Read more - West Wines

Photo by Sonoma Visitors Bureau
ROAD TRIP
THE LONG AND
WINE-ING ROAD
By ANNABELLE MARCENO PERICIN
A
mid Sonoma County’s wine region, adventure and exploration awaits
on the Wine Road. About an hour away north of San Francisco, this
massive wine region is the size of Rhode Island, with 13 different appellations and producing world-class grapes and wine. The Wine Road
travels through the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys and has
wine enthusiasts wanting to experience the variety of family-owned and larger corporate-owned wineries in the region.
NESTLED IN THE HEART OF WINE COUNTRY
Healdsburg is where the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander
Valley meet and where we start on the Wine Road. Before exploring some of Dry
Creek Valley’s wineries, Shed is a must visit when in Sonoma Wine Country. Don’t
let the name deceive you. Located in downtown Healdsburg, the nearly 10,000
square foot modern steel-and-glass barn-like structure doesn’t remind me of the kind
of shed I grew up seeing. The open and beautiful interior is like walking into an inspiring farm-to-table playground. Shed is Healdsburg’s 21st-century grange, grocery, farm store, cafe, bar and event space. Owners Cindi Daniel and Doug Lipton
have Kenny Rochford, formerly of Medlock Ames Winery as general manager and
Niki Ford as culinary director. Her background includes working at Chez Panisse
and the American Academy in Rome. Shed is all about being a community center
where guests can dine, shop for kitchen and garden equipment, and stock up on local
foods.
Tel 707.431.7433
25 North St., Healdsburg CA www.HealdsburgShed.com
Exploring Dry Creek Valley Treasures
Located at the entrance of Dry Creek Valley, West Wines Winery
is a family operated boutique winery owned by husband and wife
Bengt Akerlind and Katarina Bonde. Passionate about growing
and making wine, Bengt and Katarina produce wine from their
own vineyards.
Since the Dry Creek Valley is shaped like an hourglass, two microclimates contribute to the white and red wines they produce.
Their winemaking is inspired by French traditions of crispness
and elegance with the fruity and rich flavors of their grapes. Their
red wines have been aged in French oak barrels for 20+ months
and the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is bottle-stored 3 years before release. They continue to age very well and can be cellared
for many more years. Their 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
was the first American wine selected and proudly served at the
Nobel Banquet in Stokholm, 2010.
Tasting Room open Thursday-Sunday
Tel 707.433.2066
1000 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg CA www.westwines.com
With its unique name taken from the Hopi Indians and it’s “old
world” Tuscan charm under the Dry Creek sun, Kachina Vineyards is a hidden treasure tucked deep off the Dry Creek Road.
Owners Greg and Nancy Chambers traded their careers in high
tech to follow their passion for wine and winemaking.
A Tuscan lunch of salami, prosciutto, Marconi almonds and various cheeses was prepared and served by the owners and was
paired with their Chardonnay, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a
remarkable wine that I have not experienced, Charbono. Charbono is a smooth varietal with the richness of cherries and berries. Nancy describes Charbono as “having the finesse of a Pinot
and the depth of a Cabernet.”
The Tuscan lunch ($50 per person, or $45 for six or more, 24
hour notice in advance) is served with a sampling of four Kachina
wines and a special Kachina Port.
Also on the Kachina Vineyard property is an exclusive onebedroom cottage for a special getaway and is available to their
wine club members. Kachina is open by appointment only and all
of their tastings are privately done in their barrel room or on their
patio.
Tel 707.332.7917
4551 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, CA
www.kachinavineyards.com
Michel-Schlumberger’s distinctive mission-style winery is located in the heart of Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. The
Estate & Tour Tasting starts with a 30 minute tour of the vineyards in their motorized wagon which had me in awe of the Estate and the beautiful landscape of the Dry Creek Valley. This
back road tour allows you to discover the depth of what kind of
wine is produced at Michel-Schlumberger. There are more than
nine different soil types across the elevations of the property
which consist of 88 acres of prime benchland vineyard that produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay. There is also 16 acres on the tip of Bradford Mountain
looking out to the Pacific Ocean, an olive orchard, and a lake.
T
he Estate was founded in 1979 and named Domaine Michel by Swiss native Jean-Jacques Michel. In 1991
Jacques Schlumberger was a minority partner of Domaine
Michel and in 1993 took the reins as majority partner and
president. Thus emerged the Benchland Wine Estate of MichelSchlumberger.
