You’ve tasted the wines, now hike through the vineyards that grow the amazing grapes. Too active for you? New winery tasting rooms have opened, special events are planned and more. It’s a great time to visit Sonoma County.
Sonoma County Vineyard Adventure Program Kicks Off
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) began its Vineyard Adventure Program on Jan. 1. On any given day and with no advance reservation, visitors and locals can take self-guided vineyard tours at four wineries in Sonoma County: Mantanzas Creek Winery, Paradise Ridge Winery, Balletto Winery and Mauritson Winery.
After the walks, participants can taste wines from the vineyards. Along the way, they will learn what goes on in a vineyard during the year, sustainable farming practices and other interesting tidbits of information.
Vineyard tours are short in length, not more than a mile, and are created for all ages to enjoy. There will be no charge for the vineyard tour; wineries will determine any wine tasting fees. For more information, visit www.SonomaVineyardAdventures.com
Discover Wine Country with Sonoma Vineyard Walks
This one-day Sonoma Vineyard Walk is the perfect introduction to wine country. Choose two vineyard walks and your group of two or more will have its own professional guide for the day. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the day includes tastings at two wineries and lunch. These walks are also fantastic for group outings such as weddings, corporate bonding sessions, and birthdays. Choice of walks include Alexander Valley Vineyards, Michel-Schlumberger, Montemaggiore, or Quivira Vineyards and Winery.
Sonoma Vineyard Walks – Zephyr Adventures
(888) 758-8687
www.sonomavineyardwalks.com
Book it: http://travel.sonomacounty.com/2138_attraction-tickets_a885.html
Old Vines, New Winery, Tasting Room
Since 1973, Robert and Carlene Rue, of Robert Rue Vineyard, have worked their 10-acre, century old vineyard. And, for 28 years, they sold the grapes to well-known Sonoma County wineries. Finally, they began creating their own award-winning zinfandel in 2001. Now, the next step in their evolution is complete: A new winery and tasting room. Still open only by appointment, just call ahead and discover this rich, fragrant place.
Robert Rue Vineyard
1406 Wood Road
Fulton, CA 95439
(707) 578-1601
www.robertruevineyard.com
Mercury is Rising in Geyserville
Founded on the premise that wine and wine tasting is fun and enticing for everyone, Mercury Geyserville recently opened in Geyserville. Brad Beard and Jake Hawkes, along with local artist and partner Trevor Babb, want to offer an array of affordable, small-lot wines, so that there’d be something new to taste every couple of months. This wine company and tasting room provides local and visiting wine enthusiasts a place to play. A large outdoor patio is ready for summer parties and, inside, changing artwork on display is ever changing.
Mercury Geyserville
21015 Geyserville Avenue
Geyserville, CA 95441
(707) 857-9870
www.mercurywine.com
Daily Passes Available for Wine Road
Wine Road one- and three-day passes are now available, but only online, http://travel.sonomacounty.com/2138_ticket-list_m1368_r426491.html. With these tickets (not available during Wine Road events), you’ll get free tastings ($5-$20 value) at more than 50 wineries, and discounted wine purchases (10-20 percent) at most wineries. Check for ticket packages that include lodging specials.
Passholders will experience a unique visit at each winery, including private winery tours, free souvenir logo glass, barrel tastings, exclusive release and limited-production wine tastings, and behind-the-scenes tour with the winemaker. Special offers differ at each winery and some are by appointment only; be sure to check the listing for details. One ticket is needed for each person tasting.
Wine Road
498 Moore Lane, Suite B
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 433-4335
www.wineroad.com
A ‘Silver’ Celebration at Hanna
Celebrate Hanna Winery’s 25th anniversary in 2010, with events and specials offered throughout the year. Planning to get married this year? Hanna is available for weddings. Hanna is an award-winning, family-owned, grown and produced winery. There are two tasting rooms for your convenience.
Hanna Winery – Alexander Valley Tasting Room
9280 Highway 128
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 431-4310
Hanna Winery – Russian River Tasting Room
5353 Occidental Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 575-3371
www.HannaWinery.com
Rodney Strong’s Summer Concert Series Turns 20
2010 marks the 20th anniversary of Rodney Strong’s summer concert series. Enjoy breathtaking views, wine tasting and sizzling jazz. Surrounded by acres of beautiful vineyards, guests will be treated to some of the top performers in contemporary music while picnicking at the winery’s intimate concert venue, The Green. The full concert schedule will be released in the spring. The series begins in early June, with the final concert on Labor Day.
Rodney Strong Vineyards
11455 Old Redwood Highway
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 431-1533
www.rodneystrong.com
DeLoach Vineyards Earns Biodynamic Certification
Adding to the organic certification from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), received in 2008, Demeter USA recently awarded DeLoach Vineyards biodynamic certification of its estate vineyard and garden.
Although the vineyard and garden have been treated according to biodynamic principles for the past several years, certification was delayed to coincide with its inaugural grape crop in 2010. With vineyard and garden management practices structured around the biodynamic philosophy, DeLoach believes its making the best choices for the quality of its wines and stewardship of the environment.
DeLoach Vineyards
1791 Olivet Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 526-9111
www.deloachvineyards.com
Don’t Taste and Drive – Timber Cove Inn offers Weekend Wine Tastings
Timber Cove Inn is now offering weekend wine tastings in its new Sonoma Coast Wine Tasting Room and monthly winemakers dinners at Alexander’s, the Inn’s Sonoma Coast oceanfront restaurant at the Inn.
Wine enthusiasts – novices and connoisseurs alike – will delight in world-class offerings from local Sonoma wineries in the Sonoma Coast winemaking and vineyard region.
Timber Cove Inn
21780 North Coast Highway 1
Timber Cove, CA 95450
(800) 987-8319
info@TimberCoveInn.com
www.timbercoveinn.com
Battaglini Estate Winery Opens New Facility
The property’s original barn from 1885 has been replaced with a new state-of-the-art winemaking facility. Remnants from the old barn have been preserved and made into a mini-historical museum.
Battaglini Estate Winery
2948 Piner Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 578-4091
www.battagliniwines.com
Taste the Terroir at Chateau Felice
Chateau Felice’s tasting room is now open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., without reservations. It’s also open weekdays, same time, by appointment. Also, by appointment only, schedule time to sit down with a vintner to taste the La Craie Reserve series. These wines have been hand-crafted to show beauty of the terroir and talent of the winemaker and blending team.
Chateau Felice
10603 Chalk Hill Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 836-9011
www.chateaufelice.com
Woodenhead Wine Club Seeks Members
Woodenhead Vintners now has a wine club. The winemaker will personally select the fine handcrafted wines for each shipment. As a Woodenhead wine club member you will receive 15 percent off all wine purchases, including Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, as well as complimentary wine tasting at the tasting room. You will also be notified in advance of the release of any wines so you may order them at your wine club discount rate before anyone else has them.
Woodenhead
5700 River Road
Forestville, CA 95436
(707) 887-2703
www.woodenheadwine.com
