This article originally appeared in Upscale Living Magazine.
Sonoma County COVID Getaway
Travelers in the era of COVID-19 are looking for luxury getaways that take advantage of the great outdoors. Californian Sonoma County Wine Growers are showcasing the sublimely landscaped vineyards by offering guests opportunities to learn more about the wine industry with one-of-a-kind wine tastings and farm to table experiences in the region.
Wine Tasting
Located in the Alexander Valley, the mountain estate vines are at high-elevation with breathtaking views of the vistas below. The terrace overlooking the acres of lush landscape is a perfect wine tasting perch for tasting their single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc wines. In addition, special tours and events can be arranged for visitors.
The historic Home Ranch has been farmed since 1840 and in 1979 their first vineyard designated wine was released. Since 2015, Sangiacomo is 100% certified sustainable for all vineyards granted by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).
Public tastings take place at the Home Ranch with panoramic views of the rolling hills that border Carneros and southern Sonoma Valley. Guests partake in a five-flight tasting of current release wines featuring Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and a selection of single-vineyard wines including their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. For those unable to travel, virtual tastings offer personal wine education during interactive 60-minute tasting sessions.
New to the area, Bacchus Landing opened in July, 2021. It is a multi acre estate located at the crossroads of three of Sonoma County’s premiere wine regions in the heart of Healdsburg. It boasts five tasting rooms featuring unique themes of the wineries they represent. Wines are paired with local artisanal bites which can be enjoyed on the beautiful open-air piazza in the middle of the petite village. This hub is open year-round with live music, wine themed boutiques and art displays.
Vérité has one simple but important philosophy, “Our wines embody the timeless traditions of France and the limitless possibilities of California.” Oenophiles appreciate the upscale, yet California laid back atmosphere embodied at the winery. Their newly constructed sophisticated, modern wine Tasting Salon and Terrace opened in August of this year. A barrel chai and cave corridor are scheduled to open in the Spring/Summer of 2022.
Currently Vérité offers, by appointment only, Estate Tastings with three current vintages, Library Comparison Tastings with three current vintage wines paired with three library vintages and Virtual Tastings where they ship three current vintages directly to your door followed up with a virtual tasting in the convenience of your own home.
Farm to Table
Sonoma County Wine Growers focus heavily on sustainability and community building experiences. Two unique ways to get in on the culture are:
Gleaning Produce
The Gleaning with Farm to Pantry non-profit organization works with local volunteer farms and vineyard owners that provide farming space where produce is grown and donated to needy families in the area. Volunteers pick (glean) the organic fruits and vegetables in the morning and deliver to folks in time for them to cook a healthy supper with the fresh bounty. Davis Family Vineyards and Hafner Vineyard are but two of the outstanding wine makers committing plots to aid in this endeavor. For more information on how you can help glean while visiting Sonoma County, please visit Gleaning with Farm to Pantry.
As most wine drinkers know, drinking wine is best experienced paired with food. Relish provides tasty adventures with cooking classes, farmers’ market tours, and team-building events like culinary competitions where participants earn the right to claim the title of “Top Chef” for the day. The chef pool is amazing. They come from culinary backgrounds as various as the cuisine they teach – well-known restaurant chefs, private caterers, food purveyors, and cookbook authors. Many have wine backgrounds as well. Relish accommodates individuals, and large or small groups in their cooking sessions. Reservations a must.
The V.I.P. Experience
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience
Sonoma County Wine Growers are banning together for a three-day celebration of world-class wines and food taking place May 20-22, 2022 in Healdsburg, California. Top farmers, growers, chefs and wine producers from the region, as well as acclaimed wine producers from Europe and beyond, will showcase their rich, diverse culinary and wine making talents during the weekend. Grand tastings and V.I.P. experiences like tailgate talks (visiting private vineyards with the winegrowers themselves) and a V.I.P. only experience at the private Dutton Ranch will be available as exclusive events. For more information visit Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience.
Diverse Landscape with More than Just Wine
Within a couple hours drive from airports in San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento is Sonoma County’s diverse landscape. The local area residents and businesses are committed to sustainability to protect their 50 miles of coastline, 60,000+ acres of vineyards, pristine mountains, clean rivers and farming valleys. There is more to the county than just wine and it must all be protected for future generations. Art festivals, whale watching off the coast, hiking, and dining in Michelin-star restaurants round out Sonoma
as the perfect destination for a COVID-19 getaway to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Where to Stay
Three of the top resorts in Sonoma for luxury amongst the vineyards
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
