Hello. We are planning on going back to Sonoma, this time in October. We are hoping to be there for the crush since we did not get to experience it last time we went. We are looking at the first week of October. Since it will be the same couple we went with last time, we would like to change up what we did last time. We stayed at the Renaissance Lodge last time which we LOVED, so we may do that again. Any advice for some changes...

Our last visit we did:
Mantanzas - did not really care for this winery, loved the lavender though.

Benziger - we really enjoyed the tram tour.

Went to the Olive Press, great!

Chateau St. Jean - our FAVORITE. took a wine class here, the whole expereince was wonderful, we would love more of this!!!

Ledson Winery - also great.

Kendall Jackson Windey (Fulton) - did not like this stop at all.

We did the Shramsberg tour - tour was nice, but none of us are sparkling wine fans.

We went to Healdsburg, ate at the Bear Republic - did not visit any wineries there that I recall. I think we needed a wine break at the point.

We ate at Cafe La Haye - food was great, service was horrible, do not want to go back.

At at Glen Ellen Inn - LOVED THIS.

I think we will try to do have four full days this time, if not 4 nights/5 days. Does anyone reccomend a wine guide/tour? We are all partial to reds if that helps w/ suggestions. Also the wine class at CSJean was such a highlight, we might go back there if there is not somewhere else to try.

Thank you!
Molly

My favorite wineries are in the Healdsburg area - ALexander Valley and Dry Creek wineries. Ferrari Carano winery is so beautiful (good wine too) with flowers and in OCtober the trees should be spectacular. Lambert Bridge is also on that drive and good wine.

Consider a morning at DiRosa Preserve. It's a 2 hour docent guided tour of an immense collection of modern art.(there is a website)tix are $10/person.

Check out the Healdsburg area for some great wineries-pinot noir and zins! My favorite lunch/dinner place is Ravenous in Healdsburg. R5 ,maeven of the locale, also seems to realy like BarnDiva which I am wanting to try.In that area, reserve for a tasting at Rafanelli..OMG, the Zins are amazing.

What a glorious time you plan on being here!

Hi Molly!
Isn't Sonoma gorgeous?! October is such a great time of year to go. It's hard to predict the crush, going the first week in October, you might catch the end of it. Usually late August/Sept is the thick of it.

As far as wineries, in the Glen Ellen area check out "Loxton" you can see his web site at http://www.loxtonwines.com He's a third generation Australian wine maker with a focus on Zin's and Syrahs. His wines are outstanding! (Very close to Chateau St. Jean if that gives you an idea of location) If it's not very busy, he will also give you a personal tour through the vineyard, about wine and wine making, etc. It's his dream and passion and that definitely comes through and will be infectious!

I agree with Ferrari Carano (sp?) The wines are great, but the scenery is outstanding. They have a beautiful garden to walk through as well.

(I should mention, I'm from a wine family, and also involved in many wine organizations,etc. so I tend to get excited talking about wine, sorry if I ramble too much)

Check out "Dry Creek Vineyards". They have some outstanding wines, and also have picnic areas to have a picnic lunch. Directly across the street is a new winery (I can't remember the name) but it's where Pezzi King's tasting room used to be. Their wines were outstanding but they also have gorgeous picnic areas.

If you stop at the square in Healdsburg, go to the Oakville Country Store (it's on the right hand corner of the square) and pick up some amazing cheeses, breads, pre-made foods (ie: pasta salads,etc), desserts, and take your goodies to one of the above wineries to have a picnic lunch. Esp. the former Pezzi King site has gorgeous tables, with an amazing view of the vineyards to enjoy while you eat your lunch.

Since you have some time before your trip, check out the "Wine Spectator" web site (it's a magazine) they used to make an issue all about Napa/Sonoma,with a listing of all the wineries, and great maps. Mine is so worn, it's falling apart, but it's been a great help.

Oh, In Glen Ellen, there is also a small supermarket to stock up on some great food, locally grown items, breads, cheeses, sandwiches (the last sandwich I bought there was an olive tapanade with brie on a baguette! YUMMY!)

