Hi Everyone,

We're from Chicago and are planning a quick getaway (2 days/1 night) to Sonoma to celebrate my birthday (we'll be visiting my brother and his fiancee who just moved to San Francisco). We've done Napa before and fell in love and now are looking forward to checking out Sonoma.

My boyfriend and I are considering Gaige House Inn to serve as our home base for that night. The plan right now is for the four of us to drive up early from the city on Sunday to do some wine tasting and grab lunch (I was thinking either Girl and the Fig or Chateau Souverain?). Then my brother and his fiancee will head home while my boyfriend and I will (hopefully)be on our way to Yountville for dinner @ French Laundry (we're keeping our fingers crossed!). The next day after breakfast, we'll want to do a little more wine tasting/sightseeing before heading back to SF that evening.

My questions:
1) Any suggestions on itinerary for those two days? Must do wineries? I'm trying to figure out if we should go all the way up to the Healdsburg area on the first day with my siblings, or if we should stay closer to Sonoma town, Glen Ellen, etc. and save that for the next day.
2) Gaige Inn good as home base or Honor Mansion?
3) Also, any advice from fellow foodies on where to go in Sonoma for dinner if FL doesn't pan out? Dry Creek? Cafe La Haye? We're looking to splurge that night.

Any input from the wine country experts I know are our here would be most appreciated! : )

Thanks, Bianca

Dry Creek Kitchen is very nice. We had their tasting menu when we stayed there. www.hotelhealdsburg.com is the website. Our dinner for two was included in our room price.

We also really liked Cafe La Haye, it is a very small restaurant, but has very good food.

If the FL doesn't pan out, check out La Toque in Rutherford. www.latoque.com Enjoy! ***kim***

Thanks, kimamom...we actually went to La Toque when we were in Napa two years ago. Very nice.

We've also enjoyed Terra in St. Helena. Auberge du Soleil is very nice for a meal out on their terrace with sweeping views below. www.aubergedusoleil.com ***kim***

Martini House in St Helena is very good. La Poste in Sonoma is fairly new with a French menu that has gotten very good reviews.

I found helpful information at
inetours.com for directions, maps and descriptions of Sonoma Valley wineries. We chose the Westside Road trip. We enjoyed it.

Gaige House in Glen Ellen is a great place to stay. If you do that, consider dinner at Girl and the Fig's sister restaurant in GE, The Fig Cafe and Wine Bar. Limited menu but excellent food and if you enjoy wine, there is never a corkage charge.

TravelDiva:

You have gotten some excellent suggestions...enjoy.

You will not be able to do The French Laundry...no way, no how. You have to make the reservations a minimum of two months in advance.

Happy Birthday

Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is really nice although a bit on the pricey side if you want to splurge.

I second Sonoma Mission Inn, it's my all-time favorite place to stay in Sonoma. www.sonomamissioninn.com They are now a Fairmont property and have recently remodeled all of their historic rooms and lobby. ***kim***

Thanks for the great suggestions all. When we were in Napa two years ago, we ate at Terra, Tra Vigne, La Toque and Wappo and loved every meal we had. We're looking forward to more great wining and dining in Sonoma.

We're actually not going til November, so my boyfriend and I will be speed-dialing exactly at noon our time in a couple weeks to get the reservation at FL. Wish us luck!

If anyone has any advice on must-do wineries in Sonoma - that would be great!! Also - since we only have two days - is it best to spend one day on the south end of the county and then the next up north by Healdsburg?

Thanks again.

We really enjoyed the Ledson winery, wonderful wines and exclusive to their winery.

Chateau St. Jean was also very nice. Try their reserve tasting!

Imagery is also very nice, the best Viognier in the area there, IMO! ***kim***

To the above I would also recommend Landmark which is near Chateau St Jean and Ledson. If you go to the Healdsburg area, go to Ferrari-Carano winery which has beautifuly landscaped grounds and also has some nice wines. I would recommend devoting a day each to Sonoma Valley area and the Healdsburg area.

How good is Madrona Manor these days? Ever seen their ghosts?