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...
Read MoreCA Highway 116: Sebastopol to Green Valley Road
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…. Sebastopol is a cool, small town- great vibe and restaurants, theatre, open mikes, two fantastic Wine Road Lodging Members: Fairfield Inn & Suites Sebastopol and Sebastopol Inn: Head north on 116. (You will pass Occidental Road- and I did not stray- but to tempt you: to the left (west) to...
Read MoreDutton Estate Winery
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. 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...
Read MoreAmericas Best Value Inn & Suites, Healdsburg
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...
Read MoreGolly- I NEVER Thought that I Could Fill-In-The-Blank at a Winery!
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. 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. Never thought that I could play with a rather surly llama, misleadingly named Felix; he lives and rules at Robert Young Estate Winery. I never thought that I could be able to watch salmon ...
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