As we come to the end of the road tour we are back at the beautiful mission style winery and head to the terrace that overlooks
their garden, and enjoy a guided tasting of a selection of their
Estate-grown current releases paired with seasonal dishes prepared by Executive Chef Michael Pryor. Succulent scallops
paired with a 2012 Le Flirt Rose were a memorable hit.
Schlumberger has a well-earned reputation for its excellent Bordeaux varieties. Their award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay are elegant in style without the heaviness associated with Old World varietals.
Guided tastings in Tasting Salon – Daily from 11:00 am – 5:00
pm and The Estate & Tour Tasting – Daily at 11:00 am & 2:00
pm, or by appointment.
Tel 800.447.3060 | 707.433.7427
4155 Wine Creek Rd., Healdsburg, CA
www.michelschlumberger.com
ROAD TRIP
Since I’m experiencing the Wine Road for the next three days,
Calderwood Inn will be where I put my feet up at the end of the
day.
This Bed and Breakfast is a historic Queen Anne Victorian
built in 1902 and located just a short walking distance from the
main square with many wineries and shops along the way. Calderwood Inn is owned by Ken and Diane Wilson since 2009.
It’s seven guest rooms all have private baths and each room is
themed to incorporate the historic collection of the period.
As I checked into the Matrix Room which overlooks the West
garden and holly trees, Mary, the manager and “chef” invited
me to join the Wine Hour that featured award-winning wines
from 5-6 p.m on the covered front porch and enjoy with other
guests at the Inn. As I make my way up to my room on the second floor, I pass the spacious parlor with its fireplace and admire the spacious dining room that seats up to 14 and showcases original wainscoting and built-in china cabinet and
bench. The large antique table is where guests dine on Calderwood's signature gourmet breakfasts. Mary informs me that
breakfast is served at 9 am.
A Caribbean inspired coconut macadamia nut French toast with
brandy maple syrup and country ham with seasonal fruit waits
for me in the dining room accompanied by a melon smoothie.
What a great start to the day exploring the Alexander Valley.
During the summer months, Healdsburg’s Parks and Recreation
Department hosts the annual Tuesdays in the Plaza Summer Concert series. The whole town of Healdsburg is at Plaza Park on
Tuesday evenings enjoying their community with food, wine and
music. Welcoming us to enjoy Tuesdays in the Plaza, Moshin
Vineyards hosted a picnic dinner of fresh local fair consisting of
produce deliciously highlighted in their zucchini and green bean
salad, a fruit salad of sweet peaches and berries accompanied by
cheeses, tasty sandwiches and baked treats. Accompanying our
picnic dinner was a bottle of their 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Larrick
Vineyard and a 2011 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. The music on the plaza adds the finishing touch to a relaxing and delicious picnic.
Moshin Vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley and is
owned by Rich Moshin. Winemaking is a family affair at the
winery. While Rick farms his grapes and hones his winemaking
skills in producing award winning Pinot Noir, their signature
varietal, his other family members manage and market this fullfledged winery. A must visit for Pinot Noir aficionados! Using
sustainable farming methods and being a true “green” winery,
Moshin has established energy saving practices by using gravity
flow and solar energy to produce handcrafted wines including
Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Zinfandel.
The tasting room is open daily to the public from 11:00am 4:30pm and tours of the winery can be made by appointment.
Tel 707.433.5499
10295 Westside Rd., Healdsburg, CA
www.moshinvineyards.com
Reservations 800.600.5444 | 707.431.1110
email them at [email protected]
25 West Grant St.,Healdsburg, CA 95425
ADVENTURES DISCOVERED IN ALEXANDER
VALLEY
W
hile Williamson Wines vineyards are in the Alexander and Dry Creek and Russian River Valley, the
tasting room at Williamson Wines is located just off
the plaza in downtown Healdsburg. Australian-born
owners and winemakers Bill and Dawn Williamson’s vision is
to produce limited lots of iconic wines recognized for their
flavor, quality and consistency then be shared and enjoyed.
Their award-winning wines are paired with tapas style foods
and offer numerous tasting options with a vast selection of
cheese, spices and condiments that complement the pairings.
The Fridge Foods tasting highlighted five different wines from
a Chardonnay, Rose Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir and a Meritage. A
purchase of the Rose Pinot Noir was made along with the
unique sweet beet horseradish mustard. Williamson wines are
not sold commercially but instead through their Wine Club and
the Tasting Room.
