sc fall winter 14 daytrips

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Fall/Winter 2014

DAY TRIPSSonoma County Preferred Wine Country

P U B L I C A T I O N

EIGHTWINE TASTING

from Sonoma to Healdsburg

8FORTYSIXTASTING ROOM46

TRIP

S

REVIEWS

New!SonomaCountyFav

orites:

UniqueWineryExperiences

CulinaryAdventures

Brewery&DistilleryTastings


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3www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Los Carneros 20Glen Ellen Village 26Glen Ellen Hwy. 12 31Kenwood 36Santa Rosa 43Dry Creek Valley 47

Healdsburg/Windsor 54Russian River 60

Sonoma County Wineries Map 78-79Northern Sonoma County Wineries Map 42

Executive Wine Tours 7

Wine Country Cyclery 18

Unique Winery Experiences 11

Culinary Adventures 14

Brewery & Distillery Tastings 16

Dining Recommendations 70-72

Della Santinas 71

Varietals Chart 74-77

Sonoma Valley Wineries Map 19

Wine Tasting Tips 4-10

Arrowood Winery 33

Atascadero Creek Winery 68Balletto Vineyards & Winery 66/68

Carneros Brewing Company 25

Cast Wines 52

Chateau Ador 44

Chateau St. Jean 39

DArgenzio Winery 45

Dutcher Crossing Winery 51

Dutton Estate Winery 68

Eric Ross Winery 28Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery 53

Forchini Vineyards & Winery 49

Geyser Peak Winery 57

Graton Ridge Cellars 65/68

Hanna Winery and Vineyards 68

Hook & Ladder Winery 68

Jigar Wines 69

Korbel Champagne Cellars 63

Larson Family Winery 23Laurel Glen Vineyard 29

Ledson Winery & Vineyards 41

Little Vineyards Family Winery 34

Loxton Cellars 32

MacLeod Family Vineyard 40MacPhail Family Wines 67

Madrone Vineyards Estate 35

Martin Ray Winery 64/69

Matanzas Creek Winery 30

Meadowcroft Wines 22

Moondance Cellars 27

Mutt Lynch Winery 59

Occidental Road Cellars 69

Old World Winery 46/61Paradise Ridge Tasting Room 38

Prohibition Spirits 24

Rodney Strong Vineyards 58

Rued Winery & Vineyards 48

Russian River Vineyards 69

Simi Winery 56

Sonoma-Cutrer 62

Taft Street Winery 69

Truett Hurst Winery 50VJB Vineyards & Cellars 37

Viansa Winery 21

Wine Guerrilla 69

DAY TRIPS

Sonoma County Preferred Wine Country

8 DAY TRIPS HELPFUL INFORMATION

46 TASTING ROOM REVIEWS

Fall/Winter 2014


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4 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Introducing...

Search wineries by Varietals Pouredor Winery Amenities

Find Deals on Wine Tasting near

you or by wine region

www.facebook.com/WineryGeek

More than 2100 California

for iPhone or An?

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Do not be intimidated for

any reason. That is rule number

one (and there are very few real

rules after that). For the most

part, going wine tasting is about

the easiest thing in the world, es-

pecially here in Northern Cali-

fornia where wineries and

tasting rooms abound. You can

find wineries specializing in red

wines of all types, those that are

famous for their white wines and

others who pour sparkling wine. It is a matter of doing a

little research and planning your day.Most tasting rooms open around 10 a.m. and close be-

tween 4:30 and 6 p.m. As a rule sparkling wine houses are

opened the latest. Before you start off pack a few essen-

tials:Water (plenty of water) and something to snack on

crackers or a baguette. Many wineries have picnic areas

and there are plenty of delis and bakeries that can make

up a lunch for you, or make your own. Which brings us

to eating and drinking, the kind that doesnt directly in-

volve wine.

Be sure to nibble during the day and make sure youmake time for lunch. Two tips: drink at least twice as much

water as you do wine, and remember that you dont have

to drink everything poured into your glass. There is a rea-

son tasting bars have dump buckets and a pitcher of water

to wash out your glass.

That said, here are some tips that have proven to be

helpful and are designed to help make the sensory adven-

ture of wine tasting all the more enjoyable.

Dont be afraid to ask questions. Time and time again

I have heard knowledgeable winery workers say that thereis no such thing as a stupid question, and they mean that.

You can drink what you want, in the order you want.

If you only like reds, say so; if you dont like sweet wines,

speak up. But the idea of starting with whites, then going

on to reds and then sweet wines is a good guide.

Zinfandel is red. I am sure you know that but it never

hurts to remind everyone.

If there is a particular wine you want to try and it is

not on the list, ask. There might be a bottle around that

was opened for a trade tasting or by the winemaker. Mosttasting rooms are happy to pour a little if you show enthu-

siasm.

If you plan to take wine home with you, either in the

car or on a plane, buy a card-

board box with Styrofoam wine

inserts. Fill it during the day andthis keeps wine from rolling

around in the trunk.

Check out the smaller

wineries. It is a revelation.

Take notes on the wines you

most enjoyed.Take advantage of tours

when the winery offers them, but

keep in mind that they take any-

where from 20 minutes to well over an hour, so one a day

is plenty.Buy wines that you can only find at the winery. These

often include smaller (375 ml) bottles of limited produc-

tion Ports or dessert wines. Dont buy a wine you can get

at a supermarket back home. Youll pay more, and besides,

whats the point?

Look for tasting rooms in towns. Many of these are co-

operative tasting rooms, where in one place you might find

wines from a dozen or more small-to-medium premium

producers. They are scattered throughout the area and

more are opening all the time.Dont give too much thought to ratings and vintages.

Its like art: if you like it, its a good wine. It is as simple as

that.

Remember that you dont have to do the driving. Ittakes no more than a phone call to rent anything from a

Town Car or restored Packard convertible to stretch limos

and a 20-passenger bus. All have drivers that will stow

your wine for you and the local companies know the area.

As to taking that wine home, ten people sharing one of

those impossibly long limousines is fine and fun, but ifyou all plan to buy a couple of cases the trunk which is

no bigger than a normal luxury cars is going to fill up

fast and youre going to find yourself filling the interior

floor with boxes and using cases of Cabernet as footrest.

Tell the transportation company what you have in

mind and listen to their advice. They know the territory

and the people and personalities. See next page.

Know your limits. If you get close to it let others taste

and you can listen. It beats ending the day in a blur, and if

need be calling a taxi is cheaper than the alternative.And if at a seated tasting, dont be afraid to leave a gra-

tuity. Its more than worth the five or ten dollars to get wis-dom and wine and a great time. By Charles Neave

Heading to the Tasting Room

Twomey Cellars


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An acre of vineyard land can give the grower:five tons of grapes (though it is also less,depending on a variety of farming and winemakingpractices, and on the varietal and the vineyard

location) which will give you 797 gallons of juice(or thirteen-and-a-half barrels) which is pretty closeto four thousand bottles of wine.

One standard oak barrel of wine holds:295 bottles of wine (or 59 gallons) made from 740 pounds of grapeswhich works out to almost but not precisely 24 cases of wine.

One of the questions most asked when it comes to wine is how much of this does it take to make that, and so on. We wontpretend that its simple, but here are some industry statistics that will give a pretty good answer to that query. As withanything agricultural, of course, they are all based on countless variables when it comes to acre yields, but this is a goodstarting point. The rest of the information varies little if at all.

Do the Math

What does all that information on a wine label mean?

The U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms regulates winelabels and requires that information be given in a straightforwardway. Basically, you will want to look for the types of grapes grown,where the grapes are grown and when the grapes were picked.

Brand name

Designation for a special wine

Vineyard or appellation known for its grapes might be designated

Location where the grapes used were grown

Grape variety used

Vintage year in which the grapes were picked

Location where the wine was made and/or bottled(Not to be confused with the area the grapes are grown.) Alcohol content may be stated or the the label may simply say"Table Wine

XYZ Winery

RESERVE

Dry Creek

Sonoma County

ZINFANDEL

2002

Produced and Bottled byXYZ winery, Healdsburg, California

ALCOHOL 14.6% BY VOLUME

=

A case of wine includes:a dozen 750 ml bottles(or 24 half bottles)or 307.2 ounces total,which comes from30 pounds of grapes.

A single bottle contains:750 ml of wine which is 25.6 ounces madefrom about 2.4 pounds of grapes (39 oz.) and is

enough for four or maybe five glasses.


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FUN FACTJoin-A-Group Wine Tours are aunique way to meet a small group ofnew people, spend half a day sharingpassion and knowledge of wine,share stories and secrets of hiddenwinery gems, and you get to taste

along the way. You get all of this foronly $99 per person. Priceless.

Executive Charters& Limousine

Santa Rosa Location1275 4th Street #714Santa Rosa, CA 95404

(707) 527-7771

Healdsburg Location311 Center Street, Suite J

Healdsburg, CA 95448(707) 433-7771

www.ExecCharters.comTCP #28066-A

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/

ExecutiveChartersLLC

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Santarosalimoservice/posts

For nationwide reservations, call: 1-877-741-7007

There is nothing like touring the Northern California Wine Country by

limousine or charter and Executive Charters & Limousine has a variety of

options to choose from. Whether youre taking a romantic weekend

couples escape, a bridal party looking for fun, or a corporate group opting

for a unique company party, they have diverse vehicles and drivers to get

you there.

