SCDT-0915flip.pdf

8/20/2019 SCDT-0915flip.pdf

1/80

DAY TRIPS

Sonoma County Preferred Wine Country

NINE

BEER & WINE TASTING from Carneros to Healdsburg

9 SIXTY-TWOTASTING OPPORTUNITIES62

T R I P S

F E A T U R E D

I ns ide ! So no ma Cou n t y Fa vo

r i tes:

• U n iq ue W i ne r y Ex pe r ie nces

• Cu l i na r y Ad ve n tu res • B re we r y T ou rs & T

as t i n g s

• 6 G rea t G lasses i n So no ma

Fall/Winter 2015

A Publication of

WINE COUNTRYT h i s W e e k


2/80


3/80

SONOMA VALLEY MAP 15• Sonoma 16

6 Great Glasses on Sonoma Plaza 20-21

• Los Carneros/Petaluma 22• Glen Ellen 26• Kenwood 31

NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY 37• Santa Rosa 38• Sebastopol 42

The Barlow 44-45

• Russian River 49Taste Route 116 50-51

• Healdsburg 56-57• Dry Creek Valley 63

Dry Creek Road Wineries 68-71

SONOMA COUNTY WINERIES MAP 78-79

WINE EDUCATION• Notes on Wine Tasting 5• Wineology: What’s better, cork or screw cap? 7• Heading to the Tasting Room 14• Test Your Wine Bottle Knowledge 62

TOURS• Electrifying Tours 8

• Executive Charters & Limousine 9• Sonoma Food Tour 11• Brew Brothers Brewery Tours 12

FAVORITES• Unique Winery Experiences 10• Culinary Adventures 11• Breweries 12

DINING RECOMMENDATIONS 72-73• Della Santina’s 19

VARIETALS CHART 74-77

Adobe Road Winery 20-21Amphora Wines 69Armida Winery 59Balletto Vineyards 48/50Bear Republic Brewing Co. 12Bump Cellars 21

Carneros Brewing Company 13/23Cast Wines 68Chateau Adoré 40Chateau St. Jean 33Corner 103 10/20Comstock Wines 71D’Argenzio Winery 41Dutton Estate Winery 50Ektimo Vineyards 50Envolve Winery 20Eric Ross Winery 29Family Wineries Dry Creek 70Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery 64Forchini Vineyards & Winery 69

Geyser Peak Winery 60Graton Ridge Cellars 50Hanna Winery & Vineyards 11/50Hook & Ladder Winery 50Jigar Wines 50Joseph Jewell Winery 51

Korbel Champagne Cellars 55Kunde Family Winery 10La Rochelle Wines 35Landmark Vineyards 34Laurel Glen Vineyard 28Ledson Winery & Vineyards 36MacLaren 21MacPhail Family Wines 46Madrone Vineyards Estate 30

Martin Ray Winery 51/53Matanzas Creek Winery 27Meadowcroft Wines 24Moondance Cellars 43Moshin Vineyards 54Mutt Lynch Winery 39

Occidental Road Cellars 51Paradise Ridge Winery 11Peterson Winery 70Quivira Vineyards 67Ravenswood Tasting Room 17Rodney Strong Vineyards 61

Rued Winery 71Russian River Vineyards 51Sbragia Family Vineyards 68Simi Winery 58Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards 52Sonoma Portworks 25Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. 12/18Taft Street Winery 51Trattore Farms 66/70

Truett Hurst Winery 65/69VJB Vineyards & Cellars 10/32West Wines 71Wind Gap Wines 47Wine Guerrilla 51Wooodfour Brewing Co. 13

DAY TRIPS

Sonoma County Preferred Wine Country

9 Day Trips Helpful Information

62 Wine & Beer Tasting Opportunities

FALL/WINTER 2015


4/80


5/80

5www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

It’s a good idea to plan to visit several wineries as every

wine-tasting experience offered is different. With so many

distinctive viticultural areas, one can easily taste many

of the world’s best varietials and winemaking styles

without learning the region. Listed below are five basictypes of tasting experiences. The experience will vary in

style from winery to winery.

Wine Bar TastingThe most common tasting experience is a Wine Bar

Tasting. You step up to the bar where typically a list of

wines being poured is displayed. Expect to pay a tasting

fee between $10-$40. Some tasting bars will offer you the

option to taste a library or reserve wine. Exercising this

option increases the fee, but will allow you to taste veryunique, old or rare wines.

Sit Down Tasting A Sit Down Tasting usually requires an appointment

and there may be a slightly higher fee than a wine bar fee.

Seated in an elegant room, you are poured several wines

by your winery host. Expect your host to describe the

unique characteristics of each wine and how it was made.

Table Service Tasting A Table Service Tasting, popular at sparkling winefacilities, is a tasting experience where you are seated at a

table and the tastings are brought to you.

Walk Around Tasting A Walk Around Tasting is a combination of a tour and

a tasting. Your host brings along several bottles of wine

on your tour, and may take you to a garden area of the

winery to pour the first round. Then you move to another

place within the winery to sample the next wine. This

experience continues until all the wines are tasted.

Barrel Tasting Another popular tasting experience that can be part

of a tour or a Walk Around is a Barrel Tasting. Your guide

takes a “wine thief,” a special siphon placed into a hole in

the top of a barrel to extract tasting samples of a maturingwine. The sample allows you to taste what the wine is like

in the middle of developing its full potential.

Why make an appointment?Some wineries are so small that they need to know

when you are coming so someone will be there to greet

you. Other wineries have permit restrictions that limit the

number of guests that can visit each day. Others have sit-

down tastings that start and end at specific times. It’s

always a good idea to schedule your appointments wellin advance of your visit because some of the more popular

wineries fill up their appointments weeks in advance.

WWW.LEGENDARYNAPAVALLEY.COM

Notes on Wine Tasting


6/80


7/80


What’s better –cork or screw cap?

Len Napolitano lives in San Luis Obispo County and is certified in wine by the

Society of Wine Educators, Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine

School and continually gains knowledge from his frequent contact with California

winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com. Send your

questions about wine to: [email protected] or by mail to Len Napolitano

in care of Wine Country This Week magazine.

Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.

Learn more about wine!For past Wineology columns, scan the QR code with

your smart phone application or go towww.WineCountry ThisWeek.com

and search “Wineo logy.”

WINEOLOGY Intelligence for The Wine ConsumerBY LEN NAPOLITANO

Natural cork, the bottle closure used sincecommercial production of precision glass bottles, hasestablished itself as an unofficial industry standard. Analternative to the cork closure has long been thealuminum screw cap or twist cap. It was the closure oninexpensive, low-quality wine since the sixties, resultingin a damaging association for decades. But not anymore.Since around 2000, increasingly more winemakerschoose screw cap closures over natural cork for one or

more of the following reasons: reduced costs; retainedfruit freshness; more consistent aging; and reducedchance that bacteria, known as TCA, will impart a damp,musty smell to the wine, destroying its fruit aroma.

Another benefit of screw caps is that they allowbottles to be stored upright instead of lying on theirsides. The absence of a cork closure eliminates the needto keep wine in contact with the cork, which expands tocreate a virtual airtight seal within the bottle.

Of all the reasons above, the problem with TCA has

been the driving force behind the growing popularityand acceptance of twist caps. It is generally estimatedthat somewhere between 1% to 15% of all wine istainted by natural corks containing TCA, thoughwinemakers, cork manufacturers and wine critics havedebated this number for years. In January 2013, WineSpectator magazine’s James Laube reported “3.7 percentof the 3,269 cork-sealed wines from California tasted inthe Wine Spectator office in 2012 were thought to betainted by a bad cork.” If you estimate that wine

aficionados at the magazine are about twice as sensitiveto TCA-tainted wine than average wine consumers, itwould translate to fewer than 2% detectable by theaverage wine consumer. This figure is closer to where theCork Forest Conservation Alliance claims TCAcontamination to be: they say current testing indicatesonly “1% of wine is tainted by cork-TCA.” Regardless of the true number, what’s important is that contaminationfrom cork is on the decline.

The smell from TCA can be too subtle for the averagepalate to notice, so certainly consumers have beendrinking cork-tainted wines for years without knowingit. Winemakers, however, are highly sensitive to cork-taint smell and work hard to keep their products freefrom off-odors. That’s why those winemakers whochoose natural cork closures demand rigid qualitycontrol from cork suppliers. Together, they aresucceeding at reducing the incidence of corked wine.

Ironically, there are issues with twist caps, as well.Because of their air-tight design, caps have on occasionbeen blamed for aging wines too slowly, or for a buildupof sulfides inside a bottle, which adds a subtle smell of rotten egg. Cap manufacturers responded with newtechnology that permits a controlled amount of oxygeninto the bottle, matched to the wine style and how soonthe wine will be consumed after bottling (which isdifficult to know). Bottom line: there is no perfect closure.

