The previous post was title Visiting Sonoma County -- Basic Info. This one is the intermediate course. 🍷
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| Summer Tuesdays on the Sonoma Plaza |
What to Wear
The short answer is whatever you want. In the summer you'll see shorts, tee shirts, and flip-flops. You'll see sundresses and Tommy Bahama. For me, it's jeans in the cool weather, shorts when it's hot.
What to Smell Like
Don't reek of perfume or cigarettes. Any odors interfere with yours and others sense of smell and wine is all about smell!
Alternatives to Driving
There are expensive ways with a private driver or a limo. A less expensive and fun way is being part of a small group of maybe ten with a driver. No, you don't get to pick what wineries you visit, but maybe a local driver knows how to show a good time.
Lunch
You can bring a sandwich, a loaf of bread and cheese, or you can plan on a restaurant stop. These restaurants won't be out in the vineyards, they'll be back in town. So don't venture too far before lunchtime.
Dinner
Many want to experience Wine Country find dining. If that you, then figure in whatever alcohol you will have at dinner into your day's plans. If you overdo it the next day might not be as much fun as you hoped. There are plenty of casual places to get a couple tacos, a burger, or a pizza.
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A place to dine and drink on the rooftop |
Staying in the Town of Sonoma
You'll find about twenty tasting rooms plus many restaurants and shops within easy walking distance. There is history from before California was a state. There are many events right on the town plaza.
Sonoma is closest to the Carneros regions (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling) and Sonoma Valley (a little bit of everything).
Because Sonoma is at the south end of the county close to San Francisco and much of the Bay Area it is quite crowded in season and most weekends. If you've got your reservations you'll be fine.
Staying in Healdsburg
You'll find over two dozen tasting rooms in town along with restaurants and shopping. The dining has more well-known high-end choices than Sonoma, the shopping is more expensive. There are several lodging choices in the center of town.
Healdsburg is at the juncture of three prominent grape growing regions. The regions and what wines they're known for are Alexander Valley (Cabernet), Dry Creek Valley (Zinfandel), and Russian River Valley (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). This, of course, isn't all each makes, but these are the predominant grapes. You are close to a lot of wineries.
Sonoma vs. Healdsburg
Where Sonoma is relaxed, charming, and family friendly; Healdsburg is a hip, more food-focused, and wine country sophisticated. It's still California, still Sonoma County, so it's a laid-back sophistication, not a NYC one. Locals know Healdsburg as the most expensive town in the county.
Staying in Santa Rosa
The big city offers less costly lodging, a wide variety of restaurants, and a real downtown. It doesn't offer that wine country charm.
Santa Rosa is in the middle of everything wine wise. Even the north end of Napa Valley, near the town of Calistoga, isn't too far.
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| Hotel La Rose, in Santa Rosa's Railroad Square Built in 1907, following the '06 earthquake |
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