Skewis Wines- Healdsburg's Tiniest Tasting Room- in the Old Roma Station by the River: Welcome!

Skewis Wines, one of our newest Wine Road members, just opened their doors to what they term “Healdsburg’s Tiniest Tasting Room”- the room may be small, but it is brimming over with their large Pinot Noir expertise, delicious small production (well under 1000 cases) wines and warm, inviting hospitality- and a gallery of art showcasing local talent plus whimsical wine-inspired glittery tiaras (tiarae?) by local artiste, Kathy Timberlake.  The room is welcoming, great colors, attractive bar, nice attention to detail….I LOVE that they have pencils for guests to use- I love the tactile feel of taking tasting notes with a pencil.  Maggie and Hank Skewis are there to tell you about their wines- fabulous connection (and Maggie is also a great authority on cheese and wine pairings- her knowledge of cheese is not only informative, but impressive….)

Pinot and pencils- well presented.

Those gorgeous tiarae are hidden in the armoire.

Hank Skewis branded bar...

That bar...I want to linger....

Great Wine Club-be sure to be a member.  As I said earlier, Maggie is an expert on cheese- and also food and pinot pairings.  They quote the great Paul Root, of Root Cellars:

“God made pinot noir and lamb on the same day.”  (True dat.)

And:

“This is as hands-on, honest and purpose driven as American winemaking gets.”
- Pacific Pinot Noir by John Winthrop Haeger.

You can see that at Skewis Wines it is pinot driven, food paired, warm hospitality all the way. The outside beckons you inward:

Great exteriors.

Architecture combining the historic with new touches....Old Roma Station-style.

Skewis Wines- nothing tiny about it!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

ALL pinot noir, ALL the time....

No, this is not a well-deserved salute to Harriet Tubman, but rather a compilation of our Wine Road wineries and a lodging who either have a subterranean cellar, facility or cave. In no particular order, though perhaps starting off first with the most readily apparent – check their name!-:

Fritz Underground Winery.

The Gaudi-esque Fritz Underground Winery in the Dry Creek Valley.

 Robert Young Estate Winery.

The Cave at Robert Young Estate Winery can be engaged for your private event.

Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves.

Tasting and special events take place often in the cave; Bella Wine Club Members are included in VERY special events therein.

Alexander Valley Vineyards.

The entrance to the cave at AVV; Tours available daily! True spelunking at it's best- no helmet required....and wine to drink.

Field Stone Winery & Vineyard.

Famous image of the Cellar door at Field Stone- featured on Wine Road BT poster 2011!

Wine Road BT Poster 2011 by Craig Nelson; wait until you see his poster for 2012!

The Stonestreet facility is largely underground- very respectful of the environment and the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Thomas George Estates.

Thomas George Estates, Westside Road, Russian River Valley.

Lynmar Estate.

Lynmar Estate- State-of-the-Art Gravity Flow winery employing caves for barrel storage and aging, employing Feng shui, crystals and cool private rooms- secret.....gorgeous, a working cave- thus off limits to casual visits....shhh! Working here!

Seghesio Family Vineyards.

Barrel Room at historic Seghesio Winery- below ground, totally cool to this day.

Grape Leaf Inn.

The Grape Leaf Inn's hidden away, below ground Speakeasy...I moved here in 1982 to innkeep this Inn- years later, when this wine bar was built, it is so hidden I was totally flummoxed by its presence!

Simi Winery.

A piece on their philosophy of barrel storage.

Underground and perfect! Take the Simi tour!

I hope that I hear from my readers and Wine Road winery and lodging members if I have omitted anyone- I am only as good as what you guys tell me….

I will now end with the complete opposite of what we have been discussing, because I am so contrary; the Rosemary-Covered-Above-Ground-Cave at Nalle Winery:

Rosemary-Covered-Above-Ground-Cave at Nalle Winery! Many bees....

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Hilton Garden Inn, Sonoma County Airport

Just a wee hop, skip and a jump from the Charles M. Shulz Sonoma County Airport, complete with handy shuttle, is the incredibly convenient, Arts & Crafts-styled, new, Hilton Garden Inn.  The HGI, “Standing out from the Bunch”, is THE closest lodging to the airport, delivering not only a full breakfast, and on-site dining at The Great American Grill (watch for some great Wine Road Wines), but also conference facilities for up to 50 people, Happy Hour, Monday- Friday, a complete Business Center (look for the ergo- dynamic office furniture), Wi-Fi, Fitness Room, Indoor Pool and Hot Tub AND Garden Sleep System Beds! (Lindsay Wagner, eat your heart out!)  An attractive lobby with over-sized chairs and couches, fireplace and adjacent outdoor areas add to the country-feel of this Hilton property, nestled in the vineyards, bordered by open spaces, yet walkable to my favorite Airport Cinemas.

Heading in the driveway- you are at your home away from home- The Hilton!

Details, details, details- they count in this warm welcome....

Relax in the lobby, filled with comfy, over-stuffed chairs and couches, grouped for fun conversations, reading, resting, or gazing at the fireplace.

The fireplace I have been foreshadowing....

Delicious treats are in store...after hours, if you miss room service, there is also a little store down in the lobby.

Right off the lobby- outdoor area to eat breakfast, lunch, dinner or just relax or even WORK....