With tens of thousands of wines entering the market

every year, there is ample room for closing wines with allavailable options: twist caps, synthetic corks, aggregatecorks (crushed natural cork pressed into a cork shape)and conventional natural corks. It has become commonfor twist caps to close white wines more often than reds,since they are more likely to be opened and consumedsooner. Red wines are more age-worthy and corks areproven to enhance wine-aging by allowing microscopicamounts of oxygen into the wine.

The advantages and disadvantages of various bottle

closures will play out over the coming decades. Eachtype will find its niche. Probably alternative closures willclose the more affordable wines and corks the moreexpensive wines. But who knows? One thing is sure: nolonger is the twist cap associated with cheap, inferiorwine. Perhaps more important, you shouldn’t fret overpurchasing wines closed with natural corks. With anyclosure, odds are greatly in favor of the consumer gettinga flawless wine – red or white, young or old.


8/80

8 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

FUN FACTS• Personal connections with

off-the-beaten-path wineries.

• All vehicles are chargedwith solar power.

• Complimentary photography services(via Cannon DSLR cameras).

• Flat hourly rates, no hidden fees.

• You will be escorted by hosts, notmerely drivers. Consider them yourfriend and insider connection towine country.

(707) [email protected]

www.electrifyingtours.com

Mention or present this page to receive a $75 an hour rate on a tour.

Imagine getting picked up for your wine country excursion in a state-of-the-art Tesla electric car. Electrifying Tours has knowledgeable andpersonable hosts who will escort you around wine country on a custom-

made itinerary, where you will be treated more like a friend than a client.

As a fourth-generation Sonoman, Viviani knows Sonoma and Napa

counties intimately. He and his staff will create personalized itineraries

that take visitors off the beaten path to eat and drink at some of the bestand most scenic locations.

Seeing the impact of increased traffic and visitors to the area, Viviani’sfleet of Model S Teslas are an environmentally friendly mode of getting

around. The sleek electric cars comfortably seat four adults and provide

the environment for a fun and relaxed tour.

Viviani chooses his drivers based on their personalities, driving

abilities and knowledge of the area so clients are sure to have a laid-back

and entertaining experience. Most tours are six hours, which includes

three wineries and a lunch stop. However, the company can

accommodate shorter or longer trips. Rates are between $75 and $85 an

hour flat rate (they don’t agree with all the extra fees that othercompanies will add on top). BY SHOSHANA HEBSHI-HOLT


9/80


FUN FACT• Executive Charters is a full line

tour & transportation companyproviding statewidetransportation services.

• Executive Charters has its own in

house dedicated fleet mechanicsand detailers, ensuring everyclient receives a safe and cleanride on time, every time!

Executive Charters& Limousine

Santa Rosa Location1275 4th Street #714

Santa Rosa, CA 95404(707) 527-7771

Healdsburg Location311 Center Street, Suite J

Healdsburg, CA 95448(707) 433-7771

For nationwide reservations,call: 1-877-741-7007

www.ECLworldwide.comTCP #28066-A

Mention this article and receive 15% off your next reservation. Restrictions may apply

There is nothing like touring the Northern California Wine Country by.limousine or bus and Executive Charters & Limousine has a varietyof options to choose from. Whether you’re taking a romantic weekend

couple’s escape, a bridal party looking for fun, or a corporate group

needing chartered transportation to an offsite event, they have diverse

vehicles and drivers to get you there. Executive Charters & Limousine

specializes in beer and wine tours, wedding shuttles and corporatetransportation.

Based out of Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and Marin, Executive Charters

is central to all things wine related.

Executive Charters provides custom tailored private wine tours

where you choose your itinerary, or you have one of their professional

tour advisors design one for you based on the wineries, types of wine

and the region of your choosing. Executive Charters mentions that

among their top picks based on client feedback of wineries visited are:

Robledo Family Wines, Mercury Cellars and Trione Vineyards – all

Sonoma County wineries.

What about a craft beer tour? Executive Charters takes guests on

hops trails throughout Sonoma County, visiting popular breweries like

Russian River Brewing Company (famous for its Pliny the Elder and the

Younger), Bear Republic Brewing Co., Lagunitas and more.

Whether by limousine, plush charter buses, corporate vans, business

class or luxury class sedans – Executive Charters is a full-service

transportation company that drives to and from any destination in theBay Area, getting you there in style and peace of mind, safely.


10/80

UNIQUE WINERY EXPERIENCES

OTHER NOT-TO-BE-MISSED UNIQUE WINERY EXPERIENCESFERRARI-CARANO VINEYARDS & WINERY [Healdsburg] $35ppScentiments – Learn how to identify aromas in wine www.ferrari-carano.com, 1-800-831-0381

BENZIGER WINERY [Glen Ellen] $20ppBiodynamic® Vineyard Tram Tour Reservations: 24 hour advance notice, www.benziger.com, (707) 935-4527

VJB VINEYARDS & CELLARS [Kenwood]

Experience a taste of Italy in the scenic Sonoma Valley at this family-run winery

that prides itself on Old World charm and hospitality. A wine tasting menu filled

with small production Italian varietals will whet your appetite for a leisurely l unch

of antipasti and pizza from the deli and wood-fired oven. On weekends at 1 p.m.,enjoy a serenade by the Wine Country Tenors as you sip and savor on the

sun-drenched piazza. Browse the marketplace filled with owner Maria

Belmonte’s homemade sauces, pastas that are made onsite, as well as a huge

selection of Italian specialty goods. Finish your visit with a treat from the

chocolate and gelato shop.

60 Shaw Avenue, Kenwood CA 95452(707) 833-2300 | www.vjbcellars.com

CORNER 103 [Sonoma Valley]Lloyd Davis started Corner 103 as a result of his passion for wine andrecognizing that most people are intimidated by it. Lloyd wanted to create anenvironment where his guests would feel comfortable learning all aspects ofwine in a friendly, non-intimidating way. During the tasting experience,guests will taste seven wines from different AVAs located throughoutSonoma County. Guest will learn how to taste wine, what glass it should beserved in, and there is a two bite food pairing to highlight how wine and food

work together. This is a wine and food experience not to be missed.103 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476

Open daily 11am-7pm, Reservations Suggested

(707) 931-6141 | www.corner103.com

KUNDE FAMILY WINERY [Kenwood]Take wine tasting to a whole new level with this one-of-a-kind experience, set 1,400 feet above the Sonoma Valley floor, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the1,850-acre estate. Rocky, mountaintop terrain has been transformed into a beautiful, shaded wooden deck overlooking fifth-generation sustainably farmed property. Your job here is to relax and take in the view, while sipping a refreshing glass of Kunde Family Estate wine. This is a unique opportunity to literally drink in the beauty of the famedSonoma Valley wine country.

• $40pp• Reservations suggested – book at

Kunde.com or call (707) 282-1537

• Subject to availability

9825 Sonoma HighwayKenwood CA 95452


11/80

CULINARY ADVENTURES

OTHER NOT-TO-BE-MISSED CULINARY ADVENTURES

PARTAKE BY K-J [Healdsburg]Partake by K-J offers a mix-and-match approach to bites and flights. Seasonal bites – driven by organic gardens and Sonoma County's culinary artisans – aredesigned to highlight the unique character of each grape variety – come mix, match and explore.Educational classes are also available. Reservations: OpenTable.com, (707) 433-6000, @partakebykj.com

HANNA WINERY & VINEYARDSHANNA Winery & Vineyards is a family-owned winery, with two tasting

rooms. With over 25 years of winemaking experience, HANNA produces

wines from three of Sonoma County’s finest regions: Russian River

Valley, Alexander Valley and the Mayacamas Mountains. With its

picturesque vineyard views and award-winning wines, HANNA is a must

visit Sonoma County destination.

Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

9280 Highway 128, Healdsburg, (707) 431-4310

5353 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa, (707) 575-3371

www.hannawinery.com

SONOMA FOOD TOUR [Sonoma]

The Sonoma Food Tour experience takes guests on a guided journey

of local eateries, all within the quaint walking environment of the

Sonoma Plaza. You’ll get to taste Sonoma's best cuisine, wine,cheeses, olive oil, chocolates and more. Each yummy tasting is

served from locally-owned and operated restaurants, eateries and

shops. You will explore Sonoma with a local tour guide, all while

gaining knowledge about its history, culture and architecture. Your

Sonoma Food Tour will last 3 hours, cover about 1.5 miles,

and provides delicious tastings that are equivalent to a lunch/meal.

www.SonomaFoodTour.com | 1-866-736-6343

PARADISE RIDGE WINERY [Kenwood]Herb & Wine Program

Indulge in a sense-ational wine country experience.

Learn about herbs and their profile flavors – Bitter, Bright,

Savory and Sweet – and what they can bring out in the wines.

$25 per person tasting fee for this unique tour. A reservation is

highly recommended. Come explore the gardens and this fun

program to learn about food and wine pairing through herbs!

