Sonoma Trip Report
Oct 28th, 2007 | 04:22 PM
#1
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Sonoma Trip Report
Just got back from a lovely weekend in Sonoma and saw the rant about trip reports so guess I better get mine started! I'm not a good writer so will keep it simple.
LODGING
We rented a house in Sonoma which I found on VRBO. It was a bit over budget but was just as nice as the pictures show on the website www.veranoplace.com with a couple of small drawbacks.
FRIDAY
DH and I were coming from San Jose; son, daughter and son-in-law were coming from Sacramento. We left our homes about the same time and they arrived about 30 minutes before us. The plan was to meet at Buena Vista winery and have a picnic but they headed for Sonoma to start their wine tasting. They went to Enoteca and Mayo and they enjoyed both places.
BUENA VISTA had a 2 for 1 coupon on the internet so after our picnic, we used our coupons. The wines were ok and DH found one pinot he liked enough to purchase. The winery is picturesque and the picnic grounds very nice - very woodsy setting.
VIANSA has a parking lot big enough for tour buses and the facility, while lovely, was packed. We could have had lunch there - the outdoor pizza oven was going - and there were tables with a view. The guys tasted while the girls shopped - bought a jar of chocolate sauce for dessert later with our strawberries.
GLORIA FERRER was next on our list since DD loves champagne. They, too, have tables with a lovely view and a pretty facility. We decided to order a bottle of champage and sit outside rather than taste since there were 5 of us. We had a delicious Royal Cuvee. DD embarassed us all by drinking the last drop from the bottle!
It was now time to pick up the key and "check in" the house so we headed over to Sonoma. We had some hor dourves with a bottle of Mumm Cuvee Napa Blanc de Noirs left over from DD and DSIL's wedding which didn't taste quite as nice after the Gloria Ferrer. We barbequed tri tip with my special bbq sauce (Cooking Light), served with carmelized red onions, Ceasar Salad, pan roasted asparagus, and baked red potatoes. Oh yeah, and some wine - Ravenswood Sonoma Zin, Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cab - as you can see we save the good stuff for home. lol Actually, both were quite nice. My one faux paux of the trip was that "I" forgot to bring any wine from home.
After dinner it was poker, dominoes, James Bond, and then strawberries and chocolate.
The beds were great and we slept wonderfully - the house was very quiet.
SATURDAY
We fixed breakfast and headed up to Healdsburg. The weather was just beautiful. I had not expected to see so much fall color but grape vine leaves do change colors. We passed one vineyard that looked like old vines and their huge leaves were a lovely purple color. Across the road the younger vines were all yellow and a few trees were also changing color.
LODGING
We rented a house in Sonoma which I found on VRBO. It was a bit over budget but was just as nice as the pictures show on the website www.veranoplace.com with a couple of small drawbacks.
FRIDAY
DH and I were coming from San Jose; son, daughter and son-in-law were coming from Sacramento. We left our homes about the same time and they arrived about 30 minutes before us. The plan was to meet at Buena Vista winery and have a picnic but they headed for Sonoma to start their wine tasting. They went to Enoteca and Mayo and they enjoyed both places.
BUENA VISTA had a 2 for 1 coupon on the internet so after our picnic, we used our coupons. The wines were ok and DH found one pinot he liked enough to purchase. The winery is picturesque and the picnic grounds very nice - very woodsy setting.
VIANSA has a parking lot big enough for tour buses and the facility, while lovely, was packed. We could have had lunch there - the outdoor pizza oven was going - and there were tables with a view. The guys tasted while the girls shopped - bought a jar of chocolate sauce for dessert later with our strawberries.
GLORIA FERRER was next on our list since DD loves champagne. They, too, have tables with a lovely view and a pretty facility. We decided to order a bottle of champage and sit outside rather than taste since there were 5 of us. We had a delicious Royal Cuvee. DD embarassed us all by drinking the last drop from the bottle!
It was now time to pick up the key and "check in" the house so we headed over to Sonoma. We had some hor dourves with a bottle of Mumm Cuvee Napa Blanc de Noirs left over from DD and DSIL's wedding which didn't taste quite as nice after the Gloria Ferrer. We barbequed tri tip with my special bbq sauce (Cooking Light), served with carmelized red onions, Ceasar Salad, pan roasted asparagus, and baked red potatoes. Oh yeah, and some wine - Ravenswood Sonoma Zin, Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cab - as you can see we save the good stuff for home. lol Actually, both were quite nice. My one faux paux of the trip was that "I" forgot to bring any wine from home.
After dinner it was poker, dominoes, James Bond, and then strawberries and chocolate.
The beds were great and we slept wonderfully - the house was very quiet.
