kpak 
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
 | | 09-21-2005 01:28 AM |
| Working out the details for this year's trip in January.
Starting in Mendocino for a couple nights, working our way down through RR to Healdsburg for a few nights, then over to the Napa side for a few more. ...
We've never been to Mendocino so looking for dining/lodging/winery suggestions there.
Has anyone seen the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza since it reopened?
Thanks | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 09-21-2005 01:51 AM |
| Kpak, I can't he;p you with your question, but if you're staying in Healdsburg, I'd highly recommend dinner at the Madrona Manor. Ravenous was also fine with a $10 or $15 corkage. | | | |
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wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12532
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
| | 09-21-2005 02:48 AM |
| Did get a few ideas there, thank you. Specifically looking for Mendocino info - stay downtown or not? Walking distance restaurants, etc.?
Do like the sound of Van Damme State Park for some hiking.. | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12532
| | 09-21-2005 03:06 AM |
| Quote:
Did get a few ideas there, thank you. Specifically looking for Mendocino info - stay downtown or not? Walking distance restaurants, etc.?
Do like the sound of Van Damme State Park for some hiking..
If you're interested in hiking Van Damme (good start!) there are other areas including the Mendocino Highlands and Glass Beach. Plenty of places actually. You'll have lots of different options.
Staying downtown versus out of town is a little bit of a personal preference IMO (i.e. in town versus country) but I have to say "downtown" is really small, "country like" and very much walkable. We stayed at the Mendocino Hotel and we were pretty much able to walk anywhere except for restaurants and parks well outside the town limits.
There are at least three restaurants I'd recommend south of town that are a reasonable drive.
The Ledford House, about 20 minutes south of Mendocino on Highway 1. The restaurant overlooks the ocean if you get there early enough to see the sunset. Otherwise, it is pitch black. The food was good. The wine list was acceptable and very reasonably priced; approximately retail plus $15.00 corkage fee. The corkage fee for the restaurant is $15.00.
The Little River Inn for breakfast is a nice stop. They’re know for “Ole’s Pancakes”; long and wide and thin pancakes. They were very tasty. After you can drive to the bottom of the switchback from the restaurant and hang on the beach across from Van Damme State Park, walk the beach and watch the waves roll in.
Also south of town, and one of my favorites, is Albion River Inn. We arrived early so that we could watch the sun set on their back lawn. It was a very beautiful view. We then had a drink in the bar while we waited for the kitchen to open at 5:30PM. We were given what I consider the best table in the house; far left corner window front so that you had a 180 degree view of the area. Gorgeous. Dinner was very good although I consider the appetizers, soups and salads to be a little weak. The Prawns that accompanied my Swordfish were a big hit. The wine list was excellent at fair prices.
In Mendocino we ate one dinner at Café Beaujolais. The food and service were very good. Probably right on or just ahead of Albion River Inn. | | | Joe-----Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
| | 09-21-2005 03:12 AM |
| Thanks WIML! Just what I was looking for....I think staying downtown and walking to Beaujolais one night and driving to Albion River the other night would be the ticket. Looking at the Mendocino Hotel as potentially good location for both... | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
| | 10-23-2005 01:53 AM |
| January plans mostly finalized.
2 nights Mendocino (Mendocino Hotel)
3 nights Healdsburg (Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza ?)
3 nights Yountville (Petit Logis)
now for the dining and winery appointments... | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30915
| | 10-30-2005 12:38 AM |
| About a month ago I parked in front of the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza. It wasn't open yet but there were lots of people scurrying about. The, albiet tiny, lobby looked very nice. Great location. | | | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
| | 10-30-2005 03:23 AM |
| We've stayed there before the renovations and takeover by Four Sisters properties. Loved it for the location and the wonderful rooms and breakfasts. I'm afraid it is going to lose a bit of it's personal charm becoming part of this 'chain' but will give it one more try. PS - after reading your post, was following your rec on Petit Logis when we booked there  | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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NorCalVinoLover
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2202
| | 11-01-2005 05:45 PM |
| kpak, I've been generally pleased with the Four Sisters properties. I just received the flyer in the mail the other day about the new property. Hope you have a great time !  | | | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
| | 02-06-2006 02:58 AM |
| Had an absolutely great trip this year. Mendocino was a wonderful addition to the itinerary and we were lucky with sunny warm weather, great beach walks with sea lions, seals and whales to watch. Staying downtown Mendocino made it easy to walk around town and we had a super meal at Mendocino Cafe. Fantastic blackened chicken with a sherry-cream sauce. Anderson Valley was a very pleasant day, easy-going folks in the tasting rooms and some really interesting new wines. Three days based in Healdsburg let us cover the Russian River, and upper and lower Sonoma fairly well. Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza is still a great place to stay and you can't have a better spot - walk the town in the evening, a block from the tacos or brewery!
