A candidate for the elusive Last Rose of Summer....

Guests often ask me what the weather is like in the fall and winter along Wine Road…is it cold? Does it snow? Lots of rain or just showers?  Should they bring boots? An umbrella? A heavy parka?  A raincoat?  I have come to realize, especially as a Northern California/Bay Area native, that what I might think are extreme weather conditions are NOT to the rest of the world.  Along Wine Road the weather is certainly often lovely and pleasantly season-appropriate and is nothing, if not, extremely reasonable.

The transition from summer to fall to winter is a bit tricky to typify and describe here, as the seasons bounce back and forth, imitating usually an early fall kind of thing for many weeks into November.  I have had guests from Wisconsin and upstate New York laugh when I describe our cold conditions here in the mid-40′s to 50′s….brrrr??  Frost on the ground? SO unusual!  Wow!  Always a delight!  Even our rainstorms are relatively warm and tropical vs bitterly cold.  Snow, if it ever even dusts, is usually only at the higher elevations on the surrounding mountains, creating a wonderland feel in the distance.  The proximity of the Pacific ocean provides a temperate influence.  It seems to me that barely any rains arrives until after Thanksgiving- and can continue up through March- but they do not usually bother our Winter Wineland or Barrel Tasting Events.  We did have a wee bit of rain this year for A Wine & Food Affair, but if anything, it just made the crackling fireplaces even more cheery and welcoming….It would seem that Wine Road is a bit ensorcelled, along the lines of Camelot- all we need is a ruling monarch.

So, yes, between November and April, not a bad idea to have some rain gear and dressing in layers is always best for wine tasting for comfort in the chilly cellars and warm TR’s.  Flat shoes always best too, so waterproof is good too- we do have mud sometimes, just like everywhere else; I carry a pair of L.L Bean boots in my car along with a wool jacket year round, just in case.  After all, I am Wine Time TR, always ready to head off into the vineyards and hills.  This fall was a particularly beautiful one along Wine Road and now that Thanksgiving is past, it seems that I may turn my eyes to the loveliness of the incipient winter season.

Just last week, roses were blooming under canopies of brilliant autumn displays by trees that will soon be naked.  Rain set in – a bit- the Russian River muddied and rose- just a bit.  Earnest winter is not yet arrived.

Fall rosebuds....

Perhaps there is NO Last Rose of Summer....

The canopy of amazing, bright leaves.

My favorite tree along Matheson Street, Healdsburg.

Here’s turning to winter.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Frosty!

Davis Family Vineyards right on the Russian River, Front Street, near Memorial Bridge, in Healdsburg.

At Davis Family Vineyards, the wines are not only from their vineyards, but are also from their hearts;  the aim is not to just make great wines, but also make great friends.  Guy Davis, Founder/Farmer/Winemaker, and seeker of adventure and knowledge, lustily hand-crafts his small lots of wine, using exquisite French oak barrels to age, develop and perfect, believing that good winemaking is magical- Guy says it all and brings the magic:

At Davis Family Vineyards, we have some pretty strong beliefs about wine. We believe wine is an essential element in a rich and passionate life. It adds an extra layer of flavors to both meals and to friendships. And like a lover, wine has a sensuality of perfumed aromas and silky, supple textures—endless charm and character that brings many pleasures to our senses and our spirits!

Guy Davis- photo borrowed from his website...he takes exquisite care and is eloquent, passionate and expressive about his wines- and it shows. He is a task-master in his quest for the best winemaking.

The winery is right along the Russian River near Memorial Bridge in Healdsburg, with picnic grounds and bocce river-side, the Wine Goddess, vegetable gardens and grounds to explore, just outside the modern corrugated winery building housing the TR, great bar design and art on the walls, friendly, educated staff to guide the tasting. There is a special program if you are a Davis, too (click on the link to the left- not the button below)…cool, fun events-

There is also the Friends of the Family Wine Club- many ways to feel like part of the Davis family.

Bocce, picnic, relax- Russian River-side....

I love the Russian River...Davis Family has a great view!

You will see the Wine Goddess before she sees you....

Close up to show huge scale: larger-than-life size- much taller than your average Pinot Wine Goddess- and get a load of her matching vines....gardens, vegetable and flower, scattered at her feet....