Based out of both Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, Executive Charters &

Limousine is central to all things wine related. They start by picking guestsup from any Bay Area destination home, business or hotel to tour the

vineyards of Sonoma and Napa counties. Whether driving through the

Redwood canopies of the Russian River Valley to the oak-studded Valley of

the Moon or traipsing through Napa Valley from Calistoga to Yountville

theyll get you there in style.

Executive Charters & Limousine provides custom tailored private wine

tours where you choose your itinerary, or you have one of the Executive

Charters professional tour advisors choose one for you based on the

wineries, types of wine and the destination of your choosing.

What about a micro-brewery tour? Executive Charters & Limousine

takes guests on hops-trails throughout Sonoma and Napa counties,

visiting popular breweries like Sonoma Springs Brewing Company,

Russian River Brewing Company (famous for its Pliny the brew), Bear

Republic Brewing Co., Petaluma Hills Brewing Company, Hopmonk

Tavern, Lagunitas and more. Each tour includes exploring the brewery

followed by a tasting.

Whether by limo, plush executive charter buses, corporate vans or

intimate sedans Executive Charters & Limousine is a full-service

transportation company that drives to any destination in the Bay Area,getting you there in style and comfort, safely. By Denise Olliffe


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SPLITor Piccolo

187ml

HALF375ml

STANDARD750ml

MAGNUM1.5 liters

2 standard bottles

MARIE-

JEANNE2.25 liters

3 standard bottlesBORDEAUX

DOUBLE

MAGNUM3 liters

4 standard bottles

JEROBOAM3 liters

4 standard bottlesSPARKLING

& BURGANDY

|

|

JEROBOAM4.5 liters6 standard bottles

BORDEAUX

REHOBOAM4.5 liters


& BURGANDY

|

|

METHUSALEM6 liters


& BURGANDY

IMPERIALE6 liters

8 standard bottlesBORDEAUX

|

|

SALMANAZAR9 liters

12 standard bottles

BALTHAZAR12 liters

16 standard bottles

NEBUCHADNEZZAR15 liters

20 standard bottles

MELCHIOR18 liters

24 standard bottles

SOLOMON20 liters


PRIMAT27 liters


TEST YOUR

WINEBOTTLEKNOWLEDGE


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Its a good idea to plan to visit several wineries as every

wine-tasting experience offered is different. With so many

distinctive viticultural areas, one can easily taste many

of the worlds best varietials and winemaking styles

without learning the region. Listed below are five basictypes of tasting experiences. The experience will vary in

style from winery to winery.

Wine Bar TastingThe most common tasting experience is a Wine Bar

Tasting. You step up to the bar where typically a list of

wines being poured is displayed. Expect to pay a tasting

fee between $10-$40. Some tasting bars will offer you the

option to taste a library or reserve wine. Exercising this

option increases the fee, but will allow you to taste veryunique, old or rare wines.

Sit Down TastingA Sit Down Tasting usually requires an appointment

and there may be a slightly higher fee than a wine bar fee.

Seated in an elegant room, you are poured several wines

by your winery host. Expect your host to describe the

unique characteristics of each wine and how it was made.

Table Service TastingA Table Service Tasting, popular at sparkling winefacilities, is a tasting experience where you are seated at a

table and the tastings are brought to you.

Walk Around TastingA Walk Around Tasting is a combination of a tour and

a tasting. Your host brings along several bottles of wine

on your tour, and may take you to a garden area of the

winery to pour the first round. Then you move to another

place within the winery to sample the next wine. This

experience continues until all the wines are tasted.

Barrel TastingAnother popular tasting experience that can be part

of a tour or a Walk Around is a Barrel Tasting. Your guide

takes a wine thief, a special siphon placed into a hole in

the top of a barrel to extract tasting samples of a maturingwine. The sample allows you to taste what the wine is like

in the middle of developing its full potential.

Why make an appointment?Some wineries are so small that they need to know

when you are coming so someone will be there to greet

you. Other wineries have permit restrictions that limit the

number of guests that can visit each day. Others have sit-

down tastings that start and end at specific times. Its

always a good idea to schedule your appointments wellin advance of your visit because some of the more popular

wineries fill up their appointments weeks in advance.

WWW.LEGENDARYNAPAVALLEY.COM

Notes on Wine Tasting


10/8010 Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Each type of grape, also referred to as a

grape variety from Chardonnay to

Zinfandel gets its primary flavors as it

grows on the vine; it creates a default

flavor profile based on the grapes genetic

composition. This primary flavor profile

forms the grapes true varietal character.For example, you may have noticed flavors

and aromas similar to melon and tropical

fruit in virtually every Chardonnay;

blackcurrant and cassis in Cabernet

Sauvignon; red and black cherry in Pinot

Noir. Although there are always variations in

degree, these characteristics are fairly typical

of wines made from these grapes regardlessof where the wine is made or who makes it.

True varietal character develops as the

grapevine, like all plants, converts sunlight

energy to chemical activity in the natural

process of photosynthesis.

Yeast, a microscopic organism living on

grape skins, gets to work releasing true

varietal character and creating even moreflavors once thousands of grapes have

been picked from vines, cracked open, and

transferred to a tank or bin. As sugar in the

grapes is converted into alcohol by yeast,

sweet fresh juice evolves into dry, potent

wine. Later, even more wine flavors and

aromas emerge during the wines aging

period when chemical compounds interact

with each other and microscopic amounts of

air. Generally, fragrance developed during

aging is referred to as wine bouquet, while

aroma derives directly from fermentation.

Wines aged in oak barrels get additional

contributions of aroma and flavor fromwood, variable due to differences in both the

geographic origin of the tree (most often,

America or France) and the degree to which

the wood is toasted (heated by exposure to

an open flame). Toasted oak can add hints

of coconut, vanilla, mocha, coffee, toasted

bread, or clove, among other aspects, while

injecting sweetness to the wines bouquet.Brand new barrels filled with wine for the

first time add these qualities with

significantly greater impact than older

barrels. Old, aroma-less barrels, referred to

as neutral, are used to hold wine during

aging without adding new flavors.

While primary flavors and aromas

originate from grapes, specifically, its thegrape skin that gives color to wine.

How does wine get so

many flavors and aromas?

Len Napolitano lives in San Luis Obispo County and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educators, Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine School and

continually gains knowledge from his frequent contact with California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com.

Send your questions about wine to: [email protected] or by mail to Len Napolitano in care of Wine Country This Week magazine.

Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.

Learn more about wine!

For past Wineology columns,scan the QR code with your

smart phone application or go towww.WineCountry ThisWeek.com

and search Wineology.

WINEOLOGY Intelligence for The Wine ConsumerBY LEN NAPOLITANO


11/80Eastside Bunchwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com

UNIQUE WINERY EXPERIENCES

OTHER NOTTOBEMISSED UNIQUE WINERY EXPERIENCESDELOACH VINEYARDS [Santa Rosa] Visit the website for detailsExperience Pinot, The Magic of Wine & Mustard, Blending Experience, Taste of Terroir and more! www.deloachvineyards.com

DRY CREEK VINEYARD [Healdsburg] $45pp Saturdays & Sundays by appointmentMeritage The Art of the Blend Create your own Bordeaux-style blend. 1-800-864-9463 x103 | www.drycreekvineyard.com

KUNDE FAMILY ESTATE [Kenwood]

Take wine tasting to a whole new levelwith this one of a kind experience, set 1,400 feet above the Sonoma Valley oor, surrounded bythe stunning natural beauty of the 1,850-acre estate. Rocky, mountaintop terrain has been transformed into a beautiful, shaded woodendeck overlooking fth-generation sustainably farmed property. Your job here is to relax and take in the view, while sipping a refreshing glass

of Kunde Family Estate wine. This is a unique opportunity to literally drink in the beauty of the famed Sonoma Valley wine country.

$40pp Reservations suggested book at

Kunde.com or call (707) 282-1537

Subject to availability

9825 Sonoma HighwayKenwood CA 95452

CHATEAU ST. JEAN [Kenwood]With its gracious style and inviting gardens, Chateau St Jean is the

quintessential Sonoma Valley winery. Founded in 1973, the winery

is a pioneer in single vineyard designates and holds the title of the

rst Sonoma winery to be named Wine of the Year by Wine

Spectator for its Cinq Cpages Bordeaux-style blend. There are

many ways to enjoy your visit to Chateau St Jean from tastings in

two different rooms to a sit-down blending experience. The

grounds and gardens also offer an opportunity to buy a picnic and

play bocce ball while enjoying their wine and hospitality.

8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood CA 95452

1-877-478-5326 | www.chateaustjean.com

TRUETT HURST [Healdsburg]

Savor the big, bold, textured wines with lots of spice and jammy

fruit in one of the most comfortable and relaxing wineries in the

valley. Sit in the Adirondack chairs down by the creek where youmay see Steelhead or Coho salmon or hang out on the patio and

listen to music while enjoying the sublime scenery of Dry Creek.

Enjoy a picnic or a slow lunch in the olive grove. Youll always be

served by the friendly hosts who will make you feel right at

home in this inviting tasting room.

