Bohemian Highway, to CA 116 to 1:...Freestone to Jenner-by-the-Sea!

Wine Road: 190 Wineries and 56 Lodgings clustered within a 30 mile radius- and very fun and easy to navigate!  Starting at Wine Road River Office HQ, I drove to Freestone Vineyards- just under 30 miles. (Please see this Blog for more details.)

Freestone Vineyards.

Next stop, just around the corner, is the famous Wild Flour Bread.

Wild Flour Bread in Freestone, CA.

Just up the street, is Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary- wow-….

Truly a sanctuary- and in such a secluded setting!

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.

Continuing up the Bohemian Highway through Redwood groves, vineyards, chalky hill outcroppings, and cool stuff, here is what I see:

Here we arrive at Occidental- and the Inn at Occidental:

The Inn at Occidental.

Bistro des Copains:

Bistro des Copains (copains = buddies) en Occidental, CA.

Cool Across-The-Highway-Sign for Camp Meeker- love it!

I am a sucker for city names across the highway....

Next up are the awesome canopy tours and zip-lines at Sonoma Canopy Tours:

Many canopies to explore in the Redwood trees...

Watch for the signs- sharing space.

Made me laugh, as this is, also, a canopy....

Heading into Monte Rio along the Bohemian Highway- watch for those Bohemians!

The historic Village Inn & Restaurant , where “Holiday Inn” was filmed, looks gorgeous against the early summer backdrop:

Dreaming of a White Christmas at Holiday Inn, n'est-ce-pas?

Summer is just arrived!

Russian River Summer.

The historic Monte Rio Bridge.

Movies!

City signs across the highway- total sucker for! (Reno sign slays me.)

Fourth of July good Old Fashioned River Fun.

Heading left (West) to Jenner-by-the-Sea; one of the most romantic town names in the world....worthy of SAME TIME NEXT YEAR thoughts....

My target destination is the Jenner Inn & Restaurant- on lovely CA Highway1:

My goal: Jenner Inn & Restaurant: Romance where the Russian River meets the sea....

Historic, romantic Jenner Inn & Restaurant- wow- I mean ROMANTIC....

Amazing, cool, historic buildings I spy along the way....

Where the Russian River meets the sea at Jenner-by-the-Sea by Goat Rock - watch for selchies....

Turning around and heading back towards Healdsburg on CA 1 to CA 116- coming to tiny, historic Duncans Mills- lots of cool spots to visit:

Cape Fear coming up….

Cape Fear...Robert Mitchum or Robert DeNiro? Gregory Peck or Nick Nolte?

Steelhead /Blue Heron Restaurant- never eaten here- hear it is a "Date Spot"....

Blue Heron Restaurant– click for romantic link…

Heading back home; Friday blog will feature the Jenner Inn & Restaurant….

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Goat Rock in distance across the Russian River where it meets the mighty Pacific.

Welcome to Freestone Vineyards Visitor Center!

Freestone Vineyards, in the charming, ultra-tiny town of Freestone, CA, is perched right on the edge of the Russian River AVA and the Sonoma Coast designation; the cool climate is evident in the newly burgeoning greenery and flowers here.  Over in Healdsburg it has been so warm that most plants have exploded past the new growth phase- but not here- the cool, foggy, coastal influence makes all flora slow down- and especially, magnificently, the grapes- which must take their time to ripen many months from now into intense, highly flavored berries. Freestone  Vineyards provides biodynamic quality from the ground up, specializing only in cool-climate, terroir-driven chardonnay and pinot noir- as they say: “As in farm to table, this is dirt to door.”  They also have a number of whimsical touches- like naming a wine Fogdog.

Welcome to the Visitor Center.

The Day's Offerings are showcased....

Porcine whimsy.

Et ewe, Brute? More country charm- nice attention to detail, appreciated.

Warm, white-washed charm.

The TR is warm and welcoming, as are the well-informed and educated staff.  Picnic areas (buy a bottle and relax in style) are surrounded by the gardens (great lavender) and even a Redwood grove.  There is a resident peacock with a number of different names- he just appeared recently and gloriously hangs around.  Regular tastings are delicious and informative while  Wine Club has special perks and privileges.

Picnic table secluded and sheltered in a Fairy Circle of Redwood trees.

The peacock refusing to show his true colors- or perhaps he IS showing them...chased him around quite a bit, but no luck with the tail feathers.

Picnic in the gardens.

