Wine Road, 35 years in the making, is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, made up of ten winery members, three lodging members, and facilitated/implemented by our ED, Beth Costa, and her staff, Lynn Thomas, Wine Road Office Manager, and me, TR, Wine Road Member & Guest Concierge.   Annually, in April,  the Board takes a day to retreat to review, relaunch and regroup All Things Wine Road.  This year, the Retreat took us to Jenner Inn & Cottages & Restaurant, in Jenner-by-the-Sea, where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean at Goat Rock.   (Our host, Richard Murphy, is a founding member of Wine Road, and also, one of the longest standing current members of same!)

Many of us stayed the night, enjoying being a “regular guest along the Wine Road”.  We all are amazed by the changeability of the weather here- clear and sunny one moment, overcast the next, and topped off with an amazing 3AM rain deluge that rattled the buildings and windows with a romantic intensity not to be missed!

Lynn and I are in River House- three separate accommodations. I have Heron....

Just through the latticed gate, the stairs down to my room and the deck overlooking the river.

The Calla Lillies are in bloom, really they ahhre....

Trumpet Vines, too, spectacular here along the river, even though is it just mid-April.

Mid-way down my stairs, my door on the right.

My Adirondack chairs on my corner of the communal deck...

View upriver....

View downriver towards the Pacific, across the burgeoning springtime quilt of flowers.

Ditto....

Low tide....

View back towards my room....

Heron Room- mine!

My sweet, comfy blue & white haven, The Heron.

View from the bed....

View from my Sitting Area.

Nice attention to detail, lovingly tended by Richard Murphy...here an Eric Norstad blue sink and McIntyre Tile, hand-made in Healdsburg, CA.

More nice details...it is all in the details....

Lynn Thomas, on our deck...

The view from our hot tub.

Lynn and I go exploring to the west- view back.

Lynn entering the Wedding & Special Event Outdoor Site.

The view from the Wedding Gazebo.

More Calla Lilies in the main Dining Room.

White-linen bedecked dining set up for our Board & entourage, looking toward the Bar. This area is also where the hot and tasty full breakfast is served!

Onward to 2012-2013 along Wine Road…!

Here’s looking at you kids.

TR

Wine Road Mission Statement:

The mission of the Wine Road is to increase awareness of
Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys
through education and marketing while promoting
Sonoma County as the year-round wine country destination.

Battaglini Estate Winery, nestled behind gardens and vineyards, is on Piner Road in Santa Rosa, near the Olivet Road cross.

 Battaglini Estate Winery, where family runs the show, stars Giuseppe and Lucia Battaglini, creators of fine wines, warm hospitality and a very personal setting- not only is this their winery, but it is also their home.  Centrally located near Santa Rosa in the Russian River Valley, Battaglini wines center on a rich  assortment of vintages and styles of zinfandel, chardonnay and petite syrah, offering up their 1885 Wine Club and special events , as well as being a participant in the Follow the Olivet Road group.  Piner Road, traveling west from Santa Rosa, is a true country road- keep watch for Battaglini on the southern side of this rather narrow lane- the sign comes up before you know it.  The drive, which is gated, meanders past the family home to the colorful TR, winery building and new, larger facility, just open for BT 2011.  The scene is personal, intimate and warm. Be sure to call ahead- open by appointment.  Also, by special arrangement, Vineyard and Winery Walk-About with Giuseppe Battaglini himself where you will learn his motto: “Viti Vecchie, Vino Buono!” (“Old Vines, Great Wine!”)

Giuseppe "Joe" Battaglini- a great collector and wearer of hats....

Lucia "Lucy" Battaglini- camera shy- had to resort to this professional shot from website....

BT 2011...No Buses means NO buses...very small space here- Giuseppe himself had to direct this bus out- he is very accessible in every way!

Giuseppe in the barrel room, walking me through the operation. (He often schools me in the proper Italian pronunciation of "Battaglini"....)

From left, Michael Stachowski, Lucia Battaglini, Carol-Lynn Stachowski, Giuseppe Battaglini.

On one of my visits, I met Michael and Carol-Lynn Stachowski, newly married, from Buffalo, New York, here on their honeymoon and visiting their favorite  Battaglinis, a winery stop some years back that turned into friendship.  That about sums up a visit to Battaglini: you will be welcomed and you will return a friend.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Korbel California Champagne: Home to amazing history, tours, Champagne, still wines and brandies...and Deli! (Facebook photo.)

