Sonoma County, CA Recs

**Toadman** · 08-14-2020, 10:01 AM

Thinking of road tripping it down to Cali at the end of September. (Assuming the COVID hasn't infected that area too heavily) Used to go down to wine country every now and then when my sister was at UC Berkeley but that was a long time ago.

Where's a good place to make base camp for exploring? Have been to Sonoma, Petaluma and Healdsburg as well as Bodega Bay. All really nice towns. Any favorite wineries? Remember Ferrari-Carano as being really nice. Good places to grab a bite and a coffee?

Thanks

**4matic** · 08-14-2020, 10:04 AM

Try to get an appointment at Jordan Winery and a visit to Coppola is worth it just to see The Godfather memorabilia. Both are close by each other just off 101

**Buster Highmen** · 08-14-2020, 10:11 AM

Littorai, Hirsch, Peay.

**Toadman** · 08-14-2020, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by 4matic

Try to get an appointment at Jordan Winery and a visit to Coppola is worth it just to see The Godfather memorabilia. Both are close by each other just off 101

Ah, yes, forgot about Jordan Winery. I have enjoyed many a bottle of $100 plus Cabs while dining with suppliers. Good stuff!

**Toadman** · 08-14-2020, 10:18 AM

Is Santa Rosa worth visiting? Only been through the tine airport a few times but wondering if there's anything there worth checking out?

**DJSapp** · 08-14-2020, 11:13 AM

Covid is in full effect here. YMMV for what is open. If things are reopening, the end of September is harvest and wine country is usually a shitshow with bay area wine snob tourons.

That said:

Santa Rosa is home to Russian River Brewing Co. Worth it just for some Pliny

Some good wine between Sonoma and Santa Rosa: St. Francis, Benziger, Imagery and less snobbery than napa valley (still snobby)

If you're pushing toward Napa, Stags Leap, Mumm, Mondavi, Silver Oak, Opus One, Rutherford Hill

**TahoeJ** · 08-14-2020, 11:14 AM

^^ I'll second Benziger and Imagery. They're family friends of mine going back to when I was a kid, although they just sold the wineries off recently (still great spots to visit).

I'd probably say Sonoma or Healdsburg as a home base, or perhaps Kenwood or Glen Ellen if you don't mind getting in the car most of the time. Santa Rosa is worth visiting if you want to check out some breweries or go mountain biking at Annadel, but there's not much charm beyond that. Depending on where you decide to stay I can recommend a ton of good wineries and restaurants, etc. Let me know when you narrow it down a bit and I'll get more specific. It's a huge county.

**Toadman** · 08-14-2020, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by TahoeJ

^^ I'll second Benziger and Imagery. They're family friends of mine going back to when I was a kid, although they just sold the wineries off recently (still great spots to visit).

I'd probably say Sonoma or Healdsburg as a home base, or perhaps Kenwood or Glen Ellen if you don't mind getting in the car most of the time. Santa Rosa is worth visiting if you want to check out some breweries or go mountain biking at Annadel, but there's not much charm beyond that. Depending on where you decide to stay I can recommend a ton of good wineries and restaurants, etc. Let me know when you narrow it down a bit and I'll get more specific. It's a huge county.

Thanks TahoeJ. Will let you know as September rolls around. Even though it's pretty easy to book a room with free cancellation these days, will wait a few more weeks before pulling the trigger.

**hutash** · 08-14-2020, 02:39 PM

I don't know how it is, or will be, up north, but in Paso Robles and Santa Ynes wine region most tastings require a reservation. Not sure how strict they are about it.

**Toadman** · 08-14-2020, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by hutash

I don't know how it is, or will be, up north, but in Paso Robles and Santa Ynes wine region most tastings require a reservation. Not sure how strict they are about it.

I've been going on a few of the Sonoma winery websites, and most are requiring reservations, and obviously limiting the number of people at any given time.

