Wine Tasting in Healdsburg

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 Brewery 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 Estate

$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 unique beers - a range of hits and misses.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd

Petaluma, CA 94954

Post Lagunitas and a Patriots Win(!!) we headed back to The Renaissance Lodge where we were just in time for 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 who is 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 featuring inventive contemporary 

Portuguese cuisine at La Salette. Pictured is the Tasca Tasting Platter: Fried Goat Cheese, Spicy Fried Pig Ears and Escargot in Garlic Butter.

Roche Winery

popular downtown Sonoma tasting room 

outdoor patio on the square

122 West Spain St.

Sonoma, CA 95476

La Salette

Cozinha Nova Portuguesa

452 First St East

Sonoma, CA 95476  

Apothic Wine Dinner | Tavern Road

Apothic Wines and winemaker Boyd Morrison hosted a tasting dinner at the high energy meets industrial and artsy Tavern Road, newly opened on Congress Street in Fort Point. Apothic offers three distinct varietals from California grapes: a red, a white and a newly released rose. The unique blends which create bold, full bodied and captivating wines were expertly paired with our three course meal prepared by Chef Louis DiBaccari.

We began with the Apothic Rose, a zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon blend with a gorgeous crimson hue and big luscious flavors of strawberry and watermelon. The first course presented a choice of chilled yellow watermelon soup with grilled haloumi, hazelnut and mint or a  grilled octopus salad with foccacia croutons drizzled in a cured meat viniagrette. Both were excellent starters which paired nicely with the Rose.

The Apothic Red is a merlot, zinfandel, syrah and cabernet sauvignon blend, revealing intense fruit flavors of rhubarb and black cherry, with hints of mocha, chocolate and spice. 

It complimented both entrée choices: a flavorful and tender harissa rubbed lamb steak with romesco, ramps and hazelnuts, and a terrific olive oil poached Chatham bluefish with fava beans, English peas and littlenecks. The table also enjoyed some side dishes - how nice to feast on crisp bok choy with green beans, shallots and almonds. A toasty roasted cauliflower with dates, baby beets and horseradish. Lastly, potato gnocchi with dandelion and aged balsamic. 

The vibrant Apothic White which combines chardonnay, riesling and moscato capped off our meal alongside dessert - a fresh baked, piping hot, chewy cookie and two scoops of a Mexican hot chocolate ice cream. I am a BIG FAN of Mexican hot chocolate and this ice cream truly captured its essence with smooth cocoa, cinnamon and cayenne for an intense spiciness.

It was quite an impressive spread, matched by awesome wines in a fun setting heralded by a spacious open kitchen, a lively bar scene and the chef's personal soundtrack choice - all 80's music! Many thanks to Boyd for introducing us to his wines and all who made this dinner such a great event!

Tavern Road

343 Congress St

Boston, MA 02210