For more information, call (707) 282-9020or email [email protected]

8860 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood CA 95452(707) 282-9020 | www.prwinery.com


12/8012 Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

SONOMA SPRINGS BREWING CO. [Sonoma]The new taproom boasts a large selection of Sonoma Springs’

offerings. With five barrel heads and upwards of twenty taps,

it serves as a good location to plant oneself and try a variety of

their offerings. And, did we mention games for all ages?

Whether on-the-go for a quick quaff or ready to sit around and

talk some of the finer aspects of brewing and tasting beer,

Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. has a little of something for

every lover of good beer.

19449 Riverside Drive, Suite 101, Sonoma

(707) 938-7422 | SonomaSpringsBrewing.com

BEAR REPUBLIC BREWING COMPANY [Healdsburg]Located in Wine Country’s Sonoma County, on the corner ofHealdsburg’s historic downtown square, Bear Republic BrewingCompany offers award-winning food and world class,handcrafted ales. Established in 1995 by third and fourth

generation Sonoma County residents, the Norgrove familyinvites you to come and discover their diverse menu, familyfriendly atmosphere and more than 14 freshly brewed beers ontap. A relaxed, casual dining experience is what you shouldexpect on your visit.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.345 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg CA 95448(707) 433-BEER | www.bearrepublic.com

BREW BROTHERS BREWERY TOURSBrew Brothers Brewery Tours is the Premier Brewery TourCompany in the Bay Area. They specialize in guided tours tosome of the best craft beer destinations and local craftdistilleries. They have public tours and customized privatetours for groups large and small. Hospitality is #1 with BrewBrothers and the Ambassadors guide you all the way andnever just drop you off. The Ambassadors are well trained andvery knowledgeable in craft beer and distilling.• $85 Brewery Favorites Tour

(Public) 3 breweries includes plenty of tastings• $110 Distillery/Brewery Tour

(Public) 1 distillery, 2 breweries include s plenty of tastings

• Private tours start at just $65 per person(depending on the number of people and breweries)

(707) 206-PINT or info@brewb rothersbrewerytours.comPROMO CODE for public tours | receive 15% off | DAYTRIP

“We drive you to drink,and may the Saints bless your pints!”

BREWERIES


13/8013Eastside Bunchwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com

CARNEROS BREWING COMPANY [Sonoma]The Carneros Brewing Company is ideally located in the heartof Wine Country’s Carneros region. The staff is passionate

about beer and can highlight the different aromas and flavorsfound in each. Start with a self-guided tour that begins at thehop trellises outside in the beer garden – the foundation oftheir craft brews. Or, go straight to the Tap Room Bar and ordera beer flight or a pint. The Beer Garden is an outdoor oasiswhere visitors can relax and soak in the beautiful surroundingswhile enjoying their small-batch craft brews. Local food trucksare there on weekends.

22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma CA 95476(707) 938-1880 | carnerosbrews.com

WOODFOUR BREWING COMPANY [Sebastopol]

Located in the new Barlow complex, Woodfour offers an

extensive selection of draft and bottled beers paired with

fresh locally sourced food.

Voted “Best new Restaurant in Sonoma County” – enjoy acompletely different experience than your average brew pub.

Come and see the “World of Beer” wall

showcasing 104 different beer styles.

6780 McKinley Street, Sebastopol

(707) 823-3144 | www.woodfourbrewing.com

BREWERIES

OTHER NOT-TO-BE-MISSED BREWERIES• LAGUNITAS BREWING COMPANY

1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma | (707) 769-4495 | www.lagunitas.com• RUSSIAN RIVER BREWING COMPANY

725 4th Street, Santa Rosa | (707) 545-2337 | russianriverbrewing.com• ACE CIDER, THE CALIFORNIA CIDER COMPANY

2064 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol | 707-829-1101 | www.acecider.com• HERITAGE PUBLIC HOUSE

1901 Mendocino Avenue. Santa Rosa | (707) 540-0395 | www.heritagepublichousesr.com• COOPERAGE BREWING C OMPANY981 Airway Court, Suite G, Santa Rosa | (707) 293-9787 | www.cooperagebrewing.com

• OLD REDWOOD BREWING COMPANY9000 Windsor River Road, Windsor | (707) 657-7624 | oldredwoodbrewing.com

• THIRD STREET ALE WORKS BREWPUB610 3rd Street, Santa Rosa | (707) 523-3060 | thirdstreetaleworks.com


14/80

Do not be intimidated for

any reason. That is rule number

one (and there are very few real

rules after that). For the mostpart, going wine tasting is about

the easiest thing in the world, es-

pecially here in Northern Cali-

fornia where wineries and

tasting rooms abound. You can

find wineries specializing in red

wines of all types, those that are

famous for their white wines and

others who pour sparkling wine. It is a matter of doing a

little research and planning your day.Most tasting rooms open around 10 a.m. and close be-

tween 4:30 and 6 p.m. As a rule sparkling wine houses are

opened the latest. Before you start off pack a few essen-

tials: Water (plenty of water) and something to snack on –

crackers or a baguette. Many wineries have picnic areas

and there are plenty of delis and bakeries that can make

up a lunch for you, or make your own. Which brings us

to eating and drinking, the kind that doesn’t directly in-

volve wine.

Be sure to nibble during the day and make sure youmake time for lunch. Two tips: drink at least twice as much

water as you do wine, and remember that you don’t have

to drink everything poured into your glass. There is a rea-

son tasting bars have dump buckets and a pitcher of water

to wash out your glass.

That said, here are some tips that have proven to be

helpful and are designed to help make the sensory adven-

ture of wine tasting all the more enjoyable.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Time and time again

I have heard knowledgeable winery workers say that thereis no such thing as a stupid question, and they mean that.

You can drink what you want, in the order you want.

If you only like reds, say so; if you don’t like sweet wines,

speak up. But the idea of starting with whites, then going

on to reds and then sweet wines is a good guide.

Zinfandel is red. I am sure you know that but it never

hurts to remind everyone.

If there is a particular wine you want to try and it is

not on the list, ask. There might be a bottle around that

was opened for a trade tasting or by the winemaker. Most

tasting rooms are happy to pour a little if you show enthu-

siasm.

If you plan to take wine home with you, either in the

car or on a plane, buy a card-

board box with Styrofoam wine

inserts. Fill it during the day and

this keeps wine from rollingaround in the trunk.

Check out the smaller wineries. It is a revelation.

Take notes on the wines you

most enjoyed.

Take advantage of tours

when the winery offers them, but

keep in mind that they take any-

where from 20 minutes to well over an hour, so one a day

is plenty.Buy wines that you can only find at the winery. These

often include smaller (375 ml) bottles of limited produc-

tion Ports or dessert wines. Don’t buy a wine you can get

at a supermarket back home. You’ll pay more, and besides,

what’s the point?

Look for tasting rooms in towns. Many of these are co-

operative tasting rooms, where in one place you might find

wines from a dozen or more small-to-medium premium

producers. They are scattered throughout the area and

more are opening all the time.Don’t give too much thought to ratings and vintages.

It’s like art: if you like it, it’s a good wine. It is as simple as

that.

Remember that you don’t have to do the driving. It

takes no more than a phone call to rent anything from a

Town Car or restored Packard convertible to stretch limos

and a 20-passenger bus. All have drivers that will stow

your wine for you and the local companies know the area.

As to taking that wine home, ten people sharing one of

those impossibly long limousines is fine and fun, but if you all plan to buy a couple of cases the trunk – which is

no bigger than a normal luxury cars – is going to fill up

fast and you’re going to find yourself filling the interior

floor with boxes and using cases of Cabernet as footrest.

Tell the transportation company what you have in

mind and listen to their advice. They know the territory

and the people and personalities.

Know your limits. If you get close to it let others taste

and you can listen. It beats ending the day in a blur, and if

need be calling a taxi is cheaper than the alternative.

And if at a seated tasting, don’t be afraid to leave a gra-

tuity. It’s more than worth the five or ten dollars to get wis-

dom – and wine – and a great time. By Charles Neave

Heading to the Tasting Room

Twomey Cellars



15/80


16/80

16 : : Sonoma www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

SPAIN ST.

4 t h

E

7 t h

S T

DENMARK S T

5 t h

S T

E A S

T

NAPA ROAD

5 t h S T W E S T

8 t h

S T E A S T

B U

R N D A L E

V E R A

N O

A V E

GROVE

CARNEROS RD

B R O A D W A Y

R I V E R S I D

E D R

TO NAPA

FremontDiner

El Dorado Kitchen

Swiss Hotel

Depot Museum

CaliforniaMission

TraintownLodge at Sonoma

Girl &The Fig

B O N N

E A U

F R E M O N T

THE

PLAZA

O L D W

I N E R Y

DELLA SANTINA

HopmonkTavern

L E V E R O

N I R OA D

LO V E LL V ALLE Y R O AD

G E H R

I C K E

R D

Sebastiani Theatre

WES T NAPA S T

RamekinsHome of General Vallejo

MacArthur Place

EAST NAPA ST

12

12

116

12121

RAVENSWOOD

SONOMA SPRINGSBREWING CO.