Click here for details on the lovely sculptures…..

Interior of the TR- the lovely bar echoes gentle flow of the Russian River with its delicate curves and embedded gravel....

Back in the saddle again...this is winemaking, up close and personal, and very adjacent to the TR- you are right in the midst of the magic.

The River-emulating bar....

Art work glowingly captures the adjacent River and Fitch Mountain, the lovely RRV....

Click here for details on the local art.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Case Ranch Inn, RRV, private refuge, totally GREEN....

Case Ranch Inn, completely green, organic in produce and also in adjacent Case Ranch Vineyards, amazingly beer knowledgeable with Beer Tasting Weekends, concierge innkeepers/owners on premise, electric vehicle charging station, full breakfasts that are tailored to the guest, personal attention, private, quiet residential location, great gardens, three romantic well-tended-crafted rooms and cottage (with hot tub and kitchen) beckons and welcomes.  The romance in the shared lives of the resident owners- innkeepers is especially reflected in their lovely inn….

Sixth Annual Beer Tasting Weekends … Join Us!
This will be our 6th year offering Allan’s Beer Tasting Weekends and, for those of you who have not experienced one of our Beer Tastings, they are lots of fun and very informative. Our 2012 dates will be Feb. 18, March 17,  and April 21.

Our Beer Tastings are on the Saturday of the designated weekend from 5-6 PM, and require a 2-night stay. We serve appetizers at the Beer Tastings and all attending enjoy learning more about beer and the process of brewing and enjoying it. And don’t forget, you’ll meet new friends. There is no extra charge for these special events. Remember, as is true of wine, there is a beer for every food course.

Important: must request at time of booking.

Guest quote: “Allan gave us a beer tasting one night – we learned so much. I have a new appreciation for beer now – my college age sons are so proud!! We hated to leave and are eager to return.”

Using my trusty Wine Road map to navigate, I found that I went a wee bit astray- so, to make things even easier for you, here come the visuals:

Heading out River Road, watch for Burke's Canoe Trips so you know where to turn west on Mirabel Road.

If your interest is now piqued- well here is link to Burke’s Canoe Trips.

Pay attention!

Ditto....

Mirabel Road to west on Giusti Road....

Go right! (Young man....)

The approach....

Front porch.

I love original fixtures....

Front Victorian Parlor....

Heading upstairs....

A treasured print from the past...meaningful and very personal, now displayed in a guest room. You are now family....

Romantic details...hand-crafting, attention to the guest...comfort....

The Cottage- wow!

Mini-Kitchen in the Cottage!

View from the Cottage out into the garden.

The Cottage Private Hot Tub....

How can these touches just be casual? Not like at my house....

It is all in the details....

Organic figs.

Lovely grounds glowing with the fall...

Innkeeper/Owner constructed for guest enjoyment.

I so love this spot under the arbor....Case Ranch estate vineyards just beyond- organic Zin, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

Relax.

OMG- Persimmons!

Pomegranates? We are talking pomegranates?

Why yes! Pomegranates!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Allan's matching pumpkins- color coordinated with the Inn....

Allan & Diana, your hosts!

Dry Creek Vineyard, corner of Dry Creek Road and Lambert Bridge Road in the DCV, turn at the Dry Creek Store....

Founded in 1972 by David Stare, now with his daughter, Kim Stare Wallace and husband Don Wallace at the helm,  Dry Creek Vineyard, iconic, family-owned, run and loved, sustainable, was the first to plant Fume Blanc in the DCV and is the winery for those who love great wines and nautical ambiance and a sailing-yar feeling, with a spectacular and newly remodeled TR, and some of the best picnic grounds to be found, location for warm hospitality and staff for these many years.

Great wine clubs, with special F & B’s, a broad array of wines, fantastic food & wine pairing recipes, along with a charming, in-the-vines location, make DCV a destination.  Great blog, too: Wilma’s Wine World - nickname that Don gave Kim 20 plus years ago (like my nickname, “TR”- what my dad always called me…and until my blog, my most personal of names…also same initials as “Tasting Room”.)  I enjoy Kim’s blog- subscribe for a great read and insights into the wine industry from a true insider!

