It’s difficult not to be moved by the view when you drive to Howell Mountain. We’ve driven there twice since the 2020 fires and both times I was struck with a feeling of despair seeing the devastation of homes, wineries, and charred hills. Thankfully It’s all coming back. Sonoma and Napa residents, and winery owners in particular, are nothing if not resilient. For Jon and … Continue reading Paravel Pick Up
There is a new complex in Healdsburg off Westside Road that is quietly opening this summer called Bacchus Landing. We stopped in last week to have a look. There isn’t much signage in or around the facility to direct you but there are in fact a few businesses open and happy to see visitors. In the huge and empty courtyard of Bacchus Landing we met … Continue reading New in Healdsburg
If you’re lucky enough to live in the area, events at Grand Cru Custom Crush are not to be missed. After attending their well-done event in June of 2019 I made sure to keep track of future events they were scheduling. Grand Cru is a crush facility in Windsor, California. 20 or more family wineries share the facility for the production and tasting of their … Continue reading Grand Cru’s Summer Event
You can’t visit a winery much older in Dry Creek than A. Rafanelli. Four generations have worked the land growing grapes and making wine here. Alberto and Letizia Rafanelli began planting and farming in the early 1900’s and today David Rafanelli and his daughter Shelly continue the farming and the production of truly excellent wine. The tasting room is as traditional as they get. Just … Continue reading Wine and a Story…..
Sonoma is the perfect place to enjoy a wine country adventure after the year long pandemic lock down. The wineries are incredibly eager to have visitors back and there is no better place to relax. We’ve been busy updating our local recommendations to make it easy for you to plan your visit. Check out the Local Favorites page and get started! There are some amazing … Continue reading Planning a Sonoma Wine Trip – Updated
This is an excellent read on a very unusual year for California wines…….. These wines, which make up a case, are not only delicious — they tell the story of what happened with wine in this tumultuous year. By Esther Mobley | Dec. 15, 2020 | Updated: Dec. 16, 2020 2020 has been an earth-shattering year for the American wine world. And it would have been even without the … Continue reading 12 California Wines That Define 2020
We had the pleasure of being invited to a private dinner at the Skiptone Estate just outside of Geyserville. Patricia Smith was our host and met us with a pouring of Skipstone’s Rose de Constance Champagne. It’s produced in conjunction with Diebolt-Vallois and named after Skipstone’s owner’s wife. We had never been to Skipstone so this was a treat! A long private lane brings you … Continue reading Dinner at Skipstone
North of Healdsburg there is a spectacular landscape overlooking the Alexander Valley and the Anderson Valley off Route 128 in Yorkville Highlands. There, above the fog line with knock-out gorgeous views, a new tasting “room” called SEAWOLF has just opened. Two young, talented winemakers – Emma Kudritzki Hall and Jesse Hall have combined their experience and are producing small quantities of exceptional wine made in … Continue reading SEAWOLF
Armida Winery has one of my favorite Sonoma views. It’s set on a hillside off Westside Road just south of Healdsburg. Their view is across the vineyards of the Dry Creek Valley, past “J” and Rodney Strong Vineyards to Chalk Hill, Fountaingrove, and in the far distance, Mt. St Helena. It’s gorgeous and the perfect spot to relax, open a bottle of their wine and … Continue reading Armida
We don’t really need an excuse to go tasting but in this instance it was kind of celebratory. Our daughter was visiting and finally done with a self imposed quarantine so a day out seemed like a perfect reward. Bedrock Wine Company was our first appointment. I’ve written about Bedrock previously (link to post) but not about tasting at their facility in the town of … Continue reading 2 Steps Back……..
John's Wine Cellar 