Tasting Room - open daily 11 am - 7 pm.
Walk-ins are welcome at the bar or call to reserve a table:
Tel 707.433.1500
134 Matheson Street, Healdsburg, CA
www.williamsonwines.com
Photos by Sonoma Visitors Bureau
H
eading into the Alexander Valley, Jordan Winery is the next destination. This family-owned winery consistently produces world class
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and has placed them as one of
the most popular wines on restaurant wine lists for decades.
The visitor center reminiscent of a French chateau is where we start Jordan’s new Estate Tour & Tasting experience. In a specially designed luxury van we head out into the winery’s 1,200 acre property of vineyards,
olive orchards, and taste Jordan wines, estate-grown olive oil, paired with
foods grown locally and prepared by the winery's chef.
Our first stop is the hilltop tasting pavilion at 650 feet elevation which
overlooks the entire Jordan estate, giving you breathtaking panoramic
views of the Alexander Valley, a definite picture-taking spot. A wine tasting of Jordan's Cabernet Sauvignon is paired with their chef's creation. We
head over to the next stop among the olive orchards and sample Jordan
olive oil and Chardonnay, paired with more seasonal bites prepared by the
chef, then stroll down to visit the fishing pond. As we make our way back
to the visitor center, our last stop is the chef’s garden. We got to stroll
through the garden and sample whatever is in season. It felt like a private
farmer’s market stuffed with a profusion of heirloom and unusual vegetables, fruit trees, vines, and floral varieties. We also got to pet the four
legged “mascot” Elmer, a cute miniature donkey that resides at the classic
red barn across the gardens.
This tour truly lets you experience Jordan Estate’s spectacular landscape
and outstanding wine, from the land that produces the wine and the food
you taste. The Estate Tour & Tasting is offered Thursdays through Mondays until mid-November (weather permitting).
Walking tours and seated wine tastings, advance reservations required.
Tel 800.654.1213 | 707.431.5250
1474 Alexander Valley Rd., Healdsburg CA
www.jordanwinery.com
On a smaller scale, Medlock Ames is a boutique vineyard
with 320 acres on Bell Mountain but only 56 acres is
planted to grapevines. Friends Chris James and Ames Morison started the winery in 1998 growing premier quality
wine grapes based on the principles of practicing environmental sustainability and organic farming. They craft tiny
production, high quality, artisan wines of Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot
Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Red Bordeaux Blend.
ROAD TRIP
My final day on the Wine Road starts as I catch breakfast
at Costeaux French Bakery. This Healdsburg bakery is
known for its legendary artisan breads and open air bakery
cafe. I order the Costeaux Omelet with applewood smoked
bacon, spinach, sundried tomato and brie accompanied by
a Costeaux toast basket with homemade preserves.
Their eco-friendly ranch welcomes us to discover the rugged beauty of their vineyard. As you walk among the vines
you are also surrounded by acreage in their natural state
with oaks and wildflowers, and grazing land for its sheep,
vegetable gardens, olives, solar power arrays and natural
ponds. We sample a variety of wines from their portfolio
paired with seasonal produce harvested from their gardens
plus cheese and charcuterie from the finest local purveyors. They also produce olive oil, preserves and soap from
their property, all organic.
Costeaux sourdough won its first Sonoma County Harvest
Fair Sweepstakes and has been a consistent award-winner
for specialty and artisan breads since 1981. They are a
mainstay of the café menu offerings. Costeaux is also wellknown for legendary desserts and is a premier purveyor of
wedding cakes.
If you can’t make it out their ranch in Bell Mountain they
also have their tasting room in Healdsburg in a 150 year
old building that used to house the Alexander Valley bar
and Store.
ENCHANTMENT IN THE RUSSIAN RIVER
VALLEY
Tasting Room open daily 10-5
Tel 707.431.8845
Tasting 3487 Alexander Valley Rd., Healdsburg, CA
Winery 13414 Chalk Hill Rd., Healdsburg, CA
www.medlockames.com
Talk about east meeting west! Merriam Vineyard’s tasting
room is designed with the comfort and warmth of a New
England style home and also is where you can experience
their California-crafted Bordeaux-style wines. Their Reserve Flight which includes small bites tasting highlighted
their Cabernet Franc,Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc.