A sense of humor is very necessary with a blog; here is Kim Stare Wallace, aka Wilma, on Halloween....

Historic Dry Creek Store is handy for noting the turn west to Dry Creek Vineyard.

The approach....

Picnic spot extraordinaire!

The TR- hey, are we on a ship off the coast of Maine?

Nothing but smooth sailing here....

Nautical chandeliers....warm staff, great bar.

Imaginative nautical uses of barrel hoops.

While I was visiting the TR at DCV, my mind did stray, of course, to Sarah Orne Jewett’s COUNTRY OF THE POINTED FIRS about Maine and off course, E. Annie Proulx’s THE SHIPPING NEWS, Maine and New Newfoundland. The family love of sailing is readily apparent here.

Dry Creek Vineyard: an outpost of oceanic ensorcelled vines in the heart of the sea of Dry Creek Valley.

Here’s looking at you kids.

TR

Startlingly lovely...

Enchantingly, amazingly, gorgeously startling, the Fall colors along Wine Road make me stop and take notice; this is a time of reckoning with a true, easy to see change of seasons.  I have been reflecting on the past and looking towards winter while gazing at the amazing display of colors, caused by the cold at night (dipping into frosty temps); the leaves are dying with an amazing burst of colorful life at their demise.  The inexorable march of time exemplified….this year is showing colors better than I remember of late- each season along Wine Road is truly enchanted.

This idea of the beauty of the dying leaves was well expressed by Pookie Adams, played by Liza Minelli in THE STERILE CUCKOO-Wendell Burton is in this snap- you may recall him from the titular role in our local ACT production of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN…(though my parents tried to filter what films I saw, THE STERILE CUCKOO was a double-bill with TRUE GRIT- I ended up seeing it a ton of times…lots of bedroom scenes given the time frame of 1969….)

Oh, hi ho in the
lavender wood
A sterile cuckoo
is crying.
Oh, hi ho in the
lavender snow
A sterile cuckoo
is dying.
In the darkness of
her heart
It is always
three o’clock in the
morning.

These were just snapped on my visit out to the RRV yesterday and today toward Santa Rosa and in Healdsburg…wow- I am totally ensorcelled.

Right around the corner from the Wine Road Worldwide HQ.

I love Normandy poplars- reminds me of what our troops experienced there in WWI and WWII- and, as I wandered under the poplars today at Vinters Inn, the lovely smell of the leaves is a walk down memory lane, too....

Vines are lovely, too- but too much or the wrong colors can indicate vine disease....

The day draws to a close….

Out near Korbel.

Porter Creek....

Along Westside Road looking east....

Ditto.

The light dies as do the colors….

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Toyon berries brighten up the landscape all winter long and make the birds who eat them rather tipsy.

Stryker Sonoma along Highway 128 in the Alexander Valley.

Excellence in architectural design, execution and placement on the land shine at Stryker Sonoma, where the spectacular approach along the direct driveway through estate vineyards, Alexander Valley hills hovering, protecting  to the East, delivers guests to the wisteria-bedecked arbor entrance to fabulous wines, hospitality, tours by appointment and renowned special event and wedding site.  Home to Club Stryker Sonoma and delicious estate driven wines, centered on cab but with zin and chardonnay also included, hand-crafted with youthful enthusiasm and attention to quality, mostly directly sold to consumers, Stryker Sonoma completely delivers in the views, vistas and complete romantic feel of wine country; this place LOOKS like one might dream of a winery looking….ensorcelled on its hillside.

Approach to Stryker Sonoma- looking eastward.

The Wisteria Bedecked Arbor on way to the TR....

View west....

View east.

Vineyards Adventures available....

Stone wall at Styker that upon closer inspection features one of my favorite creatures: A Luna Moth!

Closeup...my daughter's least favorite creature...that crazy beautiful Luna Moth.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Crisp banners snapping in the Alexander Valley breeze- Welcome to Stryker Sonoma!

Camellia Inn- 1869 Italianate Victorian charm with all the modern amenities.