Sonoma

THINGS TO DO

Depot Museum270 First St. West, Sonoma(707) 938-1762www.depothotel.comOpen 1-4:30 p.m., Wednesday-SundayFine museum with historically significantcollections. Admission is free.

Sonoma PlazaPicturesque city plaza boasts unique shops, fineart galleries, award-winning restaurants and finewines available for tasting. Historic pointsinclude: Mission San Francisco de Solano,Barracks, Toscano Hotel, Bear Flag statue.

Sebastiani Theatre

476 First Street East

on the Plaza, Sonoma

(707) 996-2020, www.sebastianitheatre.com

Enjoy an eclectic blend of cinema and liveentertainment that includes critically acclaimedart, foreign, and classic films, contemporary and

vintage music, magic, ballet, opera and musicaltheatre – built in 1933.

Home of General Vallejo

"Lachryma Montis"

West of the Plaza

on West Spain Street, $3

1850s Victorian house furnished with Vallejo'spersonal effects - as though the General andhis wife had just stepped out.

Sonoma TrainTown Railroad20264 Broadway, Sonoma

(707) 938-3912, www.traintown.com

“The Most Well-Developed Scale Railroadin the Americas!” Steam and diesel scalerailroad rides, petting zoo, miniature town, ferriswheel and carousel rides.

FOOD

Della Santina’s133 East Napa Street, Sonoma(707) 935-0576, www.dellasantinas.comTraditional Italian fare is based upon Quirico Del laSantina's family recipes growing up in Lucca, Italy and hissheer talent as a chef; cozy dining room, marble fireplace,patio and Enoteca Wine Bar.Swiss Hotel Bar & Restaurant18 West Spain Street,Sonoma(707) 938-2884, www.swisshotelsonoma.comLocated on the Plaza, this historic bar is a favoriteamong locals who can often be seen seated on thesidewalk patio enjoying modern renditions of classicalItalian fare .Hopmonk Tavern691 Broadway, Sonoma(707) 935-9100, www.hopmonk.comLarge selection of beers; traditional and innovativepairings of beer and food. Live music.

Girl & The Fig110 West Spain Street, Sonoma(707) 938-3634, www.thegirlandthefig.com“Country food restaurant with a French passion.”

LODGING

El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen405 1st Street West, Sonoma(707) 996-3220, www.eldoradosonoma.com27-room contemporary boutique hotel located on thePlaza. Restaurant is “sophisticated urban style with

relaxed wine-country dining.”Sonoma Hotel110 West Spain Street, Sonoma(707) 996-2996, www.sonomahotel.comA 16-room, 19th-century hotel with modern amenities.Located downtown on the plaza.MacArthur Place29 E. MacArthur Street, Sonoma(707) 938-2929, www.macarthurplace.com19th-century estate transformed into a luxurious innand spa featuring Saddles Steakhouse.

The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa1325 Broadway, Sonoma(707) 935-6600, www.thelodgeatsonoma.comSpacious and luxurious accommodations;world-class Raindance Spa; award-winningCarneros Bistro & Wine Bar.

Visitors seeking an over-the-top ultra-luxury wine country experience would best steer clear of idyllic, slow Sonoma Valley. Sure, doublewide tractors gracethe two-lane Highway 12, wide-open ranchlands blanket the valley between towns, and wooly sheep keep weeds and grasses minimal in the vineyards. Butno doubt you will also find countless award-winning wineries and world-class restaurants throughout all of Sonoma. Living in Sonoma Valley is all about life,

about taste and enjoying each day. “Sonomans” are very proud of their heritage and their town. Excellence is what they do … it’s just done in blue jeans.

Not to scale

HISTORIC

SONOMA PLAZA

W NAPA ST E NAPA ST

E SPAIN ST

VISITOR

CENTER

W SPAIN ST

1 S T S T W E S T

B R O A D W A Y

1 S T S T E A S T

ADOBEROAD

MacLAREN

ENVOLVEBUMPCORNER 103

Sonoma

SIX GREAT GLASSES on THE PLAZA


17/80

17Sonoma : :www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

VARIETALSZinfandels, Chardonnay, Rosato, a limited amount of Merlot,Petite Sirah, Carignane, ICON (native mixed black grapes)and two Bordeaux style wines: Rancho Salina & Pickberry,Gewurztraminer and Moscato.

HISTORICAL FACT

Ravenswood is active in preserving and sourcing fruit fromthe oldest Zinfandel vineyards in Northern California.

TOURSTasting fee is $18. Tours and barrel tastings begin at10:30 a.m. for $25. Reservations are requested.Blending seminars are held at the winery for $65and reservations are required by calling Peter Griffith.

FUN FACTThe Ravenswood logo, designed by David Lance Goins(famous for his Chez Panisse posters) is a stylized circle

of three ravens.PLAN AHEADThe winery is famous for their special events, so continue tocheck their website for dates, times and details.

Ravenswood Tasting RoomOpen Daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

18701 Gehricke Road, Sonoma

(707) 933-2332 | www.ravenswoodwinery.com

Follow Ravenswood Tasting Room on Facebook & Twitter

Complimentary –“Ravenswood License frame – No Wimpy Wines”!

Many years ago when almost everyone thought Zinfandel.was white, I was given a bottle of Ravenswood Zin andnothing has been the same since. Ever have an epiphany? Well that was mine and to this day I am eternally grateful.

None of this would have happened without the vision of Joel Peterson, affectionately known as the “Godfather of Zin” who always had a passion for wine. Starting out with a“garage” winery – and crushing his first four tons of grapesin 1976 right before a thunderstorm – he built Ravenswoodinto the largest producer of fine Zinfandel in the world, andcontinues to be very hands-on at the winery, and hisdedication and encyclopedic knowledge shows in everybottle.

Nestled into the foothills of the Mayacamas Range thatdivides Sonoma and Napa counties, this fabled winery isliterally at the end of the road. Once you arrive you can takeit all in from their outdoor lounge perhaps with a samplingof local artisan cheeses to pair with the wines (May-

September). Overall it is a fun, light-hearted and friendlyexperience, self-described as rural and charmingly rustic(but not too rustic).

“The tasting room staff is passionate about our famousZinfandels and enjoys our relaxed and laid-back approachto presenting single vineyard wines,” said tasting roommanager Kristin Wastell. “Joel is thoughtful, enthusiasticand humorous in his approach to life and winemaking. Weshare in his j’oi de vivre and guarantee your visit toRavenswood Tasting Room to be as memorable as Joel’s

wines. For over thirty years, we have lived up to our motto:‘No Wimpy Wines!’” Try them for yoursef! BY CHARLES NEAVE


18/80


FUN FACTS• One of the namesakes of their Uncle Jack’s Kolsch, Jack

McAuliffe, established New Albion Brewing Company,the nation’s first craft brewery, just a few blocks awayfrom Sonoma Springs’s current location in 1976.

• Beers aged in whiskey and wine barrels are produced

thanks to local Sonoma distilleries and wineries. Lookfor their Daedalus, Mission Bell Sour, Freude Fig Lambic,Sonoma Kriek Cherry Lambic and select other, highlysought after barrel aged - on tap and available in bottles.

• There is a wonderful and welcoming staff that greats youbehind the bar! You may wander in and see them dressedin their Lederhosen and/or Dirndle.

Sonoma Springs Brewing Co.

Tap Room Hours:Mondays 3:00-9:00 p.m.

CLOSED TUESDAYSWednesday-Saturday 1:00-9:00 p.m.

Sundays 1:00-7:00 p.m.

19449 Riverside Drive, Suite 101Sonoma CA 95476

[email protected]

(707) 938-7422

facebook.com/SonomaSpringsBrewingC

T u a n C

h a u

T i e n

For true beer lovers, Sonoma Spring Brewing Co. may be oneof the most exciting local breweries growing amongst thevines of Sonoma County’s wine country. Due to its success,they recently moved from their modest original location to amulti-room complex just on the outskirts of the city of Sonoma.

Head Brewer, Tim Goeppinger, has more than fifteen years

of brewing experience, and it shows: even the most casual of encounters finds him waxing with an alchemist’s precisionabout hops, malt and the other esoteric ingredients of beer.

The new tap room has five barrelheads, each with four taps,allowing for twenty taps of deliciousness to flow. It serves as agood location to plant oneself and try a variety of theirofferings, including the award-winning Sonoma Springs (Uncle Jack’s) Kolsch, Lil’ Chief Strong Pale Ale, Roggenbier Rye andthe Bavaria NomaWeiss Wheat.

