If we can find some decent airfare from Arizona, we would like to go to the wine barrel tasting in Russian River March 2-5, 2007. We went last year and stayed in Healdsburg, but notice hotels are cheaper in Santa Rosa or Windsor. Would anyone recommend staying in Santa Rosa or Windsor for that event or is Healdsburg the place to stay?

Barrel tasting this year is now the first two weekends in March, so you will have 2 weekends to chose from.

Can't make it this year, but we did the past 2 years and stayed in Santa Rosa. Got great deals on priceline one year for the 4* Hyatt, then the next year for the 3* Hilton for $50 a night. With taxes & fees, cost us $121. (

Thanks Budman, that's why I was asking. I would use Priceline for Santa Rosa since you can save a lot, but wasn't sure if it was too far away from the wineries. Hotels in Healdsburg are expensive, so would be nice to save some money. I will have to look at both weekends.

It's only about 15-20 minutes from Healdsburg.

Here are a couple of links which I guess you already have. The second one will give you proposed itineraries.

wineroad.com
visitwineroad.com

oh ok, I didn't realize it was that close to Healdsburg. Thanks for all of your info . Will look at biddingfortravel.com to get an idea of what rooms are going for. We would like to not drive on Sat to the various wineries. Do you know of a wine tour or shuttle that will take you to the various wineries during that event?

Many of the wineries do not allow
limos or buses-they simply do not have the parking space required. Also, Sat
will be VERY crowded-which is why we typically attend on Friday. That said,
about all you can do is google for limos
in Healdsburg/Santa Rosa and see who will take you where, or have a designated driver.

R5

well if we do go we will be arriving early on Fri so could do a lot of wineries then. Thanks for all the info. Now we just need some cheap airfare to Oakland!

You'll be fine and have fun without a designated driver. I visited 15-20 wineries in one day, and if I had a total of 2 glasses of wine, that's an overstatement. They pour a small amount, you taste, and pour the remainder into a discard container.

If you are going drinking vs. tasting, then yes, get a designated driver.

Two glasses is two too much IMHO.
Thank the lord, not everyone who visits here thinks that way.

Please respect us locals and consider a DD-we thank you for keeping our roads safe.

R5

One glass of wine an hour is well within legal limits. I was talking maybe a total of 2 glasses over a 6-8 hour timeframe in "tasting" and you are getting your panties in a bunch?

What part of "If you are going drinking vs. tasting, then yes, get a designated driver." didn't you seem to understand?

You are quite rude, Budman. I disagreed with you, so what.

R5

I don't have any problem with people who disagree with me, but I just wanted to set the record straight -- you were wrong in your characterization of what I was saying. Cheers!

A glass of wine has nothing to do with being within any legal limit-it's the amount of BAC in your blood.

The comment you made about my panties in a bunch was crude and quite unnecessary. For some reason you found it necessary to be a rude & insulting to me.

A gentleman of would apologize.

However, I am aware that such a piggish statement was not made any gentleman.

R5

Wine tasting can really sneak up on you. Plus you'll find some narrow, unfamiliar roads in the area and other drivers who have tasted who knows how much. I agree, a designated driver is the way to go.

I think that It's really time that Sonoma locals should start considering wearing thongs. I can only presume that such would eliminate irritability caused by the "bunched-up panties".

Just my .02 cents.

LOL! Hey guys I think this is getting out of hand. We will probably use a DD for one of the days and limit the amount of drinking on Fri and Sun, so we should be fine. Thanks for all of your input.

DD is a great idea!

Next trip, I'm gonna hire the guy that drive you around in an antique convertible. It will be my splurge on the trip so everyone can indulge (taste/drink/whatever).