We made the move to Yountville, stopping in at Pride and Neal on the way. Petit Logis is a nice, quiet, extremely private spot right in the middle of things. Walk to Bouchon Bakery in the morning to grab a warm, flaky croissant and coffee. Perfect.
The unequalled highlight of the trip was the off-line at Cindy's and meeting up with the VC folks and some fabulous winegrowers and winemakers. What a meal, and what a line-up of both wines and people!
We followed that evening up with a great day at David Arthur Vineyards, and if anything could come close to matching the off-line, 3 hours with David Long would be the only thing that gets near.
We met some great new people, had the opportunity to try some wines of a lifetime, and as tgwe (the world's greatest enabler) said so succinctly "wine country is fun".
Here is a sample of the damage:
2002 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank
2002 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 Brutocao Zinfandel Estate Bottled
2004 Chateau Montelena Riesling
2002 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Franc Estate
2000 Chateau St. Jean Merlot Reserve
2003 Clos Pegase Cabernet Franc Pegase Circle Reserve
2003 Columbia Winery Barbera David Lake Signature Series Alder Ridge Vineyard
2002 Domaine St. Gregory – Reserve Pinot Noir
2002 Elyse Petite Sirah Rutherford
2001 Gary Farrell Merlot Calypso Vineyard Russian River Valley
2003 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Starr Ridge Vineyard
2003 Gary Farrell Zinfandel Bradford Mountain Vineyard
2003 Handley Pinot Noir
2001 J Wine Pinot Noir Nicole's Vineyard
2003 J Wine Zinfandel
2002 J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Rochioli Pinot Noir
2003 Landmark Syrah Steel Plow
2003 MacPhail Pinot Noir Toulouse Vineyard
2003 Martinelli Gewürztraminer Dry Select Martinelli Vineyard
2002 McDowell Valley Vineyards Petite Sirah
NV McNab Red Table Wine – Fred’s Red (couldn’t resist @ $9!)
2003 McNab Ridge Pinotage Napoli
2002 Milano Family Winery Res. Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 Milano Family Winery Syrah McDowell
2001 Monte Volpe - PEPPOLINO – Mendocino
2002 Monte Volpe – Primo Rosso
1997 Mount Veeder Winery Reserve
2001 Mount Veeder Winery Reserve
2003 Navarro Vineyards Pinot Noir
2003 Novy Syrah Rosella's Vineyard
1999 Parducci - Mendotage
2001 Peterson Petite Sirah
2001 Peterson Pinot Noir Floodgate Vineyard
2001 Pride Mountain Merlot
2003 Rabbit Ridge Syrah Paso Robles
2003 Ramazzotti Sangiovese
2003 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina
2003 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine
2004 Siduri Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard
2001 St. Clement Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard 29 Hurricane Cuvee
2002 White Oak Merlot
2002 White Oak Zinfandel
Til next time!
Oh - food highlights of the trip. All about the burgers...
rocket burger at the Bear Republic, Ahi burgers @ Taylors, kobe burgers at Martini House, and of course THE DUCK BURGERS at Cindy's.
edited for misc. errors | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30915
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mountainman
Mammoth Mountain
Wine Addict
Posts: 6195
| | 02-06-2006 07:05 PM |
| rocket burger at the Bear Republic
Hey I was there last Sunday doing that! and a couple beers. | | | |
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NorCalVinoLover
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2202
| | 02-06-2006 07:17 PM |
| Quote:
rocket burger at the Bear Republic
Hey I was there last Sunday doing that! and a couple beers.
One our usual stops when in Healdsburg as well.
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BellaDonna
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1890
| | 02-08-2006 12:19 AM |
| What is a rocket burger? | | | |
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NorCalVinoLover
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2202
| | 02-08-2006 06:09 PM |
| Quote:
What is a rocket burger?
Lookhere .
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
| | 11-29-2006 05:15 AM |
| Has anyone ever stayed at the Holiday Inn in Windsor?  | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts: 4930
| | 11-29-2006 06:00 AM |
| Quote:
Has anyone ever stayed at the Holiday Inn in Windsor?
kpak - it will be a long drive home (after a lot of wine) for you | | | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3132
| | 11-29-2006 06:07 AM |
| | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts: 4930
| | 11-29-2006 07:15 PM |
| You're on the calendar for Sunday 2/4! | | | |
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