5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg CA 95448

(707) 433-9545 | www.truetthurst.com


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OTHER NOTTOBEMISSED UNIQUE WINERY EXPERIENCESFERRARICARANO VINEYARDS & WINERY[Healdsburg] $35pp

Scentiments Learn how to identify aromas in wine www.ferrari-carano.com, 1-800-831-0381

BENZIGER WINERY[Glen Ellen] $20ppBiodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour Reservations: 24 hour advance notice, www.benziger.com, (707) 935-4527

VJB VINEYARDS & CELLARS

Enjoy a taste of Italy at this family-run winery in beautifulSonoma Valley. From the small production Italian varietals onthe tasting menu to lunch of antipasti and pizza on the piazza,

everything about VJB exudes Old World charm. On weekends at1 p.m. the Wine Country Tenors serenade guests on the piazza(weather permitting). Afterwards, browse the marketplace forItalian specialty goods or some of Marias homemade sauces andpestos and nish your visit with a treat from the onsite chocolateand gelato shop.

60 Shaw Avenue, Kenwood CA 95452(707) 833-2300 | www.vjbcellars.com

THE WINE CARRIAGEA tour on The Wine Carriage is wine country's most uniqueand exciting wine tasting adventure. Travel deep into the

vines in a horse-drawn carriage to tastings at some of

Sonoma County's nest wineries. Youll also be treated to a

wine cave tour, a barrel tasting and locally sourced gourmet

snacks. Experience an insider's view of the history of the

valley, the lifecycle of the vines and the winemaking process.

Enjoy the relaxed pace and exquisite wines, while leavingthe traffic far behind.

For reservations, call (707) 849-8989or go to www.thewinecarriage.com

LOUS WINE TOURSWith over 800 wine tasting rooms in Napa & Sonoma, Lous WineTours takes the guesswork out of which wineries to visit. Wineriesare hand selected for your tour based on the experience you are

looking to have. At Lou's Wine Tours, they dont just have drivers,they have Wine Tour Ambassadors who will share theirknowledge of the wine country with you. We want you to havea divine experience in the Napa & Sonoma wine country.Half Day Tour: 3-3 hours, $75pp, visit 3-4 exclusive,boutique wineries along the Highway 101 corridor.Custom Wine Tours available, up to 7 hoursPick up times 10-10:30am and 2-2:30pm | (707) 373-3954www.louswinetours.com | [email protected]


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OTHER NOTTOBEMISSED UNIQUE WINERY EXPERIENCESBUENA VISTA WINERY[Sonoma] Visit the website for detailsBe the Count Blending Experience 90-minute winemaking experience as it was 100 years ago. www.buenavistawinery.com/visit

ST. FRANCIS WINERY & VINEYARDS [Santa Rosa] Visit the website for detailsAmazing food and wine pairing...voted #1 Restaurant in America by OpenTable. www.stfranciswinery.com

LOXTON CELLARS [Glen Ellen]

Reserve Tastings 1pm daily (reservation required)Enjoy a relaxed, seated tasting in the Reserve Room with a

selection of limited wines not being featured in the tasting room.

Walkabout with the Winemaker Tour

Saturday & Sunday at 10:30am (reservation required)

Go behind scenes with winemaker, Chris Loxton, to experience

whats happening in the vineyard and at the winery followed by

a private sit-down tasting.

11466 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen CA 95442

(707) 935-7221 | www.loxtonwines.com

BALLETTO WINERY[Santa Rosa]Come to Balletto Winery

Come and experience the warm hospitality and magnicentwines of Balletto Winery.

World-class Pinot Noirs from Estate Vineyards, custom ttedto your glass. Our greatest challenge is to produce winesthat will ignite your passion and stimulate your senses.We do just that.

Free tasting with wine purchaseBalletto Vineyards & Winery

5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa CA 95401www.ballettovineyards.com | (707)m568-2455

LEDSON WINERY & VINEYARDS [Kenwood]

Ledson Winery has created the ultimate tasting experience. Thisexclusive, and very limited, private wine tasting will be thepinnacle of your trip as you taste wines with Steve Ledson, ownerand winemaker, or with one of his assistant winemakers. This is acreative tasting experience that allows guests to tour thegrounds, pair small bites and artisan cheeses with their wines, orreserve a vineyard tour of the acclaimed Mountain TerracesVineyards and taste in their tasting room, located at 2,000 feeton the southwestern face of the Mayacamas Mountain Range.

(707) 537-3823 for private tastings | www.ledson.comEmail: [email protected]


14/80Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

CULINARY ADVENTURES

OTHER NOTTOBEMISSED CULINARY ADVENTURESKENDALLJACKSON WINE ESTATE & GARDENS [Fulton]The state-of-the-art culinary center at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate utilizes the herbs, vegetables and owers from the workinggardens, providing visitors various food and wine pairing options with fresh-picked, seasonal tastes created specically to pairwith wines being served a real farm-to-table experience. (707) 571-8100 | www.kj.com

MADRONE VINEYARDS

Experience a true slice of the Sonoma lifestyle

with a Madrone Vineyards Estates

Wood-red Pizza and Wine Pairing!

Savor luscious, estate-driven wines with signature pizzaspulled straight from the outdoor, wood-burning pizza oven.

Available every weekend (or by appointment), this fun and uniqueculinary adventure is the perfect topping to a day in wine country.

To get your slice of the Sonoma lifestyle, visitwww.madronevineyardsestate.com or call (707) 939-4510.Well keep the fire burning for you.

J VINEYARDS & WINERY[Healdsburg]The Bubble Room remains the premier tasting experience in the

Russian River Valley. In a beautifully appointed, full-service

tasting salon, you and your guests will enjoy an exclusive three-

course meal including rare library and small-production wines,

served with delicious, organic and locally-sourced fare.

Offered Friday through Sunday with seatings at 11 a.m.,12, 2 and 3 p.m. Guests over 21 are welcome. $75 per person

(Club J members receive a discounted price). Reservations arestrongly encouraged, and required for groups of 8 or more.

11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg CA 95448(707) 431-5430 | www.jwine.com

RAMEKINS CULINARY SCHOOL [Sonoma]Immerse yourself in the essence of Wine Country with an

exclusive Culinary Retreat at Ramekins. The intensive 2, 3 or 4

day Retreats, limited to 10 students, include instruction onadvanced culinary techniques featuring locally sourced

ingredients. Short on time? Visit the website for individual

cooking classes from basic kitchen skills to sushi or homemade

pastas. Theres nothing like rolling up your sleeves and getting a

little messy in the kitchen. There is no better way to experience

the bounty of Sonoma Wine Country.450 West Spain Street, Sonoma CA 95476(707) 933-0450 | www.ramekins.com



CULINARY ADVENTURES

OTHER NOTTOBEMISSED CULINARY ADVENTURES

PARTAKE BY K J [Healdsburg]Partake by K-J offers a mix-and-match approach to bites and ights. Seasonal bites driven by organic gardens and SonomaCounty's culinary artisans are designed to highlight the unique character of each grape variety come mix, match and explore.Educational classes are also available. Reservations: OpenTable.com, (707) 433-6000, @partakebykj.com

PARADISE RIDGE WINERY[Kenwood]Herb & Wine Program

Indulge in a sense-ational wine country experience.Learn about herbs and their prole avors Bitter, Bright,

Savory and Sweet and what they can bring out in the wines.$15 tasting fee for this unique tour. No reservations required.Come explore the gardens and this fun program to learn aboutfood and wine pairing through herbs!

For more information, call (707) 282-9020or email [email protected]

8860 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood CA 95452(707) 282-9020 | www.prwinery.com

GEYSER PEAK WINERY[Healdsburg]

Picnic Package For Two

The Picnic & Tasting Package includes a tasting of four wines inthe main tasting room followed by a selection of charcuterie,cheeses, dips & olives, crackers, chocolates, all served picnic-stylealong with two glasses of wine. Theyll even reserve a table onthe picnic deck or in the private PEAK Room everything youneed to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Geyser Peak!

Reserve 24-hours in advance $30/psn (minimum 2 ppl)2306 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg CA 95448(707) 857-2500 | geyserpeakwinery.com

MACPHAIL FAMILY WINES [Sebastopol]

Wine and Food Pairings

Enjoy the perfect match of MacPhail wines with seasonalpairings from local artisan farmers, cheesemongers andWest County restaurants. The MacPhail Tasting Lounge is agreat way to spend your day with family, friends and localartisans. Youll understand what the buzz is all about andfall in love with its wine and culinary delights!Come make a day of it at The Barlow in Sebastopol.

Call ahead for the days special pairings.6761 McKinley Street, Sebastopol CA(707) 824-8400 | www.MacPhailWines.com


16/80Eastside Bunch www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

BREWERIES/DISTILLERIES

OTHER NOTTOBEMISSED BREWERIES/DISTILLERIESLAGUNITAS BREWING COMPANY[Petaluma]Tours are free, no reservations needed: (707) 769-4495Tasting Tours' Monday thru Friday at 3pm www.Lagunitas.comBrewery walking tour schedule: Wed-Fri at 3 & 5pm Sat-Sun 1, 3 & 5pm 1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma

BEAR REPUBLIC BREWING COMPANY[Healdsburg]Located in Wine Countrys Sonoma County, on the corner of

Healdsburgs historic downtown square, Bear Republic Brewing

Company offers award-winning food and world class, handcrafted

ales. Established in 1995 by third and fourth generation SonomaCounty residents, the Norgrove family invites you to come and

discover their diverse menu, family friendly atmosphere and more

than 14 freshly brewed beers on tap. A relaxed, casual dining

experience is what you should expect on your visit.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.345 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg CA 95448(707) 433-BEER | www.bearrepublic.com

CARNEROS BREWING COMPANY[Sonoma]The Carneros Brewing Company is ideally located in the heart of

Wine Countrys Carneros region. The staff is passionate about

beer and can highlight the different aromas and avors found in

each. Start with a self-guided tour that begins at the hop trellises

outsde in the beer garden the foundation of their craft brews.

