Visit a French Chateau in Sonoma?

Sitting high on hill just north of Healdsburg is a French Chateau.  It's reached by a winding private road that ascends through olive groves and huge trees.  As you arrive at the top you marvel at the vine covered structure that awaits.  It's simply breathtaking!  And now - it's open to the public.  Have you been?

After four decades of hosting tours and tastings by appointment at its iconic chateau, Jordan Vineyard & Winery is launching its first Estate Tour & Tasting experience. Guests will journey to remote corners of the nearly 1,200-acre Jordan Estate to enjoy a farm-to-table, wine-and-food-tasting excursion showcasing foods grown on the property with a backdrop of stunning vistas 

Jordan Estate is one of the few properties in Northern California wine country with more than 1,000 acres of contiguous land that is navigable by vehicle, owned by a private individual and available to be explored by consumers. More than three-quarters of the estate is dedicated to natural habitat— an oasis where craggy oak trees surround the vineyards, herons and geese swim the lakes, and rabbits and deer roam the rolling hills that define Sonoma County’s southern Alexander Valley. The property includes 110 acres of grapevines, 18 acres of olive trees, gardens, lakes, pastures and endless woods. Under the direction of second-generation vintner John Jordan, Jordan Vineyard & Winery has evolved into a working ranch with chickens for eggs, cattle for beef, bees for honey and even a cutting garden for floral arrangements.

“After having spent countless weekends fishing and driving around the Jordan property, I wanted to share the beauty of Sonoma with an experience that is truly singular in California,” says John Jordan.

Each 3 hour tour is limited to a few guests so reservation for the Thurday-Monday tours are critical.  Harvest is currently under way - here's a video of the process at Jordan. 

Did you know? Is it on your itinerary?  Cheers?

ordan Estate is one of the few properties in Northern California wine country with more than 1,000 acres of contiguous land that is navigable by vehicle, owned by a private individual and available to be explored by consumers. More than three-quarters of the estate is dedicated to natural habitat— an oasis where craggy oak trees surround the vineyards, herons and geese swim the lakes, and rabbits and deer roam the rolling hills that define Sonoma County’s southern Alexander Valley. The property includes 110 acres of grapevines, 18 acres of olive trees, gardens, lakes, pastures and endless woods. Under the direction of second-generation vintner John Jordan, Jordan Vineyard & Winery has evolved into a working ranch with chickens for eggs, cattle for beef, bees for honey and even a cutting garden for floral arrangements. - See more at: http://blog.jordanwinery.com/2013/06/jordan-winery-estate-now-open-to-the-public-through-estate-tour-tasting-experience/?utm_content=31438&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Estate%20Tour%20%26%20Tasting&utm_campaign=New%20estate%20tour%20and%20wines%20for%20your%20backyard%20barbecuecontent#sthash.e0yrV6E8.dpuf

After four decades of hosting tours and tastings by appointment at its iconic chateau, Jordan Vineyard & Winery is launching our first Estate Tour & Tasting experience. Guests will journey to remote corners of the nearly 1,200-acre Jordan Estate to enjoy a farm-to-table, wine-and-food-tasting excursion showcasing foods grown on the property with a backdrop of stunning vistas - See more at: http://blog.jordanwinery.com/2013/06/jordan-winery-estate-now-open-to-the-public-through-estate-tour-tasting-experience/?utm_content=31438&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Estate%20Tour%20%26%20Tasting&utm_campaign=New%20estate%20tour%20and%20wines%20for%20your%20backyard%20barbecuecontent#sthash.e0yrV6E8.dpuf

Travel Time

You've arrived at San Francisco International Airport!  You have your luggage and you just signed the papers for your rental car.  So how long will it take you to get to California Wine Country?  Well.....   That all depends.

On what you ask? "I've got the Google map directions and it says it will take 67 minutes to get to Napa" (the city).  Ah, yes, but you arrived on a Friday afternoon and it's 2pm now right?  Try more like 2-3 hours to get there!

 

Part of any trip is getting to - and from - your arrival point and just like at home that varies based on the day of the week and the time of the day.  Whether it's Napa, Sonoma, Anderson, Livermore, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, Temecula or any of the other wine valleys you need to plan the time into your schedule.  California's freeways are notorious for heavy traffic volumes.

What we suggest of course is to let us here at Vineyard Visits plan your itinerary.  Your travel time is just one of the things that we take into account.  But, if you want to plan for this on your own, just know that from 1pm on the traffic leaving the cities starts to build and it can be well after 7pm before it starts to abate.  And that's on a good day with few accidents.

Is travel time part of your itinerary?  Cheers!

Fields of Lavender

Wine is a visceral pleasure.  What's that you say?  You've heard that expression but are not really sure what it means?  Here's a great explanation: "Any of the faculties by which stimuli from outside or inside the body are received and felt: hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste, and equilibrium"

When you visit Matanzas Creek Winery in Sonoma the last - equilibrium - comes into play first.  Not that the others don't.  It's just that when you turn into the lane leading up the hill to the winery itself you are so overwhelmed by the waves and unending rows of deep purple lavender that your equilibrium is challenged. You feel the earth move slightly.  You actually have to stop and touch some of the beautiful plants.

