Ian and Wendy's Travel Blog

Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery – Fabulous Wine in the Heart of Sonoma

Wendy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery, Sonoma, California

Just a short walk away from the wonderful downtown square in the center of Sonoma you’ll find the historic Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery. The winery is over a 100-years-old and they’ve used that time to perfect their fabulous wine.

Inside their beautiful tasting room is a long wooden bar flanked at one end by an enormous fireplace which was blazing on the cool winter day when we visited. The lady who served us was friendly and very knowledgeable about the wine and the Sonoma area.

Tastings are $10 for 7 wines and the fee is waived for wine club members. It’s not waived if you buy a bottle (unlike many other wineries in Sonoma County). Our Visa Prestige card didn’t get us this tasting for free (also unlike many other wineries in wine country) but it did get us a 10% discount on wine you purchase – which worked out well since we left with both a bottle of the 2007 Russian River Pinot Noir and the Sonoma County 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.

We found the Pinot Noir to have rich black cherry flavors (just as promised) and to be a complex red wine that didn’t really remind us of very many other Pinot Noirs! In general we go more for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, but this Pinot Noir really impressed us!

Trying the wine at the bar inside the tasting room at Sebastiani Winery, Sonoma, California

The 2006 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon was good but not excellent. We bought it because it seemed easier to drink and more “middle of the road” than some of our favorites. We tend to get really excited about really big, bold, dry Cabernet that might not go over so well at a dinner party (more for us!) This should be very well received by most everyone.

We also (unexpectedly) loved the 2008 Un-Oaked Russian River Chardonnay. We’re not big white wine drinkers. (Red wine goes better with chocolate ), but this white wine had us wanting more! We found it very fresh and clean tasting.

Sebastiani Winery is open from 10-5 daily and offer complimentary tours of the winery at 11:00AM, 1PM and 3PM.

Beringer Vineyard, Napa Valley

Wendy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Beringer Vineyard tasting room, Napa Valley, California

The classy Beringer Vineyard is a large winery in the heart of the Napa Valley. There are lovely views out over the valley and their grounds, but unfortunately no picnic tables to enjoy it from. We wound up eating lunch on the benches in front of the tasting room. Not bad, but not the ideal spot either. There isn’t any shade, either. Not a problem on the day we visited, but in the middle of the summer it might be less pleasant.

They offer several different tours of the winery with prices ranging from $15-$40 per person. They have different tasting rooms – we chose to visit The Old Winery Tasting Room where it was $10 to taste 3 wines.

Clark Gable and other famous actors grace the walls in the The Old Winery Tasting Room, Beringer Vineyard, Napa Valley, California

There is a long wooden bar and the room was decorated with large, framed, black and white photographs of famous people visiting the winery. We sampled a variety of different wines – everything from red to white to sparkling rose! We particularly enjoyed a Gewurzaminer and the lovely 2008 Premier White Zinfandel – mildly sweet with a fruity clean finish – we can see it pairing very nicely with some spicy food.

The winery is open daily – except Thanksgiving; Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Winery Hours:
May 30 – Oct. 23 Daily 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Oct. 24 – May 29 Daily 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Beringer Vineyards is located at 2000 Main Street , St. Helena , California in the heart of the Napa Valley.

V. Sattui Winery

Wendy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

The fountain beckons you to relax and linger a while at V. Sattui Winery in the famous Napa Valley, Cailfornia

V. Sattui Winery is a family owned winery established in 1885. The winery is beautiful and the perfect place to break for lunch on a day of wine tasting in the Napa Valley. The big old stone building is a wonderful backdrop to the picnic tables where you can rest under the shade of the huge oak trees. Relax to the sound of the fountain while you sip your wine and eat treats brought from home or purchased from their convenient and extensive deli.

While we brought our own lunch from home, we did get a chance to sample several of their cheeses – fabulous! We also took home a large block of the rich chocolate fudge. It went very nicely with some red wine and disappeared all too quickly!

