Sonoma questions
 

Hi,
My husband & I are taking a short trip (3 nights, 4 days) to Sonoma in a few weeks. It came up rather suddenly, so I've not done lots of research yet. I do have a couple of questions, if any one has any ideas, that would be great.
1. Can we do the Russian River area? We are staying in Sonoma. I'd really like to go to Chateau Souverain & CakeBread.
2. Is it possible to see the Redwoods while we're there? I know they are nearby, but I'm not sure how close.
3. Do we need to make reservations for dinner? I don't want to eat at chains.
4. What is the dress for touring the wineries? Are jeans ok?

Thanks so much!
Michelle

I never heard of any dress requirements for winery tours... the only thing I can think of, if it's not only tasting, but an actual tour, you may be required to have closed-toes shoes for safety, but I don't think they will do that.

It will depends on the weather, may be too hot for jeans in "a few weeks". And if you go on a tour, not just tasting, it may be cool where they keep the barrels.

Michelle,

The Russian River area is about 45 minutes from the town of Sonoma. Go on-line and see the wineries located in the Russian River area and then decide how many you want to visit and the best route to take.

The best place for seeing redwoods in Sonoma County is Armstrong Grove near Guerneville on the Russian River--beautiful old-growth trees in a lovely fern covered canyon.

If you wish to dine at up-scale restaurants, it is best to have a reservation well in advance most particularly on the weekend. There are many great small restaurants in Sonoma where you can get in without a reservation on weekdays as well as weekends this time of year unless there is a special events going on like the Olive Festival.

Enjoy your time in the County. The mustard is in full bloom right now!

I gather you are staying in the town of Sonoma?

You can do the Russian River from there as a day trip. Take Hwy 12 to Santa Rosa, get on Hwy 101 going north. After a short while exit on River Road. You will eventually be following the Russian River. At Guerneville is Armstrong Redwloods Stste Park, taking care of your redwoods desire. There are wineries in the Russian River area.

I don't believe Chsteau Soverain is in the Sonoma Valley. Cakebread is in the Napa Valley, not on Hwy 29, but on the Silverado Trail, which parallels 29 a short distance away toward the hills. This is nlot a long ride away. The town of Napa is only 14 miles from the town of Sonoma. (in the opposite direction from the Russian River trip.

In the Sonoma Valley, Benziger gives a really good tour. It is in Glen Ellen.

If you are in town on the weekend, it wold be wise to make dinner reservations, perhaps even if you are not. Sonoma often has some off-season things going on. I think its the "olive festival" around now. In Sonoma, think about The General's Daughter and The Girl and the Fig and Cafe LaHaye. Lots of good restaurants in Sonoma.

Yes, jeans are perfectly OK for touring and tasting. Especially if you tour at Benziger. I believe they take you areound the vineyards on a tractor trailer or something <grin>.

Have you a place to stay?

Enjoy your trip,

Chateau Sovereign has been purchased by
Francis Ford Coppola-same place, still pretty. For info
www.ffcwinery.com
The location is north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County.

Where are you staying ? Sonoma town ?
Somewhere in the county ?

Seems that with your interests in the redwoods and Russian River area you'd be better off to stay in the Healdsburg area. The trek bewtween Sonoma town
and Healdsburg can easily be an hour.

As jt says-Cakebread is over in Rutherford in Napa
County. About a 30 min. drive from Sonoma town. I would advise taking a look at a map of the area-then come back with
more questions.

We LOVE maps !

R5

I think you want to stay in Healdsburg which is in Sonoma County..rather than the town of Sonoma. You can make reservations usually on the day for most restaurants. But not for Cyrus or Dry Creek Kitchen... Its a casual town, jeans are OK... comfortable clothes are important, not all dressy stuff.

thanks for all your tips!! My husband got a last minute business trip, so we decided to make a weekend out of it.

We are staying in Sonoma town. I thought it was pretty central, even if we wanted to go over to Napa.

The Benzinger tour sounds really neat- I'll have to check into that.

We are really excited & can't wait!! Now, I'm off to do some research! :)

Thanks again,
Michelle

The town of Sonoma is adorable...especially if you are close enough to walk to the square for dinners and shopping. Good restaurants abound...you will have no trouble avoiding chains, but I would research them and make reservations in advance for anything you want to be sure to hit. We've been to wine country a few times, and I have always felt appropriate in nice jeans with dressier tops and cute accessories. Where are you staying in Sonoma?