worth the splurge especially for a special occasion. <BR>