Their tasting room charges $10 for tasting 6 of 9 reserve wines, or $5 for 6 of their “classic” wines. It has a very long wooden bar with plenty of room on all but the busiest days. We found the service good and the staff knowledgeable about the wines.

Sonoma Valley Regional Park – Great Place to Stretch Your Legs in Wine Country

Wendy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:20:00 +0000

Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon, near Glen Ellen, is home to award winning wineries and the relaxing Sonoma Valley Regional Park, near Glen Ellen,

A couple of weeks ago we headed out to go wine tasting in the Valley of the Moon (Sonoma Mountain AVA) near Glen Ellen. It was a beautiful, sunny day so we wanted to combine wine tasting with some outdoor time. The paved paths of Sonoma Valley Regional Park were the perfect answer!

Right outside Glen Ellen, the park offers both paved and unpaved trails, a dog park, picnic tables, barbeque (BBQ) facilities and a port-a-potty. The paved trails are fairly level and make for an easy stroll. They’re great for families with small children in strollers and those just out for a relaxing walk. If you want a little bit more exercise there are lots more unpaved trails. These, too, are pretty easy. They’re mostly level, wide and well-maintained.

Paved trails lead through the oaks at Sonoma Valley Regional Park, near Glen Ellen.

Springtime brings particularly spectacular wildflower displays to the park. To really appreciate the beauty of the display, though, you should be prepared to get off the paved trails and explore the park more thoroughly. The un-paved trails provide sweeping views of fields carpeted in brilliant color and dotted with oaks. If that doesn’t work for you, don’t worry – even from the main paved trails the colors are amazing.

Any time of year, Sonoma Valley Regional Park would make a great spot for a lunch time picnic on a day spent wine tasting in the Valley of the Moon. Glen Ellen is home to several wineries. Benziger, Chateau St. Jean, Ledson, St. Francis, and Kunde wineries (and their tasting rooms) are all nearby.

San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum

Wendy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:17:00 +0000

Recently my cousin and I set out to spend the better part of the day at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Since it turned out we were done much more quickly than we thought, we set out to find something else to do in the park. We had thought of visiting the Conservatory of Flowers, but decided to pass since it’s indoors and we were lucky enough to be there on a beautifully sunny day. After paying the $25 admission to the Academy of Sciences we were feeling pretty poor. That’s when we made a fabulous discovery!

Enjoying the tranquility on the Redwood Trail, San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park

In the heart of Golden Gate Park lies the wonderful San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get back to nature. As you enter the garden, a small pond with ducks greets you. You can take time to smell the flowers in the Garden of Fragrance or wander through the Redwood Trail.

An educational Primitive Plants section educates while it entertains. At the entrance you walk over a geological timeline imprinted with plants from each era. As you stroll along the boardwalk, you pass plaques which detail each time period. They explain the botanical developments which occurred while you view the living reminders of ancient times.

Another section of the Garden is dedicated to plants from different areas of the world. Stroll from “Australia” to “Chile” along the paved paths and while you enjoy the natural setting, let the labels teach you about plant life around the world.

A boardwalk leads you through time in the Primative Plants Garden at the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybring Arboretum in Golden Gate Park

There’s a area devoted to succulents, another to native California plants and one filled with rhododendrons. In short, there’s something for every plant lover.

There are clean bathroom provided near the entrance and there’s a diaper changing table, too. And the best part? Admission is free! Making this a great destination no matter how much time you may have to spend or your interest level. Come for an hour or a day – you’re sure to enjoy your visit!

Japanese Tea garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Wendy — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:34:00 +0000

Recently my cousin came to visit. We drove him to the airport when he left, and since we were already in San Francisco, we decided to visit another site in the fabulous Golden Gate Park. It was the perfect thing to do on a beautifully sunny day in January. Just another reminder of why we love living in this mild climate so much!

A gate along the path, Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco sprawls out over more than 1,000 acres. Across from the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum you will find another special spots the park has to offer – the Japanese Tea Garden. This oasis of calm offers a zen retreat from city life.

