Napa/ Sonoma Archives - Wyze Traveler

August 1, 2019August 1, 2019

Wineries with a View

There is nothing better than enjoying a glass of wine overlooking a gorgeous vineyard this time of year. In every trip we have taken to Sonoma and Napa we try to balance the trip with some fantastic wines, along with wineries that have beautiful views. Here are a few of our favorite wineries for their views and ambiance.

Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros has one of my favorite views and ambiance in Napa and Sonoma. It is on CA-121 N , the road leading into Napa from San Francisco. We typically stop here on our first day as it is on the way into wine country. The winery itself is beautiful and looks like a french chateau. The views of the rolling vineyards surrounding the tasting room are even more breathtaking. They are open daily from 10 am- 5:30 pm and they do require reservations. We always make reservations for the terrace to enjoy the wine, fresh air and landscape. You will have table service. My advice is to plan to spend some time here and definitely snap a few pictures (or more). We first visited their winery back in 2013 and have been back numerous times. They are known for their sparkling wines and pinot noir. These are not typically my favorite varietals but they do such a good job with them and the experience is worth the stop.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

This winery has not only gorgeous views, but a beautiful pool, cinema, dining, numerous tasting experiences and more. It’s worth a visit if you are looking for a non-conventional winery or just one with some additional flare. They allow short self-guided walks through the vineyard to explore and enjoy the views. The tasting room in Geyersville is open 11 AM to 6 PM daily.

Petroni Vineyards

We were lucky enough to visit this winery on one of our wine tours through Sonoma. The Estate is located at the top of a hill and has unbelievable views over the Valley of the Moon. It truly does remind you of an italian hillside with vines growing up the hills in all directions. Their tastings now take place in a wine cave. Petroni is open from 10 AM to 4 PM, but reservations are required. The drive to the top of the mountain is windy and narrow, but worth the trip. In addition to the ambiance they have some big bold red wines, Proprietors Reserve was my favorite.

Ferrari- Carano Vineyards and Winery

This winery is picturesque and very well groomed. The grounds are kept in pristine condition and it is a great place to stop and enjoy a glass of wine. There are two tasting rooms, one on the main floor and another in the underground cellar. Limited release wines are served in the cellar. In addition there is a terrace that overlooks the gardens and grounds, if it’s a nice day that is where I would be. Ferrari- Carano is open 10 AM to 5 PM daily. If you stay at Vintner’s Inn mentioned in my previous post about where to stay in Sonoma and Napa, you will receive a free tasting.

Viansa Sonoma Winery & Tasting Room

Viansa has a great view and terrace. Plan to stop here on your way into Sonoma and Napa or on your way out. They have an expansive terrace with several tables to enjoy the views and even some areas reserved for private tastings. In addition they have two large bars on each end of the tasting room. In the middle they have a large selection of souvenirs and wine paraphernalia. They also have a marketplace where you can buy food, cheese and charcuterie boards to enjoy a picnic inside or outside on the terrace. My favorite wines are their Reserves. They are located on CA-121 N which you can take in from Sausalito or San Francisco. They are open 10 AM to 5 PM. This is another great place to snap some beautiful pictures. There are several rows of vines where you can get pictures of the grapes up close or just a good look at them. We first visited this winery in 2012 and almost every trip we have made back to wine country we have stopped back in.

Paradise Ridge Winery

This winery has two tasting rooms. One is in Kenwood and the other is in Russian River Valley. Unfortunately the tasting room in Russian River Valley was burned by the terrible fires in 2017. They are currently rebuilding the tasting room and are slated to have it open in November 2019. When they re-open this location it is definitely a winery and view I would not miss. The views from the terrace are breathtaking over the vineyards and you can even see the ocean in the distance. The experience of sitting on their terrace overlooking the vineyards is not one I will soon forget. There is also a large steel sculpture of the word LOVE that is located below the winery, which is another great photo opportunity. We have been to both locations over the years and their wine is fantastic if you like that big bold delicious red. In the meantime stop by their Kenwood location open from 11 am-6 pm, their wine is well worth it. We love their Rockpile Cabernet.