Freestone Vineyards is not only a locals’  favorite, but a hidden, tucked away gem, sought out by lucky travelers in quest of cool-climate, coastal-influenced pinot noir and chardonnay- well worth the travel to get here – it is, after all, ALL in the journey.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Sapphire Hill Winery TR in the historic Roma Station.

NEW is the word that comes to mind when visiting Sapphire Hill Vineyards & Winery. Cozily installed in their newly remodeled TR in the Old Roma Station, the bar area as well as the “behind the scenes” wine-making/barrel areas are coming alive with new vibes and directions.  New owners/vintners are continuing to source grapes from their Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley AVA’s Estate and selected vineyards as always, with a great selection of wines (including favorite zinfandels, chardonnays and pinot noirs) with wine-maker Tami Collins adding to the new team.

The interaction of food and wine and warm hospitality- and fun- is apparent in the kicky, relaxed atmosphere.  Attention to detail in design and color are apparent, right down to the newly designed labels (one including a hen, a tribute to owner Lisa Henn Mulcahy’s architectural draughtsman father who used an image of a “hen” to “sign” his renderings when he was not allowed to take credit by signing his name, “Henn”) and re-worked logo incorporating the familiar sapphire blue logo- but NEW.

Chalkboards for guests line the TR bar- colorful, clever- I like it!

A plethora of deltae, some Sapphire blue.

Precious Sapphire blue- comfy TR.

Great deals!

Relaxing garden & fountain area outside of the TR.

Cool fountain- perch and sip....

Lots of new plans are in the works.  Springing from a solid, successful past, Sapphire Hill now plans to shoot the moon!

Their motto says it all: “Our Wine Rocks!”

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Recently, I walked a route in Healdsburg along the western side of Healdsburg Avenue and immortalized it in my Blog.  This is Part Deux- and I easily walked it- (and remember that Vacation Distances, like Vacation Dollars, are completely fun and easy to blow through!) to show how we have so many lodgings, wineries, TR’s and all that Healdsburg has to offer right outside your lodging door- no car necessary- hoof or bike it!  Purchased wines can be delivered to your local lodging by our wineries. Here we go!

I started out on Grove Street- and thought that, perhaps, the Best Western Dry Creek Inn and Wine Country TraveLodge were a wee bit further north than walkable, but that is purely up to you- definitely do-able for some….have seen it often- can ID guests as they walk with a purpose toward town and carry Wine Road Maps!

I am reminded that the Healdsburg Farmers Market is in full-swing now, Tuesdays and Saturdays, May-November:

Speaking of Tuesdays, these also bring the free Plaza Concerts....

Free Tuesday Night Plaza Concerts- best kept locals’ secret- until NOW!

First stop is the Honor Mansion:

The Honor Mansion.

Neighbor is Seghesio Family Vineyards, along the nice, broad, walking path:

Seghesio Family Vineyards.

Healdsburg town does provide some signs to help you find wineries and shops:

Helpful directional signs-

Just around the corner, is Calderwood Inn.

Calderwood Inn- Luther Burbank had a hand in this garden.

Continuing on West Grant up to Johnson Street, here is the Grape Leaf Inn, always dear to me, as I moved to Healdsburg in 1982 to be the innkeeper there:

The Grape Leaf Inn (we used to say: "Your Home Away from Home in the Wine Country!") Nepotistic detail.

Just around the corner is the Sonoma County Library/Wine Library, certainly worth a visit- sounds so cool- wines AND books:

Sonoma County Library, Healdsburg Branch, also Sonoma County Wine Library.

Here I am, now, on the corner of Piper and Center- so I will now head south.

First up is Ravenous Cafe:

Indoor, outdoor, entertainment, wow.

Right across the street, The Raven Film Center, home of Hollywood and Wine- my favorite- a glass of wine, a small popcorn and the movie.

The Raven Film Center and Hollywood & Wine (TR's absolute favorite.)

Right around the corner is The Raven Theatre, venue of live shows, concerts and some pretty awesome famous celebrities:

Gilbert AND Sullivan recently sighted!

Couple doors down is Portalupi Wine:

Passed by the other night on the way to the Post Office, and lo & behold, saw Grandpa's Vintage Vespa-- part of the scene....

Block and 1/2 to the west and then slightly north is the DuChamp Hotel:

DuChamp Hotel.

Heading down North Street on the northern side, here is Moore Lane, take a sharp right (north) and head to Malm Cellars:

Malm Cellars.