As you pass through the gate into this, the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, you’re greeted by a tall red pagoda and ducks floating on a pond. As you wander along the paved paths of the garden, you discover numerous statues and special features. Bridges, pagodas, and even Buddha fit harmoniously into the more natural elements of the gardens. At each twist and turn of the path there is something new to look at.

The tea house offers a quiet place to relax and drink in the calmness of the Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

In the center of the garden is a Japanese tea house which affords a beautiful view out over a pond. Here you can sip tea and munch on traditional Japanese treats while soaking in the calm beauty of the garden. There are both covered and uncovered spots to sit, so whether you prefer sun or shade you’re sure to be comfortable.

Paved trails lead through the gardens, but stairs and narrow bridges would make having children in a carrier easier than strollers.

The Japanese Tea Garden is open daily, with no holiday closures.

Summer (3/1 through 10/31): 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Winter (11/1 through 2/28): 9:00 am to 4:45 pm

Buddha contemplates the zen tranquility of the Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Admission

Mon., Wed., Fri.: FREE admission if you enter by 10:00 am
Adults: $5.00
Seniors (65+) and Youths ages 12-17: $3.00
Children ages 5-11: $1.50 Children 4 and under: Free

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Wendy — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:23:00 +0000

Street parking in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Golden Gate Park sprawls out over more than 1,000 acres. It offers countless paths to stroll and enjoy a break from the city while staying right inside it.

Street parking, valid for 3 hours, is available throughout the park. There are also several bus stops within Golden Gate Park. The California Academy of Sciences offers a discount to those who use public transit.

Outdoors, special attractions include the Beach & Park Chalet, Buffalo Paddock, Children’s Playground (including the beautiful old carousel), Strawberry Hill, Strybing Arboretum, and the Windmills.

There are also numerous different gardens. Given San Francisco’s mild climate there is sure to be something in bloom no matter what time of the year you visit. Choose

Thanks to the mild climate in San Francisco, azaleas bloom in January in Golden Gate Park.

from the AIDS Memorial Grove, the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum(free), the Japanese Tea Garden, the Rose Garden (free), Shakespeare’s Flowers (free), and the Queen Wihelmina Tulip Garden.

Along with its great outdoor spaces, Golden Gate Park is also home to several indoor attractions. There is the Conservatory of Flowers, the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences.

California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Wendy — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:02:00 +0000

The California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Last week I took advantage of my cousin’s visit to take in the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park for the first time. This varied museum houses a planetarium, a rainforest, a living coral reef and exhibits on swamps and African animals along with an eco-friendly living roof. With so much to do there is something for everyone, right? Well, sort of…

There definitely is a diversity of subjects covered. The problem for me was that I felt none of it was really covered in much depth. Not only that, but several of the displays were lack-luster at best.

The penguins in the African Hall, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

The African animals exhibit consists largely of stuffed animals with live penguins in a tiny enclosure at one end of the hall. There are a couple of chameleons and one or two other live animals but mostly it’s a couple of stuffed animals with each species in a small diorama. Hardly the innovative presentation or display I would expect from such a lauded new museum – let alone one that costs $25 for an adult to see!

The swamp area was so under-whelming that when I mentioned it to my cousin afterwards he was convinced he hadn’t see it. “It was that part with the alligator,” I reminded him. “Oh, that’s it?!” Yes, that’s it. From the brochure and the website I’d expected a full on reproduction of a swamp. What I found was a pool about the size of your average backyard pool with one very asleep looking alligator and one very fake looking tree.

The four story rainforest rises behind the coral reef at the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

The 4-story rainforest was enjoyable and while it may be the largest in the world it felt about the same size as the one at the Biodome in Montreal, only without the diversity of animals they had there. Yes, they have a lot of butterflies. But there are plenty of other places to see butterflies that don’t charge nearly the $25 admission fee of the Academy of Sciences!

