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  

Lolita | Cleveland

At Chef Michael Symon's chic and cozy Mediterranean bistro Lolita, there's an understated brilliance working its way into his dishes. Take the exemplary House made Pork Rinds ($6) which achieve a light and airy crispness, benefiting from a simple chili and lime seasoning that ever so nicely cuts their natural saltiness. The Crispy Pig Tails & Ears ($10) are another outstanding demonstration of the chefs prodigious ways with pork. The textures are spot on where crispy yet tender forkfuls meet a fennel-onion agrodolce, pickled chilies and cilantro. The Carrot Agnolotti ($18) presents elegantly braised rabbit that has been shredded and is bathing in a gorgeous, bright heirloom carrot agrumato. Side dishes of Fried Brussels Sprouts ($6) laced with caper, anchovy and walnut and Broccolini ($6) seasoned in Calabrian chili, olive oil, garlic, lemon and breadcrumb prove themselves worthy to stand alongside all these tremendous meat dishes. 

Cocktails are inventive and inspired. The Port Authority ($11) made with Makers Mark bourbon, LBV port, balsamic reduction and basil offers unique and deep flavors. The wine list is thoughtful and widely sourced despite the one Rosé offering of Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare ($12). I am always going to be on the lookout for Rosé this time of year. 

The small space is relaxing and tasteful, where soft lighting and exposed brick meet elaborate pressed gold ceilings. Heavy framed slate windows gaze out over a quaint block in the neighborhood of Tremont. Lolita would be the perfect host for an intimate girls dinner or a date night. The Destination Cleveland crew as a whole was thoroughly impressed with our first dinner out in C-Land. 

Lolita

Tremont

900 Literary Road

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Husk | Nashville

Husk is stunning. From the intricate white archways on the façade, to the neatly trimmed hedges in the garden, to the salt-glazed pottery plates which highlight ingredients from local Tennessee farms.  

With a commanding presence in quiet Rutledge Hill - the historic brick building that served as the mayors home beginning in 1879 is now where James Beard award winning chef Sean Brock dishes up refined southern cuisine. You are just a few blocks south of the party on Broadway street. 

Cocktail | Chestnut Philly | Pimms, Belle Meade Bourbon, Thyme-Voignier syrup, lemon juice, ginger bitters

First | Crispy Pig Ears | soy pepper glaze, bibb lettuce, cucumber, lime, sweet onion  

First | Carolina Hominy and Wild Ramp Griddle Cakes | HUSK pimento cheese

Supper | Bear Creek Farm Pork | hominy and butter bean succotash, West African mustard onions. 

If nothing else, get the crispy pig ears.

 HUSK Restaurant 

37 Rutledge Street

Nashville, TN 37210