I used to be hosted by Sonoma County on this journey however all opinions expressed on this publish are my very own.
Sonoma County wineries and eating places are a few of the finest within the nation and I can’t wait to inform you about them! This weblog publish will enable you profit from your journey to this stunning space in Northern California. Sonoma County is well-known for wine, but it surely additionally has stunning shoreline, redwood forests and farm to desk delicacies. There’s something for everybody in Sonoma County and it’s the place “Life opens up” as their slogan reads.
My journey to Sonoma County was targeted on meals & wine (after all). I spent 6 superb days traversing the nation, visiting Sonoma County wineries and eating places. Sonoma County is the biggest producer of wine in California’s wine nation area. It has 13 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) and over 400 wineries.
Nicely-known wine making areas embrace Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Santa Rosa is the county seat and different cities/cities embrace town of Sonoma, Geyserville, Healdsburg, Glen Ellen, and Sebastopol.
Based mostly on the local weather and terroir of those areas, Sonoma County makes a number of varietals of wine. Russian River Valley is understood for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay whereas Alexander Valley is understood for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Additionally, you will discover Zinfandel as a preferred varietal right here. Whereas visiting Sonoma County wineries I used to be capable of pattern and find out about all these varietals. As well as, I paired them with scrumptious delicacies at Sonoma County eating places.
Earlier than I dive into my Sonoma County journey information, listed here are a couple of useful particulars:
Sonoma County has an airport-Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County Airport which is positioned about 7 miles from downtown Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa is within the middle of the county and an incredible place to remain for exploring Sonoma County wineries and eating places.
San Francisco airport (SFO) is roughly 1 hour and 16-minute drive from Santa Rosa and about 1 hour and 10 minutes from town of Sonoma.
Sonoma County is lengthy and broad. I counsel renting a automobile or utilizing a automobile service, particularly after wine tastings. Driving from town of Sonoma north to Geyserville will take an hour.
Sonoma County Motels & Resorts
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa:
I had the pleasure of staying at 3 attractive locations in Sonoma County. The Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa in Sonoma was my first cease. I like Fairmont resorts and this one was simply as beautiful. The superbly manicured grounds, fall foliage, redwood bushes, fountains and out of doors fireplace pits added to the allure of this property.
It is a full service resort with a spa, eating places and golf course. The Willow Stream spa has geothermal fed mineral swimming pools. Though I had spa entry I used to be too busy to reap the benefits of the spa. I should return for this as a result of it has nice opinions. The resort additionally has complimentary every day wine tastings within the foyer.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa has a number of room sorts and suites accessible. The mission suite is 550 sq ft, has a fire, 4 poster mattress, a Jacuzzi tub and an enormous toilet. I additionally loved the gorgeous balcony views of the fountain and fall foliage.
Vintners Resort:
The Vintners Resort in Santa Rosa is gorgeous! I felt as if I had been transported to Italy, possibly Tuscany.
I stayed in a brand new villa on the property with a room that confronted the winery. I arrived simply in time for superb sundown views! The room itself was spacious with fashionable and funky décor and paintings.
There are such a lot of causes to make Vintners Resort your property base whereas in Santa Rosa. The primary is the situation. As talked about prior, Santa Rosa is a central location for exploring the county. Vintners Resort sits proper by the main highways.
It is usually a full-service resort with eating places, fitness center, spa, pool, and convention rooms. If you’re within the temper for out of doors health, do the 1-mile round winery stroll. In search of a spot to have your wedding ceremony or particular occasion, Vintners Resort has attractive indoor and out of doors choices for all events.
John Ash &Co. is open for dinner nightly. Throughout my go to I had the pleasure of attempting out the seasonal menu. There was the whole lot from Peruvian dishes to Southern meals to pasta. The maple cheesecake was positively a winner. There’s a backyard on the property with herbs and greens. That is true farm to desk eating!
Jordan Winery & Vineyard:
My expertise at Jordan Winery & Vineyard was twofold. I attended one in every of their signature tastings and stayed in a single day in one in every of 3 suites of their French Chateau styled vineyard.