Since you will be there for a few days you might consider going to a spa, or getting a mud bath. Very relaxing. You will also be close to Bodega Bay, and the California Coast Line which has some amazing views along this stretch of coast. High cliffs/bluffs with winding roads. Bodega Bay is where Hitchcock filmed "The Birds" and you can see the schoolhouse and phone booth both still there.

Alexander Valley also has some amazing wines. (it's north east of downtown Healdsburg) I can't think of a winery off the top of my head to recommend, but the valley itself produces some amazing wines, you can't go wrong.

Hope you have an amazing time! Sorry for being so long winded! Sonoma is simply heaven on earth. If I can help with any more specific advice, please post back.

Have a great trip!
Cheers!!!
Andiamo

We were in Sonoma last month. Sebastiani (right off the plaza) was really fun and they make some wonderfulwines.

We enjoyed the girl and the fig, the Harmony Club @ the Ledson Hotel and the Farmhouse Inn (Forestville) for some great meals. We also had a very nice lunch in Kenwood at Doce Lunas.

Our stay at the Sonoma Mission Inn was really nice for $169/night on winecountry.com KAZ was also a fun stop, small winery in Sonoma. Cheers! ***kim***

KAZ is actually in Kenwood. www.kazwinery.com ***kim***

Restaurants: Girl and the Fig is great, but I like LaSallette even better. The chef does a great job of adapting Portuguese cuisine to Californian tastes, and the service is warm and friendly.

Wineries: sign up ahead for the free morning tour at Ravenswood. And after experiencing the chaos of that temple to Zin, the pristine operations of Arrowood make a great contrast.

Other trips: you've been there before, so why not stretch your boundaries a bit? Spend a day on the coast, or take the windy road that starts near Arrowood over the hills to Napa Valley. Go for a hike in one of Sonoma's parks, or rent bicycles for an afternoon.

Have fun!

And, you might consider a day trip to the Anderson Valley which stretches along hwy 128 from Cloverdale to the coast. There are many small and very wonderful wineries. Some of my favorites are Esterlina and Lazy Creek, the latter being my absolutely favorite.

Thank you for all the great advice. Since there is a good chance that we will miss the crush all together, do you think it matters if we go the 2nd week of October vs the 1st week? We are thinking of starting off in Carmel on the 6th and staying for a couple nights before driving to Sonoma. We will likely stay in Healdsburg this time around since you all have mentioned so many wineries that you love that way. We could still do the first week traveling on weekdays, but I was not sure what Carmel would be like on a sunday/monday. Would we encounter closed shops, etc?

Thank you!
Molly

Any thoughts on the B&B in Healdsburg - Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza? I cannot find any reviews for this property, it is a Four Sisters property. Price is pretty good w/ breakfast, etc. Thank you!

Is Applewood too far off the path? I am struggling trying to find something under $200/night. Seems I am limited to Camelia Inn & Applewood.

Hi Mrs Molly,
I don't think it matters much if you come the first or second week of October. You will probably miss the crush unless you come the first week or two of September....but it's all up to the grapes. There is not a lot to do in the Carmel/Monterey area, although it's very pretty and relaxing. Definitely don't miss a southern drive down Big Sur. It's one of the highlights of everyone I know who has been there. Take your time to drive and relax. It's a very peaceful area.

Healdsburg is a great location to stay. I'm not familar with a lot of the hotel, b&B'S, as I live in SF and just go on a day trip. I wish I could help more. But Healdsburg is a great, central location to stay, and the square is absolutely wonderful. I spoke too soon...I do know people who have stayed at the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza. It's gorgeous. And it's so nice to be on the square. If it's in your price range, I would go for it!

I'm not positive....but since Carmel/Monterey can be a tourist area, I doubt that places will be closed on Sundays or Mondays. Maybe limited hours on Sunday, but you should be fine. There is an aquarium in Monterey that is supposed to be one of the best in the US. If you have time, definitely check it out.

Have a great trip!!
Andiamo