Arts & Craftsy-style outdoor area for lounging just off the indoor pool and the lobby- vineyards await just to the East.

View just past the hotel- vineyards, up close and very personal.

On my recent visit, I saw guests wandering out into the vines- the Hilton is an oasis in the vineyards- so hard to believe that the Sonoma County Airport is one mile to the west and Highway 101 is just to the East- romantic Wine Country convenience.

Use those Hilton points; and feel like you are a million miles away, nestled in the vines….

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

At Hilton: You Are Home! In fact, Hilton IS your home all over the world....

Stephen & Walker TR, downtown Healdsburg.

On my visit to Stephen & Walker Winery I learned about a winery led by a prominent female winemaker, Nancy Walker, where the lots are small and high-end, and the wines are pronounced to be “cult-like” with many devoted followers and admirers.  Walker takes each bottle of wine she makes personally and she limits production to keep it special.  The wines showcase the true flavors of the specific terroirs, pulling grapes from multiple AVA’s, such as Dry Creek Valley for zinfandel and Russian River Valley for pinot noir, to allow the best nature of the varietals to shine. Tony Stephen is Walker’s partner, bringing decades of experience in grapes and vineyard management, not to mention wine-making, to the winery.  Together they make the Trust Winery Ltd. Team.

Soaring interiors combine an old-fashioned tin ceiling with inviting gift and wine offerings.

Limited production, special formats available.

With production so limited, the Wine Club is a great way to ensure your fair share- and reap the rewards of membership, too- discounts, special events, special wines….at Stephen & Walker, in wines they trust!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

The distinctive iron-work on the cool, private balconies at h2hotel, all green, all kinds of water, outside brought inside, inside brought out....each room or suite has its very own, private balcony or patio.

h2hotel- LEED certified- all green, all the time.

On a recent visit to the completely cool and green, h2hotel (baby sis’ to the Hotel Healdsburg) and its restaurant, Spoonbar, I am delightfully inspired and impressed by the attention to detail, design and comfort, convenience and quiet achieved in the heart of downtown Healdsburg; upstairs at the hotel, it is so quiet, I feel transported miles away….

Bikes for guests-

The captivating kinetic-spoon-sculpture water feature at entrance to h2hotel/Spoonbar.

Spoonbar exterior- clever design opens it to the outdoors, the outdoors enter....

Spoonbar interior- eclectic blend of fabrics, art, surfaces, comfort- delicious food and wine and famous, fabulous cocktails.

Lounge at h2hotel- amazing textures, fabrics, surfaces.

Top floor, living, undulating roof, silence reigns, Fitch Mountain in the distance to the east.

Water bars abound- get yours, still or sparkling.

Reclaimed materials (see the gym floor in the Green Room for special events), bamboo floors, special fabrics and such great details as Heath Ceramics tile in the bathrooms will make your stay very special.

Pool.

Attention to detail viewed from upper floor- each room an oasis....reclaimed ecological areas on Foss Creek bursting with greenery, providing haven to wildlife and guests alike.

h2hotel is convenient, just a scant block south of the Healdsburg Plaza, adjacent to its own Hand Fan Museum, the only one of its kind in the United States.  I feel healthy, just passing through the front doors- with all the attention to protecting the earth, being ecologically dynamic, yet comfortable and welcoming, this is one cool spot!  Bustling, lively lobby-fun atmosphere- always something happening!

One of a kind....fans tell a definite story- VERY interesting....

Lively, people, action, a central meeting spot for locals and guests alike....

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Jenner Inn & Cottages & Restaurant in Jenner-by-the-Sea....Romance on the River.

Jenner Inn & Cottages & Restaurant, on the Russian River, where it meets the Pacific Ocean, is not only a great spot for a romantic getaway, but it is also a spectacular wedding site, with fabulous accommodations, culinary creations, wine and an outdoor entertaining area with lawns, gazebo, year-round creek, Bocce and a spectacular rock outcropping  that adds drama.  Could a town sound any more romantic than Jenner-by-the-Sea? (See this blog for more details on location.) Kayaking, beaches, all sorts of outdoor activities- right here!  A destination since 1904, this historic location has fascinating architectural style, design touches and antique pieces that make it interesting at every turn. This property is personally, lovingly and tenderly tended by Owner/Proprietor, Richard Murphy, who also restored it to glory.  Check out his windows for example- or the cool ceiling in the bar area, the restored antiques in the bedrooms- or the English breakfront in the dining room; it IS all in the details.

,

Stepping back in time....

Exterior of the cozy Parlor, where breakfast is served.

Cool windows....

Details: the entrance to the Lobby.

English breakfront- more expected at Hearst Castle?

The bar.

Good advice.

Heading out to the Wedding Site:

ENTER!....

Gazebo by the creek, picnicking, weddings, special events....

The stage...

Dramatic Rock Outcropping.

Now to the accommodations:

Antiques where you would least expect to find them....

Romantic tub for two....

Adirondack chair, view of the River and thou....

You know me and Adirondack chairs- Heavenly.

View west- what windows, what a view, heaven....

View towards the slight southwest and Goat Rock; watch for selchies and of course, regular seals.

Jenner Inn & Restaurant: a romantic journey to the past. Romance is keyword here. And Specials!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

The Pacific Ocean and the Russian River- River's End....