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As a winery experience you either love it or hate it but there's no denying the appeal to those looking for a fun Disneyland sort of experience. Read my full review with lots of photos here. Located just seconds northwest of the historic Dry Creek Store, visit Rued Winery and enjoy a tasting at the bar or a picnic on the patio with spectacular views of Dry Creek Valley. Sample small production wines paired with unusual bites such as caramel popcorn with their Russian River Chardonnay.
Free Tasting with Purchase - See Deal. Not sure where to go? Limited time in Sonomna? Then hop on board a Platypus Tour, small tour busses who do all the planning for you - including lunch. Tell them Local Wally sent you!
Geyserville Lovely winery, taste at their bar or go outside on the terrace where you can bring your own picnic lunch. Located 10 miles drive north of Healdsburg up Dry Creek Road. A bit off the road from downtown Healdsburg, VML Vineyards has some of the loveliest gardens at any winery you might visit. Worth the short drive, get 2 for 1 tastings with Wine Pass. Stop by Jimtown Store for lunch supplies and enjoy a picnic on their grounds. There are a number of competing offers from "passports" to phone apps but the Priority Wine Pass is the one I recommend.
With the wine pass you simply show your phone or card to get 2 for 1 tastings. Phone Apps? Go ahead, but don't blame me if you're stuck clipping and tweeting when you could be sipping and tasting! But with the Priority Wine Pass you get two for one tastings, saving you half at every stop. Good for a year, good in both Napa and Sonoma, it pays for itself within your first hour.
Go to PriorityWinePass. Local Wally approved! Contact Us Use the form on the right to contact us. Sonoma Tourist Guide.
Info Email. Right Here! Got a Question?
Email Me for Free Advice! Read my Latest Blog Posts. Nov 9, Nov 8, Nov 7, Canihan Winery One of the best wine tasting experiences you might ever have, Bill Canihan hosts you in his barn at this small, family run winery. Cline Cellars Taste inside their 's farmhouse, two for one. Jacuzzi Family Yup, the same family that made the whirlpool spa famous now makes exceptionally delicious wines.
Larson Family Located on the family ranch that was once the site of the Sonoma Rodeo, Larson also features a woman winemaker in a male dominated industry. Winery Sixteen Winery Sixteen produces small lots of single-vineyard wines sourced only from vineyards they farm. Need a Driver?
Deerfield Ranch If you wanted to taste inside wine caves but put off by the often high fees then head to Deerfield Ranch where everyone tastes deep inside their caves. Kivelstadt Cellars Kivelstadt Cellars breaks a lot of wine making rules by design, including offering wine in growlers to go. Landmark Vineyards One of the most relaxing settings in Sonoma, grab a glass and taste outside under the oak trees in a comfy lounger, play some boccee ball, take a selfie by their pond, 2 for 1 tasting.
Mayo Family Winery A small family run winery specializing in single vineyard wines. Muscardini Winery The front patio is the spot for picnics and tastings on a nice day, Muscardini Winery is housed in an old 's schoolhouse. Spann Vineyards Don't let the shopping mall location stop you from visiting Spann Vineyards where the owner or winemaker are nearly always on hand to pour and talk wine. Francis Winery St Francis Winery is serious about wine and food pairing. Sonoma Wine Pass You don't need no stinkin' coupons! Balletto Winery Santa Rosa A farmer since the age of 17, John Balletto started with vegetables but has never looked back since his transition to wine grapes in Ektimo Winery Sebastopol There's something quaint and charming about Ektimo Winery, a small and intimate tasting room.
Russian River Wines Forestville A destination winery, Russian River Vineyards not only makes award winning wines but has a restaurant and even their own farm. Trecini Winery Santa Rosa Love wine but wish the alcohol levels were lower? Wine Guerilla Forestville Zins, zins, and more zins,it's all they do at Wine Guerilla, sourced from 10 different vineyards.
Blanchard Family Blanchard Family is 2 brothers seemingly different as adults find a bond in winemaking, seeking to produce low volumes of high quality wines. Ferrari-Carano Well isn't this place fancy?! Check back later. HKG Estate Vineyards The historic Hop Kiln structure, once the site for drying hops grown on the property, is now the winery tasting room and marketplace. Check back later! Hudson St. Merriam Vineyards Beautiful tasting room a bit like a New England farmhouse, stop by Merriam Vineyards if you're looking for a pretty winery with great French inspired wines.
Portalupi Vineyards A block away from the Healdsburg Plaza, make the short walk to Portalupi Winery's tasting room, a cozy and intimate experience where Jane Portalupi or husband Tim will most likely be serving. Rodney Strong Lots to see and do at Rodney Strong Vineyards, from free tours to wine and food pairings. Click this link to claim the promotion! Code Blue is a tasting room favorite and consists of Syrah that is cofermented with blueberry wine.
About 1 ton of blueberries were picked in June and kept frozen until the grape harvest. Both the blueberries and Syrah grapes are sourced from the Serres Ranch, which is located about a mile from Imagery Winery. The Syrah goes into small, open top tanks and the frozen blueberries are added to the mix. Check out this video and see Joe Benziger personally craft Code Blue! Code Blue is very aromatic and bursts with ripe, bold flavors. The classic Syrah adds body, structure, and just a little bit of spice. The blueberries give this wine lush fruit components. It is a phenomenal party wine. The novelty of drinking a wine made with actual blueberries is an easy icebreaker.
The known health benefits of both wine and blueberries are all the more reason to double down on Code Blue.
We enjoyed the wine and all the label art. Ektimo Winery Sebastopol There's something quaint and charming about Ektimo Winery, a small and intimate tasting room. Visiting Lake Bled, Slovenia. Muscardini Winery The front patio is the spot for picnics and tastings on a nice day, Muscardini Winery is housed in an old 's schoolhouse. Like Loading
Blueberries are powerful antioxidants that promote nervous system and brain health. Pola Henderson is a travel writer, city explorer, expat, and event host. Traveling has been a part of her life since she was three. Pola grew up in Krakow, lived in Chicago for many years and is currently based in Paris, where she teaches Business English. Related Posts. What to do on your first trip to Iceland. Luxury wine experiences in Napa Valley, California. Fun at 14, feet: My first skydiving experience. Visiting Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Enrcio Belmonte May 6, at 3: Jetting Around May 6, at 5: Christian G. Schiller May 14, at 3: Jetting Around May 14, at 4: My favorite travel souvenirs - Jetting Around: City Travel Blog: Jetting Around: City Travel Blog November 18, at 8: City Travel Blog January 15, at 8: Mike's Road Trip April 29, at 8: Jetting Around April 29, at Jetting Around October 9, at That would be great, Ana!
SoCal is great, but NoCal is my favorite. Raul ilivetotravel October 11, at 4: Jetting Around October 11, at 5: My pleasure!
Jetting Around October 12, at 1: Mary Anne October 12, at 3: All of Sonoma county is great. Next time you are in CA let me know.