 |
|
|
| Life is too short to drink bad wine! |
              Wine Country Area Central Coast Central Coast
|
Wine Country Touring Information We are always happy to help our customers plan their wine touring vacations in the incredible wine country of California. While there are plenty of great wineries with tasting rooms open to the public, many of the small boutique wineries are only accessible for tastings and tours by appointment. Over the years, we have got to know many of the owners and winemakers of these wineries and can set up special tasting or tour for you with their wineries. The information below contains our recommendations for lodging, dining, and day trips in the wine country areas of California. These recommendations come out of personal experience, and feedback from our customers, so that you can take advantage of our knowledge to make your wine country vacation as memorable and pleasurable as it can possibly be! Lodging Recommendations Vintners Inn – North of Santa Rosa (Our first choice) www.vintnersinn.com This is a great property, a cross between and first class hotel and bed and breakfast. Modeled after European inns, the property has three smaller buildings grouped around a central fountain in the middle of vineyards. We like the property as much for it’s famed restaurant “John Ash and Company” as well as its great location in the center of the wine region making day trips very easy. Located on River Road, if you head left out of the Inn you are minutes from the Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley. Go right, and River Road becomes Mark West Springs road and in 30-40 minutes you are over in the Napa Valley at Calistoga. From the Inn, the great dining town of Healdsburg is just 15 minutes away, an easy drive up Highway 101. Healdsburg give you many great choices in casual dining or upscale dining. A wine country breakfast buffet is included in the price. Check the website for more information, rates, and booking information.
Hotel Healdsburg – (The top luxury property in all of Sonoma) www.hotelhealdsburg.com Several of our customers have stayed here and rave about the incredible service, luxurious rooms, and the incredible food at the hotels restaurant Dry Creek Kitchen (owned by famed chef Charlie Palmer). This is definitely not an inexpensive room, but if money is no object, or if you just want a treat for one night, this is the place. Dining Recommendations John Ash and Company – located on the property of the Vintners Inn just north of Santa Rosa. www.vintnersinn.com/dining/johnash.asp Founded by Chef John Ash (now Chef Emeritus for Fetzer Vineyards), and now owned by Don and Rhonda Carano (owners of Ferrari-Carano Winery). The food is incredible and the wine list is even better, featuring Sonoma County’s best produce, meats, cheeses, and of course, wines. Their back patio area, which is enclosed and heated for cool night dining, is a perfect place to stop in the late afternoon for a glass or bottle of wine and appetizers while watching the sun set over the vineyards.
Zin – located on the square in Healdsburg www.zinrestaurant.com A fun, small, friendly bistro featuring California wine country cuisine and a great, inexpensive wine list heavy on choice of, you guessed it, Zinfandel! Casual, and inexpensive by wine country standards, it is a great stop for an evening.
Dry Creek Kitchen – located in the Hotel Healdsburg www.drycreekkitchen.com Upscale wine country dining featuring the brilliant cuisine of star Chef Charlie Palmer of Aureole (New York and Las Vegas) adapted to fresh ingredients native to Sonoma County.
Piatti – located in the El Dorado Hotel on the square in the town of Sonoma www.piatti.com/sonoma.html One of our favorite choices for all around wine friendly cuisine, good wine list, good corkage policy, and inexpensive dining in wine country. Wood oven fired foods and Italian influenced cuisine in an atmosphere that is casual and relaxing. Just perfect for lunch, or after a hard day of wine touring.
Bear Republic Brewing Company – located off the square in Healdsburg www.bearrepublic.com Sometimes you just want a great burger and a beer after all that wine!