My shot just the other day...Spring is overtaking winter; the Korbel Gardens will open for tours this week.

Korbel Champagne Cellars,  a name surely synonymous with American Celebration, is a gorgeous spot in the redwoods, surrounded by estate vineyards, including very historical buildings, accessible history, delicious Deli and tours that are captivating, ending with Champagne tastings in the elegant TR.  During the warmer months, the Gardens may also be toured.  The Korbel Family, true entrepreneurs in every sense of the word, made the most of everything they touched.  I caught an early afternoon tour, starting in the old Korbel Railroad building, the last vestige of the railroad the family built to ship their redwood lumber to San Francisco. Check out the family photos;  I love how they cleared the land, tried plums, grapes, cows for dairy, hops- innovative and pragmatic to find what worked best in this fertile, river location: Champagne Grapes!  And, as they say, the rest is history!  We saw a bit of the grounds, then headed down into the cellars, for a great video (very Soaring over California in feeling- a great sense of history and place very well produced and delivered), a view of the museum, artifacts and photos, then on into the cellars to learn about the huge wine casks, riddling, disgorgement, corks, tastes- well, everything you need to know about Korbel Champagne.

The Korbel Brothers, left to right, Joseph, Anton, Francis. This photo was snapped back in the mid-1800's, not on my recent visit. Amazing photos to check out; love it!

The approach off River Road....

Springtime garden glory on the approach to Korbel winery from the visitor parking lot....

I cannot get enough of the historical architecture! This building sported actual armed gun turrets at one point, this location being in the middle of nowhere at one time...on the frontier! Fire and the '06 Earthquake cannot daunt this lovely edifice. My Grandfather was born in 1886....

The Korbel RR Station...Disney borrowed heavily from this historical sort of edifice for Disneyland RR stations....

Just behind the little depot, lovely flowers cascade...even early in the season, the loving attention to detail in Korbel grounds and gardens is evident.

Ditto.

View from behind the depot building, under the redwood tree.

Looking up at the historical redwood tree...wow....

A Fairy Circle of redwoods nearby.

Scoping out the vanished, obsolete gunner turrets.

Grapes!

The recreated, exact replication of the prison tower that figured prominently in the Korbel story- learn about it in the tour video...damaged in the big one in 1906, but reinforced internally.

The Tower immortalized in the Korbel museum.

Walls of Korbel Champagne bottles....

As I mentioned, great historical archives...history truly comes alive at Korbel.

One of my favorite Korbel pieces- we have it at the Wine Road World HQ, too.

Heading down cellar....amazing!

Wow! Huge, impressive, unexpected....

This place is built to last....

Wow- history in the making! See the wooden candle-holders for the cellar workers? Korbel later innovated an automated riddling "machine" that revolutionized the way the Methode Champenoise sparklers are produced....

Mr. DeMille's closeup of the candle holder....

A sea of Champagne bottles in the cellars....Love the history, the dust, the magic of the Korbel Bubbles!

The Korbel-innovated riddling process....goodbye carpal tunnel syndrome!

Clever riddler...riddle me this, Batman, riddle me that!

Walls of case boxes...

On the left, the World's Largest Crystal Champagne Glass, on the right, a mighty big bottle of Korbel created for the 2000 New Year...not sure what Biblical moniker corresponds to this size bottle....

Awkward for toasting. Maybe better for swimming.

Large romantic gesture, yet very impractical. (Also a description of my actions....)

Another great photo: The days of old....see the RR tracks?

The elegant, chandelier-bedecked TR. Redwood ceilings....

The Korbel homestead.

The route to the secret, gorgeous Korbel gardens....

There is magic at Korbel; they have it all!  I am also intrigued by some of the still wine varietals made from tiny lots of left-over juice  from their Champagne production- very small lots that are reserved exclusively for the  Wine Club,  just like joining the family. I loved my visit!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

John Beck Himself; talented, humble and loveable....

John Beck, auteur wunderkind of many a Wine Road Video, was so inspired by a night harvest shoot at Foppiano that he filmed for us, that his focus and muse went to the production of his newest feature-length documentary film, HARVEST, recently premiered at the 15th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival and executive produced by Wine Road Northern Sonoma County.  John’s aim:

My name is John Beck and as the director of “Harvest” I set out with one mission: To transport the viewer into the vineyards during the most chaotic time of year.

Clever, evocative logo and graphic....