Ridge Vineyards

This winery was recommended on our last trip to wine country. We were staying in Healdsburg and asked the concierge for suggestions of nearby wineries known for their reds. They had suggested Ridge Vineyards, which is located in Healdsburg. They have a nice tasting room with a covered outdoor terrace that overlooks their vines. The view is gorgeous! Be prepared to enjoy some good reds, beautiful views and definitely snap a picture or two too! They are known for their Monte Bello, which was made famous from the Judgement of Paris. We enjoyed their Zinfandels. Ridge is open 11 AM-4 PM (Monday-Thursday) and 11 AM-5 PM (Friday-Sunday). They also have a location in the Santa Cruz Mountains, their Monte Bello Estate.

Please note, I did not receive any compensation, gifts or royalties from these vineyards to write this post. As always these reviews are based on my own unbiased opinion.

September 26, 2018September 26, 2018

New Hotel in Healdsburg

Planning a trip to Sonoma or Napa for Harvest and need a hotel? Look no further than one of the newest most reasonably priced hotels for the value, Hotel Trio in Healdsburg. They just opened a few months ago, and we had the pleasure of staying here earlier this month.

It was quite a debate on where to stay in wine country as we were only staying for 2 nights and wanted to visit wineries in all different AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas). Healdsburg is a great option as it is located near Alexander Valley, and who doesn’t love a great Cabernet from this AVA? It also provides direct access to Napa. If you don’t know, it can be kind of tricky traveling between Napa and Sonoma. If you are wanting to visit both areas you can either spend a few nights in each area or try to stay next to one of the roads that cross over to the other. There is a mountain range between Sonoma and Napa so you have to take CA-128 through Alexander Valley, Petrified Forest Road which you can access through Calistoga if coming from Napa or CA-12. We took CA-128 so we could visit some wineries in Alexander Valley as we crossed from Sonoma to Napa Valley.

Alexander Valley

The best part about this hotel is that it is new and has not become as expensive as most of the other hotels in the region. If you have been to this area before you know how pricey rooms can be, even when the hotel is 20+ years old.

We were able to book two rooms at $199 per night (not including taxes/ fees) for two nights and we did this last minute. It was a little risky since it was a popular travel time, but we took the chance based on the trends we were seeing. When we arrived at the hotel it far exceeded our expectations. We had the Studio, 1 King, Sofa bed. There was a full kitchen, with a refrigerator, small cooktop, microwave, sink, and cabinets full of plates, silverware, pots, pans, bowls, and glasses, basically everything you could need on a getaway.

Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies (plates, glasses, strainer, pyrex dish and measuring cup)

There was a nice breakfast bar that had two stools to sit on. The living room had a couch and a desk.

There was a large TV on the dresser which swiveled to face the living room or the bedroom. Since this was a studio the bedroom, living room and kitchen were all open to each other. The king size bed was extremely comfortable, and the room was very quiet. We could not hear any of the other guests.

The door to the bathroom was a sliding door, very modern.

In the bathroom there was an area to put makeup on as you first walk in, which of course I loved having that extra space.

Hotel Trio- Additional mirror and space in bathroom

Hotel Trio- Bathroom (Additional mirror and space in bathroom, makeup nook)

The closet was located in the bathroom, across from the additional mirror. There was a little shelf on the wall above the sink, which I also felt added something most hotels don’t include. I was able to put my toiletries on the shelf and not by the sink avoiding any water that inevitably splashes.

The walk-in shower was large, with a sliding door.

Every morning they offer a very generous complimentary breakfast. The hours vary from weekday to weekend. Monday- Friday breakfast is served from 6:30 am-9 am and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am-10 am.

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Scrambled eggs and egg whites, bacon and sausage)

There was a nice pool and lounge area outside. Great place to hang out if you have had enough wine tasting for the day.

There were several tables set up outside that you could either eat breakfast at or enjoy later in the day when the sun would hit that area.

There were two grills that could be used if you wanted to spend the evening in.

During the day you could partake in bocce by the pool area. If you wanted to play at night they had lighted bocce balls you could ask for from the front desk.

In addition to all of this there were a few fire pits, which can definitely be used in the cooler evening nights in Healdsburg.

There is also a small fitness area in case you want to workout on your vacation.

Two nights a week they offer complimentary wine tasting. There is also a bar downstairs.

The concierge Ramon was fantastic. He really knows wine country well, and can offer suggestions based on what types of wine or what types of experiences you would like. He also made our Anniversary trip so special by having the chef make two small desserts for my husband and I to share. He also put balloons in our room with a special card. It really added a special touch to our stay. Thank you Ramon!

