Sonoma

Some folks have a preference, either Sonoma or Napa but we love both. They each have a great deal to offer; warm accommodations, upscale dining choices and plenty of great wine.

Dream

We recently spent a President’s Day weekend in Healdsburg at the fabulous Farmhouse Inn. The rooms are very comfortable, with four-poster beds and cozy fireplaces. The bathrooms have heated floors, large soaking tubs, steam showers and dual vanities. The Inn has a Michelin starred restaurant with an extensive wine list, of course. This place is perfect for couples! We were met with lots of rain on our visit, so February probably isn’t the best month to visit Sonoma. But our trip was not spoiled.

Prior to our last trip, we’ve stayed at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. It’s only 45 minutes from San Francisco. The rooms have been recently renovated and have a cozy feel. Most rooms come with a fireplace, providing a great setting to enjoy some of your recently purchased vino.

Not sure we will be staying anywhere else other than Farmhouse or Fairmont, but here are a couple of other possibilities:

• Hotel Healdsburg, set on the Western edge of Healdsburg’s historic town plaza.

• SingleThread Farm-Restaurant-Inn, Healdsburg, CA.

Dine

Farm-to-table is a given in Sonoma. Here are our top choices:

• El Dorado Hotel and Kitchen: Nestled in the heart of Sonoma’s historic downtown square, offering California-inspired cuisine with a focus on the freshest farm and ranch-raised ingredients from Executive Chef Armando Navarro.

• The Girl and the Fig, also in downtown Sonoma on the town square.

• Sante at the Fairmont, Boyes Boulevard, Sonoma.

• Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.

• Barndiva in Healdsburg.

• the SHED in Healdsburg.

Do

Sonoma has some of the best California pinot noirs and cabernets. The Farmhouse Inn arranged our driver and guide for two-days of wine tasting. Randall from Randall’s Wine Tours was simply superb! We had pre-booked several wineries that we wanted to visit. Randall was able to complement our schedule with additional suggestions and alternatives more closely attuned to our taste as he learned about our specific wine preferences. Randall’s expertise and his inside connections in the Sonoma Valley wine business, literally opened several doors for us, and made our trip extra special. After our trip, he curated a box of wines for us including bottles from some of the vineyards we missed, but we’ll be sure to visit next time.  

If you’re into big reds, here are a few vineyard recommendations:

• BR Cohn, Glen Ellen: One of the vineyards we visited on our first trip to Sonoma back in 2010. Then independently owned Bruce Cohn, manager of the Grammy-winning rock band The Doobie Brothers, the vineyard was acquired by Vintage Wine Estates in 2015. BR Cohn was our introduction to the glorious big, bold, oaky cabernets of Sonoma Valley.

• Kosta Browne, Sebastopol: Our favorite pinot noirs.

• Williams Selyem, Russian River Valley: Serving amazing pinots and zinfandels.

• Arrowood Winery, Glen Ellen: Producing high-character wines from sustainably and organically farmed vineyards since 1986.

• St Francis Winery and Vineyards, Santa Rosa.

• Gary Farrell, Healdsburg.

• Ridge, Healdsburg.

• Hanzell: Beautiful vineyards and winery specializing in chardonnay and pinot noir. Pre-booked tastings are performed in an archive room containing bottles from every vintage dating back to 1957, so you can photograph the label from your date of birth (if you are young enough)!

• Repris: High on a hill above the valley floor sits the historic Repris vineyard, which has been going about its business for over 125 years. There are 18,000 square feet of caves, left natural with marks from the gigantic drills used to dig them out still visible. Some of the best Pinot Noirs around.

• Pangloss: The coolest tasting room located in Sonoma town square…and head back of house into a speakeasy setting to taste its sister wine, Texture.

You can visit the vineyards by hiring a driver for the day: contact Randall if you’re looking for a very personalized experience. Sonoma Valley Bike Tours is another great option.

If you’re looking for something active to do, there is a great bike/running trail by the Fairmont.

Farmhouse Inn and the Fairmont both have outdoor heated swimming pools. While we couldn’t take advantage of the pool at the Farmhouse, the Fairmont’s pool was a lively yet relaxing scene, with attentive waiter service for drinks and lunch. The Fairmont Hotel spa is also worth a visit.

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