that will allow you to picnic on their grounds? Of course I intend to purchase a bottle of wine from them too.

1. What sort of wine to you like? Red/White? Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sangiovese...etc.? Sparkling, still, fortified, etc.

2. Do you favor a particular region/appelation? Carneros, Russian River, Alexander Valley...etc.

3. Will you be brining your lunch or do you need to pick up provisions along with the wine?

4. How far to you want to travel? Sonoma Valley stretches pretty far North, so you're looking at a range of 45 min. from SF to over 90 min.

5. Are you looking for upscale or more rustic scenery?


If you can provide a bit more information, I'm sure I can make a few suggestions. You're initial inquiry is just a bit too broad. The main thing is wine preference. Be as descriptive as you can regarding the type and style of wine that you favor. For example, while I may favor a big Bordeaux style of red wine, you may favor a Burgundal or Rhone style red that would be totally at odds with my recommendations.

They use to be my customer.

much more interesting than wine ;-)

more interested in charming surroundings, as long as the winery's offerings are worthwhile. locationwise, we'll be staying in Santa Rosa so somewhere between there and Sonoma.
This wine picnic thingy is for the wife's benefit. The _real_ reason we're going up to that area is the event in the attached URL. Mmmmmm....beeeer. &lt;&gt;Homer drool&lt;&gt;<ul><li><a href="http://www.avbc.com/news/boontbeerfest.html">http://www.avbc.com/news/boontbeerfest.html</a</li></ul>

Just off the square in Healdsburg is the Russian River appellation. Take Westside Road West out of the town of Healdsburg. It's also a great set of twisties, but beware of the winos on the road. You will pass about half a dozen wineries as you head out. I suggest you stop at Belevedere Winery. They have an excellent tasting room that is very comfortable and inviting. They will also be happy to take you on a tour if you call ahead. The recently renovated grounds have a very nice terraced area for picnicing, as well as a few tables situated on the wraparound porch. The area is well shaded and they will be happy to accommodate you with glasses if you make a purchase to drink along with your picnic. There is also a very nice herb garden to stroll through and they frequently have extra events on the weekends starting in late Spring and into the Summer such as live Jazz. Their wines are reasonably priced for a small producer. They have two vineyards and bottle under the Belvedere name and under Bradford Mountain Winery for estate reserves from the eponymous vineyard.

As is the focus of the Russian River AVA, the wines that really excel are the Zinfandels which are bright and jammy with a nice amount of spice and oak. They're winemaking style leans towards very approachable young wines. As is also the forte of the area, the Pinot Noirs are some of the better examples from the country, rivaled chiefly by those produced in the Carneros District to the South. Again, Russian River Pinot Noirs offer bright foward fruit, with a nose and hue of cherries. Other wines that tend to do well are some of the limited production of Rhone style white wines. Depending on your picnic fare, you may want to give Belvedere's Gurwerztrameiner a try which has a lush tropical fruit bouquet and is nicely balanced for a wide variety of lighter foods such as chicken salad, fresh fruit and semi-soft mild cheeses such as Brie and Teleme (of which local producer Sonoma Cheese Company excels) or a mild chevre such as local producer, Laura Chenel's.

If you need to pick up provisions while in the area, there are a number of restaurants and stores in Healdsburg that can fit the bill. You may also want to swing by Ravenous, next to the Raven Theater on the square and pick up some of their fantastic dishes to go.

I realize this might sound like a bit much, but trust me, if you plan just a little bit ahead, it'll be well worth your while.


As to the Boonville Beers, those are some of my favorites as well. I'm sure you have some of the offerings from the Andersen Valley, but I can honestly say that the Boont Amber Ale has long been a favorite of mine. I'd also suggest that if you want to continue to explore the surrounding area (Anderson Valley), there are excellent wineries nearby and hwy 128 is perhaps the single finest road to stretch your Audi's legs. It runs all the way out to the Pacific following the Philo River to the town of Albion, just South of Mendocino. If you have the time and inclination, and are sober (seriously), taking hwy 128 to the land's end will reaffirm why it is you choose to purchase an Audi. It will also reaffirm to your wife, why you spent the money on aftermarket suspension, low profile performance tire, lightweight wheels and whatever else you've done by way of engine mods.


Happy trails,
cDub

we'll be taking the wife's fine 2.0L automatic Jetta (aka 'Speedy'). There's no way I will be able to drive after sampling a couple dozen craft brewery offerings, and alas she can't drive a stick. But I have driven that road before and I agree it's a good one.