Sonoma is Wine Country, of course. Yet, for the issue of wine served at wedding receptions, one question is often overlooked. “Is it possible to bring in my own beverages?” Many brides and grooms have a special wine they love. Yet for many party venues, wine selections can be restricted by the venue’s contracts with caterers or wineries. Other venues {…}
Sonoma County wineries are not special in at least this one detail: Every other tasting room has a “Winery Dogs” book for sale or on display, featuring a big portrait of their faithful pooch in coffee-table style. There’s Wine Dogs (including Robert Parker winery dog rating system), Winery Dogs of Sonoma, and Winery Dogs Gone Wild. Just kidding on that {…}
The Jack London Vineyard is a beautiful property perched on the foot of Sonoma Mountain. It’s easy to imagine the author surveying the rolling green waves of grapevines as he wrote the following salute in 1913, as reproduced on the back label of Jack London Vineyard wines: “I ride over my beautiful ranch. Between my legs is a beautiful horse. {…}
Why not Zin Guerrilla? Good question, because winemaker Bruce Patch created this brand with a single-minded focus on Zinfandel grown in Sonoma County. But when this label first appeared on local shelves, it was hard to know what to make of it. Each release bears novel artwork, at first depicting a cadre of lithe and wan revolutionaries, vaguely in the {…}
Since 1914, travelers may have noticed a little dairy barn perched on a hill on the right side of the road, as they wound their way north of the Marin County line into Sonoma County. Some decades later, the landmark reappeared on their left, the Redwood Highway having been moved a little to the east and modernized with four lanes. {…}
Sweet heart of a farmers market. Featuring local farms, delicious olive oil, fresh fish, sustainably locally humanely raised meats, knife sharpening, french toast made fresh for you, galettes, cookies and superb local artisans. Every Sunday 10am to 2pm from May through October 30th.
Wondering what to do on a Wednesday? With the return of “Wines and Sunsets” at Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa, it’s a slam-dunk. Every Wednesday evening through Oct. 19, you can pack a picnic and sip Paradise Ridge wines while watching spectacular sunsets from the estate’s expansive veranda and poetry terrace. The viewing begins at 6 p.m. and ends {…}
Last seen under the bicycle-themed Tandem label, the La Follette 2008 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir comes from the same vineyard and is made by very same Greg La Follette. The illustration he’s chosen for his new, eponymous label is more than whimsical, it tells the story of the house philosophy: Waving his wand over the vineyard, albeit while stooped reverently {…}
The Petaluma River runs through it, but one of the best ports anywhere is high and dry (though it’s only a block from the river)! Sonoma Valley Portworks, located in the understated but chic riverfront warehouse district, offers free tasting of their award-winning artisan ports and after-dinner wines. Come on a Saturday and the port might be paired with a {…}
Are you fond of cheese? If so, the Sheraton Sonoma County in Petaluma is hosting the Fifth Annual Artisan Cheese Festival from March 25-28 2011. This is a great chance to enjoy a four-day cheese extravaganza in the area that “boasts California’s largest concentration of artisan cheese makers”. The weekend begins on Friday with farm tours (although these are currently sold {…}
