First Time to Sonoma - Wine Country travel ratings and reviews

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First Time to Sonoma

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Author	Topic: First Time to Sonoma
yesilovewine Member	posted 10-11-2012 09:32 AM Hi D. Yup, we're back and it was just terrific- wonderful weather and some really good wines. I wrote a lengthy and fairly detailed report but for some reason the site isn't accepting it Bear with me and I'll try again here shortly. IP: 76.182.4.159
damombo Member	posted 10-11-2012 07:40 AM Welcome back Yes! I'm sure it was a glorious trip & we are all looking forward to a trip report IP: 98.198.192.251
yesilovewine Member	posted 10-11-2012 06:16 AM Hi melmas. We just got back so lets see if I can help. In general terms, regarding your preferences,Merry Edwards was pouring the Sauv. Blanc last week and its tasting quite good. I would consider adding Martin Ray to that day as they took the White Sweepstakes award with their Sauv. Blanc and it is also quite good. Others to consider adding for Sauv. Blanc would be St. Anne's Crossing- a new addition to the Wilson wineries group located at the old Blackstone winery facility in Kenwood- whose wines are made by new favorite guy Chris Barrett, the winemaker at Pezzi King. St. Francis has a new Cuvee Blanc thats quite good, and Haywood (in the town of Sonoma) has a very nice un-oaky Chard. I'm going to post a more detailed trip report here shortly, so you might find other ideas there. Would highly recommend that you put the Paradise Ridge tasting room in Kenwood on your list they have come up with a delightful sparkler and their wines are solid across the board. Happy to answer more if needed, but read the big report and see if that helps. cheers! IP: 76.182.4.159
damombo Member	posted 10-04-2012 11:59 AM Hi melmas and welcome. I'm thinking that yesilovewine is otherwise occupied, or she would have said howdy... We've only been to Iron Horse once and I do remember that the view was lovely - don't really recall the wines. Merry Edwards was a tasting in an office setting for us - and the wines weren't to our palate, but we know that others are quite fond of them. Balletto I had not heard of, so I checked their website - looks like a good choice, I'll have to add them to our list for another time! It looks like Hanna is right next to Balletto, so a logical stop We are big Ledson fans - have been club members for a couple of years. They are bound to have something you like, because they have a huge selection. I think you should plan a stop there just to check it out - the building is gorgeous, the wines wonderful and they have a terrific deli with all kinds of amazing mustards and sauces and such. (Our son just hosted an Octoberfest and he made pretzels - used some of the Ledson mustards as an accompaniment for the homemade pretzels and said it was a big hit) I've heard that the Benziger tour is fun, but we've not done it, so I'm no help there either. We are planning to visit Imagery this trip, too. It has an interesting art gallery which would make it a unique wine tasting visit. St. Francis has a pretty tasting room with a nice outdoor area looking out onto the mountains - very nice view. Deerfield Ranch has you walk down into their cave for the tasting, and that is a nice, somewhat different, experience. Really you have a lot of very good choices - a good mix of styles and such... you probably won't be able to get to all of them and you will probably hear of some you'd like to visit once you get there, so make plans ahead and then allow for some flexibility once you arrive. I'm a bit of an obsessive planner myself, but sometimes if a place we visit turns out not to be to our liking and we finish sooner than planned, the place we just pop into turns out to be a favorite. And I know that several folks on these boards have found new, great wineries by asking for suggestions from the various wineries that they visit. And then, of course, come back here and tell us all of the new find! Have fun planning and researching! IP: 98.198.192.251
melmas Junior Member	posted 10-03-2012 05:35 PM Hi everyone. We have been to Napa a couple times, but have decided to take our first trip to Sonoma in a few months. I warn you I am an obsessive planner and the choices are starting to make me crazy!! We are staying in the town of Sonoma (Inn at Sonoma) for 4 nights. We will have some time on Sunday for a few visits and then 3 full days after that. We are in no way wine experts, but are looking for neat wineries, views, good wines at reasonable (up to $50/bottle max)prices and just overall fun experiences. We like (I Love!) sparkling wines, non-oaky whites like Sauv. Blanc and Pinot Grigio, and an assortment of reds. Here is what I have come up with so far ......I'd love any thoughts!!! Day 1 ...unsure where/when we are flying in so I am not overplanning this day. Main stops will be Gloria Ferrer and then Sebastiani. After that will head to Sonoma Square and spend some time there in the tasting rooms. (Two Amigos, Charles Creek??) This way we can walk back to hotel. We have a driver scheduled for days 2 and 3. Day 2: Iron Horse (This is as far north as we want to go on this trip. I will just have to come back again, I guess!) Balletto Merry Edwards (only if Sauv. Blanc avail) Harvest Moon Possibly also Hanna, Paradise Ridge, Ledson? Day 3: Deerfield Ranch VJB Chateau St. Jean Kenwood Kunde Benziger (is tour worth it or touristy???) Imagery St. Francis Help.....what do I cut out?? Day 4...Our last day we will stay in Sonoma since we have no driver. Gundlach Bundschu Cline Jacuzzi Buena Vista Bartholomew Park I really enjoy reading all your posts and look forward to any advice you have for me! Thanks! IP: 173.170.42.26

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