Home  |  Road Trip Maps & Travelogues  |  Tasting  |  Events  |  Photos  |  Links  |  Wineroad.com

About The Russian River Wine Road

There is so much to explore along the Russian River Wine Road that you could easily spend a lifetime in Northwest Sonoma County and never see it all.

Northwest Sonoma County, framed by its forests of towering redwoods and vineyard-studded hills and valleys, is as rich in its history as its world-renowned wines. With the exception of prohibition (1920-1933), wine has been made in Sonoma County for over 135 years. The Russian River Wine Road is home to some of California's oldest wineries. At the turn of the century many immigrants found in Northwest Sonoma County, with rolling hills and moderate climate, a place that resembled their homeland. As a result, many of the wine making families along the Russian River Wine Road, still operate their generations-old wineries.

Founded over thirty years ago, the Russian River Wine Road is an association of wineries and lodgings in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valley appellations of Northwest Sonoma County. The Wine Road, which started as an organization of nine wineries, today has a spirited membership of 130 wineries, and 60 lodgings.

The Russian River, which blends the three appellations, meanders through Cloverdale to Santa Rosa and out to the Sonoma Coast. Northwest Sonoma County is the most picturesque grape-growing region in California and stands out as one of the ultra premium growing regions of the world. The association has created a myriad of programs, events and services that make it easier for visitors to find and visit the area including a map and a website.

Half a million user-friendly Russian River Wine Road maps are produced every other year as a complete resource for anyone visiting Northwest Sonoma County and there is no charge for the map. In addition to the map, the Wine Road sponsors three major events each year; Winter Wineland, Barrel Tasting and A Wine & Food Affair. All this valuable information including maps of the Wine Road appellations can be found on our comprehensive web site, www.wineroad.com.

The wineries and lodgings of the Russian River Wine Road are well known for their friendly hospitality and relaxed atmosphere. Wine Road travelers can expect to spend a leisurely day meandering down picturesque, un-crowded country roads that lead them to many of the area's wineries and attractions. The wineries vary from large producers to small estates; from Italian-style villas and French-style chateaux - to small garagiste wineries (a name coined because many of these people started off making wine in their garage). Many wineries offer their patios, decks, and gardens for picnics; winery and vineyard tours are offered at others; and some even have facilities to accommodate a wine country wedding! Wine Road lodgings can also be found to suit any taste, from quaint cottages and Victorian bed and breakfast inns, to luxurious, contemporary hotels and spas.

© 2003 Russian River Wine Road Inc.                                                      About Us | Contact Us | Index