Next is Optima Winery:

My favorite Wine Road Neighbor: Optima Winery.

Right next door to Wine Road HQ:

My FAVORITE: Wine Road HQ!

Now back up to North Street’s conveniently located Camellia Inn:

Camellia Inn.

My route is strolling back on North Street towards town, to Center Street to Zin Restaurant:

Doing a circuitous route, I head to Healdsburg Avenue to Baci:

Baci Cafe- Kiss me, you fool!

There are probably 10 million gazillion art galleries in Hburg- this one has cool dogs which reminded me of my beloved Aussie/Chow, Reba:

Reba is on the right....her nickname was, sometimes, "Cuja"....

Turning sharp left off of Healdsburg Avenue onto Plaza Street, up next is Bistro Ralph:

Bistro Ralph- fresh salmon...martini bar- and lots in between.

Next up, SCOPA:

Scopa on Plaza- uncovered and preserved this nostalgic sign atop their restaurant space- hard to miss....

Plaza Street, to Center, brief jog left to The Flying Goat (The Baby Goat is next to the Raven Film Center):

Flying Goat Coffee- THE place to gather....

Back to Plaza Street, sharp left at Powell’s to Branham Estate Wines and Hobo Wine Company:

Branham & Hobo.

Next back down Plaza Street, sharp left on Center- Boisset, Taste of Terroir:

Boisset- where Sonoma County meets France.

Next is Vintage Wine Estates:

Vintage Wine Estates.

Vintage Wine Estates hosted Tippi Hedren (THE BIRDS, MARNI, mother of Melanie Griffith....) last December- she had a pinot and a chardonnay with them to benefit her Big Cats Charity-here she is between my friends, George and Pam Heath. Well, I am star-struck.....

Just jaywalked over to the Healdsburg Plaza:

Healdsburg's Plaza- Central, focal-point of the community, following the Spanish style.

Headed over to the eastern corner of Healdsburg Avenue and Matheson Street to thumbprint cellars:

thumbprint cellars- provocative wines & food pairings.

Right next door, Bovolo:

Bovolo- sister of Zazu-Chef/Owner Duskie was on Iron Chef....

Next up is Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza:

Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza- a Four Sisters Inn.

Walking east on Matheson Street, I cross Center Street- on my left, north, is Topel Winery Tasting Room:

Topel Winery Tasting Room.

Right across the street, on the corner of Center and Matheson, southern side, is The Oakville Grocery:

Nicely remodeled, reconfigured exterior area to lounge, eat, drink, enjoy.

Continuing east, Williamson Wines:

Williamson Wines.

Back to Center Street, hard left (south)- first up is Roadhouse Winery:

Roadhouse Winery.

Continuing south on Center Street, here is Barndiva:

Barndiva Restaurant.

Next up is Hauck Cellars:

Hauck Cellars.

Continuing slightly south, Selby Winery TR:

Selby Winery TR.

And just a wee bit further south is Spoke Folk:

Spoke Folk- bikes!!

Now I was taking the walk over to Fitch/Hudson Streets- Longboard-up first- and soon I hooked up with a real family from San Francisco/Boston/Vermont- they were staying at the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza and their presence on my walkabout illustrates that this walk is perfectly do-able:

Cruise on in to Longboard....

Our next easy stop was Hudson Street- Old Roma Station, Davis Family Winery and Wine Country Bikes- this nice family PROVES YOU can DO IT!

Hudson Street and Bluenose.

Holdredge, Hart's Desire, J. Keverson, Sapphire Hill, Camellia Cellars, Skewis,,,,

Davis Family.

Wine Country Bikes.

The Real Family that I stole:

The Purloined by TR Family from San Francisco/MA/VT staying at the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza. They Made the Walk with Me! (All these wineries will arrange to have wine purchases delivered to your local lodging- no worries!)

So- they went off on their own, as young people are wont to do, and I headed back on Hudson Street- which becomes Fitch Street- had to take a wee bit of a diversion to check out the old Healdsburg Southern Pacific Railroad Station:

The Southern Pacific Railroad Depot: HEALDSBURG.

Zipping along Fitch Street, quick turn up Haydon Street, to the Haydon Street Inn:

Haydon Street Inn.

Zipping north to Matheson Street- catch the Healdsburg Museum:

Healdsburg Museum housed in a 1910 Andrew Carnegie building.

Continuing east on Matheson Street, here is the George Alexander House:

George Alexander House (brother of Cyrus Alexander)- this elegant Inn sports Homer Simpson Blow-Up Decos for Halloween and Christmas- I love them.

