Thank you for all the help we have gotten so far. I have read and printed tons of your threads and already have my little notebook made up for our trip.

Four of us (two couples) in our mid to late twenties will be in Sonoma County this Sunday and Monday (Labor Day). I'm sure it will be packed.

We are driving from SF up to Healdsburg on Sunday morning and plan to spend time stopping at some wineries on the way there. We don't have much time in the area - we leave around lunchtime on Monday - are trying to plan our must do's.

We are all wine novices, but love quaint, unique and artsy experiences. Some of the things on our list are Roshambo (sp?), J Wine Company, Oakville Grocery, Ferrari-Cerrano and Barndiva for dinner.

Are there any other special places or hidden gems (food, wineries, activities) that I should add to my list?

As of right now we aren't scheduled for any tours. We figure we can do a couple wineries on Sunday and one or two late morning on Monday.

We always love off the beaten trail places, especially when I'm sure there will be hordes of people up there with us.

Thanks in advance.

I know there is an event at J this weekend as I am a member, check sonoma.com. I am sure there is a lot going on. Rodney Strong is right next door (to J), stop by there as well. The other winery you listed has me puzzled, 'Rombauer' is located in Napa, so I'm not sure about that one. Up by Ferrari-Carrano I would also suggest Preston & Quivera.

http://www.roshambowinery.com/

Roshambo looks like a very contemporary winery. They appear to have a gallery there, also. I've read soem good things about them.

Sounds like Imagery, I'll take a look at the web-site.

No, no it's not Imagery....SAnParis, you've got to stop by when you are at J next !

Hmmmm...."quaint, unique, artsy" I'd skip the Oakville Grocery any day and seek out The Jimtown store-definetly a one of a kind Sonoma experience www.jimtown.com
go hungry !

As long as your going to Roshambo-very cool place - which you do know is the name for the rock/paper/scissors game
Consider a stop at Armida for some of their Poizon (yes, I spelled that right)

J is fine, although Rodney Strong the wine is nothing special considering the competition,IMHO. Rodney Strong the man is to Sonoma County what Robert Mondavi is to Napa, however.

Barndiva - another good choice.
Have fun, ask questions,report back
gawd, I hope the crowds are manageable for you !

R5

Thanks R5, you actually gave me most of my ideas. I'll have to look up Jimtown.

We can't wait for our trip!

Roshambo is a definite-do and had some great wine at good prices. In Healdsburg, go to Rosemblum's tasting Room for some of the finest reds you've ever had. Also, they are lots of fun in there. Toad Hollow is fun, too...owned by Robin Williams' brother, so you get the hint...;-) have fun, drive safely!

If you are in Healdsburg take the Alexander Valley drive to Calistoga and stop at the Jimtown Store. It has been featured on the Food Network. You could buy lunch and take a picnic to a winery. The Alexander Valley has many wineries smaller and more friendly and you should not get into all the traffic.

I suggested Rodney Strong only due to its close proximity to J. Most of their wine is available nationwide. Where is Roshambo located, I didn't run across their map on the web-site. It does look interesting, we'll certainly check it out next trip. The wine-maker @ Armida is quite a character as well. He alone is worth the trip. We still have our 'casket' of Poizon sitting in our 'wine vault' (or closet). Although you can also get Poizon just about anywhere as well.

SAnParis-Roshambo is on West side road not far from Armida. Here's a map
that shows it in proximity to J.
http://www.visitwineroad.com/trip5.htm
R5