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Started By
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Sonoma,CA wine country advice
Posted on 5/29/14 at 5:37 am
Posted on 5/29/14 at 5:37 am
Headed to Sonoma for a trip to the wine country with the wife. Any recommendations for a rookie? Recommended vineyards to tour?
13
Posted on 5/29/14 at 6:32 am to Deaux-nut
Bring your ID. Can do a mud bath? Wine is ok, but they all taste the same after a while.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 6:35 am to Deaux-nut
Pick a couple of high end wineries (Nickel and Nickel, Cakebread) for early in the day. Make reservations way in advance for your tour. Ask for recommendations on small unknown/new wineries while out there and hit those right after lunch. Cap off day at the big name places and get hammered at those. Eat lunch at the Mustard Grill. Don't drive, use a taxi or shuttle.
ETA. Just realized you said Sonoma. I need to finish my coffee. The three places I listed by name are in Napa. Rest of advice stands.
ETA. Just realized you said Sonoma. I need to finish my coffee. The three places I listed by name are in Napa. Rest of advice stands.
This post was edited on 5/29/14 at 6:43 am
Posted on 5/29/14 at 6:35 am to Deaux-nut
Sonoma Valley has best breweries in the country. Hit Bear Republic in Healdsburg, Russian River in Santa Rosa and Lagunitas in Petaluma. Idk abt the wines as I stick to Napa.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 6:39 am to Deaux-nut
Log in to Sonomadroppings for DUI checkpoint reports.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 6:42 am to Deaux-nut
Stop by the visitor's bureau and get a sticker that says "I love Sonoma valley," and you get 1/2 off at a lot of wineries.
If you buy a few bottles, stop by UPS and get a wine bottle box/package to bring your wine home. Then label it with your name and pay like it is an extra checked bag. $35 to check it is cheaper than shipping it
If you buy a few bottles, stop by UPS and get a wine bottle box/package to bring your wine home. Then label it with your name and pay like it is an extra checked bag. $35 to check it is cheaper than shipping it
Posted on 5/29/14 at 6:47 am to hedgehog
take a flask ...
Posted on 5/29/14 at 7:11 am to tiderider
Thanks. Didn't realize Sonoma had good beer as well.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 7:31 am to Deaux-nut
Benziger and Imagery were good.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 7:46 am to Deaux-nut
Cannot recommend Ravens Wood enough, out the 4 wineries we went to it was the most laid back and friendly. We were early for our tour, and they gave us several extra tastings, in all close to a full bottle. I really liked their Teldeschi Zinfandel, wish I would have brought more than one bottle home. I haven't seen it anywhere else but at the winery.
Also B.R. Cohn was really good too, they had my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon, the wife really liked their Sauvignon Blanc. Also B.R. Cohn had some really good olive oil they make on site and some really good balsamic vinegar. We brought home some 25 yo balsamic.
Wish we would have stayed a bit longer on our trip, hope the info helps. Also what time of year are you going? I hear October is a good time to go, lots of activity and the weather is nice. We went in August, froze our asses off in San Fran then sweated to death in Sonoma.
Also B.R. Cohn was really good too, they had my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon, the wife really liked their Sauvignon Blanc. Also B.R. Cohn had some really good olive oil they make on site and some really good balsamic vinegar. We brought home some 25 yo balsamic.
Wish we would have stayed a bit longer on our trip, hope the info helps. Also what time of year are you going? I hear October is a good time to go, lots of activity and the weather is nice. We went in August, froze our asses off in San Fran then sweated to death in Sonoma.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:04 am to Deaux-nut
I'll see you there. We are going in about a week. My wife has every detail planned out. Already has all the tours reserved. You need to get on the ball because the better private wineries are by appointment only. The public ones are always crowded and does not give you the true experience.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:18 am to ColdDuck
Lol...no
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:19 am to Emteein
quote:
Cannot recommend Ravens Wood enough
Loved that place. Still have a few bottles left.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:27 am to Deaux-nut
You going to the town of Sonoma or Sonoma County in general?
My advice: Russian River Valley for Pinots, Alexander Valley for Zinfandels, Dry Creek Valley for SB and Cabs and if you come to Healdsburg...stay the hell off my lawn!!
My advice: Russian River Valley for Pinots, Alexander Valley for Zinfandels, Dry Creek Valley for SB and Cabs and if you come to Healdsburg...stay the hell off my lawn!!
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:29 am to Deaux-nut
O'brien Estates Winery is about 25 min. away. It was excellent, the Yelp reviews were helpful on our last trip.
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:38 am to Tiger Ryno
quote:
Lol...no
Agree. While it is sometimes necessary, appointments are rarely that necessary and private wineries are rarely that private (nor do they provide the best or most authentic experience).
We went up, without plans, and had no issues on a holiday weekend last week.
This post was edited on 5/29/14 at 8:39 am
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:40 am to Pettifogger
Watch Bottle Shock and then go to Kunde Winery, that is where they filmed it, plus they have great wines.
Gary Farrell in Russian River for amazing pinots
Truett Hurst also has great reds and is really relaxed
Gary Farrell in Russian River for amazing pinots
Truett Hurst also has great reds and is really relaxed
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:43 am to Kingwood Tiger
ColdDuck may see you there. Don, we have reservation at Barndiva in your neck of the woods. I promise to stay off the lawn
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:43 am to Kingwood Tiger
quote:Truett Hurst is over in Dry Creek Valley and it does have some great wines. And if you were there in the winter you could see the Steelhead running/spawning which is really cool.
Truett Hurst also has great reds and is really relaxed
Posted on 5/29/14 at 8:44 am to Deaux-nut
michel schlumberger
lancaster estate
williamson in downtown healdsburg
russian river brewery
lancaster estate
williamson in downtown healdsburg
russian river brewery
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