Sonoma is huge. So you will need to focus. If you are finding that many wineries that you would like to visit are closed on the weekend, you may want to think about spending a day tasting at some of the more picturesque "commercial" wineries instead of the 400 case production boutiques. One intinerary that will get you a cross-section of experiences, and some excellent wine, would be to start in Kenwood and visit Landmark, and its next door neighbor (more or less), Chateau St. Jean. Both are beautiful places with terrific wine that is readily available in the marketplace should you find anything that you love. Check to see if Landmark has a horse-drawn carriage ride on the day you go. And at Ch. St. Jean, pay the extra money for the Reserve wines.
After hitting these in the morning, have a picnic, or stop off in Santa Rosa for lunch. After lunch, head to Siduri, (you will have to have made an appointment in advance). Contrasted to the landscapes of Landmark and Ch. St. Jean, Siduri gives you an altogether different experience. A warehouse winery, the focus here is on tasting, tasting, tasting. Mostly from barrels. And again, if you find anything you love, it is readily available direct from the winery. Finally, if time and brain cells allow, take a short drive up to Martinelli. Here you get the "old-time winery" feel of the classic red barn, and rustic tasting room. The wines poured on any given day vary, but are usually very good. If you enjoy them, you can sign up for the mailing list and will be offered wine immediately. Lots of neat knick-knacks, gourmet food items and souveniers in the tasting room as well. The advantage of this itinerary is that all these places are open on the weekend; all have very good to great wine; and have wine that is accessible to mere mortals. You could spend a day tasting at smaller places with allocated wines, but in the end, you may walk away disappointed that you won't see any of these wines for 3 years or more. Hope this helps. |