California’s Wine Country – A Matter Of Taste
By Suzanne Scharff
The idea started with a toast: “To good friends”…then “to good wine”….then “to tasting in wine country.” It was a natural progression to the ultimate destination for a group of friends who meet regularly and who just can’t seem to get enough good food and great wine.
For most wine connoisseurs, France will maintain the Wine Country title, however, fortunately for us, since the mid 19th century, the Wine Country in Northern California is also known as a premium wine growing region. France seems alluring enough but with amazing wines essentially in our back yard, we were ready to head to California and discover its liquid gold.
From “toasting” to making “tasting” a reality, it can get a little tricky. The options and choices can be overwhelming. There are over 400 wineries north of San Francisco. Most of those are located in the area’s valleys including Napa, Sonoma, Alexander, Dry Creek, Bennett and Russian River. Wine Country proper is generally considered the combined counties of Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino. Planning and reservations are essential. Allow yourself at least a 4 night stay for your entourage to discover the following recommendations and enjoy the unparalleled beauty of California’s wine country.
The Long and Wine-ing Road
What to Pack: Northern California is extremely casual but equally stylish. Jeans are ubiquitous and layers are essential. You could go from 60 to 80 degrees within a short amount of time.
Fly into San Francisco and rent a convertible, corvette, or other stylish and fun mode of transportation to whisk you off to the wine fields. Dollar Car Rental suited our needs beautifully. (www.Dollar.com)
Make the most of your wine budget and check into the Meritage Inn Resort, (www.TheMeritageResort.com) ideally located at the southern tip of Sonoma and Napa valley about 2 ½ hours from the San Francisco airport. The Meritage Inn proved to be a great blend of large accommodations for our sizeable group as well as providing an intimate atmosphere. Decorated in a charming Tuscany décor, the hotel is loaded with amenities – a formidable spa, wine caves replete with tastings and seminars, bocce court, restaurants, pool, outdoor fire pit and gracious service. It feels luxurious aesthetically but thankfully not on your pockets.
Romance quotient: Snuggle up with a glass of wine at the outdoor fire pit overlooking the pool. Book a couples massage treatment at the gorgeous Spa Terra – get there early to fully enjoy the sexy and soothing relaxation room.
Don’t miss: Every Thursday and Friday the Meritage Inn welcomes guests with an impressive wine and cheese reception in the lobby. Congregate in the morning over a bountiful breakfast. Broaden your wine knowledge at vino seminars in their extensive wine cave.
Day Trippers
First things first : Days are long in wine country. Tastings start early – 9:30-10:00 and end between 4:00 and 5:00 – chances are you’ll sample a whole lot of wine during the day. Plan ahead and make reservations to leave the driving to a qualified team of expert designated drivers.
Cristal Blue Carriage
www.CristalBlueCarriage.com
Cristal Blue Carriage Limo service, owned by the unbeatable duo of Chris and Bill will start your holiday and entourage out with a champagne toast and pastries at one of the designated wineries or yacht. They’ve covered the majority of wine country and will work with you on a personalized itinerary. State Route 29 is more often than not overloaded with fellow oenophiles and the knowledgeable two know how to navigate the wineries and routes. Leave the driving to them while they guide you effortlessly and humorously through fabulous boutique wineries where they are always welcomed like old friends – and are able to extend that same gracious hospitality to you.
Toast to That
You’ll be tempted to gravitate towards the well known famous producers but it’s the boutique wineries that really offer a memorable experience with personalized attention and charming venues.
How does your vineyard grow…
Each winery has a distinct personality and character. You’ll long savor the taste of the wine by exploring its vineyards and learning their histories from the stewards of each estate.
Cornerstone Place
www.CornerstonePlace.com
Make this your first stop on your itinerary. Providing tasting rooms for Artesa Vineyards & Winery, Larson Family Winery, Roshombo Winery, Grange Sonoma and Ridgeline and offering mouth-watering California delicacies that get you in to an immediate wine country -California state of mind. Great boutique shopping and the most charming European inspired gardens designed by 20 master gardeners and architects. Truly innovative, Cornerstone Place is the only place in the U.S. to showcase such a creation.
Larson Family Winery
www.LarsonFamilyWinery.com
The exceptional friendly and knowledgeable Larson Family Winery proudly houses a slew of animals and activities to experience while you’re tasting their range of pinot grigio, chardonnay and rose’ in Sonoma. Play Bocce ball, throw the dog a ball, take a bike ride and by all means pay your respects to Dolly, the Llama, who eyes everyone coming and going.
Destino
www.DestinoWines.com
Entrepreneur Chris Calkins likes to share his wine and time on the road – traveling all around the country offering different events featuring his wines. You can taste in Napa or on the waters of his motor yacht.
Bouchaine
www.Bouchaine.com
Bouchaine is one of the oldest continually operated vineyards in the Carneros region. Off the beaten track, they’re known for their pinot noir’s and chardonnay’s. A laid-back and inviting vineyard, Bouchaine offers tastings with wooden tables on the back porch under arbors overlooking the vineyards. Hours will pass like minutes at this earthy and approachable establishment.
Signorello
www.SignorelloVineyards.com
This winery boasts a gorgeous panoramic setting overlooking an infinity pool and Napa Valley off the Silverado Trail. A large patio area offers an expanse of wrought iron furniture providing a sophisticated and modern feel. Special dinners, lunches and culinary classes are available.
