Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley is a paradise for those interested in tasting bright, spicy, warm, and welcoming red wines, but it can be complicated and overwhelming without guidance. A few stops off Dry Creek or Old Dry Creek Road and you may have hit you’re maximum, so I recommend that less is more, and a little planning goes a long way.
There are positively oodles of wineries in this bountiful appellation that are committed to sustainability – whether they take extra care of their employees, take part in restoring and preserving the waterways, farm biodynamically or organically, or ensure that their operations are as efficient as possible when it comes to energy and water use – many wineries I’ve toured are conscientious about their impact.
Good quality wines made with careful attention to detail are the name of the game in Dry Creek. Everyone is lucky in terms of growing conditions, but those who take care of their soil, and allow some of their acreage to grow other varieties of plants, often win out when it comes to grape management and overall experience.
First, decide what kind of winery you want to visit – a new favorite like Unti, a farm paradise like Quivira, a mansion like Michael Schlumberger, a hidden grape grove like Montemaggiore… Imagine the views if you include a mountain-top winery, imagine the sun and the fun to be had watching the chickens peck on the valley floor…
Here is just one green Dry Creek grouping – remember, my philosophy is to linger at a few, carefully chosen spots, rather than go to them all!
The foodie’s Dry Creek tour:
Start with a pastry in downtown Healdsburg at Downtown Bakery – the cinnamon rolls are sinful dipped in some creamy coffee.
Take a long, relaxing drive down Old Dry Creek Road (left from Dry Creek Road at the Dry Creek General Store), to Quivira, where the bounty of their biodynamic farm is as much an attraction as their refreshing rose and syrahs.
Finish at Dutcher Crossing, where the picnic tables out back are always ready for folks who want to noshe over their new purchases. Dutcher Crossing is a small, family-style winery, that makes some of the best whites in the area.