Or, go straight to the Tap Room Bar and order a beer ight or a

pint. The Beer Garden is an outdoor oasis where visitors can relax

and soak in the beautiful surroundings while enjoying theirsmall-batch craft brews. Local food trucks are there on weekends.

22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma CA 95476(707) 938-1880 | carnerosbrews.com

BREW BROTHERS BREWERY TOURSBrew Brothers Brewery Tours is a brewery tour company thatspecializes in guided tours of local craft beer destinations.They have several vehicles in their eet and can accommodate

groups large and small. They can also customize a tour for you.Let them be your guides to the best Sonoma County breweries.We drive you to drink, and may the Saints bless you pints! $98 VIBE TOUR (very important beer enthusiast)

includes lunch and tastings $75 Brewery Favorites Tour includes tasting $39 Thirsty Thursday or Firken Friday Tours

Evening tours, no tastings included.Mention promo code 10DAYTRIP and get $10 off Brewery Favorites Tour(707) 206-7468 or (707) [email protected]



BREWERIES/DISTILLERIES

OTHER NOTTOBEMISSED BREWERIES/DISTILLERIESSPIRIT WORKS DISTILLERY[Sebastopol] Gin | Sloe Gin | Vodka | Wheat Whiskey | Rye WhiskeyExperience the grain-to-glass process rsthand and taste the gin. Tour provides a unique opportunity to see what goes intomaking craft spirits.

Tours Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 4pm; $15pp, ages 21+ only (707) 634-4793 | www.spiritworksdistillery.com

WOODFOUR BREWING COMPANY[Sebastopol]

Located in the new Barlow complex, Woodfour offers an

extensive selection of draft and bottled beers paired with

fresh locally sourced food.Voted Best new Restaurant in Sonoma County enjoy a

completely different experience than your average brew pub.

Come and see the World of Beer wall

showcasing 104 different beer styles.

6780 McKinley Street, Sebastopol(707) 823-3144 | www.woodfourbrewing.com

RUTH McGOWANS BREWPUB [Cloverdale]Love Ale? Come visit Ruth McGowans in Cloverdale. Theres a

wonderful selection of house-made beers: Caroline's Blonde,

Ruths Citrus Wheat, McGowan's Dry Irish Stout, Floyd IPA,

Monster Brown, and the agship beer, Cloverdale Ale. A ne

selection of local wines and Ace ciders are also available along

with a full menu. Check the website for live music dates. If you

play an instrument, join in on the jam sessions the rst and third

Thursday of every month, 6 to 9 p.m.

131 E. First Street, Cloverdale CA 95425

(707) 894-9610 | ruthmcgowansbrewpub.com

PROHIBITION SPIRITS [Sonoma]Discover a new side of Wine Country and taste highly acclaimed,

small-batch, artisanal spirits right at the source. Their IndigenousSpirits Lab is an intimate location to explore the aromas, avors,textures and feelings of their craft spirits. Whether you are anovice or acionado, they will guide you through an insightfultasting to help you better appreciate and understand artisanal

spirits. The daily selection of hand-crafted spirits changes basedon the distilling schedule and some of the spirits are seasonal or

small-batches that can only be experienced and sold at thedistillery. For the ideal experience, reservations are recommended.

21877 8th Street East, Sonoma CA 95476

(707) 721-6394 | prohibition-spirits.com


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FUN FACTS

Wine Country Cyclery boasts the youngest rental fleet

of comfort hybrid bikes, replacing them yearly. Their

high-end road bikes are continuously maintained for

top performance.

Already a cycling pro? Bring your own pedals, shoes,

even your saddle a certified fitter will personally sizeyou to your rental bike. Or, ship your bike to Wine

Country Cyclery...theyll put it together and have it

waiting for you. When youre ready to leave, theyll pack

it carefully for a safe shipment back.

Forgot something? They are a full service shop stocked

with bikes, apparel, accessories, components and

mechanics ready to lend a hand, open seven days a

week.

MAKE IT A FAMILY TRIP!

Wine Country Cyclery has bike trailers that can seat two

small children.

Wine Country CycleryOpen daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

262 W Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476

Reservations recommended(707) 996-6800

winecountrycyclery.comFollow Wine Country Cyclery on Facebook!

Wine Country Cyclery offers the perfect way to truly capture thegrandeur of the Sonoma Valley. Why hassle with traffic when youcan leisurely pedal to some of the valleys most celebrated tastingrooms? The aroma of the grapes, the warmth of the sun and soundof gentle breezes rustling through the vines are best enjoyed at arelaxed pace. The knowledgeable staff at Wine Country Cyclery willgladly help you plan an unforgettable valley tour, supplying you

with maps and tasting room coupons.The shop is conveniently located just off of the plaza in

downtown Sonoma and offers a wide range of bikes for every skilllevel and age of cyclist. Their fleet of bikes features Comfort Hybrids(including helmets and locks) as well as some of the very best for theserious cyclist Cannondale and Trek Road Bikes.

And, to finish off your day of adventure and sunshine, WineCountry Cyclery can arrange for you to savor a lite bite food andwine pairing at the Roche Family Winery Tasting Room, just off ofthe Sonoma Plaza.

With award-winning wines and scrumptious offerings, youllenjoy the perfect ending to your trip on their patio, gathered aroundthe fire pit, wine glass in hand.



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MacArthurPlace

Schellville Grill

Fremont DinerCornerStone Sonoma

Sonoma HotelEl Dorado Hotel

Vintage Aircraft Co.

Sonoma CountryAntiques

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RAMAL

MEADOWCROFT WINES

VIANSA

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BROADWAY

PROHIBITIONSPIRITS

CARNEROSBREWINGCOMPANY

THINGS TO DO

Sonoma Country Antiques

23999 Arnold Drive (Hwy 121) Sonoma

(707) 938-8315, www.sonomaantiques.com

Buyers have been traveling to Europe for overthree decades, hand selecting one-of-a-kindantiques and accessories. Explore and beinspired in our 10,000 square feet of elegantly

designed showrooms.CornerStone Sonoma23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma

(707) 933-3010

www.cornerstonegardens.com

CornerStone Sonoma is an eclectic collectionof shops, wineries and a gourmet cafe setamidst nine acres of garden installationscreated by the world's leading landscapearchitects.Vintage Aircraft Co.

3982 Arnold Drive, Sonoma

(707) 938-2444, www.vintageaircraft.com

Get a birds eye view of the rolling hillscarpeted in vineyards all the way to SanFrancisco and beyond! Offering safe, exciting

flying experiences since 1975..

FOOD

Fremont Diner

2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma(707) 938-7370www.thefremontdiner.comLike em on FacebookOld-fashioned style roadside hamburger jointwith updated menu. Fresh, local ingredients.Try the pulled-pork sandwich or grilled cheese

with sage and be sure to splurge on themilkshakes!Sonomas Best

1190 East Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476(707) 996-7600, www.sonomas-best.comThe old-fashioned landmark store offers

food products for which the County ofSonoma is famous artisanal cheeses, sal-ads and soups, tamales, charcuterie, pastriesand ice cream along with exquisite BlueBottle Coffee.Schellville Grill

22900 Broadway, Sonoma(707) 996-5151, www.schellvillegrill.comBBQ fare, sandwiches and burgers. Dynamite

food, according to Guy Fieri, with betterthan any store-bought barbecue sauce.

Viansa Tasting Room & Marketplace

25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA, 95476(707) 935-4726, www.viansa.comViansa is the perfect place to have a relaxing lunch theyoffer fresh made sandwiches, salads, antipasti, soups, and fruit

salads to enjoy with Viansa wines and phenomenal views.Weahter permitting, you can also enjoy a game of bocce ball!

LODGING

El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen

405 1st Street West, Sonoma(707) 996-3220, www.eldoradosonoma.com27-room contemporary boutique hotel located on the Plaza.Restaurant is sophisticated urban style with relaxed wine-country dining.Sonoma Hotel

110 West Spain Street, Sonoma(707) 996-2996, www.sonomahotel.comA 16-room, 19th-century hotel with modern amenities.Located downtown on the plaza.MacArthur Place

29 E. MacArthur Street, Sonoma(707) 938-2929, www.macarthurplace.com19th-century estate transformed into a luxurious inn and spa

featuring Saddles Sonomas best steakhouseThe Lodge at Sonoma

Renaissance Resort & Spa

1325 Broadway, Sonoma(707) 935-6600, www.thelodgeatsonoma.comSpacious and luxurious accommodations; world-classRaindance Spa; award-winning Carneros Bistro &Wine Bar; excellent venue for weddings and corporate events.

On the south end of Sonoma is one of the most unique appellations, Los Carneros, that bridges both

Napa and Sonoma counties. Colloquially known as simply Carneros (or ram in Spanish),

Carneros has long been known for its cool, coastal climate, natural beauty and unparalleled

Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Syrahs and sparkling wines.