Palmaz
www.PalmazVineyards.com
Perhaps the largest and most elaborately designed winery, with a 100,000 sq. ft underground cave and vineyards on dramatic sloping hills. The Palmaz family delights visitors with wine tasting taken to a heightened form with gourmet pairing bites in an ultra sleek contemporary dining area.
Ceja
www.CejaVineyards.com
This Latino winery is family owned and is bursting with flavor. Located in the Carneros region in Napa you can enjoy sampling in their newly opened bar/lounge/art gallery while sipping and hearing entertaining tales from three generations of family stewardship. Look for Pedro for animated storytelling and possibly a bit of salsa dancing.
Saviez
www.SaviezVineyards.com
Located in Calistoga in Sonoma County, Saviez specializes in single varietal wines and provides a tasting room in a country rustic retreat at the original location of the 100 year old estate. The longest single family owned vineyard, continually growing grapes in the Napa valley, unanimously won “best cabernet” from our entourage.
Ravenswood
www.Ravenswood-Wine.com
“No wimpy wines” is the motto for this winery that produces flavorful Zinfandels in Sonoma County. Also, “no reservations, please” for tasting at this extremely laid back establishment, that offers zealous wine pourers who are highly interactive, educational and unforgettable. Do make reservations to tour the impressive and beautiful grounds.
Chateau St. Jean
www.ChateauStJean.com
Located in Sonoma Valley. Chateau St. Jean was built as a summer retreat for a wealthy Michigan family in 1920. Today, a historic treasure, it is a magnificent estate with sprawling grounds that invites patrons to picnic around a sizeable fountain and meander manicured gardens. A gourmet shop also offers meats and cheeses and an array of wines to taste at a long, sleek wooden bar.
Imagery
www.ImageryWinery.com
Broaden your palate and your horizons at Imagery Estate Winery and Art Gallery. All senses are a go here when you can taste and learn about their classic varietals produced in the biodynamical farming method , as well as take in the sights of equally mind altering art. Enjoy the Petite Syrah’s and white burgundies. Artists are picked each year to design a label with the only restriction of incorporating the winery’s signature Parthenon.
How do I drink thee… Let me count the ways…
Enhance your wine tasting and put a little adventure into your wine country experience.
Getaway Adventures
www.GetawayAdventures.com
Getaway Adventures offers biking, hiking, kayaking and van tours. Randy Johnson, owner, is friendly, fun and loves to share his passion of the land. Trips are specifically tailored to suit your activity level. Sip and cycle and get a whole new perspective with the breeze in your hair, the sun illuminating the vineyards and the fresh California air.
Balloons Above the Valley
www.BalloonRides.com
Getting up at the crack of dawn may not seem like a vacation but the experience of gliding and drifting over breathtaking panoramic views of the country side waking up to the first glowing rays of sun illuminating the morning dew over the vineyards is a incomparable mix of exhilaration and peacefulness. A buffet with champagne is served post flight.
Take a Breather
You can easily overindulge when in wine country. Plan for grapes of wrath and ailment relief with some extra alone time with your partner and take advantage of the natural resources of the area….celebrate your own bottoms up with the following:
Golden Haven Spa
www.GoldenHavenSpa.com
The magic of the Calistoga hot springs mineral water and rejuvenating spa treatments offer overindulgence relief with detoxifying massages. But the most enticing is the famous Calistoga mud baths. Plan on getting dirty!
Moveable Feasts
With the freshest ingredients at your fingertips – notable chefs have made northern California their source of culinary inspiration. Savorful dishes to accompany your spirits are offered by these masterful creators .
French Laundry is located in Yountville. Thomas Keller and his staff have taken this restaurant to celebrity status and is considered by many critics to be one of the best restaurants in North American. 9 course tasting menus provide an evening of gastronomical surprises. Reservations are a must and can be booked two months in advance on www.Opentable.com.
John Ash & Co at Vintner’s Inn is located in Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. Executive Chef Tom Schmidt dishes up exceptional concoctions and also offers cooking classes. One of the first restaurants to use the concept of cooking seasonally with fresh ingredients and continues the tradition picking herbs and produce from their own gardens. A lounge at the front of the restaurant is a gathering spot for casual and impromptu noshing. www.VintnersInn.com
The Girl and the Fig is located on Town Square in Sonoma. Lusty as the apple in the Garden of Eden, the ‘girl’ –proprietor Sondra Bernstein and her ubiquitous ‘fig,’ dishes up melt-in-your-mouth earthy concoctions. Bernstein, a self professed Francophile mastered several culinary creations during her frequent visits to Provence and likes to delight patrons with “country dishes with a French passion.” www.TheGirlAndTheFig.com
Wine Spectator
California Wine Country is bursting with explosive flavors and rich colors. It’s a land that permeates earthy pleasures and soulful memories. The richness of the land translates to a land and people that are full of passion, warmth and appreciation for their daily offerings. The result is contagious. Your entourage will eat and drink like modern day Bacchus and discover the closest thing to heaven. Parting will be sweet sorrow until you remember all the wine you’ve ordered to be shipped home. Until the next gathering with your friends….cheers.
Photography by:
Brian K Crain
Brian K Crain Photography
www.bkcphoto.com