Jordan Winery and Vineyard is in Healdsburg in Alexander Valley. They give attention to creating French-inspired Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Jordan provides a number of various kinds of tastings and even winery hikes. I loved the vineyard tour and tasting. We toured the Jordan Chateau vineyard whereas having fun with wine and meals pairings. The tasting ended within the library with a beautiful unfold of French cheeses and bread paired with 2 vintages of their Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2015 classic was my favourite.
Throughout the summer time of 2021 Jordan Winery & Vineyard unveiled renovated chateau suites. These French-inspired suites can be found for in a single day stays to members of Jordan Property Rewards and invited company (like me :-)). They’re completely gorgeous!
I stayed within the Cepage suite for one superb evening. It had excessive ceilings with wood beams, a big comfortable poster mattress, a moist bar with fridge, Nespresso machine, sitting space with Louis XV furnishings and a fire. The toilet was spacious and exquisite with grey tiling, heated flooring and towel racks, double vanities and enormous bathe. There was additionally a balcony overlooking the luxurious grounds.
Sonoma County Wineries:
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards:
Gloria Ferrer established the primary glowing vineyard in Carneros. I used to be very enthusiastic about this go to since I blogged about their wines a number of years in the past. This space is the perfect local weather for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay manufacturing. These are 2 of the three varietals generally utilized in Champagne manufacturing the threerd being Pinot Meunier.
Throughout my go to I loved the culinary wine pairing on their Vista Terrace. The sweeping views of the vineyards had been superb.
The seasonal menu was paired with Gloria Ferrer nonetheless and glowing wines. The wine educator guided me by means of the pairings. Each the meals and the wines had been plentiful and scrumptious. Different tasting experiences supplied are-Cheese & Charcuteries, Terrace Lunch, and Caviar and Wine tastings.
Nook 103:
Nook 103 is positioned in downtown Sonoma on Sonoma Plaza. It’s a Black-owned tasting room and vineyard by Lloyd Davis. Mr. Davis prides himself on an approachable technique to wine making and wine tasting.
He sources grapes from throughout Sonoma County and produces a number of award-winning crimson and white varietals in addition to blends. You’ll benefit from the intimate setting and private consideration at this wine tasting. Undoubtedly attempt the Chardonnay, Petite Sirah and the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fog Crest Winery:
Fog Crest Winery can also be a Black-Owned vineyard and winery. It’s positioned in Sebastopol. The views from this property are breathtaking. Fog Crest focuses on Russian River Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You can too count on a scrumptious Rose of Pinot Noir.
Area on the Barlow:
If you’re in search of a spot to pattern totally different producers in Sonoma County, head to Area on the Barlow in Sebastopol. This wine bar has curated 50 wines from 25 producers from 14 appellations. You should buy wine by the style, by the glass or by the bottle. I used to be capable of do a Pinot Noir flight from totally different producers in addition to attempt two totally different white wines. Three Sticks and Chenoweth wines had been my favorites.
Ridge Vineyards:
If you’re a wine geek you have got in all probability heard of Ridge Vineyards. Throughout the “Judgement of Paris” wine competitors in 1976, Ridge Vineyards’ 1971 Monte Bello crimson wine positioned 5th out of 10 French and American crimson wines.
Whereas in Sonoma County I visited Ridge Vineyards’ Lytton Springs location in Healdsburg which is a part of Dry Creek Valley. Ridge Vineyards believes in sustainable farming practices and is an eco-friendly property.
This vineyard is surrounded by 115-year-old Zinfandel vines with some Petit Sirah, Carignane and Mourvèdre vines. Due to this fact, Lytton Springs is understood for traditional Dry Creek Zinfandel. I can say that it was superb! Fruit ahead with some earthiness. Throughout my patio tasting I attempted Zinfandels from different areas together with Geyserville within the Alexander Valley. This Zinfandel wine is produced from 130-year outdated vines! The Monte Bello wines had been additionally accessible. These wines are from the Santa Cruz Mountains. They’re Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux fashion wines.