SATURDAY
We fixed breakfast and headed up to Healdsburg. The weather was just beautiful. I had not expected to see so much fall color but grape vine leaves do change colors. We passed one vineyard that looked like old vines and their huge leaves were a lovely purple color. Across the road the younger vines were all yellow and a few trees were also changing color.
Oct 28th, 2007 | 06:03 PM
#2
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Joined: Jan 2003
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It took some time to get to Healdsburg and "the kids" said we tricked them with a long car ride. The plan was to head straight on up to Ferrari-Carrano but took some time in Healdsburg. First stop was a bakery on the square where everyone could get their second cup of coffee and a snack. DH and I split a latte and a mini cherry pie - DELICIOUS!
Oakville Grocery was right there and we should have gotten some more picnic supplies but I hoped we would find some further up the road (I heard Preston had a bakery and imagined a deli as well - wrong).
"The kids" wanted to get that wine tasting started so we stopped in at ROSENBLUM to keep them quiet! We love their Zins but didn't find anything extraordinary to buy today. Then back in the car and off to Dry Creek Road.
The road was lovely and reminded me of our trip to France. DH was on a mission now and sped right by the only store, deli type place. Looked real nice with chairs on the porch. Finding Preston was fun and we just followed the signs.
PRESTON WINERY is back off the road and fun to find. Look out for the drivers coming out though! (Driving too fast and down the middle of the small road.) It, too, has a nice little picnic area with resident cats. The flowers growing around the buildings were still in bloom - Mexican Sage, and some kind of white flower.
The fella behind the tasting bar didn't smile much but warmed up quickly when we began talking to him. Of all the wineries, I enjoyed this one the most because of it's informal style, smallness, and bread. We bought several bottles, some whole wheat sourdough, and while they did not have a deli, they did have olives and Pug goat cheese. It went well with everything else I had in the ice chest.
FERRARI-CARANO was next and what a contrast to Preston! It is huge, has beautiful formal grounds and a 'chateau'. Well forth a look-see. The fella behind the tasting bar here was kind of snobby and not very helpful.
"The kids" wanted to get back to Sonoma Valley and as my DD and DSIL had to leave early, we headed back noting places we will visit next time (without them!).
LEDSON looks like an English mansion and the tasting room is huge. The guys elbowed their way up to the bar and again, while the guys tasted, the girls shopped. Nice gift shop.
CHATEAU ST. JEAN was next and then B.R. COHN.
Then on to the RED GRAPE for pizza in Sonoma so DD and DSIL could hit the road. Pizza was crispy crust type and delicious.
Back to the house, DD and DSIL packed up and headed for home as he was to start a two day on Sunday. We polished off the chocolate sauce and played cards. Watched the baseball game but couldn't bear to watch the end.
Oakville Grocery was right there and we should have gotten some more picnic supplies but I hoped we would find some further up the road (I heard Preston had a bakery and imagined a deli as well - wrong).
"The kids" wanted to get that wine tasting started so we stopped in at ROSENBLUM to keep them quiet! We love their Zins but didn't find anything extraordinary to buy today. Then back in the car and off to Dry Creek Road.
The road was lovely and reminded me of our trip to France. DH was on a mission now and sped right by the only store, deli type place. Looked real nice with chairs on the porch. Finding Preston was fun and we just followed the signs.
PRESTON WINERY is back off the road and fun to find. Look out for the drivers coming out though! (Driving too fast and down the middle of the small road.) It, too, has a nice little picnic area with resident cats. The flowers growing around the buildings were still in bloom - Mexican Sage, and some kind of white flower.
The fella behind the tasting bar didn't smile much but warmed up quickly when we began talking to him. Of all the wineries, I enjoyed this one the most because of it's informal style, smallness, and bread. We bought several bottles, some whole wheat sourdough, and while they did not have a deli, they did have olives and Pug goat cheese. It went well with everything else I had in the ice chest.
FERRARI-CARANO was next and what a contrast to Preston! It is huge, has beautiful formal grounds and a 'chateau'. Well forth a look-see. The fella behind the tasting bar here was kind of snobby and not very helpful.
"The kids" wanted to get back to Sonoma Valley and as my DD and DSIL had to leave early, we headed back noting places we will visit next time (without them!).
LEDSON looks like an English mansion and the tasting room is huge. The guys elbowed their way up to the bar and again, while the guys tasted, the girls shopped. Nice gift shop.
CHATEAU ST. JEAN was next and then B.R. COHN.
Then on to the RED GRAPE for pizza in Sonoma so DD and DSIL could hit the road. Pizza was crispy crust type and delicious.
Back to the house, DD and DSIL packed up and headed for home as he was to start a two day on Sunday. We polished off the chocolate sauce and played cards. Watched the baseball game but couldn't bear to watch the end.
