California Wine Country
A trip to California Wine Country should be anything but ordinary, and there are hundreds of wineries located throughout several valleys for your enjoyment. Arguably the most popular, the valleys of Napa, Sonoma, and the Russian River (located within Sonoma County) have unique characteristics that distinguish themselves from one another. The undiscerning traveler might assume that “wine is wine”, but you will not have the same experience in Napa as you would in Sonoma, or in the Russian River Valley. To truly understand the differences and nuances of each region, you have to experience it for yourself. Hopefully my personal experiences and insights will help you to decide where to spend most of your time.
Napa is the most famous and popular of the three valleys and certainly sees the largest crowds. It offers more high-end accommodations and private label wineries than the other two valleys mentioned. The most recognizable towns in Napa Valley are Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Be aware that getting to Sonoma can take you up to an hour from Napa. Afterall, they are different valleys, separated by a mountain range. Sonoma is much more spread out than Napa and more laidback. The most popular town in Sonoma Valley is Sonoma, which boasts a quaint square with locally owned shops, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. The Russian River Valley is home to Healdsburg and most of the cool-weather grapes in the region are cultivated here. The Russian River Valley is large like Sonoma and is home to some premier wineries like Iron Horse and Merry Edwards. (Merry Edwards was a fantastic host when we visited, though I may be biased because they have bottled wines from their Meredith Estate. I have yet to open mine!) The Russian River Valley has accommodations in various ranges from luxe to quaint. I can help you carefully plot which wineries you’d like to visit as the towns are farther apart than you expect. Spending the majority of your wine-centric vacation in a car and not at the vineyards or tasting rooms would be a huge disappointment.
However, there is much more than wine tastings and good food. You can take a private winery tour and learn about the entire wine making process, experience a breathtaking hot air balloon over the valley with acres of grapevines below you, perfect your bocce game and make new friends at some of the best resorts in the country, tour a flower farm, indulge in a mud bath of locally harvested volcanic ash and bathe in a refreshing whirlpool tub with sweeping valley views, float down the Russian River by kayak or raft, and enjoy chauffeur service and exclusive access to wineries not open to the public. Depending on your preferences, you can stay at luxurious resorts, elegantly appointed boutique hotels, quaint bed & breakfasts, a private villa or townhome, or a cottage along the creek.
You can tell I love California Wine Country! It’s such a special place with so much to offer. When I think about the setting sun casting its warm light across the hills of grapevines, the initial taste of a good Pinot Noir on my tongue, and the joy found meeting other travelers in tasting rooms, I get the itch to return and experience it all over again.
Let’s work together to create an incredible trip to California Wine Country. Whether it’s a couples escape, a girls getaway, or mother-daughter bonding time, I can help you create those special moments that you’ll remember for years to come.