The location of the hotel is great. There is a super market right across the street to stock your hotel room with. Then downtown Healdsburg is only about a 5 minute drive. Need not worry if you want to wine taste downtown the hotel does offer shuttle.

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Shuttle to Downtown Healdsburg

This is our 8th trip to Wine Country and definitely one of our favorite hotels in this area. We would come back again!

For more suggestions on where to stay please see my previous post on hotels in Sonoma and Napa http://wyzetraveler.com/sonoma-napa-hotels/

For more information on Hotel Trio please visit their website https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stsri-hotel-trio-healdsburg/

November 15, 2017December 5, 2017

Where should I stay in Sonoma or Napa?

The hotel or bed and breakfast you stay in Sonoma, Napa or the surrounding counties can determine quite a bit about the wineries you will visit. Traveling between Sonoma and Napa is not easy due to the adjacent mountain ranges. Every time we travel to the area I over estimate how many wineries we can visit due to the time it takes to get between the wineries I want to visit.

A suggestion would be to determine if there are any wineries that are a must before booking your hotel. If time allows it may be best to spend a few days in Sonoma and then a few days in Napa. We have stayed at several different hotels over the past few years, which I have listed below. Our main criteria for these hotels were location, which wine region we wanted to visit, quality of hotel and price. There are obviously many hotels and bed and breakfasts available, but here are a few suggestions.

Downtown Sonoma

Inn at Sonoma

The Inn is a wonderful place to stay, perfectly positioned within the heart of downtown Sonoma. The Inn blends hotel accommodations with the charm of a bed and breakfast. We had a room on the first floor with a balcony where we ate our complimentary daily breakfast which included homemade items such as egg dishes, scones, muffins, fresh fruit, cereal, coffee and tea. You can enjoy the breakfast in the common dining area or in your room as we did. In the evening there is a complimentary wine and cheese reception which runs for about an hour. You can enjoy the wine and cheese in the lobby with other guests, take it to your room or enjoy it around the hot tub on the roof.

The location was great since you were in the middle of Sonoma and can walk to shops and restaurants. After a day of wine tasting you will truly appreciate this convenience. Try to book a room here early to get the best rate, as it is a popular hotel and in peak season the rates can get more expensive.

Santa Rosa

Vintners Inn

This is my favorite hotel we have stayed in while visiting wine country. We have stayed here twice, hence all the photos. The hotel is picturesque and is exactly what I would picture when staying in wine country. The outside of the buildings have Ivy growing up the sides, and they are set up like a cluster of Italian cottages around a piazza and some overlooking the vineyards.

There is a dirt trail in the back of the hotel that winds through the vineyards. My husband and I loved walking on the trail after a day of wine tasting.

Vintners Inn- Walking/ Running path through the vineyards

There is no wine and cheese reception or complimentary breakfast, but the atmosphere makes up for this. The hotel does give you a complimentary 375 mL bottle of wine per stay in your room. They also have complimentary coffee in each building on the first floor.

Vintners Inn- Complimentary 375 mL bottle of wine

A suggestion for this hotel is booking a 2nd floor room. Both times we have stayed here we reserved a room on the second floor. These rooms have a vaulted ceiling and a small balcony. Please note there is no elevator, only stairs.

Vintner’s Inn- Fireplace in our room — Vintners Inn- Fireplace in our room

We requested a view of the vineyards as we wanted a more private balcony. They will not guarantee this but you can request it.

Vintners Inn- Enjoying a glass of wine on our balcony

Vintners Inn- View from our balcony on 2nd floor

While you cannot walk to restaurants or shops, they do have a restaurant onsite that is definitely worth a visit. The restaurant is John Ash & Co and they serve farm to table seasonal dishes. We have eaten here a few times and have enjoyed each meal. If you can get a table next to the window on a nice evening they will open the windows and you will have a nice view of the vineyards.

Since the Carano family owns Vintners Inn they also offer guests vouchers for free tastings at their winery Ferrari-Carano. Parking is free.

Rohnert Park

The Oxford Inn & Suites, Sonoma County- Rohnert Park

We stayed at the Oxford Inn & Suites on our most recent trip. While researching hotels in Napa/ Sonoma you will find most are not brand new. We do enjoy staying in newer hotels, and this time we decided we would put this as one of our top criteria for the hotel, over the convenience of staying walking distance to restaurants and shops. We also wanted a more reasonably priced hotel.