One of my favorite things is to host folks along Wine Road; nothing better than showing off all our fabulous members and our fantastic northern Sonoma County location, sharing my favorite places.   I am excited to escort journalist Marcia Frost out into the DCV- our day could easily be your day- so here we go!

I arrive at the romantic,  comfortable, convenient, cozy 1869 Italianate lovely Victorian Camellia Inn right after breakfast-time and scoop up journalist Marcia who has rested in a King room with fireplace and jacuzzi tub.  We are off, taking a scenic route through Healdsburg and out Dry Creek Road (it was pointed out to me that the addresses on Dry Creek Road correspond to how many miles out you are along this Enchanted Route- for example, 1000 Dry Creek Road is approx 1 mile out from the ‘burg….funny I never noticed this before- duh.)

First stop is Timber Crest Farms location, home to Papapietro Perry Winery:

Papapietro Perry up at Timber Crest Farms in the DCV...island of pinot in a sea of zinfandel....

Renae Perry and Marcia Frost at the woven-barrel stave bar....

Distinctive Papapietro Perry bottles, Greek Keys and "P's" shimmering in the fall sunshine.

The side patio/deck area bedecked in fall splendor.

Famous Winery Dog Mascot, Ruby, and I totally clicked today!

Next up, just across the way, the fabulous Family Wineries of Dry Creek Valley- now as always, 6 amazing wineries under one roof: Collier Falls, Dashe Cellars, Forth Vineyards, Lago di Merlo, Mietz Cellars,  & Philip Staley:

Marcia Frost with Hospitality Icon Glenn Dixon.

Zipping now next door to Kokomo Winery:

Ross James, Hospitality, Josh Bartels, Assistant Winemaker, and Marcia Frost....

Josh and Marcia, delving into wine varietals, history and vineyards....

Wine Road Rock Stars are up close and personal and AVAILABLE…you are often greeted by the owner, the winemaker, the principal….

Famous Kokomo Winery Mascot, Mitch, ready to play and ready for his closeup.

Next up, just back down Dry Creek Road to Lytton Springs, it is Mazzocco Sonoma Winery:

I called ahead, as can you, for the Jimtown Box Lunch and personal tasting….click here for details and here for the menu.

Our special VIP Mazzocco tasting with Wine Educator David Press.

Majestic Mazzocco.

You can be here, too- picture how amazing it is along Wine Road...what a day- and today it is early November and still picnic weather!

Back north now on Dry Creek Road to Yoakim Bridge Road to Raymond Burr Vineyards, my kind of spot- Della Street, Perry Mason and memorabilia, not to mention gracious staff in the TR and wines to enjoy.

Marcia and I approve this banner!

Raymond Burr graced 18 TV Guide covers!

Law Degree from McGeorge College of Law, Emmy Award in front....

Raymond Burr was fantastic on TV- but my favorite role was his bad guy in REAR WINDOW...scared the heck out of me...I used to see him in Healdsburg back in the day- one time I backed into him in Safeway- he was totally gracious about it- I looked up, to apologize to the guy I had backed into- and it was RAYMOND BURR! I will treasure that memory always...you may have noted how much I love films-

Heading down West Dry Creek now to Martorana Family Winery:

Martorana.

Gio Martorana (Himself!!) tastes Marcia Frost through his wines....

Such personal attention!

Martorana is wine and olive oil- 100% green and thoughtful.

5:00pm in upon us; a bit of rest until dinner at 7:00pm at Mateo’s Cocina Latina.  Let’s visit the Yucatan!

Some great Wine Road wines can be found here- like the Bjornstad Cellars Chardonnay and Nalle Zin...but I suspect that the 69 tequilas are also a draw.....I loved my dinner and promptly ate every bite.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Grace Kelly and Raymond Burr in my absolute favorite, Hitchcock's REAR WINDOW...oh and yes, Jimmy Stewart, so handsome, and Thelma Ritter, being all sassy, also star....

Much like Christmas or any anticipated, special days, A Wine & Food Affair 2011 has proven itself to be ephemeral and has joined the annals of memory.  I had a whirlwind of a time along Wine Road.  A brief run-down of my visits and thoughts- even though we had a wee spot of rain, the Fall in Northern Sonoma County is gorgeous- lots of spectacular foliage and last-roses-of-summer in all their autumnal glory:

I stopped first at Copain Wines, home of spectacular vistas and lovely, hospitality and wines.

