Sonoma County: A Wine Lover’s Paradise

I like to think Heaven looks something like Sonoma. Jesus was a fan of wine, so my confidence rests in the fact that Heaven has an absolutely magnificent vineyard with wine that is beyond spectacular. Until then, I turn to Sonoma for my wine fix.

Some people are apprehensive about not only tasting wine, but about tackling the journey without any guidance. Our first trip to Sonoma began with a guided tour by Bruce with Wine Country Safari. His knowledge was incredible, and he has relationships with the finest wineries across the county. Depending on your purchase budget and taste preferences, Bruce will schedule the perfect tour for you. Additionally, he can take you into wineries that are usually closed to the public! I cannot brag enough about Bruce.

For those unable to take a tour, or looking for the best way to “attack” wine country on their own, plan on spending at least two days vineyard hopping. Grab a map, and hit the roads. Don’t be afraid to travel on the back roads – some of the best wineries are off the beaten path. We discovered some of our favorite locations by taking this approach.

Plan to spend time at each vineyard. The tasting room managers and staff are very friendly and have extremely interesting backgrounds. On that note, the vintners are diverse as well! At many of the small production wineries, you will often get a chance to visit with them. From biologists to doctors – their “first” lives provide an interesting backdrop for their subsequent journey into the art and science of wine making.

Bring on the Wineries!

We fell in love with so many different vineyards. The decision of which ones to include ultimately came down to which ones I had photos from. Yes, not very scientific, but it is visual.

Raymond Burr Vineyards – Morgan is a huge fan of Raymond Burr. You might think, “Wow, Perry Mason was a bit before his time.” Indeed. It was actually in the Godzilla movie that Morgan discovered Raymond Burr; Morgan can’t get enough of Godzilla. The vineyard is closed to the public, but you would be permitted entrance if you take a tour with Wine Country Safari. Their wine is excellent and the view is spectacular – perfect spot for lunch.

Hop Kiln Winery – Hop Kiln used to grow and produce hops. The farm began growing grapes and producing wine in the 1970s. The building is extremely unique, and they have a broad array of other products in the tasting room – from gourmet meats to olive oils and spices. Yummy!

Harvest Moon Estate & Winery – This winery is one of the many great wineries located off Olivet Road in the Russian River Valley. Their Zinfandel is delightful and their tasting room manager is one of the kindest I have ever met. Great wine and great company – plan to stay a while at Harvest Moon!

Siduri – This winery has a special place in our heart – it was the first winery we visited in Sonoma. Siduri buys some of the best grapes and is known for their Pinot Noir. Their bottling and tasting room is located in Santa Rosa, and their wines constistently rank among Wine Spectator’s highest.

Moshin Vineyards – Hands down probably our favorite vineyard. Julie, the tasting room manager, is awesome! Their wine is fantastic. Last trip to Sonoma we arrived at closing time for the Vineyard and left three hours later. Moshin is a must visit on your trip to the Russian River Valley.

There are so many vineyards – we cannot do them all justice. Other must visits include:

• David Coffaro
• Inman Family Wines
• Davis Family Vineyards
• Martinelli Winery
• Hook & Ladder Vineyards

Stay tuned for more from Sonoma…..more exciting places to visit and adventures to undertake! And, most importantly, how to bring a little bit of Sonoma to your wedding!