Tastings Daily from 10-5 pm
Tel 707.433.1913
417 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA
www.costeaux.com
Along Highway 128 we stopped in at Hawkes Vineyards
and Winery. This family owned winery produces small
batches (85-150 cases) of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery’s signature blend. We sat outside on their patio and sampled their
Alexander Valley Cabernet and Wine Club wines, a 2012
Vin Gris and 2009 Late Harvest Semolina while snacking
on some tasty biscotti from Jimtown store next door. During the summer months Hawkes has outdoor weekly concerts on their patio connected to their tasting room.
Tel 707.433.4032 11650 Los Amigos Rd., Healdsburg, CA
www.merriamvineyards.com
Tastings every day from 10 - 5pm
Tel 707.433.4295
6734 Hwy 128, Healdsburg, CA
www.hawkeswine.com
As the day winds down we head into Geyserville to dine at
Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria. Diavola which means
“Devilish” in Italian is the casual sister restaurant to Santi.
Executive Chef Dino Bugica has a passion for pig and is
felt and seen in the decor and seasonal menu featuring
wood-fired pizzas, house-cured salumi and prosciutto, a
selection of antipasti, salads and Panini along with a full
wine list featuring local and Italian wines.
Lynmar Estate’s tasting room with its contemporary decor,
modern clean lines and lots of windows gives you a view
of this enchanted winery. Outside of the tasting room is a
beautiful patio area and courtyard where you are right next
to the vineyards and the gardens that border them. Owner
Lynn Fritz is at the winery and gives us a tour of his estate
and joins us for our “Picnic Pairing” lunch. He explains to
us that the purpose of the borders that surround the vineyards attract beneficial insects and hummingbirds, providing a natural barrier from pests. We take the garden tour
and learn that the gardens serve as a habitat to a variety of
insects, pollinators, butterflies and birds and also support
the food program.
Tel 707.814.0111
21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, CA ,
www.diavolapizzeria.com
Lynn also shares how he wanted to complement the enjoyment of wine by surrounding the tasting room with edible
gardens to connect people with food as much as with wine.
Lynmar Estate Winery is located next to the Laguna de
Santa Rosa watershed, a wetland complex that is home to
much wildlife, especially birds. This 100-acre property
composed of rolling vineyards, organic gardens, native
flowers and trees lends its beauty to the Russian River
terroir. Lynmar signature wines are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
T
he Picnic Pairing lunch is a summer favorite featuring picnic fair paired with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Organic
popcorn tossed in orange zest and coriander kicks off lunch
followed by a summer harvest salad and an Organic Petaluma Rocky Range chicken gourmet sandwich accompanied by
seasonal orchard fruit and dessert. Delicious food and wine, great
conversation and beautiful views made this visit enchanting.
Tastings Daily 10-4:30 pm
Tel 707.829.3374 x102
3909 Frei Rd, Sebastopol, CA www.lynmarestate.com
At the end of a rural road, on a hill with amazing views you will
find Iron Horse Winery. It is located in Green Valley in the coolest, foggiest part of the Russian River Valley. To get there it
might look like you’re about to drive off a cliff, you aren’t - trust
your GPS. Is there anything better than a little sparkly and oysters? I think not. Besides sparkling wine, Iron Horse also produces
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The “tasting room” is a simple
wooden shelf, constructed outdoors. We had a sister team shucking fresh oysters and drinking the standard bubbles flight. We
sampled a 2008 Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs, 2007 Brut Rose
and a Wedding Cuvee with fresh oysters. What a pairing! The
Iron Horse Tasting Room is open seven days a week from 10am
to 4:30pm.
Tel 707.887.1507
9786 Ross Station Rd., Sebastopol, CA
www.ironhorsewinery.com
A CENTURY OF
GREAT ZIN
After all this wine tasting, spa treatment is in order. The Spa at the
Hotel Healdsburg is the next stop. This full service spa offers a
range of treatments featuring the “Farm to Spa” collection and
using locally sourced products. Signature treatments include the
Lavender Peppermint Restorative Massage and the From the Farm
Stress Relieving Facial. Located on the historic Healdsburg Town
Plaza, The Spa is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm. They are located
at 25 Matheson St Healdsburg, CA 95448 707.431.2800
www.hotelhealdsburg.com
Before leaving Sonoma County, I head over to Baci Cafe & Wine
Bar located in Healdsburg Town Plaza for dinner. Using local and
organic products where possible, Baci serves an authentic taste of
Italy, and is the perfect blend of world-class cuisine and small
town hospitality.