Willi’s Seafood and Wine Bar – 403 Healdsburg Ave in Healdsburg. Check out the SF Chronicle review for details http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/03/14/CMG0B573HN24.DTL&type=food Russian River - Dry Creek Valley- Take River Road (off Highway 101 just north of Santa Rosa) and stop for an appointment tour and tasting at Russian Hill Winery (great Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah). After finishing at Russian Hill, take River Road and turn right on Wohler Road which you will take until it crosses the Russian River and dead ends into Westside Rd. Turn right on Westside Rd and head up the Russian River Valley. A stop at Davis Bynum is recommended (great Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet), then continue up the valley until you pass Lambert Bridge on the right. Take the next right on Lambert Bridge Road and take this short crossroad until it ends at Dry Creek Rd. You should see the Dry Creek General Store which is a great place to stop and pick up great picnic supplies and deli sandwiches. Then go back and stop at Lambert Bridge Winery, where you should taste, then buy a bottle of their wine so that you may borrow glasses and stake out a table in their picnic area (the best place to picnic in the Valley). After lunch, continue you tour by crossing back over to Dry Creek Road, then turn on Lytton Springs Rd. Stop at Ridge’s Lytton Springs winery which is on the right just before you get to Highway 101. Then you can choose between two branches for the rest of your day tour:
1) For the Cabernet lover, go north (left) on Highway 101 about 8 miles and follow the signs to Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley winery on the left.
2) If you don’t want to detour that far, then go south (right) on Highway 101 and exit to the town of Healdsburg where you will find several winery tasting rooms (including Gallo of Sonoma, Kendall Jackson’s Artisan's and Estates Tasting Room featuring Hartford Court, La Creama, etc.), and great shops, galleries, and plenty of restaurants for a great dinner or late afternoon snack.
Then just follow Highway 101 back to your hotel.
Resources: Russian Hill Winery – www.russianhillwinery.com Dry Creek General Store 3495 Dry Creek Rd Healdsburg, CA Lambert Bridge Winery – www.lambertbridge.com Davis Bynum Winery – www.davisbynum.com Ridge Winery – Lytton Springs – www.ridgewine.com
Picnic Grounds at Lambert Bridge Winery Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast - Take River Road (off Highway 101 just north of Santa Rosa) and stop for an appointment our and tasting at Russian Hill Winery. After finishing at Russian Hill, head west on River Road then turn left on Mirabel Road, then right on Highway 116, then right on Martinelli Road and stop for a tasting on incredible Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel at Hartford Court Winery. Backtrack to River Road, then head west on River Road toward the coast. If you are hungry, stop in at Korbel for a glass of sparkling wine and a sandwich at their deli. The you can choose between two branches for the rest of your day tour:1) To enjoy the scenic beauty of the Sonoma Coast, continue on River Road west until it hits Highway 116, then continue west on Highway 116 until it ends on the coast at Highway 1. Go south on Highway 1 along the Sonoma Coast through Bridge Haven, Carmet, Salmon Creek, until you get to Bodega Bay. If you are ready for dinner, there are several good places to get great seafood in Bodega Bay including the wonderful restaurant at the Inn at the Tides. Continue on Highway 1 as it turns back inland the exit onto Bodega Highway which takes you into picturesque Sebastopol where you can get onto Highway 12 to return to Highway 101 in Santa Rosa. 2) To continue more wine tasting and touring in Russian River Valley, continue to River Road west until it intersects with Highway 116. Head east on Highway 116 back towards Santa Rosa and continue your wine touring with stops at Iron Horse Vineyards (off Highway 116 on Ross Station Road), and Sebastopol / Dutton Family Vineyards before turning off Highway 116 onto Guerneville Road which takes you back to Highway 101. Resources: Russian Hill Winery – www.russianhillwinery.com Hartford Court Winery – www.hartfordwines.com Inn at the Tides, Bodega Bay – www.innatthetides.com Iron Horse Vineyards - www.ironhorsevineyards.com Sebastopol/Dutton Family - www.sebastopolvineyards.com Russian Wine Road Association – www.wineroad.com Lower Sonoma Valley - From Santa Rosa, take Highway 12 South into the heart of