I enjoy wine not only because it is complex and delicious, but that it brings people together. Having a glass of wine is not only an experience you share with others, but one that allows a discussion. It doesn’t matter what type of wine enthusiast you are to express your opinion on the bottle, the cork, the way the wine pours, smells, swirls and tastes. This makes it a very inclusive beverage!
While I don’t live in California, I have been to wine country many times and it is one of my favorite places for the beauty, ambiance, company and of course wine. I started WyzeWine to share my opinions on wines and wineries whether they are in California, Georgia or partaking in a glass of wine at home from Trader Joes or Costco. Join my table as we embark on our wine discussion. Cheers!
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Oh Sausalito, you steal my heart every time I visit. It is truly a picturesque city on the bay and similar to the beautiful villages on the rugged coastline of Italy. Whether staying in the city for a few nights or visiting for the day here are some of our favorite things to do.
1.) Eat or have a drink at The Barrel House– Our absolute favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Sausalito.Put your name in for a table outside even if there is a long wait, it will not disappoint.My favorite spot is at the bar outside that overlooks the bay and the San Francisco skyline. I could sit here for hours with one of their delicious cocktails or entrees and just take in the gorgeous views.
Barrel House
Barrel House- View from seats on outside deck
2.) Stay at Inn Above the Tides- Splurge for a truly serene and unparalleled experience.Book a room with a balcony and enjoy every moment as you sit above the bay and enjoy the amazing views.We have stayed here twice in the same room, Queen with a balcony.
Inn Above the Tides
Inn Above the Tides- View of Sausalito from balcony
3.) Take a walk along the waterfront– Take a stroll along the water and enjoy the cool bay breeze hitting your face, the vast views of the bay and rolling hills with homes scattered across. There are several benches along the way you can stop at to enjoy the picturesque village and water views.
Relaxing on a bench in Sausalito
Walking path in Sausalito and view
4.) Go for a run! One of our favorite runs was to Moore Rd Pier. The views here are just spectacular and the run itself had several pretty vantage points. We are avid runners and having a chance to experience new and beautiful scenery when running is a runners dream. On a clear day grab a selfie on Moore Rd Pier, you won’t regret it. We have had the picture taken here on display for two years.
Golden Gate Bridge Vista
Golden Gate Bridge Vista
5.) Get lost in the shopping– Whether you are looking for a shirt or souvenir that says Sausalito, shopping for boutique clothing or art, or even shopping for children’s clothes there is a shop for in this quaint city for you. There is even a Christmas store, called The Holiday Shoppe if you collect ornaments from all the places you visit like I do. Jewelry by the Bay is a great store to pick up some jewelry, or other unique accessories. I bought a hair clip here that I have received compliments on every time I wear it. If you are looking for some cute baby clothing, look no further than Cha Cha Cha. I am expecting a little girl and on the last trip to Sausalito I really found some great deals and adorable clothes here.
6.) Take a picture with the Golden Gate. There are a few options from the Sausalito side of the bridge to get great photos at. Our favorite spots are Battery Spencer and the Golden Gate Bridge View next to the Lonely Sailor Statue. The view at Fort Baker is a great vantage point as you are level with the Golden Gate. The view by the statue is below the Golden Gate, but still beautiful. I would try going when the skies are clear, but if you are on limited time it is still worth going no matter the weather.
7.) Visit the Avenue of the Giants– Muir Woods is only a short drive away. If you have time, I would not miss these big beautiful trees. There is nothing like staring up those huge trunks in awe of how big and old they are.
Muir Woods
8.) Take the Ferry across the bay to San Francisco. When else are you going to have the opportunity to cross the Bay, passing Alcatraz while enjoying views of the Golden Gate? If you are not staying in San Francisco at all on your trip this is also a great way to travel into the city to spend the day or a few hours. You can not only miss the traffic but the headache of the Golden Gate Toll.
Ferry to San Francisco
9.) Visit wine country! Downtown Sonoma is about 50 minutes and Downtown Napa is about an hour. There are so many amazing wineries to visit that you will most likely want to add a separate leg to your stay to experience them. If commuting from Sausalito, be sure to take a tour, hire a driver or use a ride share so your commute will be safe after the wine tastings.
These are just a few of the many things you can do in Sausalito, but this quaint city is definitely worth a stop on your Northern California trip!
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.
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.
The entrance of Hotel Trio
Hotel Trio- Interior lounge area
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
Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies (plates, glasses, strainer, pyrex dish and measuring cup)
Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies (silverware)
There was a nice breakfast bar that had two stools to sit on. The living room had a couch and a desk.
Hotel Trio- Living room
Hotel Trio- Living room and 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.
Hotel Trio- Sliding door to bathroom
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.
Hotel Trio- Bathroom sink
The walk-in shower was large, with a sliding door.
Hotel Trio- Shower
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)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Toppings to add to your eggs, including tortillas to make a breakfast burrito)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Variety of fruits)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Yogurts, fruits, cheeses and hard boiled eggs)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Waffle station)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Variety of condiments)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cereal and oatmeal station)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cooked oatmeal)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Bagels, bread and pastries)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cold Brew)
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Fruit juices)
There was a nice pool and lounge area outside. Great place to hang out if you have had enough wine tasting for the day.
Hotel Trio- Pool
Hotel Trio- View of pool from room
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.
Hotel Trio- Patio
There were two grills that could be used if you wanted to spend the evening in.
Hotel Trio- Grill
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.
Hotel Trio- Bocce Court
In addition to all of this there were a few fire pits, which can definitely be used in the cooler evening nights in Healdsburg.
Hotel Trio- Firepit/ Patio
There is also a small fitness area in case you want to workout on your vacation.
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Two nights a week they offer complimentary wine tasting. There is also a bar downstairs.
Hotel Trio- Bar
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!
Hotel Trio- Anniversary balloons
Anniversary Dessert
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!
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.
Iconic sign in Napa Valley
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?”