Open for dinner Wednesdays through Monday from 5:00 pm.
Closed Tuesdays.
Tel 707.433.8111
336 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA
www.bacicafeandwinebar.com
My memorable Wine Road experience allowed me to uncover
treasures in Sonoma country that I never imagined, and I
look forward to discovering more on my next visit.
Wine Road is an association of 150 wineries and 50 lodgings in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys of Northern Sonoma
County. The Wine Road maps out the many jewels nestled among the hills
and valleys of this region. This lively and committed organization has
created a myriad of programs, events and services to enhance any visitor’s experience of the region. Wine Road - 498 Moore Lane, Suite B,
Healdsburg, CA 95448 Tel 800-723-6336, 707-433-4335 Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5
Z
infandel, known to many as “America’s heritage
wine,” has a long and mixed history among our nation’s wine lovers and connoisseurs. Nowhere is that
history better represented than in Dry Creek Valley,
the Northern Sonoma County AVA that is also home to the
charming town of Healdsburg. Grown in the Dry Creek
Valley for more than a century, Zinfandel is the heart and
soul of the region’s wine community, where many local
families have cultivated the grape for multiple generations.
Editor Kaye Cloutman recently experienced how elegant,
balanced and lovely this grape can be in this growing region and in the right winemakers’ hands. “It was a blissful
day of total oenophile immersion. From enjoying the
lovely mixture of fragrances and nuances to getting our
hands dirty with the different soils of the appellation, I will
have to say that this trip opened my senses to Zinfandel
and other Dry Creek Valley wines more than any other. It
definitely affected the way I understand its flavor profiles”
she explained. The day trip ended with a chance to blend
their own wines which was judged by local rockstar winemakers and a fabulous dinner hosted by the by the lovely
Debra Mathy of Dutcher Crossing Winery.
DRY CREEK VALLEY WINEMAKERS
ROAD TRIP
FRITZ WINERY
BRAD LONGTON
What is Dry Creek Valley's best kept secret?
Dry Creek Valley’s best kept secret is the views you
get while driving around the valley. Depending on
where you are, it can feel like you are in Tuscany
overlooking hills and valleys full of vineyards. It
always amazes me that you could drive one hour
north of the Golden Gate Bridge and be in one of the
most beautiful country sides in all of Northern California. The other best kept secret is the Sauvignon
Blanc that comes out of the valley. Their main characteristics are bright, slightly acidic, with great citrus
and tropical notes. A very different style from what
you might find in other regions.
Survival tip for first time visitors of Dry Creek
Valley?
QUIVIRA VINEYARDS
HUGH CHAPPELLE
What is Dry Creek Valley's best kept secret?
The Dry Creek Valley is best known of course, as
being home to great Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.
But some wineries are pushing the edge, producing
other varietals that they are discovering make wonderful wines. Quivira and Unti are producing Montepulciano. Preston is producing Roussanne. Fritz and
Mauritson make Malbec. It’s an indication that in one
16-mile long valley, there is a lot of diversity.
I always recommend mapping out your trip. Choose
a winery to start at that is furthest from your hotel
and slowly work your way back to where you are
staying. Make sure to stop at the Dry Creek General
Store and pick up food for lunch, so you can enjoy a
picnic at one of the beautiful wineries in Dry Creek
Valley.
Survival tip for first time visitors of Dry Creek
Valley?
Dry Creek Valley is a fabulous place to visit during the Fall because…
Dry Creek Valley is a fabulous place to visit during
the Fall because…
The colors in the vineyards through the valley are
amazing. Each field slowly starts turning orange, red
and yellow, while some will stay green a little longer
than others. As you are driving, roll down all your
windows and breathe in the scents of the valley. You
will enjoy the smell of freshly picked grapes as well
as fermenting juice mingled in with the smell of new
oak barrels. The weather is perfect, the scenery is
perfect, and all the wineries are buzzing with excitement over another year of harvest.
It’s an opportunity to get a real sense of how wine is
made. You can get a real grape to glass tour, tasting
the fruit, the juice and the final product. In fact, in the
Dry Creek Valley, you can get a more intimate look at
this than you would at many other wine regions.
Keep it contained. Pick out three or four wineries and
immerse yourself in all that they have to offer, then
pledge to come back again and again. There is always
something new and different up the road.
