August 6, 2004, Newsletter Issue #13: Honeymoon in Wine Country

Tip of the Week

Sonoma county has an extremely rich history, not only because it was the first spot in northern California to produce wine, but also as the birthplace of the state of California itself. History buffs will enjoy touring the old missions, plazas, and ancient estates, as well as visiting the beautiful Jack London State Historical park.

Nature lovers will get a thrill rafting and inner-tubing down rivers, kayaking in the lakes, camping, hiking and horseback riding through Sonoma County’s dozens of parks. Sonoma is blessed with the beautiful Russian River, redwood forests, geysers (in Geyserville!), lush valleys and numerous charming cities and villages.

Bustling Santa Rosa, the county seat, is home to famous botanist Luther Burbank’s amazing gardens and also a center for the arts in his name, as well as the Charles M. Schulz Museum and ice skating rink. Petaluma’s downtown area is rich with authentic Victorian buildings that survived the San Francisco earthquake, as well as antique shops, all framed by the Petaluma river. Towns from romantic Bodega Bay on the coast to verdant Sebastopol are also lovely and quite culturally active, year-round.

Of course, for all its history, scenic beauty and interesting architecture, the main reason people visit Sonoma County is for its fabulous wine and food.

The Wine Road, just one favorite tasting route, winds its way along the Russian River and through the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys, and is dotted with 100 wineries, each with a distinct personality. Stryker Sonoma, for example, is high-ceilinged and ultra-modern, Clos du Bois is elegant, whereas the tasting room in the underground cellar at Field Stone has the feeling of a cozy bistro.

There are so many wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms in Sonoma, it’s difficult to do them justice here, but whichever you choose, you’ll want to make a point of tasting the world-class zinfandels, cabernets and chardonnays, plus stop in at Korbel for a few sips of the bubbly. Aside from visiting Sebastiani, Glen Ellen, Kendall-Jackson, and the other large winery tasting rooms, be sure to try some of the smaller, family-run wineries. They often offer some fantastic favorites and interesting varietals, and they‘re usually owned and operated by some pretty interesting and friendly individuals.

After all that wine tasting, you’ll need some great meals, and Sonoma County is loaded with terrific restaurants, cheese makers and bakeries. I’ve never been disappointed in a Sonoma restaurant. Do a little exploring on your own--you’ll be hard-pressed to find a less than wonderful meal. You might also look into a group called Farm Trails, which is up on all the amazing produce and products available, plus the hundreds of special events going on all year.

It’s a good idea to hire a limo or arrange for a wine country tour. They’re readily available for reservation, and will spare one of you the awful fate of being the designated driver in a wine drinker’s paradise. When you’re not busy wine-tasting, you might like to take a romantic private balloon ride over the green countryside, or have a mud bath or other spa treatment for two. You can go on an old-fashioned sweethearts’ hayride or take in a stylish concert or play. There are also public golf courses to play, beaches to comb, peaks to climb, and enough food and wine festivals to fill anyone’s calendar. Did I mention the shopping? Well, aside from abundant chain department stores, you’ll find outlet stores, intriguing boutiques and art and craft fairs in just about every town.

As ever, if you have any questions or want specific info about Sonoma or nearby Napa and Mendocino Counties, drop me a line at lifetips.com. Next week, I’ll be back in Marin County’s Sausalito, looking for romantic and fun goings on. Till then, happy planning!

Yours for TheBigDay,

Jill

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