Whether on-the-go or ready to sit around and talk aboutsome of the finer aspects of brewing and tasting beer, SonomaSprings Brewing Co. has a little of something for every lover of good beer.


19/80

19Sonoma : :www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

ENOTECA DELLA SANTINA NEXT DOOR– WINE BAR • WINE CLUB • WINE SHOP• More than 300 selections of domestic and

international wines at competitive prices• 30 wines by the glass, customized flights and

specialty beers• Assorted cheeses available daily

• Winemaker dinners and educational seminars,call for schedule

EXCLUSIVE DINNER SPECIALS• Thursdays, 5 to 9:30 p.m. – “Burger Thursdays’’• Sundays, 5 to 9:30 p.m. – “Sausage and Suds”• Mondays, 5 to 9:30 p.m. – “Meatball Monday”

Both locations are available for private events.

Della Santina’sThe restaurant is open seven days a week

for lunch and dinner; reservations are recommended.

133 East Napa Street, Sonoma

(707) 935-0576 | www.dellasantinas.com

Enoteca Della SantinaOpen evenings until 10 p.m. at least!

127 East Napa Street, Sonoma

(707) 938-4200www.enotecadellasantina.com

Wine Bar – Enoteca Della Santina – is open late, at least until 10 p.m.!

Located off the historic square, Della Santina’s is a family-owned.and operated restaurant that has stood the test of time tobecome a Sonoma institution. The Della Santina family name

shares a long lineage and history in the Tuscan town of Lucca,

Italy. My father Quirico Salvatore Giovanni Della Santina

migrated from Lucca in 1960.

Residing in the North Beach area of San Francisco, Quiricobecame a baker by trade. Later, he was lured to Marin County by

his uncle Adolph to work in the family restaurant: Marin Joes.

After 25 years of successful ownership in a thriving business, he

decided to go out on his own in beautiful Sonoma Valley. Since

1990, we have continued to bring Tuscan country cooking to the

wine country using recipes passed down from my grandmothers

Pia Fontana Della Santina and Clary Gambogi Barsotti.

In 2008, we opened Enoteca Della Santina, a wine bar and

retail wine shop specializing in wines from all over the world.Enoteca, translated literally in Italian, means “wine library” – a

place for people to enjoy a glass in an Old World ambiance. We

have created a showcase for international as well as local, small

producers.

Our wine club has circumvented the globe looking for value

selections that expand our members’ palates and knowledge. Day

to day, the bar is a gathering spot for locals and tourists looking

to experience a taste of Sonoma Wine Country living.By Robert Della Santina


20/8020 : : Dry Creek Valleywww.WineCountryThisWeek.com


SIX GREAT GLASSES ON THE SONOMA PL AZA

ENVOLVE WINERY for SAUVIGNON BLANC100% stainless steel fermented, blended with a touch ofMuscat Canelli, this wine is lively on the palate and hasbalanced acidity that assist in a harmonious finish.With beautiful aromas of orange zest and pink grapefruit,followed by notes of lemon and lime, this Sauvignon Blanc,nicknamed the “Patio Pounder,” pairs perfectly with seasonal

salads, cheese plates, fresh seafood and spicy cuisine.27 East Napa Street, Suite A | Sonoma CA 95476Open daily 11am-6pm

(707) 939-5385 | www.envolvewinery.com

Like Envolve on Facebook and Twitter

CORNER 103 for PINOT NOIRIf you enjoy Pinot Noir, you will love Corner 103’s 2013 RussianRiver Valley Pinot Noir. Bordering the Petaluma Gap, this

outstanding vineyard is on a knoll, is low yielding andconsistently produces grapes that are concentrated andcomplex. The wine is rich and lush with loads of ripe redberries, finishing with a soft tannic structure. They utilizedtwo clones, 115 and 667 to produce a wine that is elegant, wellbalanced and rich in flavor. Production of this fantastic winewas limited to 412 cases.

103 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476

Open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., reservations suggested(707) 931-6141 | www.corner103.com

ADOBE ROAD WINERY for CABERNET SAUVIGNONAdobe Road is the place for Cabernet Sauvignon, offering a numberof different Cabs from both Napa and Sonoma. The highlight is theirBeckstoffer Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the world-famousBeckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in the heart of Rutherford. This is astunning example of the perfect Napa Cab that you don't want tomiss. Powerful yet elegant on the palate, this wine has tremendouspresence and a promising future in your cellar – consistently highlyrated by Wine Spectator. Check out the relaxing back patio whereyou can sip and savor their wonderful wines while enjoyingSonoma's perfect weather and don’t forget to inquire about their"Inside Track" wine club for exclusive benefits and selections.

481 First Street West, Sonoma | Open daily 11am-7pm(707) 939-9099 | www.adoberoadwines.com


21/80

ADOBE ROAD WINERY for PINOT NOIRBeautifully crafted from the 50-year-old Bacigalupi Family Ranch inthe Russian River Valley, Adobe Road Pinot Noir is characterized byconcentrated flavors and a rich texture. These are especially evident inthe picture perfect 2012 vintage. Naturally fermented at cooltemperatures in open top tanks and aged in neutral French oak barrelsto retain freshness and elegance, it is a perfect Pinot for every palate.Stop by Adobe Road Winery and enjoy our Pinot Noir as well as a

selection of other great varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon,Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay,Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Viognier and check out their “InsideTrack Membership” for special wine club only releases and benefits.

481 First Street West, Sonoma | Open daily 11am-7pm(707) 939-9099 | www.adoberoadwines.com

MacLAREN for SYRAHWith several single vineyard designated Syrahs and a vineyardblend, MacLaren produces some of the best cool-climate

Syrah in Sonoma County. Each of these wines express uniquecharacteristics that are true to their vineyards and terroir.These wines shine in the glass showing incredible complexityand balance, which creates a pleasurable experience fortasters and foodies alike.

27 East Napa Street, SonomaOpen Mon & Th 12-5pm

Fri-Sun 12-6pm, Tue-Wed By Appt.(707) 938-7490 | www.maclarenwine.com

BUMP WINE CELLARS for ZINANDELBUMP Wine Cellars is a family owned and operated boutique wineproducer located in Sonoma, California focusing on small lot,single vineyard wines. Visit them at the Tasting Lounge and Gallery,which Sonoma Magazine, called “… a drop-dead gorgeous place to

taste wine.” BUMP Zinfandel is sourced locally from the site of thehistoric Haraszthy vineyard. It captures a true representation ofvarietal character and a sense of place. This luscious wine is full-bodied and well balanced. The bright acidity carries hints of plumand cherry. With a touch of spice and minerality on the finish, thisZin will pair well with just about anything!

521 Broadway, Sonoma | (707) 228-9214 | ww.bumpwine.comOpen Thursday-Monday 12-6pm, Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

SIX GREAT GLASSES ON THE SONOMA PL AZA


22/80


Los Carneros/Petaluma

T O N A P A

N A P A R D

FRA TES

STAGE GULCH

Fremont Diner

CornerStone SonomaSonoma Country

Antiques

Sonoma’sBest

116

116

121

37

12121

Sonoma

12

A D O B E R D

A D O B E R D

L A K E V I L L E H W Y

L A K E V I L L E H W Y

2 N D S T R E E T

101

101

Wild Goat BistroSeared

Twisted 2

Petaluma

E N A P A S T

8 T H

E .

B U R N D A L E

7 T H

E .

LO V A LL V A LLE Y

R A M A L

MEADOWCROFT WINES

B R O A D W A Y

CARNEROS

BREWINGCOMPANY

D S T R

E E T

W A S H I N G

T O N S TL A K E V I L L E H W Y

SONOMAPORTWORKS

P E T A L U M A B L V D

P E T A L U M A

B L V D

Los Carneros

THINGS TO DO

Sonoma Country Antiques23999 Arnold Drive (Hwy 121) Sonoma

(707) 938-8315, www.sonomaantiques.com

Buyers have been traveling to Europe for over threedecades, hand selecting one-of-a-kind antiques andaccessories. Explore and be inspired in our 10,000

square feet of elegantly designed showrooms.CornerStone Sonoma23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma

(707) 933-3010, www.cornerstonegardens.com

“CornerStone Sonoma is an eclectic collection ofshops, wineries and a gourmet cafe set amidst nineacres of garden installations created by the world'sleading landscape architects.”

FOOD

Fremont Diner2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma

(707) 938-7370, www.thefremontdiner.com

Old-fashioned style roadside hamburger joint withupdated menu. Fresh, local ingredients.Try the pulled-pork sandwich or grilled cheese withsage and be sure to splurge on the milkshakes!

Sonoma’s Best1190 East Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476(707) 996-7600, www.sonomas-best.comThe old-fashioned landmark store offers foodproducts for which the County of Sonoma is fa-mous – artisanal cheeses, salads and soups,tamales, charcuterie, pastries and ice cream –along with exquisite Blue Bottle Coffee.