Driving Time: 13 minutesFrom Viansato Meadowcroft 1.5 milesto Larson Family 1.9 miles

to Prohibition Spirits 1.9 milesto Carneros Brewing 1.9 miles

Total 7 miles


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21Los Carneroswww.WineCountryThisWeek.com

VARIETALS PRODUCEDViansa produces 18 popular and distinct varietals,like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Merlot aswell as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vernaccia,Primitivo and Sangiovese.

JOIN THE WINE CLUB

The best way to enjoy the special wines fromViansa is to join one of the wine clubs, offeringbi-annual shipments of 12 bottle allocations,quarterly shipments of four or six bottleallocations, or every other month shipments offour bottle allocations. The selections includenew releases, library selection wines, limitedproductions and estate favorites. Members alsoreceive a 20% discount on wine andmerchandise, exclusive invitations to clubmember parties and winery events,

complimentary tastings for four in the tastingroom, and premier access to new releases andlimited production selections.

Viansa WineryOpen daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma

1-800-995-4740 | www.viansa.com

Show this article at the winery and receive a 2-for-1 classic wine tasting special.

Idyllically situated on a hilltop at the entrance to the

legendary Sonoma Valley, Viansa Winery naturally embodies the

proud history of local winemaking.

A true Wine Country destination visitors can easily spend

an afternoon or entire day. The unique hilltop estate features

some of the best views of the Sonoma Valley where guests can

enjoy wines by the glass or bottle on the terrace or upper lawn

overlooking the 113 acres of fresh water wetlands. The winery

grounds also include a large main lawn for picnicking (no

outside food), and a bocce ball court for those who are feeling

sporty.

The tasting room features a gourmet deli, catered by Elaine

Bell, offering a wide selection including turkey sandwiches,

vegetarian wraps, caprese salad, and charcuterie plates perfect

for an impromptu picnic, or enjoy the seasonal wood-fire pizza

oven open May through October, weather permitting.At the tasting bar, Viansa offers a unique combination of

California favorites, including Cabernet Sauvignon and

Chardonnay, alongside less common Italian varietals, like Arneis

and Barbera. Tastings start at $5.00 per person for the Classic

Flight, featuring four Classic Viansa varietals, and $10.00 per

person for the Reserve Flight, featuring four Reserve or Estate

varietals. No reservations are required for groups of 10 or less.

Visit Viansa Winery today and discover the beauty of

Sonoma Valley.


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22 Los Carneros www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

VARIETALSCabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Meritage,Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Viognier,Zinfandel and a Port-style wine

FUN FACTTom's last name means "the fertile field on the

meadow...a garden that has been carefullynurtured over time"

UPCOMING EVENTS(Call the tasting room for more details)

September/October 2014 Harvest Brunchat Mt. Veeder, Date TBD

September 27 Final Summer Wine & Food Series October 11 Harvest Vineyard Lunch

and Pick-Up Party November 22 and 23 - Holiday in Carneros,

visit hospitalitydeloscarneros.com for more info

December 7 10th Annual Snowman Lightingat CornerStone

December 13 Holiday Open House,

Meadowcroft WinesMonday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(707) 934-4090www.meadowcroftwines.com

Mention Day Trips and receive two-for-one tasting.

Located within Cornerstone Sonoma at the gateway toSonoma Valley, the newly redecorated Meadowcroft Winestasting room is the perfect place to hold a wine picnic or enjoy achocolate and wine pairing at one of our bars. With the additionof a shady outdoor lounge featuring comfortable seating aroundfire pits, we can accommodate groups, large or small. From sweettreats to robust Cabernets, our award-winning wines andSonoma hospitality will leave your whole party smiling!

There are three labels being poured in the tasting room:Meadowcroft Wines, Thomas Henry Wines and Foyt FamilyWines (honoring Indy racing legend A.J. Foyt). Winemaker TomMeadowcroft crafts all of his wines from his own estate and othersustainably farmed vineyards in Napa and Sonoma.

Chef Darby has created the perfect pairing menu with fourBelgian chocolates and four wines from our award-winning list.The newest pairing, a Passion Fruit truffle and refreshing off-dryThomas Henry Riesling, is a must try. And old favorites like DarkChocolate with Sea Salt alongside our All She Wrote dessert wine

continue to delight.If you care to stretch your legs, tours of our Pinot Noir

vineyard are available with advance reservations. The tour andsix-wine tasting takes place a short walk from our tasting room.Youll learn about the lovely Carneros vineyard while enjoying abright, charming Pinot Noir that comes from the very vines youare strolling through.

So, whether you stop in to enjoy the wines in the tastingroom, relax in one of the wine lounges or even while viewing thearchitectural gardens, Meadowcroft Wines should be your firststop (or perhaps your last stop) in Wine Country. MeadowcroftWines is family and dog friendly. Submitted: By Stephen O'Malley


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OVERALL PHILOSOPHYWe drink what we can, and sell the rest!

FUN FACTS Where the vineyards now stand was once the sight

of the largest rodeo in Northern California. Seabiscuit, the champion thoroughbred racehorse, once

trained on the property during the days of the rodeo.

A Victorian farm house just across from the tastingroom, called A Captains House, is available to rent.It sleeps up to nine guests.

Bring in the whole family! The winery is both family anddog friendly and is home to a few farm animals, too.

You can bring in a picnic lunch and enjoy some of thebest views in Carneros!

VARIETALS PRODUCEDSparkling Brut, Sparkling Ros, Pinot Grigio,Chardonnay, Gewrztraminer, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel,

Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc

Larson Family WineryOpen 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.daily

23355 Millerick Road, SonomaIntersection of Highway 121 & Broadwayacross from the Schell-Vista Fire Station

1-800-938-WINE (9463)www.larsonfamilywinery.com

Mention Day Trips and receive 2-for-1 wine tasting.

With so many wineries to visit in the beautiful wine country,its easy to miss the hidden gems. There is one off the beaten paththat is worth finding: The Larson Family Winery is located at theintersection of Highway 121 and Broadway, across from theSchell-Vista Fire Station. Driving through, you will pass rows ofChardonnay vines taking in the warm California sun. Nearby, aredwood barn draws you in to experience Larsons down-to-earth,fun-loving, hard-working, dog-loving, country lifestyle.

The 101-acre ranch has been in the family since 1899. As youwalk into their rustic barnyard tasting room, over the wine bar,hangs a hand-painted mural, chronicling the history of the familyand the heritage of the property. This colorful painting takes youback to the days of the Wild West from steamboats, rodeos,racehorses and polo ponies to the current winery surrounded bylush green vineyards.

With roots in the western region of the Carneros appellation,and 70 acres of vineyard to work with, Larson Family Wineryproduces more than 10 different varietals. Their most popular

wine is their Three Lab Cab named after their wonderful labs,Buster, Bubba and Pete; the inspiration for this Cabernet blend.Larson Family Winerys award-winning wines include MillerickRoad Zinfandel, Millerick Road Meritage, Larson FamilyChardonnay, Larson Family Pinot Noir and Larson FamilyCabernet Sauvignon. These magnificent wines and more areavailable only at the winery, online or through their wine club.Dont miss the best of the best!

Bring the whole family for some fun in the sun. Pack a picnic,taste the finest wines in Sonoma Valley, play bocce ball or take a

beautiful walk with your dog along Sonoma Creek, you are in fora picture perfect day!


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FUN FACTSThe names for each of their hand-crafted spirits paytribute to Sonomas illustrious past. Hookers HouseWhiskeys honor the infamous General Joseph Hooker, aCivil War Veteran, Sonoma resident, ladys man andwhiskey aficionado. Sugar Daddy Rums honors theoriginal Sugar Daddy, Adolf Spreckels, a sugar baron,

industrial tycoon, Sonoma resident and the originalSugar Daddy. Solano Vodka is hand-crafted in theSonoma Valley tradition as a tribute to Mission Solano.

SPIRITSBourbon, Rum, Whiskey, Limoncello,Vodka, Liqueurs & Grappa

Prohibition Spirits21877 8th Street East, Sonoma CA 95476

(707) 721-6390prohibition-spirits.com

Email: [email protected]

From the couple that brought HelloCello to the Sonoma

scene, Amy and Fred Groths newly founded Prohibition Spirits

is Sonomas first and only micro-distillery since prohibition.

They hand-craft wine country inspired and influenced spirits

like Sugar Daddy Rum, Solano Vodka, Hookers House

Bourbon, Hookers House Rye, Cohabitation and White Corn

Whiskey.Tour their boutique micro-distillery and learn about the

mysterious and creative aspects of fermenting, distilling and

ageing fine spirits. A personal tour with the distiller provides

insight and understanding of the distilling process and what

goes into every dram of hand-crafted spirit. On most days you

will see a brandy, grappa or eau di vie flowing from their

custom made artisanal still or observe their hands-on

production operation.

Discover a new side of Wine Country and taste highlyacclaimed, small-batch, artisanal spirits right at the source.

Their tasting bar and Indigenous Spirits Lab is an intimate

location to explore the aromas, flavors, textures and feelings of

their craft spirits. Whether you are a novice or aficionado, they

will guide you through an insightful tasting to help you better

appreciate and understand artisanal spirits. The daily selection

of hand-crafted spirits changes based on the distilling schedule

and some of the spirits are seasonal or small-batches that can

only be experienced and sold at the distillery. For the ideal

experience, reservations are recommended. By Alexandra Charsley


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FUN FACTS

Reserve the taproom after hours for your

next meeting or event. Enjoy playful music

and the rustic oasis by way of the mission-

inspired bar and festive beer garden. Contact

their professional staff who will be happy to

help you plan the perfect event.

