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

The resort will have 85 well appointed guest rooms and suites on four levels, and all rooms will feature either a private terrace or balcony. Other special room features include a window seat (I can see myself lounging there, reading a book, and sipping a delicious glass of red wine), fireplace (I can see myself sitting in front of a fire, sipping a delicious glass of red wine), and soaking tubs (I can see myself lounging in a bubble bath, sipping a delicious glass of red wine).  Notice the theme, here?!

The spa will offer 12 treatment rooms, sauna, pool, waterfalls, reflection pond, and private gardens.  Also on site will be a restaurant and bar featuring local ingredients and products.  Yummmm, more delicious red wine!  Meeting space and conference facilities will also be available.

The Allison features several green initiatives, including solar hot water, eco-roofing on one wing, and no plastic bottles are used on the property.  Green practices were used in the building, and sustainable practices used in the ongoing operation of the resort.  The resort is seeking LEED certification, joining a small group of hotels and resorts committed to doing business in an eco-friendly way.

Resort guests will be nearby to about 200 wineries for visiting and tasting.  Other nearby amenities and attractions include hot air ballooning, helicopter tours of the wine country, golfing at the new 18-hole Chehalem Glenn golf course, biking, horseback riding, and shopping.

The Allison Inn & Spa is located at 2525 Allison Lane in Newberg, Oregon.  It is a member of the Preferred Boutique Hotels, the first one in Oregon.  Although online reservations are not yet accepted, the hotel is slated for opening in September 2009 and is accepting reservations requests by email.  Rates start at $295, and I expect there will be a variety of special promotions and packages available.

I’ve got a visit here on my fall to-do list!  How about you?

Photo credit: fall-line  @flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Indulge in Fall Luxury in Oregon’s Wine Country

Example: One of these vacation homes shown in the show is the amazing Redwood Tree House on the Russian River in Healdsburg, CA. One, this is an absolutely beautiful area. I love this part of Californian. Two, what other vacation home has a tree growing through it? Not many I’d wager.

See:

That is so cool!

Above is the front entry. I think that this would be a nice place for a peaceful simple wedding (or the honeymoon). There’s wine tasting near by (more than 60 wineries within 10 miles), and the amazing views:

Ah. They have a nice hot tub overlooking this view as well. Plus you can’t beat the weather in Sonoma County; besides Humboldt, it’s one of my favorite places in CA.

Visit the Redwood Tree House

View the entire top 10 most unique vacation rentals slide show.

Post from: Blisstree

Slide Show of Top 10 Most Unique Vacation Rentals