The Oxford had a wonderful complimentary breakfast. They had a buffet of bagels, toast, biscuits, eggs, sausages, bacon, oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, fruit, eggs and even cooked made to order omelets. You can watch the chefs cook everything from the dining area as they left the wall between the kitchen and dining area open. It was nice to see that, as everything was kept very clean.

At night the hotel offered a wine and beer reception where each person received two tickets for their choice of beer or wine. There was also a soup and salad bar area during the nightly reception.

The rooms were clean, and brand new. The bathrooms had a separate bath tub and walk in shower for the rooms with a king bed.

The customer service was great and we were upgraded to a larger suite and given a complimentary bottle of red wine to celebrate our Anniversary!

One tip would be to ask for a room that was not over the bar area as our room could hear the noise below us. Parking is free.

Downtown Napa

River Terrace Inn

Stay at this hotel if you would like a convenient location to downtown Napa. We stayed here exactly for that reason. We wanted to be able to walk to town and go to dinner after a day of wine tasting. There was a wine reception in the evening and you can bring your wine up to your room or enjoy it in the lobby area.

We stayed here to take the Platypus Tour through Napa Valley. For more information on tours read my article What wine tour should I take through Sonoma and Napa?

Yountville

Maison Fleurie

Maison Fleurie is another Four Sisters property in Yountville, which is a small town in Napa. For restaurant connoisseurs you may be familiar with this town as this is where The French Laundry is located. We stayed here for the location in Yountville and for the price. Typically Yountville can be quite pricey but booking early we were able to get a really good rate. Our room was small, but very quaint and clean. The customer service was great and we really enjoyed our stay. There was a complimentary homemade breakfast, very similar to the one at the Inn at Sonoma with homemade items such as egg dishes, scones, muffins, fresh fruit, cereal, coffee and tea. They also hosted wine & hors d’ oeuvres in the early evening hours.

We were able to walk to dinner, which was very convenient after a day of wine tasting. I will soon be adding a post on restaurants to eat at. Parking is free.

Calistoga

Mount View Hotel & Spa

Mount View Hotel & Spa is in downtown Calistoga. We did wine tasting through Napa the first day we were in town and we planned to enjoy the second day in Sonoma. We chose Calistoga due to it’s location on the outskirts of Napa so we could make it to Sonoma earlier in the morning the next day. As mentioned earlier it is not easy to get between Napa and Sonoma due to the mountain ranges in between. In staying in Calistoga you are close to the Petrified Forest Rd which you can take to get from Napa to Sonoma. You can also drive up CA-128 W to get to Alexander Valley.

The hotel is situated in downtown Calistoga, so you are able to walk to get dinner in the evening or coffee in the morning. You receive a complimentary breakfast in the morning consisting of hard boiled eggs, coffee, yogurt, muffins, and a few other items. We stayed at the hotel one night and left early the next morning.

Wyze Traveler Tips

November 5, 2017November 15, 2017

What wine tour should I take through Sonoma and Napa?

Dreaming of a tour through Sonoma and Napa…. There is nothing like the smell of freshly crushed grapes, the view of beautiful rolling vineyards, the swirling of a bright cherry red wine and the wonderful taste you can seemingly only create while visiting a vineyard.

Sonoma and Napa have been through a lot recently with terrible wildfires that raged through vineyards causing many to evacuate and some to lose their homes, belongings, businesses and vineyards. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires. Many people have had to cancel or postpone their trips to wine country, but now that the smoke has cleared it is time to plan your trip to Sonoma and Napa! My husband and I have been to Napa and Sonoma several times experiencing each season in wine country. Every season brings something different to the region, but in my opinion fall is the most beautiful time of year to visit.

A wine tour through Sonoma or Napa is a great way to experience wine country. It not only provides a safe way to visit each winery, but also allows you to visit wineries you most likely have never heard of. We have taken a group wine tour while staying in San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma and Santa Rosa. Typically where you stay will dictate where you can take a tour to. I have listed the tour companies we have used to offer you a few suggestions. By no means is this a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all available tour companies. We have only taken group tours, but these companies offer private tours too. Continue reading “What wine tour should I take through Sonoma and Napa?”