Petaluma

THINGS TO DODowntown Petalumawww.petalumadowntown.comCombine shopping with history and wander through thedowntown district of graceful buildings of the 1800s.Many of the antique stores, boutiques, galleries andwine bars are housed in historic buildings. Visitors canrelax in one of the many award-winning restaurantsand cafes, pamper themselves at the salons –

a true hometown experience.Sonoma County Cheese Trailwww.sonomacounty.comExperience the de lights of distinctive, hand-crafted cheesesby following the Cheese Trail, which winds through miles ofcanyons, pastures and hills, linking close to 30 farms andcreameries. Depending on the property, you can reserve full

tours, cheese tastings and cheese-making classses, then visitwith the farm's goats, cows, sheep or even water buffalo.

FOODWild Goat Bistro6 Petaluma Blvd. North #A5, Petaluma CA 94952(707) 658-1156 | www.wildgoatbistro.comA casual dining experience in a rustic and inviting atmosphere. Honest food using fresh, local ingredients in avariety of culinary traditions with a seasonally changing menuincluding specialty Neopolitan-style pizzas, innovative saladsand scrumptious main dishes.

Seared

Executive Chef, Joe O’Donnell, makes sure to shop for the freshest ingredients available from local farms, vendors andmarkets. To pair with entrees, small plates and dessert,quality wines are available from the Petaluma Gap andsurrounding vineyards, Petaluma craft beers and premiumcocktails using spirits from Petaluma distilleries, among many others. Experience a taste like no other on “The Boulevard.”170 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma CA 94952(707) 762-5997 | petalumaseared.com

Twisted29 F Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma CA 94952(707) 789-9914 | www.twisted2.netTwisted 2 offers a unique dining experience. Many of theingredients are sourced from the family 's garden inPetaluma. Dick and Julie Warner have created a dining experience that is memorable and honest - the way food andwine were meant to be enjoyed.

Driving Time: 31 minutesFrom Carneros Brewing Coto Meadowcroft Wines 3 milesto Sonoma Portworks 13 miles

Total 16 miles

On the south end of Sonoma is one of the most unique appellations, Los Carneros, that bridges both Napaand Sonoma counties. Carneros has long been known for its cool, coastal climate, natural beauty andunparalleled Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Syrahs and sparkling wines. Just a short distance away is the quaint,

historic riverfront town of Petaluma with its antique shops, boutiques, restaurants and historic architecture.

: : Los Carneros >> Petaluma


23/80

23

ALL IN THE FAMILYAlso owned by the Ceja family and right next door to thebrewery is Ceja Vineyards. The Ceja family’s farmingpractices and gentle approach to winemaking produceworld-renowned wines that are food friendly, true tovarietal and age well.

FUN FACTS• Reserve the taproom “after hours” for your next

meeting or event. Enjoy playful music and the rusticoasis by way of the mission-inspired bar and festivebeer garden. Contact their professional staff who willbe happy to help you plan the perfect event.

• For the connoisseur, the hop trellises are also a partof their beer garden and are home to the foundation oftheir craft brews. They take pride in the fact that theyorganically grow 30% of the hops used in their small-batch recipes.

BEERS:Jefe-weizen, Morena Ale, Cerveza Pilsner, Carneros IPA,Negra IPA and seasonal beers

Carneros Brewing CompanyOpen daily

22985 Burndale RoadSonoma, CA 95476

[email protected](707) 938-1880

carnerosbrewing.com

Los Carneros >> Petaluma : :www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

The Carneros Brewing Company is ideally located in the heartof Wine Country’s Carneros region. Rows of hops mark theentrance to their brewery and Tap Room so you won’t miss

them as you’re driving in! The Tap Room is a great place to start

and is the social center of the establishment. Guests can embark

on a self-guided tour which starts outside at their hop trellises.

If the tour is not your style, head straight to the Tap Room Barand order a beer flight or a pint. Their entire staff is passionate

about beer, the beer making process and can highlight the

different aromas and flavors found in each of their beers.

The Carneros Brewing Company is a family owned

microbrewery founded by five Ceja brothers and their families,

all contributing their diverse talents to establish this world class

microbrewery in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Jesus Ceja is one of

the founders and the Brewmaster. He’s a true brewing artisan,

handcrafting high-quality cervezas and putting all of hispassion, love and experience on every small-batch of beer he

brews.

The Beer Garden is an outdoor oasis where visitors can relax

and soak in the beautiful surroundings while enjoying their

small-batch craft brews. The entire family is welcome here and

they are also dog friendly. There is plenty of room to wander the

paths and find a place to settle and enjoy your day. Weekends

are really hopping with the addition of local food trucks and

they have various spaces available for special events. All of theseactivities and opportunities are what make Carneros Brewing

Company the ultimate Tap Room to visit. By Alexandra Charsley


24/80

: : Los Carneros >> Petaluma24 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

VARIETALSCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Meritage,Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc,Viognier, Zinfandel, Port-style Dessert Wine

UPCOMING EVENTS (Call the tasting room for details)• Oct. 10, 3rd Annual Harvest Lunch in the Vineyard –

A multi-course lunch featuring the bounty of autumn.• Oct. 24, Halloween Costume Party – Prizes for best

costume, food and wine pairings and more!• Nov. 21 & 22, Holiday in Carneros –

A multi-winery holiday open house event featuring winediscounts, live music and food and wine pairings.

• Dec. 12, 2nd Annual Black and Gold Soiree –Come dressed to impress in your best black and gold.Library offerings, hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment!

• Feb. 13, 3rd Annual Day of Wine, Roses and

Chocolate! – Bring your sweetie, or best girl friends to awine and chocolate extravaganza featuring the bestchocolate purveyors in Sonoma County.

• Mar. 19, Spring Fling Release Party-Discover the newestwines of the season as they release their 2015 Viognierand Sauvignon Blanc.

Meadowcroft WinesMonday - Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(707) 934-4090www.meadowcroftwines.com

Mention ‘Day Trips’ and receive two-for-one tasting.

Located within Cornerstone Sonoma at the gateway to Sonoma. Valley, the newly redecorated Meadowcroft Wines tastingroom is the perfect place to hold a wine picnic or enjoy achocolate and wine pairing at one of our bars. With the additionof a shady outdoor lounge featuring comfortable seating aroundfire pits, we can accommodate groups, large or small. Fromsweet treats to robust Cabernets, our award-winning wines andSonoma hospitality will leave your whole party smiling!

There are three labels being poured in the tasting room:Meadowcroft Wines, Thomas Henry Wines and Foyt Family Wines (honoring Indy racing legend A.J. Foyt). Winemaker TomMeadowcroft crafts all of his wines from his own estate andother sustainably farmed vineyards in Napa and Sonoma.

Chef Darby has created the perfect pairing menu with fourBelgian chocolates and four wines from our award-winning list.The newest pairing, a Passion Fruit truffle and refreshing off-dryThomas Henry Riesling, is a must try. And old favorites like DarkChocolate with Sea Salt alongside our All She Wrote dessert

wine continue to delight.If you care to stretch your legs, tours of our Pinot Noir

vineyard are available with advance reservations. The tour andsix-wine tasting takes place a short walk from our tasting room. You’ll learn about the lovely Carneros vineyard while enjoying abright, charming Pinot Noir that comes from the very vines youare strolling through.

So, whether you stop in to enjoy the wines in the tastingroom, relax in one of the wine lounges or even while viewing thearchitectural gardens, Meadowcroft Wines should be your first

stop (or perhaps your last stop) in Wine Country. Meadowcroft Wines is family and dog friendly. SUBMITTED: BY STEPHEN O'MALLEY


25/80

25Los Carneros >> Petaluma : :www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

FUN FACTS• Sonoma Portworks uses as much of the grape as

they can, distilling pomace into grappa and sharingwhat’s left with local farms for composting.

• Most of the grapes used by Sonoma Portworks comefrom a vineyard land farmed by the same family for

six generations.

• Sonoma Portworks uses hand-and-foot energy toproduce its ports.

DON’T MISS OUT• Sonoma Portworks tastings are complimentary.

• Caryn and Bill like to share cheese, chocolate andother locally produced foods, paired with their ports.

• Wine club members have first access to all SonomaPortworks wines and spirits. With limitedproduction, sometimes that’s the only access to avery limited product.

VARIETALSPort, Apertif, Sherry, Grappa, Sonomic Almost Vinegar

Sonoma Portworks613 Second Street, Petaluma, CA

(707) 769-5203 | www.portworks.com

Experience the pleasures of port at Sonoma Portworks.

Who said you can’t serve dessert first? Certainly not Caryn andBill Reading, proprietors of Sonoma Portworks in Petaluma.Creating single-vineyard, single-vintage, small-lot port wine,

Sonoma Portworks is tapping into a growing niche that agrees

with the Readings.

