So you only have 24 hours? These are a few suggestions we would do. Any of these combinations would make 24 hours complete in wine country -- at least until the next time you plan to come.
Breakfasts
Some of my favorite breakfast spots are in wine country. To our shame, we only really frequent 3 of them and if you do any of these, you’ll be good. In Healdsburg, there are 2 great places for breakfast. We usually take friends if they’re here for the first time to Costeau French Bakery & Cafe. It’s a great place for an American/French breakfast.
You won’t be disappointed with The Parish Cafe. This is Southern cooking meets farm to table. Need I say more? They have a lot of great seafood menu items too if you like a breakfast menu that serves Shrimp and Grits and Eggs Nouvelle Orleans with poached eggs, lump blue crabmeat, shallots and a house made hollandaise.
If you need something fast and delicious before a day of wine tasting, stop by Ana’s Cafe in Windsor on Redwood Highway and say hello to Ana. She has great chorizo burritos and a Mexican mocha that is my favorite when she has it.
Experience a High-End Winery
Visit a high-end winery that takes their service and wines to the next level without breaking the bank. Jordan Winery is a beautiful chateau replicated like one in France and you can have a wine tasting in the library of the chateau. This is a sit-down tasting with small pieces of cheese where you can try the same variety except in different years which gives this a unique tasting. This is where you can learn more about the difference in years.
One of our favorites is MacRostie Winery Estate House on West Side Road. This winery serves you all their wines in different glasses at almost the same time for a sit down tasting. If you choose the sit down pairing lunch, you will be overlooking a vineyard while tasting some of the lightest wines with their fantastic food pairings. This is a perfect setting during the summer.
If you don’t have a sit-down wine tasting, visit one of the many wineries with beautiful gardens and underground tasting rooms like the one at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery or Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens.
Visit a Family Winery
Visit a Family Winery. Visiting a family winery is like stepping into their home as a guest as they share their latest masterpiece of art. The passion and excitement they have to share their wines with you is not only endearing but contagious. If you’re paying attention, they’ve created another wine lover.
Bacigalupi is a small family cottage and a nice find, especially when you learn that it was their grapes that were the wine that won the wine contest in France in 1975 and gave notoriety to a Napa winery. And of course, the rest is history.
A fun family winery is Albini Family Vineyards. Don is practically a neighbor but if you call him in time, he will open his garage and share with you some really incredible wines that he makes on his own. (Yes that’s right.) Interestingly enough, Don’s wines are featured in some of the top restaurants in New York. Who knew they were made from a garage and probably labeled as a boutique wine from Sonoma? You’ll find yourself taking a case home...from the neighbor.
Drive Along The West Side Road
If you were only going to take one drive in Sonoma, this would be the drive. Click on the title above and you’ll see what people say about it. It’s truly heaven.
It’s just really beautiful with rolling hills in the distance peppered with oak trees, white picket fences, hillsides filled with vineyards and just scenic views. Plus, you’ll find a few iconic barns along the road. Wineries like Moshin, and Mill Creek Vineyards and Winery won’t disappoint either.
Part of the charm of this region in California is that travelers can experience this part of the country in its original splendor which is one of the reasons why we love it so much. Driving through this county is still very reminiscent to the drives I took with my family in Southern California in the 70’s when there were nothing but roads lined with tall evergreens, orange groves and strawberry fields in a city now called Irvine.
The county of Sonoma works very hard in keeping their scenic drives. Sustainability and farm to table food were created in Sonoma and driving down this road, you’ll see why they’ve worked so hard to preserve it.
Picnic
Don’t underestimate the glory of a picnic in Sonoma County. With sweeping views of vineyards and beautiful weather, you’ll feel like you’re a part of a painting. Picnic items are a staple at the Sonoma Wine Nest such as a wine cooler, wine bags to store all your items, table cloths and bug spray. Spots for a picnic are Armida Winery (shown above) or Gracianna’s on where else but the West Side Road. Here are more ideas for great locations.
Another great site is Foothill Park. Wow - talk about a setting to have lunch and a glass of wine! This is just around the corner too from the Nest so you can even walk home.
Stroll Through Healdsburg
One place not to miss is the small town of Healdsburg; Sonoma Couny’s gem and a town that was almost lost to the fires. This is the best place to have dinner, do a wine tasting, catch a movie, shop or just relax in the plaza while having an ice cream cone from Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar. Our favorite lunch and dinner spot is Bravas for Spanish tapas.
We were looking all over Napa for a vacation home and when we drove through this town by accident, we nearly stopped in our tracks. What is this? The quaint but lavish boutique shops mixed with vintage shops, the cafe’s, the beautiful town square, the ice cream shops, it’s all here to explore. We have yet to try their old town movie theater soon but how nice it would be to then walk over to Campo Fina for pizza on their patio. This is another favorite place for lunch and dinner.
It’s no wonder Travel + Leisure magazine named the Healdsburg central plaza “America’s Most Beautiful Squares.”
Visit Francis Ford Coppola Winery
A fun attraction to visit is the Coppola Winery. Take a dip in the pool during the summer, have a cocktail by the pool or just shop for a special gift or stroll in their museum filled with Coppola film memorabilia. Sit on their patio overlooking their vineyards and take a break.
Tired of drinking wine? Have well drinks at the bar. Tuesday nights is a fun night at their Italian family wine dinner served by characters who look like they came out of the Godfather.
What I really enjoy is how Frances Ford Coppola really made an environment where his guests could do what they want and really enjoy themselves. He created a fountain you can actually swim in, be a rebel and have a well drink instead, and enjoy dishes from Italy he got from their local cooks. There’s also memorabilia from all his films on display that you can check out before taking part in the fun of living out an experience of being served with wise guys from The Godfather movie in his restaurant.
He’s a fantastic host if you ask me. Even if you don’t like their wine, this is a fun stop.
“Oh that was so much fun!”
-Mom (that’s her on the bottom of the photo.)
There is just so much to do in Sonoma that each time you come, you discover more things to see and places to discover. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a girls getaway, a couples retreat or taking your folks for a weekend to enjoy, there’s a trip for everyone.
Do you want to take your kids? There’s a lot for them too, if you like taking them hiking on the many hiking trails around. You can also visit the Charles Schultz Museum or a farms for them to see the animals. Even if you take them for a walk around the neighborhood, you’ll see sheep, goats, horses and even eagles hanging out in the trees if you’re lucky.
Whatever your trip, feel free to let me know if there is anything I can plan for you. Click Here for my information.
