"California Doesn't Have Seasons"

Yeah, we do.    :)

Why Visit Sonoma (in Pictures)

"Every picture tells a story don't it," says Rod Stewart. So we'll let photos tell you why you should visit Sonoma County. Some are mine, a couple by others and labeled for reuse.

Sonoma Vly Photos 1/4/19

Photos from the Kunde Winery property in Sonoma Valley; taken Nov 4, 2019

Alexander Valley, Sonoma County (photos)

Photos taken February 3, 2018 in Alexander Valley

A.V. sits inland and in the northern part of the county making it a warmer growing area that's great for Cabernet Sauvignon. Other notable grapes from here are Merlot and Chardonnay.

Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, late December (photos)

Photos taken December 28, 2017, the closing days of the year in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley.

Feb. in Sonoma Valley (photos)

February 23, 2017 in Sonoma Valley along Highway 12

December in the Vineyards (photos)

December 2, 2016, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County.

November photos

November 9, 2016 in Bennett Valley and Sonoma Valley.

Bennett Valley isn't a well-known grape-growing area. It is primarily about Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah. The first wine grapes were planted here during the Civil War.

Sonoma Valley is much larger and established in the minds of wine drinkers. It is a 17 mile long valley with over 75 winery tasting rooms. Bennett Valley has one tasting room open to the public (Matanzas Creek).

Sonoma Valley in October (photos)

From October 21st along Highway 12 in Sonoma Valley. There's autumn color in most vineyards.

Reasons to Visit Sonoma County this Fall

Seven reasons to visit this autumn -- in pictures.

June in the Russian River Valley (photos)

The wine grapes are now through flowering and fruit set and everything looks about normal so far for 2016. Canopy management is next. This means all the vigorous growth must be controlled for optimum ripening later by tying and trimming shoots plus pulling off leaves to give clusters access to the right amount of sunlight. Yes, it's a pretty intense kind of farming.

Following are photos from the vineyards of two wineries in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. These two locations are four miles apart.

Sonoma Valley photos

Feb 24, 2016 along Highway 12 between the towns of Sonoma and Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. Spring has definitely sprung!

Westside Road, Dry Creek Valley Photos

Feb 23, 2016 in southern Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County. Most vines have been pruned by now as spring growth will be starting soon. Lots of flowering cover crops in the rows between vines.

Sonoma Valley in Autumn (photos)

Pictures of Sonoma Valley vineyards in mid-November 2015

Dry Creek Valley Photos

Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Oct 8, 2015

September in Sonoma Valley (photos)

Northern Sonoma Valley on Sept 25, 2015

2015 Harvest is Underway!

Social media has been buzzing with the start of the wine grape harvest. Yes, it's early again this year. Following are some pictures taken this morning at Paradise Ridge Winery in the Russian River Valley.

A Tour of Buena Vista Winery (photos)

Buena Vista in Sonoma is a state historical landmark. It's the first premium winery in California. There had been grapes in the state since the early 1800s, but it was Agoston Haraszthy, the founder of Buena Vista in the mid-1800s, who commercialized and modernized California winemaking.

The winery has gone through numerous owners in the 20th and early 21st centuries and had gotten a little stale. Jean-Charles Boisset, "the flamboyant Frenchman," purchased the estate less than five years ago and has been quite busy restoring Buena Vista to its past glory -- with some French influence.

At the end of May there was an open house letting folks go through and see what's been done. It's something else!

Late January in Alexander Valley (photos)

Alexander Valley is in NE Sonoma County

The Alexander Valley in Sonoma County is well known for Cabernet Sauvignon though you'll find everything from Chardonnay to Zinfandel. There are over 40 wineries that call Alexander Valley home. Some of the better known ones are Alexander Valley Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Francis Ford Coppola, Hanna, Jordan, Rodney Strong, Seghesio, Simi, and White Oak.

January in northern Dry Creek Valley (photos)

Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
January 14, 2015

Click on photos to enlarge