Feeling much like A-Lister types,  Beth and I and our entourage headed over to the Sebastiani Winery Barrel Room for the premiere screening of HARVEST.  The room was packed and viewers were attentive, receptive and appreciative.  Guest stars lit up the room from the ensemble cast; from women on the unusual All Female Picking Crew to Vineyard Managers, Winery Owners, Winemakers and Film Crew folks…of course, including John Beck.

Beth Costa, John Beck and TR (Photo credit: Patricia Jahne Keenan)

The appreciative crowd....

John in the Q & A after the film....

Sebastiani Barrel Room- impressive, huge, carved wine casks line the walls of our screening venue.

The Wine Reception, the milling throngs....

Wine Time TR LOVES the movies and is often Star Struck and Lunar Influenced....and HARVEST delivers!

HARVEST documents the ill-fated, incredibly difficult 2011 Harvest.  Among others, the film also touches on a number of Wine Road Wineries:

Harvest Moon and Randy Pitts

Foppiano Winery and Paul Foppiano (and/or Brian Wilson.)

A. Rafanelli Winery and Shelly Rafanelli-Fehlman & Dave Rafanelli

Balletto Winery and her Field of Dreams Baseball Diamond

The film chronicles just what happens in a number of interesting harvest venues, including centering on an All Female Picking Crew, daunting. amazing, unsettling stories of immigration to America from Mexico, discussion of fair wages, unfair wages, Grape Camp attendees, touching remembrances of harvests past, hopes for harvests future, differences in culture, marauding wild pigs, impromptu baseball games, loyalty, sacrifice and hope.  Lots of press,  and here is one of my favorite evocative, descriptive, well-written reviews.

It is opined here that women tend to be, generally, more meticulous in picking than the average fellow- thus, lower wages, based on how labor value is measured....these bins weigh between 40 and 50 pounds when filled- difficult work....

All dolled up a the premiere, tough to recognize anyone from the film...

Just like Cannes....yet further east....

The Hollywood-like Sunset gracing the western sky as I left the screening of HARVEST; palm trees, fairly ubiquitous in California, I suppose....

Check out this film!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

The poster for Pick of the Vine 2012

Pick of the Vine, the 25th incarnation of this lovely food and wine gala and silent and live auction, a benefit for the Senior Advocacy Services Ombudsman Program, Santa Rosa, California, presented by Wine Road Northern Sonoma County,  is a perennial favorite and darling of locals.  A boon to the community with good works, SAS is looking for volunteers to benefit the elders in our community.  Their  unique Ombudsman Program exemplifies just what an  “ombudsman” does and should do- ( a great word- almost an onomatopoeia, and one of my favorites):

plural om·buds·men
Definition of OMBUDSMAN
1
: a government official (as in Sweden or New Zealand) appointed to receive and investigate complaints made by individuals against abuses or capricious acts of public officials
2
: one that investigates, reports on, and helps settle complaints.

What a great organization! Anyone on the lookout for capricious acts gets my vote!

Here is the Mission:

Senior Advocacy Services

Promotes the health, dignity, rights and quality of life of seniors and disabled in the North Bay. We offer services that make a difference in people’s lives, helping seniors select the best housing and insurance options for their needs and protecting the rights and well-being of people living in long-term care facilities. We are supported by federal and state programs, community funds and contributions from foundations and generous individuals who care about the quality of life of all of our citizens.

Senior Advocacy Services is a non-profit agency created in June 2000 by bringing together services that have been in operation since 1980.

 ” OUR AGENCY VALUES DIVERSITY – Whatever your age, ethnicity, religion, country of origin, language, abilities, sexual orientation, or gender . . . you are welcome here.”

Their gala evening includes fantastic food, wines, live music, local celebrities, a silent auction and a live auction.  It is a hot ticket! A great cause!

Carlene Rue!

Carlene and enthusiastic zinfandel taster!

Trentadue Winery:

Evelyn Trentadue!

Hook & Ladder:

Christine DeLoach!

Martorana Family Winery:

Evan Erickson from Martorana!

Graton Ridge Cellars:

Sue Bonzell, on the right...!

Kelley & Young Winery: (Welcome Wine Road’s newest member!)

Kathleen Kelley Young!

Twomey Cellars

Sunce Winery & Vineyard:

 

Consulting and conversation....Twomey and Sunce!

Papapietro Perry Winery:

Bev @ Papapietro Perry!

SAY goals....

Silent auction quilt...