Sonoma Portworks, in operation for more than 20 years, is

the only port specialist in Sonoma County. Bill Reading’s

approach to winemaking is creative and experimental. He takesthis challenge seriously, cultivating fine ports from a single,

organic vineyard. Their ARIS ports are made from Petit Verdot

and Petite Sirah grapes. Deco Port is made from Zinfandel with a

hint of dark chocolate.

Tucked away on Second Street south of downtown Petaluma,

Sonoma Portworks is a quick jaunt off Highway 101. Many

visitors wander in from that road. Others are pulled in by signs

and curiosity. All are anxious to try this winery’s offerings.

The tasting room is open from 12 to 5 p.m. Thursdaythrough Monday and is a small but welcoming space for both

first-time port tasters and port aficionados to take a spin through

the winery’s portfolio. Beyond the several ports available to taste,

Sonoma Portworks also makes grappa, a spirit distilled from

port-laden pomace leftover from the port-making process.

Visitors can also try Portworks’ Sonomic Almost Vinegar, which

is like a balsamic, but more versatile.

The Dyna Apertif is a delicious before-dinner offering, and

Duet Sherry offers a different take on dessert wine. All are worth

the tasting, before or after dinner. By Shoshana Hebshi-Holt


26/80

26 : : Glen Ellen www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Glen Ellen

L O N D

O N

RA N C H RD.

Jack London

State Park

Bouverie Preserve

Quarry Hill Botanical Garden

The Red Barn Storeat Oak Hill Farm

Yeti

Glen EllenVillage Market

Jack London Lodge

Beltane Ranch

C AV E D ALE

MADRONEVINEYARDSESTATE

GaigeHouse

Inn

MADRONE

R

R D

D U N

B A

Glen Ellen InnGlen Ellen Star

Aventine Glen EllenGlen Ellen

n

e n

W A R M

S P R I N

G S R

D

B E N N E T T V A

L L E Y

R D

.

W A R M

S P R I N G S R D

LAURELGLEN

MATANZASCREEK

ERIC ROSSWINERY

THINGS TO DOQuarryhill Botanical Garden12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen(707) 996-6027, www.quarryhillbg.orgAsian botanical gardens featuring one of thelargest collections of documented,wild-collected Asian plants in the world.

Bouverie Preserve13935 Highway 12, Glen Ellen(707) 938-4554, www.egret.org

Magnificent 535-acre property features arich and distinct combination of plants andanimals, including more than 130 species ofbirds, 350 species of flowering plants andnumerous large mammals such as the bobcat,

grey fox, and coyote.

The Red Barn Store at Oak Hill Farm15101 Highway 12, Glen Ellen(707) 996-6643, www.oakhillfarm.netRustic 100-year-old dairy barn selling freshherbs, lettuce, heirloom vegetables, flowers andornamental greens, hand-crafted wreaths,dried goods, bouquets and gifts.

FOODAventine Glen Ellen14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen

In the historic Grist Mill(707) 934-8911www.aventineglenellen.comItalian Osteria featuring full bar, brewery and

farm fresh to table dishes by Executive ChefAdolfo Veronese.

Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar

13670 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen

(707) 996-6409, www.glenelleninn.comFusion of local ingredients paired with French,Asian and Italian influences.

Glen Ellen Star


(707) 343-1384, glenellenstar.com

The menu features rustic California Wine Country cuisinewith local and international influences including delicious offer-ings from the wood-burning brick oven.

Yeti Restaurant

14301 Arnold Drive, Jack London Village, Glen Ellen

(707) 996-9930, www.yetirestaurant.com

Fusion of both Nepalese and Indian cultures.

Garden Court Cafe


(707) 935-1565, www.gardencourtcafe.com

A local favorite for breakfast, brunch and lunch.“If you leave hungry, it’s your own fault.”

LODGING

Gaige House Inn


(707) 935-0237, www.gaige.com

Asian-inspired ambiance combined with modern luxury.Granite soaking tubs and private Japanese gardens perfect

for in-suite spa treatments. Michelin recommended.

Ranked as 18 in Conde Nast’s Top Small Hotels in the U.S.

Beltane Ranch

11775 Highway 12, Glen Ellen

www.beltaneranch.com, (707) 996-6501

1892 ranch house and cottage – walking trails lead pasthorses and cattle, through vineyards, olive orchards andorganically farmed produce gardens.

Jack London Lodge

13740 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellenwww.jacklondonlodge, (707) 938-8510

Situated on Sonoma Creek quiet, peaceful setting witha pool, heated spa and lovely gardens. Facility includesWolf House Restaurant and historic Jack London Saloon.

Driving Time: 21 minutesFrom Matanzas Creekto Laurel Glen 8 milesto Eric Ross .8 miles

to Madrone Vineyards 1.7 milesTotal 10.5 miles

Little Vineyards Family Winery


27/80

27Glen Ellen : :www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Not to scale

VARIETALS4 different styles of Sauvignon Blanc3 different styles of Chardonnay2 styles of Merlot plus Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon

WHAT TO TASTEThe Journey wines, crafted from the most pedigreed vineyard sites in

Sonoma County. Try the new Journey Sauvignon Blanc in addition to theJourney Chardonnay or the Journey Red Wine, a Bordeaux-style blend.

WINE AND CHEESE PAIRINGMatanzas Creek now offers a decadent wine and cheese tasting expertlypaired and prepared by the winery chefs – offered all day, every day!

ESTATE TOUR & TASTING – Weekends only at 10:30The tour includes a walk through our sprawling Estate gardens and fa-mous lavender fields, a peak into the cellar and concludes with a formalwine tasting.

LITTLE KNOWN FACTYou can take a free, self-guided vineyard tour during regular tastingroom hours. The walk is less than a mile and is designed for all agesand levels of wine experience. No reservations required.

Matanzas Creek WineryOpen Daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Open until 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday evenings May–September6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

1-800-590-6464 | (707) [email protected] | www.matanzascreek.com

Mention Day Trips and Receive $5.00 off per person on our Wine and Cheese Pairing

This is what visiting Wine Country is all about – rolldown the windows, let the fresh country air flowand meander the scenic winding road past horses,dairy cows and vineyards, all just to see where theroad might lead.

Today let the road take you to Matanzas Creek Winery, a place that offers something for the winelover, the gardener, the epicurian. Matanzas Creek,which put the bucolic east Santa Rosa neighborhoodof Bennett Valley on the map, took its name from thecreek that drains away the runoff in the valley. Thearea enjoys a unique microclimate among NorthCoast appellations, with cooling influences fromseveral fronts - the Russian River Valley and PetalumaGap from the west and southwest, and the San PabloBay to the south and southeast.

Matanzas Creek produces a wide range of winesthat reflect the viticultural diversity of Bennett Valley

and Sonoma County. Currently the winery isshowcasing the Sauvignon Blanc, the perfect Springand Summer Wine.

Visitors flock to Matanzas Creek in the spring andearly summer when the lavender fields are in bloom.The Days of Wine and Lavender event takes placeduring the peak season: the last weeks in June.Lavender has long been a much celebrated co-starhere, and a section of the tasting room is dedicated toa myriad of lavender products including soaps, scents,

oils and spa products made at the winery.By Michelle J. Baker


28/80


FUN FACTS• As of 2014, Laurel Glen Vineyard is CCOF Certified Organic!• Co-owner Bettina S ichel is the daughter of Peter M.F.

Sichel, the man responsible for making Blue Nun ahousehold name in America. She is the fifth generation ofthe Sichel family to work in the wine business. Thevineyard is planted with its own UC Davis certified Laurel

Glen Cabernet Sauvignon clone.

VARIETALS PRODUCEDCabernet Sauvignon and Rosé• 2011 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon –

“It’s a classical mountain Cabernet with aprofound structural integrity, built to last.”95 Points, Wine & Spirits magazine, February 2015

• 2010 The Laureate Cabernet Sauvignon –Robert Parkergives our inaugural release 94 Points and a Bravo!

• 2014 Laurel Glen Crazy Old Vine Rosé – Half of the fruit

is Cabernet and the other half is red varietals from theoriginal 1880s vineyard.

Laurel Glen VineyardOpen Daily

969 Carquinez Avenue, Glen Ellen, CA 95442

(707) 933-9877 | www.laurelglen.comEmail: [email protected]

Look for Laurel Glen Vineyardon Facebook and YouTube

Mention ‘Day Trips’ for a complimentary taste of a Library selection

Laurel Glen Vineyard is a beautiful mountain vineyard.that is well known for producing highly rated CabernetSauvignon wines in the past under the direction of founderPatrick Campbell. Patrick focused efforts on developingand producing wines in Lodi and South America andeventually decided to sell the vineyard. In 2011, BettinaSichel, a veteran of the California wine industry, becamethe steward of Laurel Glen Vineyard after teaming up witha group of wine lovers to purchase the iconic estate. Shebrings over 20 years of working with the finest producersof Cabernet Sauvignon and believes that with improvedorganic farming, more careful handling of the fruit andgentler fermentation techniques, the new wines are alreadynoticeably more exciting.