DRY CREEK VALLEY WINEMAKERS
Dry Creek Valley is a fabulous place to visit during
the Fall because…
The appellation has preserved its rural character. Harvest creates an electric environment and is truly the
pinnacle event in this idyllic valley. Witness the frantic activity in the vineyards and get behind the scenes
access to wineries crushing grapes that will become
their next vintage. Dry Creek Valley is untouched
from commercialism and is in same pantheon as
bucket-list wine regions like Tuscany. It is a rich tradition where life is connected to the land and nature’s
seasonal rhythm.
MAURITSON VINEYARDS
CLAY MAURITSON
Photo by Justin Van Sant
What is Dry Creek Valley's best kept secret?
Dry Creek’s best kept secret is that many of the original farm families who started with fruit and grain
crops in the 1800s are now producing world-class
wines. Zinfandel reaches perfection in Dry Creek Valley’s soil and unique microclimate. However, many
first time visitors are pleasantly surprised that Dry
Creek tasting rooms possess a vast spectrum of exquisitely made varietals beyond Zinfandel. While Zinfandel is undoubtedly the lifeblood of the appellation, the
valley’s winemakers are proud to showcase their innovative techniques in crafting such reds as Cabernet
Sauvignon, Syrah, and Boudreaux-style blends. It is
astonishingly easy to appease your “whites only” tasting partner with a bright, crisp Dry Creek Sauvignon
Blanc. Today, actual family wineries with multigenerational roots in Dry Creek Valley excel by balancing tradition with experimentation of cutting-edge
winemaking methods.
Survival tip for first time visitors of Dry Creek
Valley?
Maximize your stops in the appellation by planning a
route that moves in one direction through Dry Creek
Valley. The timeless Dry Creek General Store is the
only food option in the valley and provides an excellent midday intermission from tasting. Order a sandwich from their gourmet deli and bring it to picnic at
your next winery. Choose tasting rooms located in the
downtowns of either Healdsburg or Geyserville as
your final destination. This is advantageous because
many of these tasting rooms stay open until 6pm and
downtown provides alternatives to members of your
party whose palates are shot.
DUTCHER CROSSING WINES
KERRY DAMSKEY
What is Dry Creek Valley's best kept secret?
Everyone who visits us knows about Dry Creek Valley’s outstanding grapes and the excellent wines
Dutcher Crossing Winery produces from them. The
best kept secret of this slice of paradise, however, is
how at home guests feel when visiting here. The
Dutcher Crossing team (and all the tasting room staffs
in the valley) pulls out all the stops when making our
guests feel welcome. Everyone who walks through our
doors leaves feeling like part of our family. What more
could you want on a wine country vacation then excellent wine and a down home approach to hospitality?
Dry Creek Valley has it all!
ROAD TRIP
Survival tip for first time visitors of Dry Creek
Valley?
Any trip to Dry Creek Valley is sure to be a great
time. There is, however, one piece of advice that
will make your visit that much more memorable.
The savviest of wine tasters always bring a picnic.
Once you are in the valley, there are few spots to
stop for lunch and any stop will eat into time for
wine tasting. Instead, swing by Big John’s Grocery
or the Dry Creek General Store for some delicious
sandwiches and other picnic fixings. Grab your
supplies and head on down to Dutcher Crossing to
enjoy your lunch at one of our picnic tables looking out over our beautifully manicured vineyards.
Dry Creek Valley is a fabulous place to visit
during the Fall because…
Fall is one of the most magical times in Dry Creek
Valley. After Labor Day, the grapes are bursting
with sugar and delicious flavors. The smells of
fermentation are in the air as harvest is just starting
to get underway. Any private winery tour this time
of year is sure to include a vineyard visit for some
grape sampling. If you’re lucky there may even be
an active fermentation to try. The crowds around
this time of year also tend to be dialed back from
the peaks as families wrap up their summer vacations and start sending kids back to school.
The Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley® (WDCV)
is an association of more than 60 wineries and 150
growers, of which most are family owned and multigenerational, located in Healdsburg, Sonoma
County, California. WDCV is dedicated to advancing the recognition, enhancement and preservation
of Dry Creek Valley as a premium winegrowing
region. Dry Creek Valley is known for its signature
varietal, Zinfandel, and the pristine and unspoiled
beauty of the valley.
For more information, visit www.wdcv.com
Explore What’s New in
Healdsburg
W
arm the season with a trip to Healdsburg, wine country’s sophisticated hamlet offering visitors an array of
upscale shops, art galleries, tasting rooms, five-star
restaurants and access to the region’s best vineyards. Chase away the winter blues with a host of new restaurants, shops and wine tasting and epicurean experiences all
wrapped up in Healdsburg’s warm, rustic charm.