The lower level of the museum is dedicated to the ocean. There is a tank which re-creates the Northern California Coast, a coral reef and a flooded forest in the Amazon. ID cards are provided to help you identify what you’re looking at. There is also a “Discovery Table” where the young and the young at heart can touch sea stars and sea urchins. This area was fine, but we’ve definitely seen the same or better elsewhere and again it seemed hard to justify the cost.

Fish swim around the coral reef at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

The Planetarium shows can fill up on busy days. Thankfully we visited during the week, so there was no problem getting tickets. The shows are only appropriate for those over 6-years-old and no one under 3-years-old is admitted. My cousin enjoyed the show (about 45 minutes) but didn’t feel it was anything special. He’s seen the same or better elsewhere – again for less money. It’s basically a giant IMAX screen on which they display stars and galaxies while Whoopi Goldberg narrates.

There is a single T-Rex skeleton and another of a Great Blue whale. Interesting, but not really a reason to visit. And yes, the roof is green. Which means that there are native California plants living on it. As there are in much of Golden Gate Park – where you can see them for free!

The lack-luster swamp exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park

There is both a cafe and a sit-down restaurant. We chose to eat at the cheaper cafe. The food was varied (everything from Mexican to Asian to sandwiches) and surprisingly good. I had a brie, cranberry and Asian pear sandwich on walnut bread. It was delicious, if a little pricy at $8.50.

All in all it was an enjoyable time, but took hardly more than 3 hours including time to eat lunch and for my cousin to visit the Planetarium. At $25 for an adult ticket that’s quite a pricy few hours!

Wilson Winery – Great Wine in the Heart of Dry Creek Valley

Wendy — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:44:00 +0000

The unassuming exterior of Wilson Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Just outside of Healdsburg, Dry Creek Road runs like a ribbon through the heart of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. Dotted along its length are several award-winning wineries. Wilson Winery is perched at edge of the road, with the tasting room at the back of the old barn. This might not sound promising, but their patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a wonderful glass of wine as you take in their sweeping views of Dry Creek Valley and its row upon row of grapes nestling into the hills.

Wilson offers a variety of different wine, including Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot. The winery is truly a family affair. Each of their vineyards is named after a different member of the family. The tasting room is decorated with photos of the family and their beloved dogs. This is real Wine Country – wine is the family business.

Sweeping views of Dry Creek Valley, Wilson Winery, Sonoma County

For Barrel Tasting, Wilson sets up a BBQ. The line up is always long, but with these views to enjoy, who cares! When you’ve grabbed your food, you can head to the cellars to taste the wine right out of the barrels – while you’re surrounded by them! Don’t forget to add your tally marks to vote for your favorites – they keep a scoreboard handy for your input!

Korbel Champagne Cellars – Toast your Visit to Wine Country with California Sparkling Wine!

Wendy — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Recently we had guests come to visit from out of town. Eager to show them the best of Sonoma County we suggested we go wine tasting. They quickly agreed and we set out for one of our favorite spots to toast the beauty of Wine Country – Korbel Champagne Cellars.

The purists may argue that Champagne comes only from a special region in France. We’re pretty sure that one sip of Korbel’s sparkling wine and you’ll be willing to throw aside concerns over geography! Besides, the views out over the Russian River Valley from Korbel’s tasting room are glorious. Sitting under the shade of the redwoods that shelter their deck we doubt you’ll want to be anywhere else.

The view from the tasting room deck at Korbel Champagne Cellars, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Despite its name, Korbel Champagne Cellars actually produces regular wine as well. You can choose from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. Looking for something to complement your dessert? Korbel also makes sherry, port and brandy (available in California only).

Korbel Champagne Cellars offers free tours where you can find out how Champagne is made and learn about the history of the winery. Their tasting room features beautiful views over redwood covered mountains and fields filled with row upon row of champagne grapes. They offer 5 different Champagnes as part of their free tasting. Truly a fabulous way to celebrate your visit to Sonoma County Wine Country!