Sonoma Ca

Great American wines come from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California.

The vineyards are vast and beautiful to behold. They line either side of the main road running up either valley: highway 12 in Sonoma and 29 in Napa. I prefer the small town feel of Sonoma Valley and and the Sonoma Square to Napa’s sprawl, though Napa produces better wines if you perfer Cabernet. Not to be missed is a drive along the Siverado Trail which parallels highway 29 up Napa Valley.

Sonoma Square sits at the “entrance” to Sonoma Valley. There are some very good wineries south of the square: Gloria Ferrer sits on highway 121 and produces wonderful Champagne. Viansa Winery also on 121 is known for their specialty condiment shop and is a fun visit. Sonoma Square is a typical old-time town square with a central park and shops along the four sides. There is ample parking on the north side of the square (take 1st st. past E. Spain and the first left takes you to parking). There are hotels on and close to the square and good restaurants on the square. The Sonoma Cheese Factory has a deli/sandwich shop that is quite good. For a “cheese experience” visit the Vella Cheese Company (315 Second St East) for specialty cheeses. This is a small family run business.

For funky old world charm, try the Swiss Chalet ($119 & up). Their restaurant is pretty good as well. I have stayed at the Best Western, just off the square a number of times as well ($199 & up). The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn ($225) is out of town on highway 12. I have not stayed at the Ledson Hotel ($350). Our favorite restaurant on the square is “the Girl and the Fig”, though you cannot go wrong with any restaurant on the square. The Kenwood Inn and Spa is a bit upscale as is Ledson (I assume).

A word about Ledson. The Winery is a recently constructed mansion. The Ledson family has also turned to home construction. They have built a series of very well designed mission style homes east of Sonoma Square. These homes are magnificent if you go for larger mission style homes. Ledson construction is great, their wines are “ok”.

If you want an Inn and Spa experience, the Fairmont is good. I recommend the Kenwood Inn and Spa, which is smaller and more intimate: more fun. It is a bit of a drive from the square on highway 12.

For wine tasting I recommend the Dry Creek region at the northern end of the Sonoma Valley. It is near the town of Healdsburg, just shy of an hour’s drive north of the Sonoma Square. You will pass many interesting wineries on your way to Healdsburg. Follow your intuition and discover your own gems.

Do stop at Dry Creek Winery. They make wonderful wines at a reasonable price and avoid trying to sample too much. A small sampling of five wines at four wineries can be a bit much and it becomes difficult to taste or differentiate between wines. Personally I try to avoid tasting at more than three wineries and keep my samples below five at any winery, unless the wine is particularly good or I’m with exuberant friends.

The spring or fall is the best time to visit; right now is optimal.

Enjoy,

Ron

(next Napa Valley and Wineries)