Oct 28th, 2007 | 08:22 PM
#3
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SUNDAY
After breakfast, my son takes off for Oakland airport to pick up his co-pilot. We head into Sonoma to check out the stores. It is really beautiful, warm and sunny. Then it is off to SF. We stop at the Olive Oil place and find it to be interesting - large facility made to look like a mission church possibly for weddings and other functions.
We cross the road to CLINE and while we cannot bear to taste another wine, find it a very nice spot. A wedding is going on and everyone has white Chinese style parasols to shade them from the sun. We also note that they have picnic tables for future reference.
It is after 12 and my husband is ready for lunch. Shall we stop in Tiburon? Sasualito? I am not hungry and offer suggestions in SF. Hunan Home? Grand Cafe? Maiden Lane? PJ's Oyster Bar?Basement of Macy's? Fisherman's Wharf? My fav bakery on Polk St. DH suggests Clement Street.
We have eaten at Clementine's twice and each time noted that there are some interesting ethnic places to eat on Clement St. Going down Park Presidio we have to go around the block in order to turn left as there is no left turn off Park Presidio (Hwy 1). We actually find a place to park and start walking checking out all the restaurants. It seems to be shopping day at all the Chinese style grocery stores and a lot of people are double parked.
We finally decide on Burhma Superstar because there are people waiting to get in (so it must be good? right?) We are not disappointed. The menu notes that they have been on Food Network and Bay Area Backroads. We had the Green Tea Salad, duck noodles, and sauteed pea sprouts. The ginger lemonade is delicious. Husband happy. We head for home.
The cat could care less to see us but in any event, we are happy to see him!
FINI
After breakfast, my son takes off for Oakland airport to pick up his co-pilot. We head into Sonoma to check out the stores. It is really beautiful, warm and sunny. Then it is off to SF. We stop at the Olive Oil place and find it to be interesting - large facility made to look like a mission church possibly for weddings and other functions.
We cross the road to CLINE and while we cannot bear to taste another wine, find it a very nice spot. A wedding is going on and everyone has white Chinese style parasols to shade them from the sun. We also note that they have picnic tables for future reference.
It is after 12 and my husband is ready for lunch. Shall we stop in Tiburon? Sasualito? I am not hungry and offer suggestions in SF. Hunan Home? Grand Cafe? Maiden Lane? PJ's Oyster Bar?Basement of Macy's? Fisherman's Wharf? My fav bakery on Polk St. DH suggests Clement Street.
We have eaten at Clementine's twice and each time noted that there are some interesting ethnic places to eat on Clement St. Going down Park Presidio we have to go around the block in order to turn left as there is no left turn off Park Presidio (Hwy 1). We actually find a place to park and start walking checking out all the restaurants. It seems to be shopping day at all the Chinese style grocery stores and a lot of people are double parked.
We finally decide on Burhma Superstar because there are people waiting to get in (so it must be good? right?) We are not disappointed. The menu notes that they have been on Food Network and Bay Area Backroads. We had the Green Tea Salad, duck noodles, and sauteed pea sprouts. The ginger lemonade is delicious. Husband happy. We head for home.
The cat could care less to see us but in any event, we are happy to see him!
FINI
Oct 30th, 2007 | 09:05 PM
#6
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Marie, I did read your trip report. You visted a lot more wineries than we did but we had "the kids" (20 somethings) along. We know what we want to do next time.
I had read how you liked the Red Grape but unfortunately we were there much earlier (5 p.m.) and there wasn't much going on. The pizza's were delicious though and well prepared.
Hi ***kim***
We just got home from a night in SF as my husband had to attend a couple of functions. At one we were surprised they served Ferrari Carano cab and Chateau St. Jean Chard. It is fun to drink wines that you know of their "terrior". Even know the difference between Sonoma and Napa (OPPS did I say that?!)
I had read how you liked the Red Grape but unfortunately we were there much earlier (5 p.m.) and there wasn't much going on. The pizza's were delicious though and well prepared.
Hi ***kim***
We just got home from a night in SF as my husband had to attend a couple of functions. At one we were surprised they served Ferrari Carano cab and Chateau St. Jean Chard. It is fun to drink wines that you know of their "terrior". Even know the difference between Sonoma and Napa (OPPS did I say that?!)
Oct 31st, 2007 | 06:31 AM
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 375
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Ronda:
I've made some notes from your report for our next trip. Preston and Chateau St. Jeanne were ones we just couldn't fit in this time. I can't wait to return - I was asking "when can we come back" as we were driving back to SF!
I've made some notes from your report for our next trip. Preston and Chateau St. Jeanne were ones we just couldn't fit in this time. I can't wait to return - I was asking "when can we come back" as we were driving back to SF!
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