And I have wanted to go to Paso Robles ever since I saw footage of that place during the Tour of California when the riders went through that town. Looks really beautiful. The wines I have bought from Trader Joe's of that area have all been outstanding too!

**truckeelocal** · 08-14-2020, 02:51 PM

Isn't that getting into "The Crush" timeframe ? One has to be really sure they want to be there during The Crush (when the grapes are harvested to the uninitiated).

**LegoSkier** · 08-14-2020, 03:14 PM

Currently some tasting rooms are open but require a reservation.
For a sweet place to stay (but expensive) try Vinters Inn just north of SR: https://www.vintnersresort.com/
I've never stayed there because I grew up like 2 minutes away, but have been on the property and eaten there many times.

For wine, I know everyone is all into Cabs and shit, but don't overlook Zins. Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is my favorite wine. Good producers (all open by appointment) are Wilson Winery (http://www.wilsonwinery.com/) <-we are wine club members, Ridge Lytton Springs (https://www.ridgewine.com/visit/lytton-springs/), Passalacqua (https://passalacquawinery.com/), and A Rafanaelli (https://www.arafanelliwinery.com/)
A great place to get a picnic lunch when visiting the Healdsburg/Dry Creek area is the Dry Creek General Store https://www.drycreekgeneralstore1881.com/. They have truly awesome sandwiches.

And for something kind of off the wall, Safari West is pretty cool https://www.safariwest.com/

Also forgot the place to go for bread/pastries/breakfast in Healdsburg: https://www.costeaux.com/

**BS720** · 08-14-2020, 03:16 PM

These are all great reccs. I'd stay at Geyserville Inn if you're traveling with a lady friend. Ridge and Coppola are nearby. I don't care for Coppola's wine, but his pool is the tits.

RRBC is solid. One of the best calzones in the state. The Pliny Bites are also good, and the beer is awesome. Maybe hit the one in Windsor as they likely have more seating outdoors, and that city is charming. Santa Rosa doesn't have a whole lot going for it even when it's open.

You kind of need to drive down to San Rafael to check out Sol Food. Get a San Juan special to go(not on the menu, but still available), maybe some fried shrimp or a pork chop. The limeade and the mango tea make you forget they don't serve alcohol. Pink beans over pinto.

If you get down to Marin, Buckeyes is the ticket. Try to sit in a booth near the bar(if it's open). While you're down there, it's worth it to time a trip to Bolinas at low tide. Walk up around The Patch, climb over some boulders, there's a hidden seaglass beach that now everyone knows about. Better yet, take your San Juan Special out and have a picnic as the sun sets. Bolinas is awesome.

**Toadman** · 08-14-2020, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by LegoSkier

Currently some tasting rooms are open but require a reservation.
For a sweet place to stay (but expensive) try Vinters Inn just north of SR: https://www.vintnersresort.com/
I've never stayed there because I grew up like 2 minutes away, but have been on the property and eaten there many times.

For wine, I know everyone is all into Cabs and shit, but don't overlook Zins. Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is my favorite wine. Good producers (all open by appointment) are Wilson Winery (http://www.wilsonwinery.com/) <-we are wine club members, Ridge Lytton Springs (https://www.ridgewine.com/visit/lytton-springs/), Passalacqua (https://passalacquawinery.com/), and A Rafanaelli (https://www.arafanelliwinery.com/)
A great place to get a picnic lunch when visiting the Healdsburg/Dry Creek area is the Dry Creek General Store https://www.drycreekgeneralstore1881.com/. They have truly awesome sandwiches.

And for something kind of off the wall, Safari West is pretty cool https://www.safariwest.com/

Also forgot the place to go for bread/pastries/breakfast in Healdsburg: https://www.costeaux.com/

That Vintners Resort looks amazing. The room prices, not so much!

**Dhelihiker** · 08-14-2020, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by DJSapp

Santa Rosa is home to Russian River Brewing Co. Worth it just for some Pliny

Go to the Windsor brewery, I built it.

