Wine related travel is a popular part of Sonoma County, with its 13 American Viticultural areas, each with distinctive characteristics.  The Pacific coastline, redwood forests, fertile valleys, and mountains all add to the mix in producing some truly outstanding wines.

Take a day trip from Oakland or San Francisco, getaway for a weekend of wine, or spend more time tasting and learning about all the Sonoma wineries and wine have to offer.

Everyone has their personal wine preferences, and with over 250 Sonoma-area wineries to choose from, coming in all sizes and flavors, it’s often hard to come up with some favorites.  But that’s just what Sonoma County has done for you – put together a list of 13 wineries that offer a little something more than just great wine.

In alphabetical order, here’s the list, along with some tasting notes:

1. Acorn Winery – Variety of wines offered at this small winery.  Call in advance for a visit, but give it a try even if you’re just down the road.  Located in Healdsburg.
2. Annapolis Winery – Small family owned winery that produces small barrels.  Located in Annapolis.
3. Balletto Vineyards/Dutton Goldfield – Two wineries, one tasting room.  Balletto features Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Pinot Gris.  Dutton Goldfield features Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Located in Santa Rosa.
4. Gundlach Bundschu Winery – Gewurztraminer.  One of the oldest wineries in Sonoma County, located in Sonoma.
5. Hawkes Winery – Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonnay.  Located in Healdsburg.
6. Matanzas Creek Winery -  Merlot.  The winery is surrounded by lavender fields.  Located a little off the beaten path in Santa Rosa.
7. Mutt Lynch Winery – Dog lovers will love this places with the cleverly named wines, Merlot Over, Play Dead, and Unleashed Chardonnay.  Good wine always goes with good humor.  Located in Healdsburg.
8. Quivira Vineyards – California Grenache, Grenache Rose, and Sauvignon Blanc.  Located in Healdsburg.
9. Robert Rue Vineyard – Old-vine Zinfandel.  Located in Fulton.
10. Robledo Family Winery – Variety of wine offerings.  Open by appointment only, but the owners are very accommodating, and short notice isn’t usually a problem.  Located in Sonoma.
11. Russian River Vineyards – Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah.  Winery also has a restaurant.  Located in Forestville.
12. Stryker Sonoma Winery and Vineyards – Zinfandel and Cabernet.  Located in Geyserville.
13. Twomey Cellars – Merlot.  Located in Healdsburg.

Do you have a Sonoma favorite that didn’t make the list?  Leave your favorite, and tell us why, in the comments!

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

13 Sonoma Wineries Not to be Missed

Leading the sessions will be renowned culinary masters, some of the biggest names in the business.  Here’s a sample:  Ruth Reichl, Mario Batali (in photo), Daniel Boulud, David Bouley, April Bloomfield, Floyd Cardoz, Scott Conant, Gina DePalma, Sara Moulton, Charlie Palmer, Marcus Samuelsson, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Florent Molleret, Dan Barber, Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert.

Here are some of the things on the schedule for the weekend:

• Chef demonstrations
• Wine and spirits tastings
• Cheese tastings
• Seminars
• Gourmet test kitchen Session
• Walking tours
• Special menus at select NYC restaurants (Friday & Saturday)
• Book signings

And lots more!

Tickets are now available, and if you think this sounds like a lot of fun, you’d better act quickly.  Some classes are already sold out!  Ticket prices range from $20-300, and you can buy individual classes or seminars based on what interests you, or put together a package.  You can check the schedule and order tickets online.

Photo Credit:  Chef Mario Batali by Bauer Griffin

Post from: Blisstree

Culinary Travel Weekend at The Gourmet Institute

These sweet Maui onions can be grown in locations other than Maui, but nothing beats the islands for a celebration of this type.  Over a thousand pounds of onions and five local celebrity chefs will provide cooking demonstrations and compete for the Best Onion Recipe prize.

If you’ll be visiting Maui during this time be sure to head into Kaanapali – all you’ll have to do is follow the fragrance of those sweet, sweet onion wafting about the place!  Take a look at the schedule of events, and plan some onion enjoying vacation time.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Island Flavor at Maui’s Onion Festival