What vineyards to see in Sonoma?
 

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend and I are going to Sonoma for the first time for 4 days. We'll be driving from SF and booked a lodging in Healdsburg, as recommended by many! Well now it's time to pick some vineyards and we are a little overwhelmed. So far I read that Frog's Leap and Benzinger tours are popular. I would love to walk through the vines, if that's possible, and do some tastings. Can you guys lead us in some directions? We have a car and don't have to stay only in Sonoma.

Thanks:)

Breweries are welcomed as well since my boyfriend is not much of a wine drinker..thanks!

For scenic views of the wine country (but the wine is only OK) try Sterling near Calistoga. Schramsburg sparkling wine maker, also near Calistoga, has a great tour. Reservation only and I think it is $20 per person.
For Healdsburg area, Iron Horse does a great vineyard/wine making tour with reservations. The gardens and barrell room as Ferrari Carano north of Healdsburg. Also really like the wine at J, Ridge Lytton Springs, A. Rafanelli Winery, Hartford Family Winery and Silver Oak Cellars...they have a tour too, but at $40 each have never tried it.

Check out http://www.wineroad.com/ for lots more.

This is really helpful, thanks so much. I went to wineroad.com and it's so much useful info. I am surprised that nobody advertises that website here.

thank you:)

When is your trip? I do hope the weather improves; it's been an unusual year, very cool with lots of rain. In the Healdsburg Dry Creek area (if it's not raining) I suggest Bella Wine Caves. It's a rustic drive with a gorgeous view out over the valley.

Heading through Alexander Valley to Calistoga and perhaps St. Helena is beautiful, too. While we used to take visitors to Sterling for its lovely tram ride and view, we've changed that pattern. It now costs $25 for for the gondola and the wines are not that good.

Schramsburg is recommended; Freemark Abbey, Quixote, many many others. You can enjoy a fantastic view with your picnic if you drive to Rutherford Hill Winery which is just behind Auberge d Soliel. The picnic grounds give you a view of the entire Napa Valley.

Thanks so much, I definitely think Rutheford Hill is on the list, and perhaps Bella Wine Caves who actually offer a very reasonalbe price for tour and tasting. I think we might take one day and head up to Mendocino and possibaly make it on the train ride through the redwoods from Fort Bragg. I keep reading it's really worth it.

Suggestions - First of all, if you've done 1 wine tour, you've sort of done them all unless there is something unique or special about a particular winery, so save your $$, IMHO.
W/no specific geographical notion, where I would visit & why - www.armida.com/http://poizin.com/PoiZindex.html - The wine maker is an absolute hoot & tons of fun.
http://www.ferrari-carano.com/ - just look at the pics, http://www.gloriaferrer.com/sonoma-brut - for Sparkling wines
http://www.drinkdrycreek.com/?p=2277, http://www.caff.org/farmer/profiles/preston.shtml - Wine & food & a good place to picnic + they make bread there that is delish & worth the trip itself. Lou Preston is also quite a Character.
Some other options :
http://www.sonomawine.com/visit-our-...tasting-routes

bookmarking

I don't know if you are still looking for info for your trip but after a day of wine tasting we certainly enjoyed stopping in for a beer at Bear Republic Brewing Company right in Healdsburg.

http://www.bearrepublic.com/

We sat at the bar and had a really great time.

How serious are you about wine? Do you want just places with good wine or places that are more scenic/and or involved (tours, etc)?

Generally Benzinger is a pretty good drive from Healdsburg (in Sonoma Valley) but the tour is pretty extensive so might be worth the trip (but I would also agree that if you have been on one tour, you have seen 80% of almost any other tour although Benzinger does a little more).

Otherwise, Ferrari Carano is beautiful, Hanna (which has two locations, one Russian River, one in Alexander Valley) is a favorite of my wife an I and for really good Sauvignon Blanc (and other wines if you can get them) Rochioli. If you are into Pinot, Siduri (although not scenic), for Rhone varietals and some italian, Unti (by appt only but we love our visits there). Just up fron Unti is Family Wineries (again not scenic) but includes 5 smaller family-owned wineries that all share a tasting room (Forth is our favorite) and there are also two other wineries in the same location (Amphora and Papapietro Perry).

Really there are so many you can't go wrong, just pick a route and stop by those that look nice. You would be surprised at all of the gems you will find. If there you can give any more specific details, I can give you more ideas.

For beer, Bear Republic is good but if your boyfriend is really into beer, go to Russian River in Santa Rosa. Their beers are fantastic and aren't readily available outside of the western US. Pliny the Elder (one of their beers) routinely wins best in class awards.

Finally, if you don't have plans for every night, I would strongly suggest going to Willi's in Healdsburg. Generally great food, a relaxed atmosphere and great beer and drinks (and, unless they have changed, typically no corkage fee if you want to bring one of your finds from the day).

I hope you enjoy it and if you are there August 13-17 we might run into each other without knowing it.

Benzinger has a great tour; and their wine is really good as well.

We also really enjoyed Chateau St. Jean. You feel as if you're in a French Countryside. Spend the extra $'s and do their Reserve tasting.

Another interesting one was St. Francis. They did a nice job pairing the wines with appetizers. (ask for that tasting, as it isn't part of the regular tastings).

Have a great time.

Stryker in the beautiful Alexander Valley near Healdsburg has a gorgeous tasting room setting in the vineyards with some spectacular (albeit not inexpensive) wine. Terrific zins!

((H))