And then - you taste the wine.  Yes - that's right - you can actually taste the lavender in the wine.  Where?  Right there as you take in the sight of the deep purple in what is surely one the top 5 Merlots in Sonoma if not Napa as well.  You breathe in the smell of the lavender and try to decide - is it coming from the glass or the fields outside? 

As you leave, you hesitate one last time at the foot of the lane.  There it is. You hear the wine  and the lavender calling you back!

Is Matanzas Creek on your itinerary?  Cheers!

How Many?

We are always asked: "How many wineries can I get to in one day?"  It's a great question and one that has many possible answers.  But we answer that question - with a question.

"How full of a day do you want and are you driving yourself?"

Most tasting rooms open at 9:30am - some a half hour earlier and some a half hour later.  So first we encourage you to decide how early you want to start you day.  Then you should factor in everything from where you're staying, what wineries you really want to visit, how long to stop for lunch, and on and on.

But, whether you are driving yourself, have a designated driver (always a good idea) or are taking a limo or car service play a huge factor in how much you should taste and even whether you swallow or spit (that's right!)

We think that 4-5 stops in the course of a day is just about right for most folks.  Can you do more?  Sure!  Our personal record is 10 in a day and we stopped for lunch (a requirement really).  And yes - we had a designated driver.

You hadn't thought of all these things?  That's ok - it's what we're here for.  Give us a call.

Cheers!

Off the Silverado Trail

If you've been to Napa before you've no doubt driven down the Silverado Trail.  And you've stopped at one of the many, many (did I say many?) wineries and vineyards that dot the trail.  But - have you ever wandered off the trail onto one of the many smaller side roads heading up toward Howell Mountain?  No?

Well next time you have a chance turn on Deer Park Road and head east up the hill.  After just a few minutes you'll come to Bremer Family Winery.  The spot is beautiful set amongst the trees with a tasting room and picnic tables.  But the best part?  Richard Hedrick.

Richard has been in the valley since 1996 and leading the tasting room since the Bremer's bought the winery in 2003.  He makes stopping - and tasting - a treat!  As his bio says he's "a gifted story teller and conversationalist" and that he is.  The Bremer wines are terrific on their own with their Cabernet and Merlot leading the way.  The Chardonnay is not to be outdone and puts us in mind of Rombauer and Frank Family.

So next time - take a turn toward Howell Mountain on Deer Park Road and experience Bremer Family Wines.

What to do on a Friday Night in Livermore?

First - do you know where the Livermore Valley is?  Don't be afraid to admit it if you don't.  This AVA is east of the San Francisco Bay area about 20 miles.

 

Now you say  - Hey - we're won't be far from there!  Well then here's something coming up on Friday night, August 9th that combines Tapas, Tasting and Tunes.  The McGrail Vineyards in Livermore says: "Join Us for on the patio at McGrail for a fun evening of delicious food by Posada Catering, award-winning wine by McGrail, and live music from featured artists Spill the Wine."

McGrail Vineyards and Winery won Best Red Wine for 2012 voted by the SF Chronicle Wine Competition!  We here at Vineyard Visits can attest that they have one of the best offerings in Cabernet not just in the Livermore Valley but in all of California Wine Country.  Add to that a beautiful setting and you have one of the most enjoyable wine experiences in all of California.  Check the courtyard out below.

Cheers!

When You Arrive in Wine Country

You've just flown into SFO and have fought the traffic to either Napa or Sonoma.  Now what?  We always think about celebrating - after all you are in California Wine County!  So we head for the closest sparkling wine house.

In Napa, for us, that's Mumm Napa.  We veer off onto the Silverado Trail and within minutes we're pulling into the parking area and are being welcomed!  The setting is beautiful with the sun simmering toward the Mayacamas Mountains in the West.  The staff in the tasting room seats us at tables more common in a fashionable wine bar than a tasting room.  We quickly request glasses of Mumm's Brut Reserve Rose.  A delightfully delicious pink sparkler.

In Sonoma, we head west out the River Road and aim for Korbel.  The extra few minutes of travel is well worth it as we arrive amidst flowers, trees and topiary.  The tasting room always puts us in mind of California Wine Country of old and we love it.  Most think of Korbel as a value priced sparkler, but here at the cellar you can and should indulge in Korbel's more hard to find product.  We love to start with a glass of their Rouge sparkling wine.  A deep red bubbler that is made from Pinot grapes.  It's truly special.

Where do we go from here?  Ah - a good question and one that we specialize in answering.  Our bed & breakfast?  Dinner on the square in Healdsburg?  One - or two - more stops on the way back in on the River Road?  All are possibilities.  That's what a weekend or more in California Wine Country is all about - possibilities.  Enjoy!