**old goat** · 08-14-2020, 05:13 PM

If I go to sonoma it's to stay in a lodge or camp along the coast. Some nice lodges up and down the coast. I have no idea what's open these days. We spent our first anniversary at St. Orre's in Gualala. They have a great restaurant (takeout these days). Our favorite "beach" is Salt Point St Park. There actually is a little beach--Stump Beach--but the highlight is to walk along the sandstone bluffs, scramble over the rock formations, and explore the tide pools. There is a campground in the park. Timber Cove Inn is another nice one. That part of the coast is very different from Bodega Bay. There are beachier beaches than Stump Beach all up and down the coast. End of September should be great weather for outdoor dining.
As far as dining in Sonoma County--as of today no indoor dining or bars.

**Buster Highmen** · 08-14-2020, 05:43 PM

Stay on Point Reyes and drive up the coast for day trips.

Timber Cove is __awesome__ (wife met Grace Slick there) and just below Hirsch vineyards.

**zion zig zag** · 08-14-2020, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Dhelihiker

Go to the Windsor brewery, I built it.

Nice. I was there in the first few months it was open.

**skuff** · 08-14-2020, 06:56 PM

Healdsburg had a very good restaurant called El Farolito, if that's still around? And the La Crema tasting room had some killer Stonestreet cabernet Christopher's Vineyard version.

**billyk** · 08-15-2020, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by BS720

These are all great reccs.

If you get down to Marin, Buckeyes is the ticket. Try to sit in a booth near the bar(if it's open). While you're down there, it's worth it to time a trip to Bolinas at low tide. Walk up around The Patch, climb over some boulders, there's a hidden seaglass beach that now everyone knows about. Better yet, take your San Juan Special out and have a picnic as the sun sets. Bolinas is awesome.

Spent a month one summer in my youth camping on the beach at Bolinas. Crazy days.

Visited there a few years ago. Lots of graffiti spray painted on the sea walls. Locals still have that “fuck tourists” attitude. Not the friendliest place to visit.

**Kevo** · 08-15-2020, 03:46 AM

There are some cool places in the hills between Healdsburg and the coast.its cooler and wetter up there, very different from other parts of Sonoma and often overlooked. There are some vineyards with unreal views in that area, but they are more spread out than places like the dry creek valley.

Also, I highly recommend driving down the Russian River valley. There is wine tasting along the valley and there is a state park called Armstrong redwoods that isn't far.

Armstrong redwoods has huge trees in a coastal rainforest and I believe the biggest redwood tree. It's a good change pace from the usual brewery/ restaurant scene.

From there the drive out to the coast and then down to Bodega. Bay is really dramatic.

**I Skied Bandini Mountain** · 08-15-2020, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by LegoSkier

A great place to get a picnic lunch when visiting the Healdsburg/Dry Creek area is the Dry Creek General Store https://www.drycreekgeneralstore1881.com/. They have truly awesome sandwiches.

Used to go hunting for wild hogs out past Lake Sonoma and would stop there on the way back to get sandwiches wearing blood stained camo and stinking of dead pig. The looks from the wine tourists was almost as good as the sandwiches.

**TahoeJ** · 08-15-2020, 09:18 AM

So as far as things being open, here in the actual city of Sonoma and Glen Ellen we have a very low COVID rate (especially when you discount a cluster in one of the nursing homes). It's frustrating because it's such a big county and the only reason we can't open our schools, indoor dining, etc. is because of the higher case counts in Santa Rosa and Petaluma (they should really set restrictions based on west county vs. east). Anyway, Friday thru Sunday some streets are shut down and restaurants are serving patrons in the plaza. There's a lot of outdoor seating during the week as well. Tasting rooms are open... some by appointment, others not, I believe.

The city has been very (some would say overly) cautious... so I seriously doubt the vintage festival and other crush-related activities will happen this fall. Or they will be a lot more mellow and restricted. We did just start allowing Tuesday night markets again.