For the connoisseur, the hop trellises are also

a part of their beer garden and are home to

the foundation of their craft brews. They take

pride in the fact that they organically grow

30% of the hops used in their small-batch

recipes.

BEERS:

Jefe-weizen, Morena Ale, Cerveza Pilsner,

Carneros IPA, Negra IPA

Carneros Brewing Company

Open daily

22985 Burndale RoadSonoma, CA 95476

[email protected]

(707) 938-1880

carnerosbrewing.com

The Carneros Brewing Company is ideally located in the heart of

Wine Countrys Carneros region. Rows of hops mark the entrance to

their brewery and Tap Room so you wont miss them as youre

driving in! The Tap Room is a great place to start and is the social

center of the establishment. Guests can embark on a self-guided tour

which starts outside at their hop trellises. If the tour is not your style,

head straight to the Tap Room Bar and order a beer flight or a pint.Their entire staff is passionate about beer, the beer making process

and can highlight the different aromas and flavors found in each of

their beers.

The Carneros Brewing Company is a family owned microbrewery

founded by five Ceja brothers and their families, all contributing their

diverse talents to establish this world class microbrewery in the heart

of Sonoma Valley. Jesus Ceja is one of the founders and the

Brewmaster. Hes a true brewing artisan, handcrafting high-quality

cervezas and putting all of his passion, love and experience on every

small-batch of beer he brews.

The Beer Garden is an outdoor oasis where visitors can relax and

soak in the beautiful surroundings while enjoying their small-batch

craft brews. The entire family is welcome here and they are also dog

friendly. There is plenty of room to wander the paths and find a place

to settle and enjoy your day. Weekends are really hopping with the

addition of local food trucks and they have various spaces available

for special events. All of these activities and opportunities are what

make Carneros Brewing Company the ultimate Tap Room to visit.

By Alexandra Charsley


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26 Glen Ellen Village www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Glen Ellen Village

HENNORD

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WARMSPRINGSRD

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12

ERIC ROSS MOONDANCE CELLARS

GlenEllenStar

Garden Court Cafe

WolfHouse

The Fig Cafe

Glen Ellen Inn

Aventine Glen Ellen

Olive & VineYeti Restaurant

Wine Country Chocolates

Glen EllenVillage Market

OleaHotel

LondonLodge

LAUREL GLENVINEYARD

MATANZAS CREEK

THINGS TO DO

Jack London State Histor ical Park

2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen

Half-mile-long trail cirlcles throughworld-famous author, Jack LondonsBeauty Ranch features the remainsof Jack Londons dream home destroyedby fire before moving in as well as a

museum and the grave site of Jack andCharmian London.

FOOD

Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar

13670 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen(707) 996-6409, www.glenelleninn.comFusion of local ingredients paired with French,Asian and Italian influences.

Yeti Restaurant

14301 Arnold Drive, Jack London Village

(707) 996-9930, www.yetirestaurant.comFusion of both Nepalese and Indian cultures.

Glen Ellen Star

13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen

(707) 343-1384, glenellenstar.com

The menu features rustic California Wine Country cuisine withlocal and international influences including delicious offerings

from the wood-burning brick oven.

Garden Court Cafe


(707) 935-1565, www.gardencourtcafe.com

A local favorite for breakfast, brunch and lunch.If you leave hungry, its your own fault.

Aventine Glen Ellen

14301 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen in the historic Grist Mill

(707) 934-8911, www.aventineglenellen.comItalian Osteria featuring full bar, brewery and farm fresh totable dishes by Executive Chef Adolfo Veronese.

Glen Ellen Village Market


(707) 996-6728, www.sonoma-glenellenmkt.com

Pack the perfect picnic at this wine country inspiredgourmet market with fresh, local products.

LODGING

Gaige House Inn


(707) 935-0237, www.gaige.com

Asian-inspired ambiance combined with modern luxury.Granite soaking tubs and private Japanese gardens perfect

for in-suite spa treatments. Michelin recommended.Ranked as 18 in Conde Nasts Top Small Hotels in the U.S.

Jack London Lodge

13740 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellenwww.jacklondonlodge, (707) 938-8510

Situated on Sonoma Creek quiet, peaceful setting witha pool, heated spa and lovely gardens. Facility includesWolf House Restaurant and historic Jack London Saloon.

Follow Highway 12, once the railway system, through the Valley of the Moon to the bucolic berg of Glen Ellen! Glen Ellen is more than just a town. It is the foodie and

wine destination for Sonoma locals. Located north of downtown Sonoma on Arnold Drive, just west of Highway 12, Glen Ellen restaurants and town market celebrate the

best of local wines, produce and services.Check out Glen Ellens award-winning wineries such as Eric Ross, Moondance Cellars, Laurel Glen, Benzinger. Enjoy a rejuvenating spa experience inside a large, historic

wine cask at Magical Massage. Walk Jack Londons hillsides and explore the famous ruins of his Wolf House. Or, gather with friends and family at local spots such as The

Fig Caf, Glen Ellen Inn, Garden Court Caf, Glen Ellen Star, Aventine and Yeti the best curry youll have outside of India. Whatever your taste, Glen Ellen is one sweet

town that satisfies time and again.

Driving Time: 16 minutes

From Moondance Cellarsand Eric Rossto Laurel Glen .8 mileto Matanzas Creek 7.4 miles

Total 8.2 miles

www.facebook.com/jacklondonpark


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27Glen Ellen Villagewww.WineCountryThisWeek.com

FUN FACTS

Sonoma Valley Portworks, the only winery in SonomaCounty specializing exclusively in after-dinner winesand Ports, shares a spot in the tasting room, whereguests can taste up to six Ports and dessert wines.

Winemaker/Hot Rod-Nut, Davids pride and joy is his1965 blown candy brandy-wine Corvette, soon toshare the garage with his latest project, a fuel-injected1966 Chevy Nova.

Priscilla likes to spend as many days off as possibleastride her quarter horse gelding, Ima Revin Lena,aka: Teddy, exploring the back country of SonomaCounty and its state park treasures.

A secret door leads to neighboring Wine CountryChocolates, where tasting dessert after the dessertwines completes the ultimate sweet tooth tastingexperience.

Moondance CellarsOpen Thursday-Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.


(707) 823-0880www.moondancecellars.com

For tours & reservations, call (707) 938-7550Follow them on Facebook,

YouTube & Twitter.

Mention Day Trips for 2 for 1 wine tasting and 10% off wine purchase.

Not everyone in the wine industry takes themselves seriously.Some have a blast doing what they love and enjoying the ride.

Priscilla and David Cohen are two of the most friendly,approachable vintners in Sonoma County. Their casual, welcomingtasting room offers exactly the kind of personal, one-of-a-kind winecountry experience that many people seek when visiting this famousregion.

David came by his skills as a winemaker with the assistance ofsuch luminaries of the trade as Helen Turley and the late JohnSpeed. David was then able to hone his own craft and take his placealongside the best.

Moondance Cellars is truly a boutique winery, producing smalllots of award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir andZinfandel from grapes grown in some of the most celebratedvineyards of Napa, Sonoma, Russian River and Dry Creek Valley.

Priscillas and Davids white wine varietals are offered as OrchardStation wines; a nod to the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad

particularly to the station building, which now houses the winerynear Sebastopol. The un-oaked (naked) Orchard StationChardonnay was recently awarded the Best of Class/Gold Medalfrom the prestigious Grand Harvest Awards. All of Davids otherwines submitted were also medal winners!

Located in historic Jack London Village, in the sleepy little villageof Glen Ellen, Moondance Cellars requires that you take a momentand step off the beaten path. You will be amply awarded for yourefforts. Either David or Priscilla themselves will likely be around togreet you and pour their marvelous wines, along with a few tall tales

sure to produce a hearty round of laughter at the tasting bar. This iswhere wine tasting means a darned good time.


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WINES NOT TO MISS2012 Viognier Caties Corner, Russian River This gorgeous Viognierfruit has a big personality! It is rich fat and floral which begs to beworked over utilizing the introduction of a limited amount of about20% new French Oak building in the background. Named after Saraleeand Rich Kundes daughter, Caties Corner is also the site where Ericsson Austin, at 12 years old, almost took out a vineyard end post

learning to drive, now that would have been fun to explain to Saralee!2011 Tempranillo Lodi sustainable farming produces this rich exoticSpanish varietal showing layers of blackberry, espresso and darkchocolate, followed by hints of dry-cured black Moroccan olives.VARIETALSAlbarino, Viognier, Russian River Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Old VineZinfandel, Syrah, Struttin Red Blend, Struttin White Blend, Old Vine ZinPort are available by the case or the bottle during regular tasting roomhours with 20% discounts available for club members.LEARN MOREEach of Luses photos has a vivid story behind it. Feel free to ask aboutthe individual lives of the vineyard workers that he has so eloquentlydepicted and memorialized. The beauty of some specific pictures stemfrom the minimalistic presentation of the photograph contrasted withthe depths of emotion in the central point of focus.

