First Timer with Tentative Itinerary - Wine Country travel ratings and reviews

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Sonoma County [all categories]

Sonoma - Wineries to Visit

First Timer with Tentative Itinerary

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Author	Topic: First Timer with Tentative Itinerary
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-26-2012 02:17 PM Hawkeye, you know I am happy to share.. My source list came from the Rockpile AVA website, so if I'm too slow in getting back to you ( we are coming into a BUSY time) that is where I got my first winery names to work with. Did you know that Biale sources from Rockpile? IP: 71.65.244.48
Hawkeye Member	posted 04-26-2012 12:54 PM Hey everyone, If I had a MONTH in Napa, I could not visit all of the wineries I would like. Of course, my palate would be completely blasted. I will start planning my October trip soon. We will do 1 day in the Healdsburg area and the rest in Napa. It is hard for me to give up that one day but the group likes Dry Creek Zins. I will have a group of 11 for 3 days, then it will drop off the next couple of days. I agree with Damombo, it is fun with a group, but herding them around is sometimes tiresome. It is always a great time when Mrs. Hawkeye and I travel by ourselves. Then we can skip a winery or two and just go back to our lodging and get a nice nap. Yes, when you complete your list of Rockpile Zin wineries, will you share it? -Hawkeye [This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 04-26-2012).] IP: 173.247.28.96
carjeff Member	posted 04-26-2012 08:55 AM Hi Jen, I agree with yes. It's always very difficult to narrow down our list. We probably visit only about 1/2 (or less) of the wineries that our on our original list. A couple of great wineries for pinots in RRV that I would suggest are Merry Edwards and Lynmar. Both produce several excellent pinots, and Merry Edwards also has a great Sauvignon Blanc. Merry Edwards tasting is in an office setting at their winery, while Lynmar has a nice garden and great views. Enjoy your trip (and [planning)! IP: 155.178.4.10
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-25-2012 07:09 PM Well Jen, I feel your pain. Its not uncommon for us to have to pare down from 20 locations on a 3-day visit! I am dyed-in-the-wool smitten with Sonoma and its really hard to choose where to go. Since you are not going to head to Napa this trip, add Matrix to your time in Dry Creek for an exceptional tasting of Pinot Noir. Sojourn is a great stop in the town of Sonoma, but if you can't get an appointment, head across the plaza to Roessler Cellars...a GREAT pinot producer with about 20 different pinots on the tasting menu ( when we were there). We are really not fond of Pinots, but we found several to like ( and buy) there and feel very comfortable recommending them to anyone interested in pinot. IP: 71.65.244.48
JenGarden Junior Member	posted 04-25-2012 06:07 PM Hi Yes, Thanks! I'm glad I've got a good base of a plan - it's been so hard to narrow things down. I want to visit so many places, and we have so little time! Cline looks great - based on your suggestion and Damombo's, we may change to: Tuesday - Viansa (12:30) followed by Cline, Sojourn (if we can get in), and then Williamson once we hit Healdsburg. We're actually not headed to Napa this trip. I'm afraid we're trying to fit too much in already! We'll just have to come back and visit Napa. Thanks again IP: 98.244.178.110
JenGarden Junior Member	posted 04-25-2012 06:04 PM Hi Damombo, Thanks for your help! I will contact Sojourn and see if they have any appointments available our day - I checked out their website and it looks like a great experience! I think we may attempt to fit Williamson in once we get to Healdsburg, since they're open until 7, and even if our tastings further south last until 5, we should have plenty of time, and Williamson seems to come highly recommended on this forum. We do have an appt at A. Rafanelli, and I think that is the only place we need an appointment. Dutcher Crossing seems like a good add-in to our route. Dry Creek Kitchen...Barndiva. Barndiva...Dry Creek Kitchen. I guess my problem making a decision falls under the category of "good problems to have"! Thanks again IP: 98.244.178.110
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-25-2012 01:01 PM Hi Jen. This sounds like a good plan. Not too rushed and diverse. A couple potential additions....Since you are planning to visit Viansa, hop across the street to Cline and thus experience two VERY different environments. I'm not a big Gloria Ferrer fan, so I would suggest skipping there and adding Korbel to your day at Armstrong for additional sparklers ( if you are planning to drink those at Iron Horse). If you want to do a cave tasting, maybe Deerfield Ranch instead of Ferrer. Just some ideas, there is nothing that I can see as problematic in your original plan. Hopefully someone from the Napa gang will see this and help you there- I'm no good with that area. IP: 71.65.244.48
damombo Member	posted 04-25-2012 12:56 PM Hi Jen, On Tuesday, you might check out making an appointment at Sojourn Cellars. It's near the square in Sonoma and would be a fun, seated tasting - a different vibe from the Viansa or Gloria Ferrer experience. They have excellent Pinots and we enjoyed the tasting there (a Hawkeye suggestion). The drive to Healdsburg should take you around an hour. Not sure what the 5:00 traffic will be like, but you'll be in Wine Country, so who cares! On Wednesday, I'll assume you already have an appointment with A. Rafanelli - don't know if the others require appointments. If you find you have time, try Dutcher Crossing - the are further north on Dry Creek Road. On Thursday, we've dined at both Barndiva and Dry Creek Kitchen and if I had to choose, Dry Creek would win out. But that is just a personal preference - you should try both and then decide! There are any number of good tasting rooms around Healdsburg - we just found Edmeades a few weeks ago, and if you have any interest in Zinfandel, you should try to stop in there. Seghesio is also terrific. Enjoy your trip! IP: 76.31.52.34
JenGarden Junior Member	posted 04-25-2012 10:45 AM Hello all! I found this message board a few days ago and have had a great time reading posts from such knowledgeable folks. I thought I would post my tentative itinerary for your feedback and suggestions - my husband and I (relatively active and in our mid-30's) are traveling to Sonoma as a part of an upcoming anniversary trip in early June. We enjoy pinots, cabs, and sauvignon blancs with an occasional sparkler thrown in (who doesn't like sparklers, though?) Here's what we have so far: Tuesday - drive to Healdsburg from Monterey (where we will have spent the previous few days). For lunch, do the 12:30 food and wine pairing at Viansa, then while in the area, visit Gloria Ferrer. At this point (we figure it'll be about 3), we're not sure if we should visit other tasting rooms in the area, or if we should head into Healdsburg - would love recommendations. Check into our hotel and have a casual dinner in Healdsburg. Wednesday - full day of touring and tasting. Planned stops so far include A. Rafanelli, Mauritson, VML, and Rochioli - other suggestions are welcome. Dinner at Scopa in Healdsburg. Thursday - spend the morning at Armstrong Redwoods. On the way back, lunch either in Guerneville or at Corks at RRV winery. Tastings at Iron Horse, Gary Farrell, and Arista. Dinner at Barndiva or Dry Creek Kitchen. Friday - depart early morning for San Francisco. Your thoughts are appreciated! IP: 98.244.178.110

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