In the vineyard between Sebastopol and Healdsburg

Starting off in the Russian River Valley region, where the moderate temperatures suit Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and into the Dry Creek Valley. Here the morning fog from the Pacific tempers warm days. Stone strewn soils are ideal for concentrating fruit and flavor characters of Zinfandel, the hallmark of Dry Creek Valley, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, and the resulting wines are rock-solid examples of their types. On the white side, Sauvignon Blanc dominates.

Graton

Red Car. Combining old and new world techniques, Red Car minimizes manipulation so the fruit can express the cool climate personality of the Sonoma Coast. Red Car produces Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay. 8400 Graton Road. www.redcarwine.com

Freeman Vineyard & Winery. Owned and run by Ken and Akiko Freeman, they aim to make cool climate Californian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in sophisticated Burgundian style. Tours & tasting. 1300 Montgomery Road. www.freemanwinery.com

Graton Gallery. Contemporary and traditional paintings, prints, sculpture, jewellery and artisan crafts by over 50 Northern California artists. Art shows in the gallery and sculpture garden change every six weeks. Open Tuesday-Sunday. 9048 Graton Road. www.gratongallery.com

Mexico Lindo Restaurant. Authentic, delicious Mexican food for lunch and dinner, with a festive atmosphere. Specialties include fresh chile rellenos, fajitas and fresh salsa. Open daily. 9030 Graton Road. Tel.: +1 707 823 4154.

Forestville

The Farmhouse Inn . It is 15 minutes from Healdsburg, in Forestville – and is a food lover’s favourite for its fresh seasonal ingredients. Produce is sourced from the Bartolomei family ranch and local artisan farmers, and the menu changes according to what is seasonably available and at its best. The wine program offers guests the opportunity to taste and experience the finest wines of Sonoma and Napa. Tel.: +1 707 887 3300. www.farmhouseinn.com

The Quicksilver Mine Co. Is an art gallery specialising in Sonoma County and Northern Californian fine art. 6671 Front Street.

Windsor
Windsor – pays homage to its farming roots, with a growing reputation as an epicurean hotspot and an “eat fresh, eat local” philosophy. So named because in 1855 a Pony Express rider thought it looked like the grounds surrounding Windsor Castle in England!

Inman Family Wines. Kathleen Inman is the owner and winemaker, producing small lots of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay from her family’s organically farmed Olivet Grange vineyard and a handful of other sustainable vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Kathleen grew up in the Napa Valley, like her parents and grandparents. She moved to England for 15 years before returning to California in 1998. The Inman Family Winery is housed in a solar powered building, made primarily of recycled materials, and designed with energy and water conservation in mind. Our favourite is the 2007 OGV Pinot Noir – very smooth and drinkable. 3900 Piner Road. Tel.: +1 707 293 9576. www.inmanfamilywines.com

Access to Ladies & Wine

VML Winery. New to the scene, founded in Spring 2011. Virginia Marie Lambrix is the female winemaker, and her involvement in viticulture is inspired by the interrelationship of the soil, plants and animals as a self-nourishing system. She’s a strong advocate for alternative agriculture, and is currently on the Demeter Boars for education on biodynamic farming. Guests at VML Winery are encouraged to take in the organic garden, roaming the beds of flowers, fruits and herbs selected to invoke the aromas of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You are encouraged to pick and eat what is ripe. 4035 Westside Road www.vmlwine.com

Access to Ladies & Wine

Hop Kiln Winery. One of America’s finest examples of a historic kiln. Built in 1905, it houses a unique tasting room open daily 10am-5pm. The winery produces bold flavourful reds and fresh bright whites. There’s a scenic picnic area, and the tasting room has cheese, breads, charcuterie from regional artisans. 6050 Westside Road.

North of Healdsburg – The Dry Creek Valley

Montemaggiore. This vineyard is the dream of Vincent and Lise Ciolino, who specialize in Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyards in the mountains high above Healdsburg. Vincent is the biodynamic winegrower, while Lise makes the wines. The elegant, distinctive wines and olive oils reflect the strength and vitality of this secluded mountainside estate. Open by appointment only. 2355 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Tel.: +1 707 433 9499. www.montemaggiore.com

Quivira Vineyards & Winery. A family owned vineyard specializing in Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and Rhone varietals. At the winery, visitors can explore the 5 acre garden, tasting room made from eco-friendly materials, creek side and patio picnic grounds. Tour the vineyards and taste grapes straight off the vines. Quivira is biodynamic, and there are bees, Jersey cows, rare breed pigs and chickens – all part of the biodynamic process. The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc/Gewürztraminer blend is delicious, and our favourite Zinfandel was the 2009 Katz vineyard. 4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Tel.: +1 707 431 8333. www.quivirawine.com

 

Access to Organic wine

Michel-Schlumberger. European-style winemaking utilizing 15 varietals on 100 organically farmed acres that incorporate beehives, beneficial insectory, bird and wildlife sanctuary, fish-friendly farming and fascinating human terroir. 4155 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Tel.: +1 707 433 7427. www.michelschlumberger.com

 

Access to Organic wine

Wilson Winery. Ken & Diane Wilson produce their gold medal winning line up of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France, Syrah and Petite Sirah wines. Diane was honoured as Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2008 and is at the forefront of the Sonoma County wine industry. The tasting room is open daily – enjoy a bottle of Wilson wine on the deck and enjoy panoramic vineyard views. 1960 Dry Creek Road. www.wilsonwinery.com

Access to Ladies & Wine

Family Wineries Dry Creek Valley Tasting Room. A co-op tasting room showcasing small producers from the Dry Creek area. 4791 Dry Creek Road. www.familywines.com