Sonoma County Eating places:
Sonoma County is understood for farm to desk delicacies. I drove move numerous farms throughout my go to. You can see the whole lot from informal native spots to Michelin star eating.
Glen Ellen Star:
This cozy restaurant is positioned in Glen Ellen. I used to be hosted on the Chef’s counter so I had a entrance row seat to all of the motion. Glen Ellen Star is understood for wooden fired dishes together with pizza, greens, meats and fish. I had the home specialty cauliflower in addition to an incredible seasonal pasta dish. Their pastry chef is a Black lady, Chef Mimo Ahmed, so I needed to get dessert. The flourless chocolate cake was decadent and scrumptious.
Fowl & The Bottle:
Positioned in Santa Rosa, the Fowl & The Bottle is understood for tapas and cocktails. They’ve a gorgeous indoor setting with a bar in addition to a spacious out of doors patio. The tapas are distinctive. Attempt the crispy pores and skin salmon wings, the ahi tuna poke with crispy rice truffles, and the hen liver mousse.
Barndiva:
Barndiva is positioned in downtown Healdsburg. This yr they had been awarded a Michelin star! The restaurant serves seasonal farm-to-table delicacies. For starters I loved the goat cheese croquettes with lavender oil. For my fundamental the arctic char was superb. Different noteworthy eating places in that space embrace the Matheson and Chalkboard. Really feel like splurging? Make a reservation at Single Thread additionally in Healdsburg. It has 3 Michelin stars and serves an 11 course tasting menu.
The Farmer’s Spouse:
That is one in every of many takeout meals locations in The Barlow. The Barlow Market District is positioned in West Sonoma County in Sebastopol. It options meals, wine, beer, spirits, clothes, and crafts by native artisans. The Farmer’s Spouse is understood for his or her grilled cheese sandwich however I couldn’t resist the bacon avocado membership sandwich and it was superb. There are quite a few different eating places at The Barlow. Fern Bar was advisable for dinner.
Woman & The Fig:
It is a well-known restaurant positioned on Sonoma Plaza. I made reservations means upfront however sadly that they had {an electrical} outage and had been closed that night. The Woman & The Fig describes their menu as “Nation Meals with a French ardour”. It’s a seasonal menu with French aperitifs and award-winning Rhone wines.
Locations to Discover in Sonoma County:
Francis Ford Coppola Vineyard:
An important place to go to for followers of the Coppola household and the Godfather films even when you don’t drink wine. Lots of nice relics from the films and a big reward store with wines, meals, and residential items. There may be additionally a restaurant on the property.
The Barlow:
As talked about above The Barlow Market District is in West Sonoma County in Sebastopol. This was one in every of my favourite locations to go to in Sonoma County. It’s outside with a number of areas to take a seat and eat, sip some espresso and wine. My head was spinning between the creamery, bakery, distilleries, the cheese store and the ice cream store! I have to return lol. Additionally, you will discover a number of boutiques for procuring.
Bodega Bay:
One of many coastal areas within the Sonoma County that I used to be capable of discover was Bodega Bay. If you’re in Sebastopol that is a few 30-minute drive. Bodega Bay was one the one of many filming areas of the film “The Birds”. You’ll want to get clam chowder from Spud’s.
Sonoma Plaza & Healdsburg Plaza:
Two nice squares in Sonoma County to go to and discover are Sonoma Plaza and Healdsburg Plaza. They each boast outlets, clothes boutiques, wine bars, eating places, historic statues, inexperienced areas with benches for rest and absorbing recent air. I discovered Healdsburg to be extra upscale by way of eating places and outlets.
Bacchus Touchdown:
Bacchus Touchdown is positioned about 1 mile from Healdsburg Plaza. There are 5 wine tasting rooms, bocce courts and a market on 3 acres so that you can take pleasure in. That is on my listing for subsequent time.
You may comply with my journey from begin to finish on my Instagram Sonoma County Highlights AND
You’ll want to go to the Sonoma County web site for extra data. I used to be most impressed by the web page with Black-Owned Companies.
And go to my wine part for my wine + journey inspiration. Secure Travels!
Nadeen