Eric Ross WineryOpen daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

14300 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen(707) 939-8525 | www.ericross.com

For private tastings, contact Dennis & Diane(707) 939-8525 or [email protected]

Complimentary tasting with purchase with this Day Trip

Amon

gEricsSilverImagephotolabelseriesistheRussianRiverPinotNoirPouledOr.

If one is charged with finding a perfect wine for theperfect meal, Eric Ross is the place to look. Eric Rossspecializes in wines from some of the most prestigiouslocal wine growing regions, varietals originating fromFrance, Spain and even Portugal. Any wine lover candiscover a wine that goes with their favorite meal, orsimply enjoying a glass on the front porch. Stylistically,

each wine makes a sophisticated statement blossomingthe longer one savors it with a elegant finish.As you discover a new quality wine with every sip

take a moment to experience the photography adorningthe tasting room walls. The winemaker, Eric Luse, beganhis wine journey as a photographer for the SanFrancisco Chronicle. Fascinated by wine and the winecountry lifestyle Luse began college level training ofwinemaking and viticulture while continuing tophotograph vineyard workers as the seasons changed inthe vineyards.

Erics photography reflects the personality of hissubject and his winemaking follows the samephilosophy. Its not about the winemaker its about thevineyard. Whether its the Albarino, Tempranillo,Grenache or Pinot Noir they all reflect the personalityof those specific vineyards.

With a total annual production of roughly 3000cases, Eric Ross does not distribute outside of the tastingroom enjoying a robust wine club and tasting roomexperience. So, stop at Eric Ross, pick up some fabulouswine and open one tonight it is sure to make your

dinner exceptional.


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29Glen Ellen Villagewww.WineCountryThisWeek.com

FUN FACTSCo-owner Bettina Sichel is the daughter of Peter M.F.Sichel, the man responsible for making Blue Nun ahousehold name in America. She is the fifthgeneration of the Sichel family to work in the winebusiness. The vineyard is planted with its own UCDavis certified Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon clone.

VARIETALS PRODUCEDCabernet Sauvignon and Ros 2010 The Laureate Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Parker gives our inaugural release94 Points and a Bravo!

2010 Laurel Glen Cabernet SauvignonIts the finest Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon I havetasted in over a decade, Robert Parker - 92+ Points

2011 Laurel Glen Crazy Old Vine RosHalf of the fruit is Cabernet and the other half is redvarietals from the original 1880s vineyard.

Laurel Glen VineyardOpen daily

969 Carquinez AvenueGlen Ellen, CA 95442

(707) 933-9877www.laurelglen.com

Email: [email protected]

Look for Laurel Glen Vineyardon Facebook and YouTube

Mention Day Trips for a complimentary taste of a Library selection

Laurel Glen Vineyard is a beautiful mountain vineyard that is

well known for producing highly rated Cabernet Sauvignon

wines in the past under the direction of founder Patrick

Campbell. Patrick focused efforts on developing and producing

wines in Lodi and South America and eventually decided to sell

the vineyard. In 2011, Bettina Sichel, a veteran of the California

wine industry, became the steward of Laurel Glen Vineyard after

teaming up with a group of wine lovers to purchase the iconicestate. She brings over 20 years of working with the finest

producers of Cabernet Sauvignon and believes that with

improved organic farming, more careful handling of the fruit and

gentler fermentation techniques, the new wines are already

noticeably more exciting.

One key upgrade was the addition of the Laurel Glen

Vineyard Tasting Room which is open daily. Guests are offered

two different seated tasting options. For $20, guests can taste four

current release wines and this fee is refundable with a wine

purchase or waived for members of the Laureate Club. For $30,reserve a Library Wine Tasting and experience 4 vintages of our

flagship Laurel Glen Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon,

spanning at least 10 years of production. Both tasting experiences

offer insight into the rich history of Laurel Glen as well as their

future plans. Bettina along with her knowledgeable winemakers

and team are on a mission to restore the stylistic elegance with a

balance of acidity and fruit ripeness, finesse and ageability to their

estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

To schedule your tasting, visit their website at

www.laurelglen.com or call (707) 933-9877. By Alexandra Charsley


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Not to scale

VARIETALS

4 different styles of Sauvignon Blanc3 different styles of Chardonnay2 styles of Merlot plus Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon

WHAT TO TASTE

The Journey wines, crafted from the most pedigreed vineyard sites in

Sonoma County. Try the new Journey Sauvignon Blanc in addition to theJourney Chardonnay or the Journey Red Wine, a Bordeaux-style blend.

WINE AND CHEESE PAIRING

Matanzas Creek now offers a decadent wine and cheese tasting expertly

paired and prepared by the winery chefs offered all day, every day!

DAILY TOUR

Matanzas Creek offers a special tour of its famed Estate Gardens andLavender Field every day at 10:30 a.m. includes wine tasting, noreservation needed.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT

You can take a free, self-guided vineyard tour during regular tasting

room hours. The walk is less than a mile and is designed for all agesand levels of wine experience. No reservations required.

Matanzas Creek WineryOpen Daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Open until 6:30 Friday & Saturday evenings August through October

6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

1-800-590-6464 | (707) [email protected] | www.matanzascreek.com

Mention Day Trips and Receive $5.00 off per person on our Wine and Cheese Pairing

This is what visiting Wine Country is all about roll down the windows, let the fresh country air flowand meander the scenic winding road past horses,dairy cows and vineyards, all just to see where theroad might lead.

Today let the road take you to Matanzas CreekWinery, a place that offers something for the winelover, the gardener, the epicurian. Matanzas Creek,which put the bucolic east Santa Rosa neighborhoodof Bennett Valley on the map, took its name from thecreek that drains away the runoff in the valley. Thearea enjoys a unique microclimate among NorthCoast appellations, with cooling influences fromseveral fronts - the Russian River Valley and PetalumaGap from the west and southwest, and the San PabloBay to the south and southeast.

Matanzas Creek produces a wide range of winesthat reflect the viticultural diversity of Bennett Valley

and Sonoma County. Currently the winery isshowcasing the Merlot, the perfect fall and winterseason wine.

Visitors flock to Matanzas Creek in the spring andearly summer when the lavender fields are in bloom.The Days of Wine and Lavender event takes placeduring the peak season: the last weeks in June.Lavender has long been a much celebrated co-starhere, and a section of the tasting room is dedicated toa myriad of lavender products including soaps, scents,

oils and spa products made at the winery.By Michelle J. Baker


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31Glen Ellen/Hwy. 12www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Glen Ellen/Highway 12

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Jack London

State Park

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Bouverie Preserve

Quarry Hill Botanical Garden

The Red Barn Storeat Oak Hill Farm

Yeti

Glen EllenVillage Market

Jack London Lodge

Beltane Ranch

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Glen Ellen InnGlen Ellen Star

LITTLE VINEYARDSFAMILY WINERY

ARROWOOD WINERYAventine Glen Ellen

THINGS TO DOQuarryhill Botanical Garden

12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen(707) 996-6027, www.quarryhillbg.orgAsian botanical gardens featuring one of thelargest collections of documented,wild-collected Asian plants in the world.

Bouverie Preserve

13935 Highway 12, Glen Ellen(707) 938-4554, www.egret.org

Magnificent 535-acre property features arich and distinct combination of plants andanimals, including more than 130 species ofbirds, 350 species of flowering plants andnumerous large mammals such as the bobcat,

grey fox, and coyote.

The Red Barn Store at Oak Hill Farm15101 Highway 12, Glen Ellen(707) 996-6643, www.oakhillfarm.netRustic 100-year-old dairy barn selling freshherbs, lettuce, heirloom vegetables, flowersand ornamental greens, hand-craftedwreaths, dried goods, bouquets and gifts.

FOOD

Aventine Glen Ellen

14301 Arnold Drive, Glen EllenIn the historic Grist Mill(707) 934-8911www.aventineglenellen.comItalian Osteria featuring full bar, brewery and

farm fresh to table dishes by Executive ChefAdolfo Veronese.

Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Mar tini Bar


(707) 996-6409, www.glenelleninn.comFusion of local ingredients paired with French,Asian and Italian influences.

Glen Ellen Star


(707) 343-1384, glenellenstar.com

The menu features rustic California Wine Country cuisine withlocal and international influences including delicious offerings

from the wood-burning brick oven.

Yeti Restaurant

14301 Arnold Drive, Jack London Village, Glen Ellen

(707) 996-9930, www.yetirestaurant.com

Fusion of both Nepalese and Indian cultures.

Garden Court Cafe


(707) 935-1565, www.gardencourtcafe.com

A local favorite for breakfast, brunch and lunch.If you leave hungry, its your own fault.

LODGING

Gaige House Inn


(707) 935-0237, www.gaige.com

Asian-inspired ambiance combined with modern luxury.Granite soaking tubs and private Japanese gardens perfect

for in-suite spa treatments. Michelin recommended.

Ranked as 18 in Conde Nasts Top Small Hotels in the U.S.Beltane Ranch

11775 Highway 12, Glen Ellen

www.beltaneranch.com, (707) 996-6501

1892 ranch house and cottage walking trails lead pasthorses and cattle, through vineyards, olive orchards andorganically farmed produce gardens.

Jack London Lodge


www.jacklondonlodge, (707) 938-8510

Situated on Sonoma Creek quiet, peaceful setting witha pool, heated spa and lovely gardens. Facility includesWolf House Restaurant and historic Jack London Saloon.

