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Just a few Tasting Tips:

Plan ahead... Many wineries have limited hours. Appointments to taste and tour wineries are very easy to setup, and in many cases can be quite impromptu... so don't hesitate to call ahead even if last minute!

Choices... With such an abundance of wines to sample it is often good to either limit the number of wineries (if you want to taste their entire lineup)... or focus on one or two wines (like Chardonnay, or Zinfandel)... and taste just those at a variety of wineries.

Ask questions... Wine tasting is your opportunity not only to educate your palate, but learn more about the wine making process... you will find tasting room staff, owners and winemakers quite congenial.

Designate a Driver... A prudent decision for a carefree day of tasting. There are also many local tour services available that are fun and especially affordable for groups. For limousine or bus service contact California Wine Tours (707) 586-1568... or Pure Luxury Transportation at (800) 626-5466.

Tasting photos, clockwise: Clos Du Bois, Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, Sausal tasting room & picnic area.

Northern Sonoma County is quite possibly the best

region for wine tasting.

Here we have over 130 of the worlds best wineries all within a 30 mile radius!

Take off anywhere along the Hwy 101 corridor from Santa Rosa north to Cloverdale... west to the Pacific Ocean, east to the Mayacama Mts. bordering Napa County.

Wineries are open year-round... and at many, wine tasting is complimentary!

Some wineries charge a nominal fee for tasting which is refundable with purchase, others offer wine and food pairings for a set price.

The weather is always perfect for a getaway. Tempered by the coastal influence... the winters are mild and the summers long and warm.

An abundant variety of wines to explore...
The wineries of the Wine Road, with their coastal and inland growing regions, distinct microclimates and soils, have the immense good fortune to be able to produce spectacular harvests of many different grape varietals. Even though the growing appellations within the Wine Road are famous for certain varietals; Russian River Valley – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Dry Creek Valley – Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc; and Alexander Valley – Cabernet and Merlot, there are dozens of other varietals grown in all these regions.
Barbera, Grenache, Reisling, Gerwurztraminer, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Carignane, Dolcetto, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah (to name a few), are as much at home here as Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Blanc, Semillon and Viognier.

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