Magnum Madness up for auction!

Live Auction awesome getaway to Sea Ranch!

The Wineries!

Awaiting the advent of the live auctioneer!

Pedroncelli Winery:

Julie "Polly Purebred" Pedroncelli St John!

Mill Creek Vineyards:

Bruce Thomas, Mill Creek, and Wine Road Board of Directors President!

Acorn Winery/Alegria Vineyards:

Romantic Betsy & Bill Nachbaur, Acorn Winery/Alegria Vineyards

Alexander Valley Vineyards:

AVV!

Field Stone Winery & Vineyard:

Elizabeth Tessier, Great Shoes Woman, Field Stone Winery!

Bluenose Wines:

Ou est Paul Brasset?

Korbel Champagne Cellars:

Korbel! (Happy Birthday Sam!)

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

 

Cindy Wolter, Innkeeper/Proprietor, welcomes you to the English Tea Garden Inn. (Gus Wolter, not pictured, but very much evident....)

The English Tea Garden Inn, has had many incarnations since 1879, the year it was built, including emergency hospital and nurses’ quarters, and now it is a lovingly restored historic bed & breakfast inn, tucked away in a tree-lined residential neighborhood, just off the main drag in Cloverdale, the top of the Alexander Valley, especially well-known for its candle-light full breakfasts and concierge service.

A full, gourmet, romantic candle-lit breakfast service....

Four floral-moniker-ed, graceful, elegant suites, each with a private entrance, Specials that assist even the last minute traveler as well as the availability of amenities- like fresh roses and chilled sparkling wine- as well as old-fashioned white wicker furniture on a cool, breezy porch make this a romantic destination.  Lots of nearby activities and restaurants to stroll and explore.  This B & B strives to completely change the perception that some guests have of a B & B stay- this is a romantic Victorian with comfortable, modern touches, warmth and hospitality, and also privacy.

Cindy and Katie on the front porch- Katie is the Famous Cloverdale Rescue Dog- now at home!

When I snapped this closeup of Katie, she was brand-new to the Wolters' and their inn. She is such a sweetie!

Located at the intersection of Romance and Hospitality, where the redwoods meet the vines....

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

My doctor once noted that everyone, to at least one someone, is a rock star.  I think that is true- and to broaden that concept, for me, each of our winery members houses a rock star or two and IS a rock star, too- double whammy.  I am enthusiastic and romantic about wines and wineries and have, very likely, found my perfect calling here along Wine Road where these Rock Stars are incredibly accessible.  Like being able to call up Gaga or chat with Blythe Danner or Ewan McGregor,  my celebrity wineries are friendly with their legions of fans and are truly Wine Road Rock Stars ….

They share their newest endeavors, willingly.

They share their latest accolades, proudly.

They share their whereabouts when on the road, happily.

They invite you to their special events, joyfully.

Gaga

Kathleen Inman

Ewan McGregor

Antoine Favero

Blythe Danner

Diane Wilson

Colin Firth

Rod Berglund

Adrian Brody

Darek Trowbridge

And hey! Remember this? Altruism, thy name is Wine Road Rock Stars!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Related:

Inman Family Wines

Wilson Winery

Mazzocco Sonoma Winery

Joseph Swan Vineyards

Old World Winery

Robert Rue Vineyard- Century old vines, careful attention to Zinfandel Detail! Zinfandetail? So right! So true! So very RUE!

Robert Rue Vineyard , hidden away, yet oh-so accessible off of Fulton Road, on Wood Road, part of the Santa Rosa Wine Trail, surrounded by Rue estate vineyards,  makes me think ZinZinZinZin!  With these carefully nurtured, hand-crafted and lovingly presented wines by Carlene Rue and Robert Rue (Himself) you know that you cannot possibly go wrong- this place is so right!  So true!  So very RUE!  Great TR, ready to welcome you, great Century Wine Club, always ready with The Rue News, coming attractions,  lots of chocolate pairings, gracious regular days and awesome Event presence, and Wilson, the cutest dachshund in the world.

Carlene and Robert Rue.

Wilson Rue.

Robert Rue!

I plan to do just that....

Robert Rue- affectionately known at "Himself"....

Robert at BT 2011- ever gracious and informative- accessible!

Wilson- always available...sweetest dog ever...

Sweet young Barrel Tasting couple at Robert Rue- posing with the impressive vineyard vehicle.