One key upgrade was the addition of the Laurel Glen Vineyard Tasting Room which is open daily. Guests areoffered two different seated tasting options. For $20,guests can taste current release wines. This fee is waived

for members of the wine club. For $30, reserve a Library Wine & Chocolate Tasting and experience four vintages of the flagship Laurel Glen Vineyard Estate CabernetSauvignon, spanning at least 10 years of production. Bothtasting experiences offer insight into the rich history of Laurel Glen as well as their future plans. Bettina, alongwith her knowledgeable winemakers and team, are on amission to restore the stylistic elegance with a balance of acidity and fruit ripeness, finesse and ageability to theirestate Cabernet Sauvignon.

To schedule your tasting, visit their website atwww.laurelglen.com or call (707) 933-9877. By Alexandra Charsley


29/80

29Glen Ellen : :www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

WINES NOT TO MISS2012 Viognier Catie’s Corner, Russian River – This gorgeous Viognierfruit has a big personality! It is rich fat and floral which begs to beworked over utilizing the introduction of a limited amount of about20% new French Oak building in the background. Named after Saraleeand Rich Kunde’s daughter, Catie’s Corner is also the site where Eric’sson Austin, at 12 years old, almost took out a vineyard end post

learning to drive, now that would have been fun to explain to Saralee!2011 Tempranillo – Lodi sustainable farming produces this rich exoticSpanish varietal showing layers of blackberry, espresso and darkchocolate, followed by hints of dry-cured black Moroccan olives.VARIETALSAlbarino, Viognier, Russian River Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Old Vine Zin-fandel, Syrah, Struttin’ Red Blend, Struttin’ White Blend, Old Vine ZinPort are available by the case or the bottle during regular tasting roomhours with 20% discounts available for club members.LEARN MOREEach of Luse’s photos has a vivid story behind it. Feel free to ask about

the individual lives of the vineyard workers that he has so eloquentlydepicted and memorialized. The beauty of some specific pictures stemfrom the minimalistic presentation of the photograph contrasted withthe depths of emotion in the central point of focus.

Eric Ross WineryOpen daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.


(707) 939-8525 | www.ericross.comFor private tastings, contact Dennis & Diane

(707) 939-8525 or [email protected]

Complimentary tasting with purchase with this Day Trip

A m o n g

E r i c ’ s S i l v e r I m a g e p h o t o l a b e l s e r i e s i s t h e R u s s i a n R i v e r P i n o t N o i r “ P o u l e d ’ O r . ”

If one is charged with finding a perfect wine for the.perfect meal, Eric Ross is the place to look. Eric Rossspecializes in wines from some of the most prestigiouslocal wine growing regions, varietals originating fromFrance, Spain and even Portugal. Any wine lover candiscover a wine that goes with their favorite meal, orsimply enjoying a glass on the front porch. Stylistically,each wine makes a sophisticated statement blossoming

the longer one savors it with a elegant finish. As you discover a new quality wine with every sip

take a moment to experience the photography adorningthe tasting room walls. The winemaker, Eric Luse, beganhis wine journey as a photographer for the SanFrancisco Chronicle. Fascinated by wine and the winecountry lifestyle Luse began college level training of winemaking and viticulture while continuing tophotograph vineyard workers as the seasons changed inthe vineyards.

Eric’s photography reflects the personality of hissubject and his winemaking follows the samephilosophy. It’s not about the winemaker it’s about thevineyard. Whether it’s the Albarino, Tempranillo,Grenache or Pinot Noir they all reflect the personalityof those specific vineyards.

With a total annual production of roughly 3000cases, Eric Ross does not distribute outside of the tastingroom enjoying a robust wine club and tasting roomexperience. So, stop at Eric Ross, pick up some fabulous

wine and open one tonight … it is sure to make yourdinner exceptional.


30/80


VARIETALS

Barbera, Old Vine Zinfandel, Sangiovese,

Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon

Blanc, Rosato, Pinot Noir and special blends

HISTORIC TOURSMadrone Vineyards Estate also offers visitors a

chance to learn about the rich history of the

property and the Sonoma Valley. Tours include

visiting the grounds, the vineyards and

learning and exploring the art and craft of

winemaking. At the conclusion of the tour

guests enjoy a seated wine tasting hosted by a

member of the hospitality team. Reservationsfor the Historic Tour are required and need to

be made in advance.

Madrone Vineyards Estate

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen CA 95442

(707) 939-4510www.madronevineyardsestate.com

Madrone Vineyards Estate is a true Sonoma icon with a rich history.spanning over 150 years. For the discerning wine lover, Madroneoffers visitors small lot and estate wines in a stunning location and

will be a highlight of any wine county visit.

Visitors can choose to taste wines at the beautiful tasting bar, enjoy

a seated tasting in the elegant new tasting lounge which features food

and wine pairings, or on the patio with incredible views of theSonoma countryside. For guests wishing to bring a lunch there is a

designated picnic area and creek-side bocce court. Reservations are

recommended.

This historic property was founded on a portion of the Agua

Caliente Rancho originally given by Governor Juan Alvarado to

Lázaro Piña, a second lieutenant under the command of General M.G.

Vallejo in 1840. In 1863, the ranch was purchased by winemaking

pioneer, George Whitman who planted the first vineyard and

established a new winery which quickly became a cornerstone in

Sonoma winemaking history. In 1883, Whitman sold the ranch to Eli

T. Sheppard, who was the former consul to China and an advisor to

the Emperor of Japan.

In 1941, the Madrone Vineyards Estate was purchased by Italian

sausage makers Enrico Parducci and Peter Domenici. The pair

renamed the estate “Valley of the Moon” and sparked a new era in

winemaking in Sonoma Valley. In 2012, this historic and beautiful

property came under new ownership and that team is now taking the

lead to bring the story of Sonoma and this incredible property back to

its former glory. By Bonnie Zimmermann


31/80

31Kenwood : :www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Kenwood

TO

SANTA ROSA

TO

SANTA ROSA

LEDSON

Sugarloaf Ridge

State Park A D

O B E CA

N YON RD.

VJB CELLARS

L O S

A M O S

R D

L A W N

D A L E

ChurchDepot

Kenwood Restaurant

Kenwood Farmhouse

Cafe Citti

Swede’s FeedsPets, Gardens & Gifts

Kenwood Inn and Spa

CHATEAU ST. JEANVineyards Inn C HA

T EA U ST. JEAN RD

Park

P Y T H

I A N R D

Kenwood

12

LANDMARKLaROCHELLE

WA R M S P

R I N G S R D

THINGS TO DO

Sugarloaf Ridge State ParkHighway 12 & Adobe Canyon Rd, KenwoodHikes include views, bridges and impressivewaterfalls. Home of Ferguson Observatory –largest in the western United States.

Kenwood Depot

314 Warm Springs Road, Kenwood(707) 833-5190, www.kenwooddepot.comSonoma County Historic Landmark #46.Now a venue for special events, this historiclandmark was once a working train stationand was built from locally cut basalt.

Kenwood Plaza ParkLocated on Warm Springs Roadbetween Kenwood Depot andKenwood Community Church

This 5-acre park comes complete witha play structure and picnic tables.

Swede’s Feeds Pet Garden & Gifts9140 Highway 12, Kenwood(707) 833-5050, swedesfeedskenwood.comGifts, garden art, unsual plants and pottery.

FOODKenwood Restaurant9900 Highway 12, Kenwood, CA 95452(707) 833-6326, www.kenwoodrestaurant.comA favorite restaurant for local winemakers, vintners andcelebrities. Fresh ingredients, great views, local/international wines.

Café Citti9049 Highway 12, Kenwood(707) 833-2690, www.cafecitti.comA trattoria style restaurant with“great food, great value, great atmosphere.”

Vineyards Inn

8445 Highway 12, Kenwood(707) 833-2300, www.vineyardsinn.comCreative, organic, authentic flavors of Spain

VJB Cellars60 Shaw Avenue, corner of Hwy. 12, Kenwood(707) 833-4500, www.vjbcellars.comEnjoy lunch of fresh panini or antipasti or a pizza from thewood-fired oven. There’s also a chocolate and gelato shop!

LODGINGKenwood Inn and Spa

10400 Highway 12, Kenwood(707) 353-6966, www.kenwoodinn.comA secluded, luxury hotel; Mediterranean-inspired privaterestaurant; rated in the top three resort spas in the UnitedStates – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Poll, April 2009.

First driving into the Valley of the Moon is certainly a lushly sensory experience. Rolling hills, centuries-old Heritage Oaks and verdant vineyards drape the slop

Date post:	07-Aug-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	gcmedia
View:	214 times
Download:	0 times

SCDT-0915flip.pdf

Documents