the Sonoma Valley. This is a tasting and touring mecca as old established and new young wineries dot both sides of Highway 12. From the north, tasting stops at big wineries such as St. Francis, Chateau St. Jean, Kenwood, and Kunde are all possible. However, if you like to explore small family wineries and interesting locations, stop at Wellington Vineyards for incredible Viognier and Syrah, B.R.Cohn for their Olive Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Olive Oils (and where gold and platinum records adorn the tasting room beside wine competition gold medals as Bruce Cohn is the manager of the Doobie Brothers), and let us set up an appointment for you to taste and tour on top of Moon Mountain at the spectacular Moon Mountain Vineyards (the trip up Moon Mountain, through the old Martini Zinfandel vineyards is stunning as is the setting of the winery and their wines). Return to Highway 12 and continue south into the town of Sonoma. Visit the Sonoma Jack Cheese Factory on the square for samples of their great cheeses (try the Dry Sonoma Jack), deli sandwiches, and picnic supplies. Shop the galleries and boutiques around the square, then enjoy dinner at Piatti in the old El Dorado Hotel on the square.Resources:Wellington Vineyards – www.wellingtonvineyards.comB. R. Cohn Winery – www.brcohn.com Moon Mountain Vineyards – www.moonmountainvineyard.com Sonoma Jack Cheese Factory – www.sonomajack.com Lodging Recommendations Rancho Caymus Inn – (Our Best Recommendation) http://www.ranchocaymus.com Our absolute favorite place to stay. A small intimate inn owned by the Komes family (owners of Flora Springs Winery) and run by Otto Komes. Built by a renown sculptress who had old barns disassembled and shipped to Napa to be used by craftsman and carvers to assemble the inn. From the Japanese garden and Koi pond in the center of the courtyard, to the large outdoor fireplace on the patio, hand thrown sinks, Adobe fireplaces, hard carved furniture, and rustic natural redwood counters, this inn is comfortable and charming. Add to that the incredible restaurant LaToque situated at the front of the inn, and you have the perfect place to spend your Napa vacation!
Yountville Inn (Our Second Best Recommendation) http://www.yountvilleinn.com If you are a food lover, than Yountville is the destination for you. Too many great restaurants to name all within walking distance of the Yountville Inn. Comfortable, cozy, and not priced right (by Napa standards), this is a great place to stay in the center of the Napa Valley.
John Muir Inn (Our Best Budget Recommendation) http://www.johnmuirnapa.com A great place to stay on a budget, this small hotel just to the north end of the town of Napa, is right on Highway 29 for easy access to head north into the heart of the valley.
Dining Recommendations
Le Toque - http://www.latoque.com/ (Our recommendation for the ultimate wine and food experience) Located in the Rancho Caymus Inn, and seating only a very small number of diners, this is the ultimate place to see the incredible marriage of wine and food. The prix fix multi-course menu when combined with the optional prix fix wine matches, let you enjoy incredible dining while leaving the wine list “driving” to an expert. However, should you want to chose on your own, a great wine list focused on selections from all over the world, awaits your choice. Voted the second best dining experience in wine country, after the famous French Laundry, we think it is really the best choice. The more reasonable prices don’t hurt either!
Taylors Refresher – http://www.taylorsrefresher.com (Our recommendation for best burger for lunch) We agree with Robert Parker, the best burger in wine country and maybe America! What other drive in can you get 20 wines by the glass (including owner Joel Gott’s own wines), great beers, and real cherry or vanilla Cokes (fountain made with a shot of syrup). Gourmet hand pattied burgers, seared tuna sandwiches, and of course, incredible fries and onion rings make this the place to stop for lunch!
Bouchon Bistro - http://www.bouchonbistro.com A modern take-off on a French bistro. Owned by Chef Thomas Keller (of the French Laundry) and his brother, Chef Hubert Keller, this is great dining experience.
Bistro Jeanty - http://www.bistrojeanty.com A true French bistro and local favorite. Chef Philippe Jeanty, who established Napa Valley as a first class dining destination when he created the restaurant at Domaine Chandon, has recreated the casual bistro’s of France with incredible French country and bistro foods and great wines to match.