Continuing east on Matheson Street, it becomes South Fitch Mountain Road, guarded by Fitch Mountain, almost 1000 feet, making it a Mountain, not a Hill- here is Tayman Park Golf Course:

Tayman Park GC- you just cannot miss it!

Tayman Park GC: You JUST CANNOT miss it! Built in 1923, wonderful views, great winery sponsors and wines by the glass! Special Events and Weddings. Oh yes, and GOLF,,,

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Fitch Mountain closeup- provides backdrop to Healdsburg.

HH1

Hotel Healdsburg, fondly known to locals as “HH1″ after the birth of her exceptionally green sister property, h2hotel, fondly known as simply, “h2″, is a modern, luxury, boutique hotel on the Healdsburg Plaza, also home to The Spa and Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen.  (See my Blog for even more related information.)

Love the colors, the style....

HH1, view to the east looking from the western side. Distinctive style and gardens are easily discerned.

Full-service spa- also can include use of the pool!

“Experience a Body Revived a Spirit Renewed.”

That gorgeous pool....

Indoor, outdoor, extraordinaire!

Great Lobby Bar-intriguing, modern fireplace, lounge-ful furniture, romantic tables- Friday & Saturday night cool jazz- ALWAYS entertaining.  Private meeting rooms for groups, gardens, hidden little spots to relax a deux- romantic.

Modern at its very best….

Lobby Fireplace: even better when lit- but then again, aren't we all?

Sit and relax- cocktails, brews and fantastic wine list- bar menu very tasty- music to accompany.

Lawn area.

Conversation Nook

The entrance to The Spa with the pool just beyond....

HH1 has Tegan Wilson, a card (key?) carrying Clefs D’Or Concierge; she and her staff will take care of all your needs.  Specials?  You bet!

Though I did not catch this shot, YOU can when you stay here- full breakfast included.

Contemporary Comfort & Convenience on the Downtown Healdsburg Plaza; you will never want to leave- and you won’t have to: Hotel Healdsburg has it all.

Endorsement.

Even more endorsement.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Vine Hill Inn.

Vine Hill Inn, an award-winning and beautifully restored @ 1897 Victorian farmhouse, not only delivers romantic accommodations, but also brings it with great breakfast, lovely grounds, cool pool, vineyard views and a small menagerie including Boots the Inn Cat, pet chickens, goat and mini-horse.  The warm and helpful concierge/innkeeper/proprietor/chief cook, Kathy, will make your stay memorable and assist with dinner reservations, touring  and visiting local wineries, spas and attractions.  Breakfast, with a bit of advance notice, can not only accommodate special dietary needs, but can also be served at a time that works best for the guest.  Weddings- and other special events- for up to 125 guests- can be done here, employing the porches, grassy garden areas and back by the pool, all bordered by vineyards and softly undulating landscapes.

Vine Hill Inn Wonder Mini-Horse.

Victorian Farmhouse Fresh Eggs- delicious breakfast....

Swimming, sunning, relaxing, rejuvenating.

Gardens and old-fashioned porch for sitting, reading, chatting.

All four differently-themed rooms have private baths and either a private or shared porch.  Though in a country setting, Vine Hill Inn is convenient to wineries, restaurants, the charming, distinctive little town of Sebastopol, and the Pacific Ocean.

View from the Inn- VERY Russian River Valley AVA characteristic.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

CA Highway 116.

I recently took a jaunt up 116 from Sebastopol to Green Valley Road. I did not stray much off the main road, though there are temptations close to it.  I started in Sebastopol, home of the annual Apple Blossom Fair, and got caught in their Nuclear Free Zone maze of one way streets (VERY Berkeley) and road upgrades- keep your eyes open for 116!  I missed it twice- goodness!- and was wagging-finger- scolded by a Volvo driver for finally insisting on the right of way….

Highway 101 North to Highway 12 West to Sebastopol; famous Welcome Sign.

Famous Sebastopol mascot welcomes you!

All righty now....

Sebastopol is a cool, small town- great vibe and restaurants, theatre, open mikes, two fantastic Wine Road Lodging Members:

Fairfield Inn & Suites Sebastopol

Arts & Craftsy, gardens, convenience, comfy....

and Sebastopol Inn:

Nostalgia, trains, Gravenstein apples, restaurants, shopping....

Head north on 116.

