Gustafson Family Winery
The drive north out Dry Creek Road is always pleasing to me and, I realize, also spectacular. The valley floor in wintertime deshabille is lovely, the wineries even more visible without the usual cloaking of greenery. Coming to Warm Spring Dam at Lake Sonoma, the huge earthen structure makes me admire even more the Army Corps of Engineers who built it. Just about 6.5 miles from the dam, out Skaggs Springs Road is an amazing visual treat and winery- the furthest northern Wine Road member- Gustafson Family Winery. As I drove out Skaggs Springs Road the altitude was high enough that I had icy road conditions; scrub pine showed me my elevation was increasing. Finding the driveway, I was completely awe-struck at the view. Pulling into the winery/residence...
Read MoreWinter Wineland 2012, #Wineland2012: Oh, What a Time We Had!
I hit the Wine Road on Saturday with a picnic lunch and mineral waters, dressed in layers, banded in blue, glassed in 20th-Wineland-Anniversary-Glass, camera in hand and my favorite daughter, Annie, riding shotgun. Here is our route out of Healdsburg for this 20th Anniversary WINE-ART-EDUCATION Extravaganza- first the Alexander Valley- we head north on Highway 101 to the Cloverdale Blvd South Exit, immediate right to an immediate left on Asti Road to an immediate right on Santana to Valdez Family Winery, educational display, all the family on hand and delicious Valdez wines paired with foods from my favorite, Agave Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar, in Healdsburg: Annie and I hit Asti Road south, under the freeway on Zanzi Lane, to a left on...
Read MoreFebruary and Valentine’s Day: Super Romantic Along Wine Road
February and Valentine’s Day are almost here and I note that there are a number of cool, romantic events at our Wine Road member wineries and lodging specials to celebrate the Most Romantic of All Months & Holidays. Book a trip here and your wintertime blues will disappear; with something fun to look forward to, the grey days will slip by…and if, perchance, you do not currently have a Romantic Someone, coming up here will introduce you to new opportunities, fun and people. After all, Wine Road IS the most romantic place I know- roaring fireplaces, cozy nooks, brisk-snappy-breath-misting air, wine, great food, comfortable accommodations at lovely properties, friendly wineries, wine, world-class and Healdsburg-class restaurants, wine, scenic...
Read MoreLike Normandy, Only Safer: #Wineland2012 Member Supply Day
The day dawns like any other, days never knowing what they might hold, nor what momentous events might occur during their oh-so-brief 24 hour existence. The stars did portend (stars are brighter, it would seem, than days) that today would be awesome; and so it is. #Wineland2012 20th Anniversary Winter Wineland Wine Road Member Supply Pick Up day IS here and all eyes are on Wine Road Worldwide HQ. With the logistical expertise of George W. Patton channeling the tank skills of Rommel, Wine Road is ready for the onslaught of 140 Winery Members whose loins will be girded for strength and friendly hospitality during Winter Wineland this coming Saturday and Sunday, 14 & 15 January 2012. Between the hours of 0900 and 1600 we will see the rock stars of our...
Read MoreWine Road Fam Tour: Martinelli & Old World Wineries
Here we go off on our afternoon adventures continued from Fam Tour Part One….We leave Healdsburg and take the quick 20 minute drive south down Highway 101 to Fulton exit, then right on River Road to Martinelli Winery. My group of concierges bustles into the warm TR, greeted by bubbly Debbie and hosted by Linda, knowledgeable, considerate and fun. Cheeses and crackers pair nicely with the full tasting, ending on a sweet note. Next stop: Old World Winery. Just a hop-skip-and-a-jump back on River Road east is Old World Winery, one of the newer winery members along Wine Road. A rare varietal, Abouriou, is featured today- I have never tasted anything like it! Earthy, blueberries, gamay-ish: – tres francais! Watch for our next Wine Road Concierge...
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