Robert Rue greets you with open arms, ready to share their exquisite wines and stories.  Always welcoming- during an event or on a weekday or weekend- Rue stands for warm hospitality.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Bob and Carlene ever hospitable on a Concierge Fam Tour....

Historic Vintage Towers Bed & Breakfast Inn is nestled in the little town of Cloverdale, at the very northern top of the Alexander Valley.

Vintage Towers Bed & Breakfast Inn, stately 1901 Queen Anne Victorian, which is also included on the U.S. Historic Register, has had incarnations as a hospital, private home and is now a lovely, garden-wrapped inn, featuring seven antique-furnished rooms, including four elegant suites with fireplaces with all the modern conveniences. Innkeepers Don and Mary Stuart prepare a fantastic three-course gourmet breakfast and afternoon refreshments. Check their specials!  You can relax on the wisteria-covered wrap-around veranda with swing,  in the gazebo, by the Koi pond or stroll the  extensive flower and vegetable gardens.  It seems like you have taken a step back to a quieter era, and yet you are only one block to the Cloverdale plaza, dining, shops and spa- there is even a movie theatre and the impressive Cloverdale Performing Arts Center.  Don & Mary are your very hospitable,  personal concierges and are very knowledgeable about the area.

Welcome to Vintage Towers!

Ahoy, you Koi....

The back....

The front....

The closeup, Mr. DeMille....

If visiting during the summer and fall months, be sure to check out the Friday Night Live at the Plaza and Cloverdale Certified Farmers Market, an easy walk from Vintage Towers and such fun in this charming, small town affectionately known as The ‘dale.

Lots of close-by wineries to the south- like Valdez Family Winery, Silver Oak, and all the gang along Chianti Road, then towards DCV, or AV- or head into Geyserville.    And of course, there is always the Russian River, too!  (Good old River Slavianka…historical, just like Vintage Towers!)

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Along Wine Road, one of the most popular guest queries is: “Give me the 411; what is happening (on a specific date.)?”

This billboard is not as talkative as the one in "LA Stories"....

(Actual guests may not use that exact phraseology- but I get the gist of what they want, being their clever concierge….) Guests are planning their visits here carefully and far in advance, and want to get the most out of their visit to Wine Road.

To provide our guests with all the up-to-the-minute information, we have our Wine Road Events Calendar, that builds constantly with information submitted by our member wineries and lodgings.  Literally, new information is added here all the time, and sometimes right before the event is about to happen.  Talk about current, mercurial….  So it is important to check back often.  We have the  information for you.  This is a Chameleon Calendar, quickly changing!

The Chameleon Calendar inspires admiration! (We shy away from Shock & Awe....)

Hmmm- the Universal Symbol for Information- is it as "Universal" as the designations for WC?

Oops- HAD to look- good symbol use all around:

Yes- EXCELLENT use of Universal (or at least International) Symbols. (My dad once told travelers in Greece that "WC" stood for "Wesleyan Church"...the best joke ever...)

But I digress.  We have all the essential information for you on our website right at your fingertips- and if you need a reminder to check it, and to buy tickets to the three Wine Road Annual Events, including our Every Day Event, Ticket to the Wine Road,  there is nothing like a subscription to our monthly e-news, “My Wine Road”!   (Request a copy of the newest Wine Road map while you are signing up!)   You will no longer have to remember to even look- we will just gently remind you.  So easy….I think that the timely purchasing of tickets to our Annual Events is one of the favorite features of the e-news.

My Wine Road Monthly e-News: No reminders necessary! (Shutterstock photo....)

Guests sense that time is passing and that the best laid plans of mice and men, are those plans that are actually laid…excuse the use of the verb that ladies are not to utter.

"Tempis fugit"sounds oh-so-much better than "time flees"....look at these poor beings in the image....trapped in the ever shifting sands of time- rather like our Wine Road Event Calendar....

To remind myself of things, I am the Queen of Post-It Notes- but I guess, with all our online presence these days, I am rather living in the past.

I LOVE Post-It notes! (Just ask Beth Costa....)

Mysterious, impressive- just like the Wine Road Event Calendar!

Wine Road Members adding their awesome events to the Wine Road Event Calendar.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Related that I like:

Sonoma County Tourism Event Calendar

Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Event Calendar

Wine Road Event Calendar- Mysterious enough to be endorsed by Bill & Ted on their Excellent Time Traveling Adventure. (Ted LOGAN, remember- another Keanu Reeves performance.)