(You will pass Occidental Road- and I did not stray- but to tempt you: to the left (west) to Barlow Road, look for Taft Street Winery. If you head to the right, east, watch for Balletto Vineyards and then HANNA Russian River Valley.)

Heading north here comes Merry Edwards Winery.

Taking this photo was risky- watch for fast traffic. Home of one of first and most famous woman (female) winemakers....

As I traveled along 116 I especially wanted to capture two characteristic traits of the Russian River Valley AVA: the presence of the e’er present coastal fog, hovering around the edges AND the incredible proximity of apples (Gravenstein Apples- Luther Burbank praises them as perfection in the round and the ONLY apple that needs to be grown) to the grapes.  Risking life and limb, jumping out of my car, here you go:

Hovering fog at midday towards the ocean.

Famous Gravenstein Apples and Famous Grapes....

Heading further north on 116, I passed Frei Road- but did not yet stray- though I will-so do not yet look to your left/west- we are coming back… instead I pressed on to Graton Ridge Cellars.

GRC! Picnic spot!!

Graton Ridge is right at Vine Hill Road- another cool lodging here is Vine Hill Inn:

Also has chickens, cool goat AND a mini-horse in residence.

Next up is Dutton Estate Winery- see Wine Time with TR for their star turn in my blog, too:

Dutton Estate Winery/Sebastopol Vineyards.

To keep this an easy one day jaunt, I now am heading back on 116 to the south- Graton Road cross and to my right (west) are:

Dutton-Goldfield Winery:

Right next door,  Red Car Winery:

Red Car Winery TR.

Two fantastic wineries, conveniently neighbors- nice grounds, outdoor areas, tasty wines and snazzy TR’s.

And then I strayed further west on Graton Road to the little town of Graton.

Welcome to Graton!

Tasty begs and drinks-

Underwood Bar & Bistro and sis’ across the street, Willow Wood Market:

Sisters....

VERY small town:

THE Street, Graton, CA.

Such a charming town- great architecture takes you back...

Heading east on Graton Road, crossing 116 and joining up with Frei, next up is Lynmar Estate Winery:

Lynmar Estate Winery. Pinot, chardonnay and gardens- call ahead to arrange culinary delights!

Leaving Lynmar, the Wine Road is heading back to River Road for journey back to HQ and Healdsburg.

On my way out River Road, caught these Burma Shave Signs- OMG!

First in sequence....

Second...

Third...

Fourth....

Fifth....Well- this is the Burma Shave IDEA- but the story lines are usually more clever and fun- involving divorces being caused by Grandpa's offensive whiskers- that kind of thing!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Dutton Estate Winery- on Highway 116, nestled in its estate vineyards.

As they say at Dutton Estate Winery, “Life’s short, drink Dutton Estate wine.”  Great plan!  This small-production, family-owned winery lovingly crafts wines hailing from meticulously green-farmed estate vineyards in the Russian River and cold Green Valley AVA’s.  Concentrating on pinot, chardonnay, syrah and sauvignon blanc, the Duttons sustainably farm to produce intense fruit, excellent stewardship of the land, safe workers and environment and delicious cold-climate wines.  They even employ an entomologist to trouble-shoot pests before they become a problem.

Dutton Estate/Sebastopol Vineyards.

The TR gardens spill out into the vineyards....

The TR is housed in a cool, California-style stucco-clad house, with spacious bar area (Wine & Food pairings are always available-just ask), gift store, private French-doored tasting area (which also doubles as a friendly Kid Haven Space for children out with their parents), deck and gardens, perfect for a picnic or special event.

Entering the TR-

Private tasting area or coloring-book spot....

Food & Wine Pairings ALWAYS available.

Gift store- lots of cool non-wine items....

Tours can be arranged, too.  I really enjoyed strolling over to the production facility, just a few steps away from the TR; the Duttons produce under 5000 cases annually themselves, but do custom crush for others in their clean, tidy winery, plenty of barrel storage and tanks galore.

Lot’s of Summer Events at the Winery; head on over and meet the warm, knowledgeable hospitality staff.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Take a tour around Dutton Estate Winery- lots to see!

ABVISH!

Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Healdsburg, fondly known as ABVISH, may seemingly, cavalierly defy grammatical protocol with no apostrophe after the “a”  before the “s” in “Americas” but-wow!- it  delivers big on comfort, convenience and caring in a lodging.  Family owned and run, the hotel is in walking distance of Memorial Beach and the famous Healdsburg Plaza, Tasting Rooms, shopping and restaurants.  New or lovingly remodeled (one family member is an Agilent Mechanical Engineer = great ideas/well-executed), this place delivers just what the traveler needs: a clean, quiet, and comfortable room (nice linens), microwave and fridge, coffee-maker, serviceable, spiffy bath, nice grounds, continental breakfast, a pool,  a friendly, family-style of concierge service- and value!

Relax and sun by the pool & spa...

Nice details on the grounds- roses, landscaping that puts one at ease.

A Mini Demonstration Vineyard: guests can observe and taste.

Great value, nice touches, relax....

Jacuzzi suite-

Just what you need: Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Healdsburg!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

ABVISH: JUST WHAT YOU NEED!

Beyond Bocce, Petanque & Caves...beyond wine (not that there is anything wrong with them)....you are entering...The TR Zone.

The unexpected, the unusual, the unique, the surprise that makes your day and your trip along Wine Road special and part of a million memories to be cherished and discussed and remembered.  Here is my short list:

I never thought that I could take a swim- taking the plunge at Francis Ford Coppola Winery.

Frances himself is often seen at the pool....

I never thought that I could arrive by airplane or helicopter and then walk  to taste- but here I come Mazzocco Winery! Within walking distance of the Healdsburg Municipal Airport, fly your own plane in or call Captain Barry at Sonoma Helicopter to accommodate.

The plane, the plane!!!- or helicopter.

Never thought that I could play with a rather surly llama, misleadingly named Felix; he lives and rules at Robert Young Estate Winery.

Perhaps "UnFelix" would be a better name- but he is endearing- and rarely spits. Though he can....

November salmon swimming against the current.

I never thought that I could fill a jug with a field blend of wine from a tank- and yet I can at Martin Ray Winery inside their incredibly huge facility with enormous casks and historic (no longer used but cool to look at) concrete fermentation tanks.

The famous Martin Ray Water Tower- tallest structure around these parts.

And I can fill a jug at Preston of Dry Creek, surrounded by the organic farm, vineyards, cats and munch on amazing freshly-baked bread.

Organic all the way- TR at Preston.

Historic Hop Kiln Winery. It DOES take a lot of beer to make good wine.

Similar hop gig over at Martinelli Winery where graffiti from the past workers there haunts the walls of the current TR.

The past is felt in the present.

I never thought that I could watch a movie, outdoors, in the summertime, with wine and popcorn on a crush pad- it just does not get much better than this-wait until dark and head to DeLoach Vineyards

and Moshin Vineyards and their Moshin Pictures:

Moshin THE movie connection!

I never thought that I could watch the CDF practice putting out a huge controlled fire on the earthen dam at Lake Sonoma (it also clears the weeds and brush as a fire prevention measure) and yet I can at Sbragia Family Vineyards- from their gorgeous terrace, safely and for a good cause.

Cannot look away....

I never thought that I could find a winery that turns into a bar at night, but here it is: Medlock-Ames turns into the Alexander Valley Bar at 5pm.  Gems!

Two separate identities- like Clark and Superman....

Part of the self-guided tour at Balletto; they did build it and I did come- used on Sundays for employee games complete with all the baseball-trimmings. I am watching for Kevin Costner or perhaps Shoeless Joe Jackson.

I never thought that I could see and hear a 1924 Theatre Pipe Organ but at Johnson’s Alexander Valley Wines, I did.

Still impressive, still amazing, still entertaining!

I never knew that I could learn all about bees, but at Michel-Schlumberger, I can. All part of their amazing sustainable farming.

Bee Day; Queen Bee for a Day? Truly the bees' knees.

Speaking of awash in a sea of bees, I never thought that I could taste in an Above Ground Cave with an extreme sense of humor covered in blossoming rosemary- but at Nalle Winery, I can and I did:

Awash in blooms and bees, the Above Ground Cave at Nalle.

Medieval Mayan Croquet, anyone??  I never thought that I could find it a winery, but I did at Sonoma-Cutrer.

Intriguingly British and Mayan- the sunken, formal tended grasses and stone-work around the croquet courts are impressive and look like a page out of Alice In Wonderland on a Yucatan Vacation.

And I never thought that I could ever find That Little Old Winemaker, Me again, but there he is, still channeling the Italian-Swiss Colony at Souverain.

"That little old winemaker, me!" now at Souverain.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

And this whole thing started out as things I NEVER thought I could find- yet ALL CAN be found along my magical Wine Road.