Borrowed from an online portfolio- Fate stepped in and I did not get a single shot....

Onward to DeLoach Vineyards:

DeLoach check in table....

Photo opp with guests and The King.

Food's up!

Love that wine opener collection....

Made a circle route over to La Crema Winery next:

La Crema Winery - open just for special events.

La Crema vines right near the parking lot.

Next up, Sonoma-Cutrer:

Gorgeous fall color along walk into winery....

Sonoma-Cutrer....

@SonomaWilliam, #SimpleHedonisms, blogging away....

There were guests playing croquet- these were the types of guests who did not melt in a little misty rain!

Next up, bubbles and stills at Korbel:

Amazing, historic location....and bubbles!

Towards Guerneville to 116 south:

Russian River Vineyards:

I am very attracted to trompe l'oeuil....

Typical famous winery dog shot for me, in this case, Chester, who was very interested in the Filet Mignon being served.....

Next up: Dutton Estate Winery:

Last Hydrangea of summer at Dutton Estate.....

Heading now to Graton Ridge Cellars:

Autumnal scene at Graton Ridge.

Hey- new bocce court since I was here....

Spectacular trees....

Paella- and delicious I must add...

Amazing, hand-made bar with guest enjoying it....

Left: AW&FA 2011....

Winter Wineland to the right: #Wineland2012

Bella- and she is- but again, a typical Wine Time TR dog shot...She is under the paella pan- as was I.....

Just up the Wine Road is Lynmar Estate:

Quail Hill Vineyard.

I stayed in the RRV this year-but the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys had Wine Road AW&FA action too…one of my friends sent me this of Greg at Kachina Winery:

He, like I and all our members, send you cheers from our three Wine Road AVA’s in Northern Sonoma County: the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.

Next up is our 20th Winter Wineland!  If  you tweet: #wineland2012 .

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Wine Road Worldwide Headquarters....

A Wine & Food Affair is here! Today at Wine Road Worldwide HQ, we are finishing up the preparations for the winery member pick-up of supplies tomorrow.  We have the finalized RSVP lists and are ready to welcome each guest to the winery at which they have chosen to check in.  Each participating winery will attend a Wine Road A Wine & Food Affair Event Power Point Briefing tomorrow AM given by our ED, Beth- they will pick up their Event Envelope full of All Things Wine Road and away we go!  Members will come by our Wine Road HQ Warehouse to pick up their glasses, event wristbands, Programs, event instructions, signage, Designated Driver supplies, Calistoga Water- well, you name it, Wine Road has it!

Tomorrow is an anticipatory time, where Wine Road HQ staff gets to see Wine Road Member Wineries in one spot as they file through to pick up their event supplies on the eve of our premier event; exciting, fun, satisfying, special- that is the Wednesday before each and every one of our Wine Road Events!

THE Envelopes: READY TO GO!

Signage.

Green- Calistoga Water in 5 gallon refillable bottles....

For our Designated Drivers- DD's.

DD Mugs, green wristband and the TASTING ALONG THE WINE ROAD Volume 13 cookbook in a lovely display in our warehouse created by retail whiz Beth....

DD mugs- another display en warehouse by Beth....

Your special copy of the cookbook is here!

How will we sort all this out? Optima Cellars' very own Daniel will help us forklift out these materials- and then our members will arrive and our special assignement Warehouse Staff will load them up!

Watch for our green Wine Road Event reusable signs....

Event glasses.....

Winter Wineland next up on the batters' circle.

Warehouse Worldwide HQ- just like the Catalina Wine Festival, Ron Burgundy!

I love Member Pick Up Day; excitement, Cole Porter songs, the fusion of guest expectations with reality- the top!

Here’s looking at your, kids.

TR

Wednesday Member Pick Up Day Update:

Daniel unstacks the glasses- precarious! Finest, skilled, never-an-error Daniel!

A Kodak Moment: Beth Costa, ED with our Wine Road Board President, Bruce Thomas....

Kodak Moment Name Play: Richard RUED and Robert RUE....