Mustards Grill - http://www.mustardsgrill.com Chef Cindy Pawlcyn’s creative casual cuisine has stood the test of time in a local favorite and savvy wine country traveler’s must stop restaurant.
Oakville Grocery - http://www.oakvillegrocery.com/ (Our recommendation for best picnic supply spot in Napa) This ultimate gourmet store and deli packed into an old gas station is a Napa Valley landmark and destination. The perfect place to pickup great meats, cheeses, and fresh baked breads, plus every type of condiment a gourmet picnic requires. This is a must stop! Upper Valley- Start with the best sparkling wine tour in Napa Valley at Schramsberg, , a tasting appointment at August Briggs, or a tasting and tour appointment at Frank Family Winery. This is such a great area we would recommend planning two of the tasting/tour appointments recommended in the day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with lunch and shopping in Calistoga or St. Helena to break the day. The drop in for a tasting visit at Rombauer, Clos Pegase, or Stonegate.Middle Valley Tour 1 - Start with a tour and tasting appointment at one of our customer’s favorite stops, Flora Springs Winery. Then let us schedule a tasting and tour at Swanson or Opus One. Or better yet, check with Robert Mondavi winery several weeks ahead of your trip and see what seminars are available at Robert Mondavi winery as they are very well done and very informative. There are ton’s of great wineries in this middle valley area to just drop in on, and lunch at Mustards or picnic provisions from Oakville Grocery are always a good way to break the day in this part of Napa Valley.Middle Valley Tour 2 - “The Crosses” – Oakville Cross Road to taste and tour at one of the best small wineries in Napa, Saddleback Winery, then cross the street for a tasting at Silver Oak (optional Groth, Plumpjack or Rudd), then Silverado Trail south to tasting at Robert Sinskey Winery, then Yountville Cross Road back to Highway 29 north to visit Napa Cellars (optional Opus One tour).Lower Valley - Start with a tasting appointment at the incredible Elyse Winery, then over to Silverado Trail for tasting at Robert Sinskey, Silerado, or Andretti, then drop back into Yountville for shopping and dinner.
Schramsberg http://www.schramsberg.com/ August Briggs Winery http://www.augustbriggswines.com/ Frank Family Winery http://www.touringandtasting.com/frankfamily_winetours.htm Flora Springs http://www.florasprings.com/ Sawyer Cellars http://www.sawyercellars.com/ Saddleback http://www.saddlebackcellars.com/ Robert Sinskey http://www.robertsinskey.com/ Rombauer http://www.rombauervineyards.com/ Elyse Winery http://www.elysewinery.com/
The home of some of the best Zinfandel and Rhone varietals in all of California, Lodi is an easy day trip from Napa Valley, or a great place to base your wine county and California adventure out of. In Lodi, you are 45 miles from Napa Valley, and easy day trips to the Sierra Foothills wineries, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe. Lodging and Dining Recommendation Wine and Roses Inn and Hotel – www.winerose.com An incredible place to stay and dine. A small cozy inn and two small European style hotels on one seven acre property with botanical gardens, a spa, meeting and banquet spaces, and a top restaurant with a beautiful patio dining area nestled among the trees. The hotel section rooms are spacious, well appointed, and comfortable and the restaurant is superb. The patio is the place to dine if reservations allow, as the cool Lodi nights are perfect for outdoor dining (the patio has overhead heaters should the night get too cool). Napa Day Trip to Lodi - From Napa, take Highway 29 south and exit on Highway 12 East. Follow 12 East through Fairfield toward Lodi. After 12 crosses Highway 5, look for Phillips Family Farms/Michael David Vineyards on your right. Stop for a tasting, or let us step up a VIP tour and tasting for you at this incredible winery. The tasting room is also a farm stand for sales of fresh produce off the Phillips farms and orchards, as well as a nice little restaurant (the best breakfasts in the area). From Michael David Vineyards, travel a short distance up Highway 12 and stop at Van Ruiten Family Winery, also on the right side of the road for a tasting. Continue up Highway 12 to the intersection of Lower Sacramento Road, and turn right, then left at Armstrong Road, and stop at Borra Wines on the left side of the road for a tasting. After Borra, return past Lower Sacramento Road and turn right on North Davis Rd, taking it until it intersects Turner Road. Turn