Next week my husband and I are going to California to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We've been to Napa several times, and love it there, but this time thought we would concentrate more on the Sonoma areas. We are spending 3 nights in Healdsburg and 2 nights in Glen Ellen. While in Healdsburg, we're spending one day with a private guide/towncar taking us to small wineries. He sent me the wineries we would be visiting-Lancaster Estate, Hawks Wine, Rye Winery, Garden Creek Vineyards, and Medlock Ames. The only wineries we've been to in Sonoma area are Benzinger and BR Cohn. Does anyone have any favorites in the area? We like red wines the best. Also, any restaurants, stores, etc. that we should make sure we visit? Thought I should also pick up some olive oil while there.

Dry Creek Valley is just north of Healdsburg. There's one small country store (where you can buy good sandwiches for winery picnics), but no other businesses other than mostly small wineries in this beautiful little valley. It's my absolute favorite area.

Ridge and Unti are my favorite wineries there for really wonderful red wines, Preston is my favorite for just being a cool, laidback, fun place to visit, complete with an organic vegetable garden and friendly cats.

My husband and are planning a few days in the same area later in August for our 25th (when we met not when we married) as well.

Have fun!

Chris-Thanks for the suggestions. We'll definately try to get up to that area. We've never been to the area for more than a long weekend, so we're looking forward to having a little more time to explore.

Cindy Ruth,

I just love the Sonoma County wineries - much more than Napa Valley - Sonoma still seems pretty rural.

Healdsburg is an adorable town with a town square (kind of like downtown Paso Robles), with restaurants all around the perimeter. It has been about five years since we were in Healdsburg, but one of our favorite restaurants was a tiny one next to the movie theatre - can't remember the name though.

Have a wonderful time! Be sure and give us a report when you get home.

Nancy

Thanks Nancy. I'll be sure and check out that restaurant. I'll make sure I do some type of trip report when we get home. I'm so bad about doing them. Always good intention, no followthrough.

I just remembered the name of the restaurant in Healdsburg - Ravenous. It may have moved to a different location since I was there. It was very tiny and very popular, and I vaguely remember hearing that it had moved.

Nancy

Domain Chandon has a champagnery (or should I say bubbling wine) near Sonoma. The restaurant at the vineyard is phenomenal. During they summer they also make this great drink from brandy and their champagne called panache'. Woo hoo!!

Several years ago when we were flush we had dinner one night at the french laundry and once at Domain Chandon. I'd say the Domain Chandon experience equaled the french laundry for 1/2 the price.

I am jealous. I haven't been back to Sonoma for a few years and miss it! When we went we stayed in a rental along the Russian River in Forestville. Wineries we enjoyed in the Healdsburg area were: Roshambo, Hop Kiln, Davis Bynum, and Rodney Strong - lots of big, beautiful reds here.

If you're over near the wineries off of the Alexander Velley Rod do stop in and visit the Jimtown store - a 'country store' since the 1880s. You can get amazing sandwiches and other treats for picnic lunches. We enjoyed our visit to Stryker Sonoma (especially Paul who was told he had the face of a cherub by the tasting girl!), Hanna, and Sausal.

While there are some interesting wineries in Glen Ellen (Benziger has the best tour I have ever been on - and I've done a lot of wine tours!) We enjoyed Ledson, St Francis, Kunde, and Chateau St Jean. You have to visit the Olive Press in Glen Ellen for some amazing olive oil - you can forget about getting oil at Costco - get it here!

Happy Anniversary!

Hi Cindy Ruth,

We are in Sonoma now (we live here part time). The weather is gorgeous, but it does get cool at night.

Benziger Winery has a great tour and their wines are good. Some others with good reds are Arrowood, Robledo and Cline Cellars.

The Olive Press has moved out of Glen Ellen and are now located with the Jacuzzi Family winery which is across the road from Cline. Figone Olive now occupies the old olive press location in Jack London Village in Glen Ellen. If you go by there, stop into Wine Country Chocolates which is right next door along with a good deli and cheese shop.

Many restaurants to choose from. Here's just a few.

the girl and the fig
Cafe la haye
El Dorado kitchen
Red Grape (good pizza)

If you're in town on a Friday or Sat. drop by the lobby bar at the Lodges at Sonoma to listen to some good jazz (Free).
All of the places I mentioned have web links.

Loads of other things to do up here. I'm sorry I'll miss you, we will be on the east coast for 2 weeks, leaving on Wed.

Have a good time!

gloria

Cindy,

I can't add much more than Happy Anniversary - Sonoma is one of our favorite areas, and spending your 25th there will be wonderful. You'll notice a much more relaxed and less traveled vibe than in Napa. The town square in Healdsberg is just a great place to visit; as you have been told above there are some wonderful restaurants there too.

So a toast to your special day - the red wines there are fabulous.

Not exactly an answer to your question, but you might be interested in an interesting article I just happened to see about a winemaking reality show debuting on PBS next year. Apparently they have finished filming the first season, shot in the Paso Robles area, and are now starting the second season, which will be based in Napa / Sonoma. Here is the website for the show.

- Roz

Thanks everyone for all of the advice and suggestions. Gloria-I'm glad you told me that Olive Press moved, as I was planning on going there. Who cares if it's chilly at night-it's freezing here(not literally, except the tops of the mountains now have snow) and raining, and all I want is sunshine!!!

Cindy,

Forgot to mention these 2 places right in Glen Ellen:

the fig cafe (same owners as the girl and the fig)
serves wine and small plates

The Garden Court cafe
good breakfasts

Happy 25th!

gloria