LIZ + DAN

AUGUST 22, 2015 | SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Things to Do

Sonoma and Napa counties are full of awesome wines and great adventures, and we are so happy everyone has come to enjoy this wonderful time and place with us! We have laid out our game plan below, but we encourage you to venture off into this region and find that little known mom-and-pop vineyard with an amazing Pinot or flop over some gentle rapids as you float down the picturesque Russian River. You’ll quickly see why our first trip here a few years ago left us feeling that Sonoma County was the perfect place to celebrate a wedding weekend with our friends and family. Take your time and enjoy!

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Friday Winery Hopping

We will be stopping at a few of our favorite Kenwood wineries for tastings on Friday, but wanted to keep it casual. Feel free to explore your own interests and swing by to raise a glass with us at one of our stops below!

Kenwood (between Santa Rosa and Glen Ellen): There’s no other way to say it; we love Kenwood. Some see it as a waypoint between Sonoma and Healdsburg, but it’s wine country “home” for us. In addition to the ones we're visiting below, definitely stop by some of the other fantastic libatious gems in this region!  

  • 10:00-11:00am: The wine tasting day starts early in Sonoma County. Join us at St Francis Winery for a crisp Chardonnay as we get this day started right!  

  • 11:15-12:15pm: Just down the road from St Francis, Chateau St Jean is a staple in Sonoma County and the scenery is unbelievable. Enjoy a glass of wine as you look out on the Roman-California fusion architecture with Tuscan buildings set against towering Palm trees.

  • 1:30-2:30pm: After a long day of wine tasting (read: three wineries) on a previous trip, we got a recommendation from a sommelier to close out the day at Imagery Winery in Sonoma. A few sips later at this boutique winery we were sold; so much so that we bought into their wine club and have loved every bottle!

  • 2:45-4:00pm: Before heading back to Santa Rosa for the welcome dinner, feel free to swing by for a toast with us at Kunde Family Winery. We'll be there 'till they kick us out! (and then we'll come back the next day).


Other wineries and vineyards

Healdsburg (pronounced “heel'ds-berg”): Though a bit further to the north, the Dry Creek Valley hosts some of the best vineyards and wineries in Sonoma County and a handful have historical significance to Liz and Dan!

  • Tucked up against Lake Sonoma, the Sbragia Family Vineyards northwest of Healdsburg was where Dan and Liz had their first glass of wine in Sonoma County just over two years ago. Come start your day here and travel south as you stop off at each of the wineries in this magical valley!

  • Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery has some great wines and some of the most impressive gardens in Sonoma.

  • Stop off at the Dry Creek General Store to pickup some tasty sandwiches and enjoy them while admiring the amazing vista at any of the local wineries.

Sonoma (which means “valley of the moons”): The word “Sonoma” is synonymous with rolling hills of grapes, gentle breezes and world-class wines.

  • Have a sip on the Spanish-tiled portico of Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards as you look out over the expansive Sonoma Valley, after which you can take a look at this exclusive wine caves!

Napa Valley (the infamous): The fertile soil and uncomparable weather makes Napa Valley one of the most treasured locations in the world for grape growing. All the big names are here -- to include Robert Mondavi, Beringer, Beaulieu Vineyards (aka - “BV”) -- but we encourage you to taste the lesser knowns that you might just find rivals any wine you’ve loved in the past!

  • Our friends Jeff and Jen pointed us to Pine Ridge Vineyards and we could not have been happier. Taste their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and you’ll see why Jeff loves this place so much!

  • Just around the corner and up on a hill is Silverado Vineyards where you can have a tasty glass as you step out onto their porch and look north up the Napa Valley and all its splendor.


Other local adventures

Beer:  Russian River Brewing in downtown Santa Rosa is a great place for craft beers and great food. Usually 13 or so beers on keg, few of which you can get elsewhere, but get there early as there’s normally a line to get in! 

Sip ‘n Cycle tours: Take a ride with Wine Country Bike Tours and enjoy the fresh air and the amazing wine!

Something that's not drinking:  Floating or canoeing on the Russian River out of Guerneville.  And yeah, it probably can involve drinking if you want it to. You can also enjoy the historic grounds of the Korbel Winery while you’re up there!

As you’ll undoubtedly see while in downtown Santa Rosa, The Peanuts are a big deal in these parts, namely because Charles Schulz moved here at the age of 47 and stayed until he passed away 30 years later. The life-size Peanut figurines you’ll see in Santa Rosa, not to mention the Schulz Museum, are a testament to how much Santa Rosans loved this gifted cartoonist.

Cute local/artisanal marketplace? Try Napa’s Oxbow Public Market for a taste of Napa.  

Brunch ideas? Try Petaluma’s Tea Room Cafe.  If you have even the interest in plants, agriculture or gardening check out the Seed Bank as well.

Best town to take a mud bath:  Calistoga 

Looking for something unique? Why not balloon rides over wine country or Segway tours through it?!

If the Wild Calls, just behind the Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen is the Jack London State Park which has amazing vistas and the grave of the great American author!