left on Turner, and stop and visit Jessie's Grove Winery (check with them to see if you are lucky enough to be there during their concert series). After Jessie's Grove, follow Turner Rd to the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center, where you can taste wines from many of the small growers in the Lodi area. If you have time for dinner, there is a great restaurant in the Wine & Roses Inn, located behind the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center. After dinner, retrace your steps along Lower Sacramento Road to Highway 12 and take it back to Napa.Resources Michael David Vineyards – www.lodivineyards.com Van Ruiten Family Winery – www.vrtwinery.com Lodi Wine and Visitor Center – www.lodiwine.com Borra Winery
–
www.borrawinery.com Lodging Recommendations Mission Ranch Resort – (Our best recommendation) www.missionranchcarmel.com Owned by Clint Eastwood and nestled by the bay in Carmel by the Sea, the resort features lodging in a restored Victorian farmhouse, ranch bunkhouse, barn, and various cottages. Our favorite, the farmhouse, features cozy rooms surrounding a beautiful central sitting area by the fireplace. On the property is the Mission Ranch Restaurant, which is worth the stay alone. The best part is it’s a short walk (or stumble) from any of the lodgings. A nice continental breakfast is included in the rates.
Highlands Inn Park Hyatt Resort Carmel - http://highlandsinn.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this is a comfortable, upscale property now owned and managed by Hyatt as one of their flagship properties. The restaurant, Pacific Edge, is a one of a kind experience with floor to ceiling class overlooking the ocean, incredible California cuisine, and a Wine Spectator Award winning wine cellar.
Bernardus Lodge – www.bernardus.com Owned by Bernardus Winery and integrating the finest wine country themed lodging, dining, and spa to be found in California, the Bernardus Lodge is a luxury experience par none.
Dining Recommendations
Mission Ranch Restaurant - For a review , check this website: www.centralcoastonline.net/missionranch.html Located at the Mission Ranch Resort, the restaurant is complete with a bar that is a real local hangout, including piano players and plenty of locals and tourists joining in song, a menu featuring great steaks, ribs, seafood, with large portions and reasonable prices, and the best part, an incredible wine list at extremely cheap prices (would you believe a Turley Juveniles Zinfandel for $30?!).
Pacific Edge Restaurant – at the Highlands Inn Park Hyatt Resort - See the description and website information under lodging above.
Marinus Restaurant - at the Bernardus Lodge www.bernardus.com Famed California Chef Cal Stamos has continued his award winning cuisine at Marinus. Match that with a Wine Spectator Award winning wine program, and this is a great experience in wine country dining, although certainly not an inexpensive one. Wine Touring - Skip the crowded, very touristy Monterey Cannary Row area with it’s tasting rooms, and head down Carmel Valley Road, stopping at Chateau Julian, Robert Talbott, and Bernardus. While at Bernardus, enjoy an incredible lunch or dinner at the Bernardus Lodge, before returning to do a little shopping in Carmel. Resources: Wine Touring Map and Winery Info - http://www.montereywines.org/wineries_map.html Bernardus Winery – www.bernardus.com Scenic Tour 1 – The 17 Mile Drive – If you are staying at the Mission Ranch, then you can jump on the lower end of the 17 Mile Drive and wind your way through some of the most scenic coastal areas and high priced real estate in the country. Stop at Pebble Beach to pick up some logo golf apparel, and at the Lone Cypress to behold the majesty of this grand old tree hugging the elements on the coast. Then wind your way leisurely through the rest of the drive, gawking at the incredible homes, golf courses, and wildlife, before you exit at the upper part of the drive in the town of Monterey. Scenic Tour 2 – Big Sur – From Carmel, drive down Highway One, and enjoy the incredible coastal scenery. We recommend stopping at Pfeiffer Beach, for a little hiking and photography, then proceed down to Nepenthe, where you should stop to enjoy the restaurant or café. We recommend the outside eating bars perched right on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. If is a meal, and a view, you will not soon forget. The proceed back up Highway One to Carmel, so that the driver can now take in the view. Warning – The driver can only enjoy the view coming back up to Carmel without running off the road!