Located just one hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Healdsburg has held onto its bucolic, small town appeal that makes
visitors feel like wine country insiders who have come across
something unique and special that isn’t overcrowded or generic. Drop by these new places when you visit Healdsburg for
a taste of the town’s distinctive wine country ambiance and gentle rusticity.
Partake by K-J – Kendall-Jackson’s tribute to the region is a
new tasting lounge and flight club in the center of
town. Partake by K-J offers a wide range of wine flights and a
selection of seasonal bites from local gardens and Sonoma
County’s culinary artisans. Partake by K-J is located at 241
Healdsburg Ave. www.partakebykj.com
Healdsburg SHED – A modern grange in a stunning, barnsized glass shed that pays tribute to food from seed to serving. Retail offerings include sustainably sourced goods and
produce as well as high-end garden and kitchen tools and cookware. SHED’s chefs serve up daily bites, wine, beer and kombucha at the “fermentation bar.” Or enjoy a beekeeping class or
workshop upstairs at The Grange. Healdsburg SHED is located
at 25 North Street. www.healdsburgshed.com
Chalkboard – The latest from Chef Shane McAnelly offers
small plates inspired by a dedicated three-acre garden that are
paired with local wine flights and cocktails. The daily menu
features locally sourced ingredients highlighting crudos, fresh
salads, handmade pastas, roasted and grilled meats and seafood
and fresh desserts. Chalkboard is located at 29 North
Street. www.chalkboardhealdsburg.com
ROAD TRIP
Enjoy flights from one of the hottest new labels on the market. Banshee’s new tasting room has a unique design that
effortlessly fuses together San Francisco’s urban chic with
Wine Country’s rural simplicity.
Savory nibbles from
SHED are available to complement the wines. Banshee
T astin g Ro o m is lo cated at 3 2 5 Cente r
Street. www.bansheewines.com
Cartograph – This new tasting room spotlights masterfully
crafted cool-climate Pinot noir (from both the nearby Russian River Valley and the remote Mendocino Ridge) and
Alsace-style whites, by the glass/bottle or on tap—a first for
Healdsburg. Reserve in advance for a one-of-a-kind immersive tasting with samples that take you through every step in
the transformation of the Pinot grape from harvest through
fermentation to finished wine. Cartograph is located at 340
Center Street. www.cartographwines.com
Valdez – A new tasting room featuring wines from Ulises
Valdez, an immigrant who arrived in Sonoma in
1985. Through a combination of hard work and natural talent, he launched his own vineyard and now produces awardwinning wines.
Valdez is located at 113 Mill
Street. www.valdezfamilywinery.com
Seahoney – A new design studio by artist Stasea Dohoney
who creates commercial window displays, retail merchandising and set design. Seahoney is located at 137 Matheson
Street. www.seahoney.com
Scharffen Berger - Ferrari-Carano's Seasons of the Vineyard Wine Shop along with Scharffen Berger Chocolate
Maker have teamed up to create unique pairings for passionate wine and chocolate lovers. The store also offers a full
range of Scharffen Berger's artisanal chocolate, created with
a wine-maker's attention to craftsmanship. Scharffen Berger
is located at 113 Plaza Street. www.scharffenberger.com
Rosenblum Cellars – The new facility offers a primary tasting room, an event and educational space, a lounge for locals
and club members, and an outdoor patio.
The Tasting
Lounge provides wine flight tastings, wine based cocktails,
“Bites & Flights”, Zinfandel ice cream, wines by the glass,
and non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers. A calendar of educational offerings will provide a forum for local
growers, food and wine pairing seminars, seminars with local
artists and artisanal food producers. Rosenblum Cellars is
located at 18 Matheson St. www.rosenblumcellars.com
Healdsburg is located only 67 miles north of the Golden Gate
Bridge. For more information on the town of Healdsburg,
please contact the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce &
Visitors
Bureau
at
(707)
4336935,
[email protected]
or
visit
www.healdsburg.com.
(Top) Outdoor trellised entrance to Barndiva. (Middle) Healdsburg SHED
which pays tribute to food from seed to serving. (Bottom) Banshee’s new
tasting room which fuses together San Francisco’s urban chic with Wine
Country’s rural simplicity.