Martorana Family Winery
Secluded out West Dry Creek Road, Martorana Family Winery, on the banks of the Dry Creek, is certified organic and has an obvious and admirable respect for the land with its clever, knowledgeable, non-intrusive winery building and the way the winery is placed on their estate, facing due east. Not visible from many angles, the winery, when revealed at the end of the vineyard-hidden driveway, proves to be lovely and almost startling in its blend into the landscape. Winemaker/Proprietor Gio Martorana grows all his own grapes – and the winery is completely certified organic. Gio’s motto: “Little guy makes good wine!” He also makes great estate grown olive oil: Olio de Gio. The Wine Club, Club Creekside, offers...
Read MoreTR’s Itinerary: Windsor & The Eastside Bunch
First stop, Healdsburg, to pick up a picnic at the Oakville Grocery. Head to Foppiano, taste and then take their self-guided vineyard walk and see the famous Riley Vine, featured monthly on Wine Road Facebook. Head on over to Limerick Lane and then, visit Christopher Creek. Next stop, Merriam Vineyards, where you can picnic, too. Head on over to Windsor to check into your lodging, the Hampton Inn & Suites and relax around the pool. You might have time to slip in a visit to Mueller just the other side of town. Later, you can walk to the Windsor Town Green and experience eclectic shops and restaurants. Dinner tonight is at Bistro M- French, intimate, fabulous. Next morning after breakfast, head up to your appointment to meet with the Nachbaurs at...
Read MoreTR’s Itinerary: Santa Rosa- In Town
First stop is the Urban Winery Center: including D’Argenzio, SheldonWines, MJ Lords and Krutz Family Winery, on Cleveland Avenue, soon to be a destination with covered inner courtyards, food and other shopping. Take a bit of a break for education and visit the Charles Schulz Museum and the Luther Burbank Gardens- maybe make some time for the neighboring Ripley’s Believe It or Not Church, made from one famous Redwood Tree- also includes some interesting exhibits. Head up to your lodging, the Fountaingrove Inn & Suites. Grab a snack at their Equus Bar and Restaurant. Zip up the hill to visit Paradise Ridge Winery, home to the most fantastic view of the Santa Rosa Plain- leave time to explore their fantastic outdoor art installation, dotting their oak...
Read MoreConcierge Fam. Tour: January 2011
Twice a year Wine Road, working with Rick Spear from Blue Heron Custom Tours & Travel, brings up five concierges from San Francisco to show them what their guests can expect when they visit us, The Road Less Traveled (sorry Robert Frost)- Heaven Condensed, 180 Wineries clustered in a 30 mile radius. We aim to show our group what the regular, “average” visitor can encounter- ALL are VIP’s along the Wine Road! Our fist stop is at Mauritson Wines where we are greeted with not only staff and family, but great dogs. We taste the Mauritson portfolio of wines hosted by Clay and Mandy right in the cellar- in addition to such by-appointment amenities, Mauritson also offers picnic and tour options out in their Rockpile estate, as well as a daily...
Read MoreTR’s Itinerary: On the River- Guerneville
Head to Moshin crossing the Wohler Bridge after using River Road as the main access- taste delicious pinot at this gravity-feed winery, and they will show you around- the hummingbird is the symbol of their constant state of motion. Reserve a time for a tour at Gary Farrell and food and wine taste- check out the view of the Russian River Valley from this hillside. Head to Korbel Champagne Cellars, nestled in the Redwoods- historic, scenic with tours of the winery and the gardens. Great tasting room and the Café @ Korbel where you can sit on decks under Redwoods and enjoy your lunch and sparkling wine. Zip on over to Northwood Golf Course for a quick nine on one of the most beautiful golf courses in the US- amazing Redwoods. Next stop is your lodging-...
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