Big Sur Information - www.bigsurcalifornia.org Nepenthe Information - www.nepenthebigsur.com
Dining on the Edge at Nepenthe Central Coast – Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles Great article from Wine X Magazine on Touring Santa Barbara County http://www.winexmagazine.com/3point1/trip31.htm Lodging Recommendations
Marriott Hotel – Buellton (Our recommendation for best budget accommodations) Central to the Santa Barbara wine country and about a 50 minute drive from the town of Santa Barbara itself. A great spot from which to day trip to Santa Maria Valley, Paso Robles, and Central Coast vineyards.
Santa Ynez Inn – http://www.santaynezinn.com/ A beautiful Victorian style hotel that blends the best of wine country living. A central spot from which to visit the wineries of the central coast.
Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn - http://www.fessparker.com/index.htm A Four Diamond property that offers the most luxurious accommodations in the area. Certainly not inexpensive, but this is a world class property that will make you forget your cares with pampered service, incredible dining, and a relaxing spa.
Dining Recommendations
Los Olivos Café - www.losolivoscafe.com A great spot for lunch while touring the center of the wine region. Great food and a huge selection of wines by the glass.
Hitching Post II, Buellton – www.hitchingpostwines.com One of our absolute favorites highly recommended to us by several of the area’s winemakers. Like stepping back in time with the early 50’s décor, but the best grilled meats and game around. Try the Hitching Post wines. These are not lowly private label hotel wines, but the owners cooperative efforts with many of the best winemakers in the area including Jim Clendenon of Au Bon Climat. To us, this is a must stop! Paso Robles - Head north on Highway 101 about 70 miles from the Buellton/Solvang/Los Olivos area and you will find Templeton/Paso Robles. Wineries in this great Zinfandel / Syrah area to visit include JanKris, Eberle, Castoro Cellars, Turley, and Peachy Canyon, which are all within minutes of Highway 101. Foxen Canyon Road - A great day trip for a perfect combination of great scenery and wine is a drive up through Foxen Canyon. From Highway 101, take Foxen Canyon Road north. A must stop is Fess Parker Winery (pick up a cute little coonskin cap bottle topper), then stop and taste at Zaca Mesa, or Cambria. At the end of Foxen Canyon road you can get back on Highway 101, going south, and head back on the highway. Los Olivos Wine Area- Take a leisurely drive around the center of the Santa Barbara county wine area made up of the towns of Buellton, Solvang (a very picturesque Dutch village), Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos. In Santa Ynez, stop at the Santa Ynez Inn Wine Cellar, where many of the area wineries have a cooperative tasting room (including Au Bon Climat, Byron, Calzada Ridge, Great Oaks, Qupe, Vandale and Westerly.). In Los Olivos, stop at the tasting room of Andrew Murray Winery, Daniel Gehrs Winery, and stop in to the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium (another cooperative tasting room where your can taste wines from Fiddlehead, Lane Tanner, Qupe, Tantara, Whitcraft, and others). After all that tasting, have lunch at the Los Olivos Café.
Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium www.sbwines.com Fiddlehead Cellars www.fiddleheadcellars.com Zaca Mesa Winery www.zacamesa.com Beckman Vineyards www.beckmenvineyards.com Fess Parker Winery www.fessparker.com Byron Winery www.byronwines.com Andrew Murray Vineyards www.andrewmurrayvineyards.com Tantara Winery www.tantarawinery.com
Fess Parker Winery
The Vineyards of Santa Maria Valley
|
|
Copyright © 2004 Wine Merchants | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Contact Us |
Resources:
Resources:
Resources