How to “DO” Sonoma Valley

Posted by Tom Wark on May 3, 2007

Last night I was thumbing through National Geograhic Traveller and I come across one of those "how to DO" articles about Disneyworld. Insider trips, how to get te best out of the experience, etc. I like these articles. Every now and then they have a nugget in them that can transform your experience.  But it got me thinking, as Tourist Season heads toward us here in my neck of the woods, there needs to be a HOW TO "DO" SONOMA  VALLEY" article. It might include things like this:

1. LEAVE THE KIDS AT HOME. There is so little for kids to do here in Sonoma Valley when on vacation that they may not ever forgive you for taking. They’ll only put up with so much Chardonnay "juice" and strolling before they revolt. Leave them with someone and take off.

2. GO IN MID TO LATE SPRING. The crowds are less, reservations are easier to get and the Valley is stunningly beautiful. Also, it’s a time of year when the vines are pushing their green but you can still see the architecture of the older vines before they get draped with leaves.

3. FIND A HOTEL ON OR NEAR THE SONOMA PLAZA. Maybe I’ll get letters from the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn down the road a few miles from the Plaza, but I’ll risk it. There is nothing nicer than strolling the Plaza in the evening when the crowds have left. Plus, many of the restaurants you’ll want to try are in walking distance of Plaza. Also, you’ve got three good "locals" bars on the plaza as well as two restaurant/hotel bars where the people watching is fun.

4. TAKE A DAY TO VISIT THE EAST SIDE OF SONOMA. While most folks are heading up valley to the wineries and little towns, you’ll discover the beautiful old homes along the streets to the east side of the Plaza and the Carneros region with its rolling hill and great Pinots.

5. TAKE TWO DAYS TO DO WINERIES. Use one day to do those around Glen Ellen and a day to do those around Kenwood. You want to be sipping, not driving, even though the distance between Glen Ellen and Kenwood is negligible.

6. FIND A LOCAL PERSON TO SHIP YOUR WINES BACK HOME. At some wineries you’ll buy 2 bottles at some a case of wine at another six bottles. Try to find someone who will pack and ship it all to you rather than having different wineries do it for you. In fact when you buy a case of wine from a winery and are having them ship it, ask if they’ll ship the rest of your wines. It’s likely they’ll do this for you.

7. GET A GOOD MAP. With it drive those roads that are off the beating trail of Highway 12 and see how we live, how we used to live and the real beauty of this area. Get acquainted with Moon Mountain Road, Warm Springs Road, Sonoma Mountain Road, Trinity Road, and Lawnsdale Road.

8. VISIT LOCAL WINE SHOPS. That’s all we have here are wine shops run by locals who know everyone and everything happening in the Valley. Taylor & Norton Wine Merchants and the Sonoma Wine Exchange are recommended. The selections are ridiculously good, eclectic, and if you talk to the folks at the shops you’ll get the inside scoop not only on the area but maybe even some good town gossip.

9. ARRANGE YOUR PRIVATE WINERY VISITS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE. As with any wine region there are wineries open to the public and those that accept visitors by appointment. Do your research before you arrive. Make the calls and make the appointments before you arrive. Your time at these "appointment only" wineries are likely to be just you and the proprietor or perhaps one other couple. Take advantage of this intimacy and ask the questions that tasting room folk may not have time for. And, buy some wine.

10. FLY IN AND OUT OF THE SACRAMENTO AIRPORT. It’s just a lot easier and more convenient than San Francisco or even Oakland. It’s a quick shot from Sacramento to Sonoma that shouldn’t take more than 75 to 90 minutes. Very little traffic. The airport is easy to deal with.