Driving Time: 10 minutesFrom Loxton Cellarsto Arrowood Winery 3.2to Little Vineyards 1.1to Madrone Vineyards .7

Total 5 miles

Little Vineyards Family Winery


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32 Glen Ellen/Hwy. 12 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Best Reserve Tasting in the valley hosted by the

friendly and knowledgeable staff, daily at 1 p.m.

This 60-minute tasting includes a flight of reserve

Loxton wines in an intimate setting in the barrel

room. Call ahead to make your reservation.

VARIETALS

Chardonnay (2), Pinot Noir, Zinfandel (2), Syrah (4),

Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Red Blends, Port

DONT MISS

The 2010 Cabernet-Shiraz Grandfathers Cuvee is a

tribute to Chriss grandfather and is a common blend

in Australia. The Shiraz, some of which comes from

the Estate, softens and fills out the Cabernet to make

a rich and seamless wine. The port, made using Syrah

from the Estate Vineyard has been a consistent gold

medal winner at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

Loxton CellarsOpen daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11466 Dunbar Road | Glen Ellen, CA 95442

(707) 935-7221 | www.loxtoncellars.com

Reserve Tastings daily at 1 p.m., only $15 per person!

It has always been my intent to produce wines that show

balance and a sense of place and to produce the best wines

possible without compromise, says Chris Loxton, a fourth

generation winemaker who produced his first wines in 1996.

Our winery, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley, is a place where

visitors can relate to how the wine tastes, where they are made

and by whom.

Loxtons father, grandfather and great grandfather were allwinegrowers and winemakers in his native Australia, but Chris

was so taken with California that he was determined to make

wine in the Sonoma Valley.

This valley has so much history when it comes to

winemaking, says Loxton. Here in my little corner of the world

I am surrounded by history Kunde Vineyards established in

1870, Pagnani Vineyards since 1885 and Wellington started in

1890 all surround my property. Some 120 years of growing

grapes means there is something right with the soil here.

Loxton has taken it upon himself to show off that history tohis guests by giving a personally guided Vineyard Walk of his

property to show his various vineyards and why they are played

where they are. Its the soil that dictates what to grow and where

to grow it, says Loxton, not the winegrower.

Following the 30 to 45 minute walking tour of the property,

Loxton brings his guests back to the tasting room for a special, sit

down tasting, explaining the nuances in each of the wines that are

being sampled. The tour schedules will increase during the

summer months, and start around 10:30 a.m. Reservations are

recommended. By Mike Hyland


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PLAN AHEAD

Call ahead to reserve a spot for the Wine and Cheese

Pairing ($35) or a Wine and Chocolate Truffle Pairing

($25). Private Seated Tastings and Group Tastings also

by appointment.

VARIETALS

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Malbec,

Merlot, Viognier and a decadent Late Harvest Riesling

LITTLE KNOWN FACT

Arrowood has a by-the-glass wine list; its easy to stop

by for a glass of wine and enjoy the roaring fireplace

in the winter; in the summer, hang out on the wrap-

around veranda and enjoy the spectacular view.

Arrowood WineryOpen daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

14347 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen

For tours or more information, contact

1-800-938-5170 | (707) 935-2600

www.arrowoodvineyards.com

Become a fan on Facebook!

Mention Day Trips and receive a 2-for-1 tasting and 10% off your wine purchase!

With a roaring fireplace in the tasting room and a wrap-around veranda offering sweeping views of Sonoma Mountain,

Arrowood Winery is the perfect winery to visit anytime of year.At Arrowood, the focus is squarely on great wine, and

leading the way is a slate of truly special CabernetSauvignons.

Arrowood is one of a scant few wineries that makes

Cabernet Sauvignon from the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard,which was first planted all the way back in 1888. ArrowoodsMonte Rosso Cab, hailing from a small block of the vineyardplanted in the 50s, 60s and 70s, is classically dark andintense, with beautiful aromatics, complexity and elegance,with a lengthy and soulful finish.

Arrowood makes a vast selection of other varietals,including three Syrahs that each show a different face of thisversatile and interesting varietal. The same is true for thewinerys various Chardonnays, and for white wine lovers

Arrowood offers Gewrztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Viognierproduced in very limited quantities.

Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden took over winemakingduties in 2010 after three years as Arrowoods assistantwinemaker. Heidi has the good fortune to work with fruitfrom some of the best vineyards in the area, including

Arrowoods certified organic estate vineyard, Saralees Vineyardin the Russian River Valley and Monte Rosso Vineyard.

On your trip through Sonoma Valley, drop by Arrowoodfor a Signature Flight featuring a library Cab representing the

best quality fruit selected for Arrowood wines.By Michelle J. Baker


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34 Glen Ellen/Hwy. 12 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the patio

after tasting. With advance notice, guests can order a winery

picnic lunch for $40 per person, which includes wine tasting

or make a reservation for private vineyard tour tastings.

Theyll enjoy lunch, wine and the views. A bocce ball court is

also available alongside the vineyards.

VARIETALS

Little Vineyards Family Winery focuses on estate-grown,

small-production red wines including Cabernet Sauvignon,

Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah.

FUN FACT

Rich Littles recording studio behind the tasting room has

brought many well know musicians to the property and Rich is

known to come out and play his Chapman Stick, a very uniqueinstrument, at any time. Rich Littles hobby of restoring old

trucks is something for all visitors to enjoy, especially his 1948

Ford trucks.

Little Vineyards Family WineryOpen Thursday-Monday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

15188 Sonoma HighwayGlen Ellen, CA 95442

(707) 996-2750 | www.littlevineyards.com

Mention this story for a 10% discount on the purchase of two or more bottles of wine.

Are you looking for a boutique family-owned winery

experience where you can enjoy estate grown red

wines? The Little Family invites you to their 23-acre

property nestled in the historic Valley of the Moon, to

sample award-winning, estate-grown wines while

enjoying breathtaking views of the vineyards and

mountains.

Rich and Joan Little, together with Joans brother

and winemaker, Ted Coleman, founded the winery in

2002. They released their first two vintages at that time,

one of which received a gold medal at the Sonoma

County Harvest Fair. Their wines continue to receive

outstanding awards, including two vintages that have

received 98-point, double-gold ratings from theCalifornia State Fair.

When visiting the tasting room, youll see a historic

Glen Ellen bar from an old tavern that was frequented

by writer Jack London, who remains a legendary figure

in the Sonoma Valley. The Little Family, also gifted

musicians, love to bring their passion for music into the

tasting room on occasion to entertain their guests, an

experience you won't want to miss.


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TASTINGSCustomized Tastings:3 tastes for $10, 5 tastes for $15Enjoy small-lot and estate wines at they dynamictasting bar or the elegant outdoor patio.

Seated Tastings:$25-35 per personA treat for experts and novices alike, choose asensory tasting paired with small lot selections orstep up to experience the highly-limited MadroneVineyards Estate selections paired with bitesspecially prepared by the winery chef.

Patio Tastings: Enjoy customized tastings, pizza andwine pairings (weekends only), wines by the glass,creekside bocce court and much more!

HISTORIC TOURS$35 per person

Take a deep look into the rich history of SonomaValley and Madrone Vineyards Estate. Includes a tourof the grounds, a look at the vineyards and anexamination at the winemaking process. Finish withsit-down tasting. Reservations required.

Madrone Vineyards Estate(formerly Valley of the Moon)

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Open until 6 p.m. Thursdays for Happy Hour

777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen CA 95442(707) 939-4510

www.madronevineyardsestate.com

A MEMORY 150 YEARS THE MAKINGHistoric Madrone Vineyards Estate was founded on a portion of the Agua

Caliente Rancho originally given by Governor Juan Alvarado to Lzaro Pia, a

second lieutenant under the command of General M.G. Vallejo in 1840.

In 1863, the ranch was sold to pioneering vintner George Whitman who

planted the first grapes and built a the first winery on the property that would

become the foundation of the Sonoma Valleys winemaking tradition. By 1876,

Whitman has established a prosperous winemaking enterprise, producing over

50,000 gallons of wine and brandy.

In 1883, Whitman sold the ranch to Eli T. Sheppard, former consul to

China and an advisor to the Emperor of Japan. Sheppard renamed the estate

Madrone Vineyards and the estate continued to thrive under that banner until

1938 when it was sadly forced into foreclosure.

In 1941, the dormant Madrone Vineyards Estate was purchased by Italian

sausage makers Enrico Parducci and Peter Domenici. The pair renamed the

estate Valley of the Moon and sparked a new era in winemaking in Sonoma

Valley.

In 2012, the estate was sold to Sonoma native and wine-industry veteran,

Dan Zepponi and his business partner and third generation vintner, TonyStewart. Under their guidance, the iconic Madrone Vineyards Estate has been

coaxed from Sonomas historic archives and restored to its former glory.

EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC SONOMAThe original gateway to the stunning Sonoma Valley, Madrone Vineyards

Estate offers estate-driven wines of extraordinary quality and authentic winery

experiences in the heart of the birthplace of Sonomas winemaking tradition.

Newly remodeled tasting bar

Elegant new tasting lounge featuring seated tastings

and innovative food and wine pairings

Breathtaking patio seating featuring pizza and wine pairingsand wines by the glass

Historic vineyard tours

Sonomas best happy hour on Thursdays 4 to 6 p.m.


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36 Kenwood www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

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