
Sonoma in January possesses a unique kind of beauty. Temperatures hover around a toasty 59 degrees, the rain spits from the thick fog cloaking the mountains, naked vines stand in stark contrast along the rolling patchy green hills. I'm relaxed and happy to be here for the first time with my best ladies.
On Saturday morning after an early check in at the Renaissance Marriot Lodge at Sonoma Resort + Spa our driver, David, of Intimate Wine Tours whisked us off to Healdsburg, a small city located in Northern Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley where we tasted wines at Bella Winery and Yoakim Bridge. Because of the 1:30 Patriots playoff game we only had time for two tastings before booking it over to Lagunitas in Petaluma to ensure prime seating in front of their one TV!Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves
$10 tasting / beautiful wine caves / relaxed tasting atmosphere / gorgeous property / excellent Zinfandel.
9711 W Dry Creek Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Yoakim Bridge Winery
$10 tasting / intimate yet lively tasting room run by a spunky couple / great Zins and a really delicious 2010 merlot.
7209 Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Lagunitas Brewing Company
noshed on soft pretzels + smoked pork nachos / tasted lots of unique beers - a range of hits and misses in the bunch.
1280 N. McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94954
Post Lagunitas and a Patriots Win(!!) we headed back home to The Renaissance Lodge where we were just in time for their wine tasting happy hour, along with the rest of the hotel guests. After some hotel lobby shenanigans it was off to Sonoma Plaza for one last tasting. Our good natured driver, David, (now off the clock) joins in on the fun at Roche Winery Tasting Room before bidding us farewell until tomorrow. We make our way across the square for dinner at La Salette.
Roche Winery
popular downtown Sonoma tasting room / outdoor patio on the square
122 West Spain St.
Sonoma, CA 95476
La Salette
inventive contemporary Portuguese cuisine.
452 First St East
Sonoma, CA 95476
Tasca Tasting Platter at La Salette: Fried Goat Cheese, Spicy Fried Pig Ears, Escargot in Garlic Butter