West Wines, on your left, heading north, just one mile out Dry Creek Road from Healdsburg, under the gorgeous oak tree, nestled in the vines....

West Wines, aptly named so by proprietors/partners, Katarina Bonde and Bengt Akerlind, as their vineyards are located on the western slope of Dry Creek Valley, in the western part of Sonoma County, one of the westernmost wine producing areas in California, way out in the western hemisphere,  produces lovingly made varietals focusing on chardonnay, viognier, cabernet sauvignon and a proprietary Bordeaux style-red, West Crest Cuvee, (the latter two aged in oak for two years), working hand-in-hand with winemaker Phyllis Zouzounis  to make magic from their very own estate West Vineyards  in the DCV.  The winery and TR sit right in the vineyards, with cool, transparent doors that open up the barrel room to the TR and the TR to the outdoors.  The sweet vintage flatbed truck can provide a lift into the vineyards down towards Dry Creek or you can wander the vineyard on foot, past the cool old redwood barn that graces the property.  There is also a lovely rental vacation home under the gracious oak tree, beautifully decorated and furnished with Swedish colors and style by Katarina, who really reminds me of Ingrid Bergman in voice and appearance.

Exterior of the winery's TR with that great oak....

Closer...note the glass door.

You are there! (Vacation rental is just over that fence....)

View from the patio outside the TR, looking, ahem, WEST....

Just to the right of the rental cottage- what a view!

Good Old American Ford.

Katarina and Bengt-(or Ingrid & Cary?) pose for me by the truck- very discreet....

Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, "Indiscreet".

Interior of the TR. Barrel Room is opened up by that clever glass door....

View out of the TR (clever door) looking (ahem) WEST.

I LOVE this story:

Framed photo of the Nobel Prize dinner at which West Wines Cabernet Sauvignon was served to the Nobel Prize laureates, the Swedish royal family, and the 1300 attendees.

WEST IS A NOBEL WINE

West Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005 was paired with the main course at the Nobel Banquet in Stockholm, Sweden 2010, as the first American wine to be served at this distinguished event ever!

How cool is that?  The Swedish heritage is evident in the thoughtful, working, clever design of the winery, the colors and furnishings in the TR and vacation cottage, and such charming touches as the elegant chandelier over the bar:

Elegant and unexpected and absolutely a perfect touch....

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Sheldon Winery: "The Wine WARRIORS! Listen to the music, Enjoy the journey, Drink the wine." Dylan was just about to put this sign up on the building when I snapped it....

 Sheldon Winery, on Santa Rosa’s Vintners’ Square, sharing space with Krutz Family Cellars, is a true, romantic micro-winery adventure.  Tobe, “Fearless Leader & Resident Wino”, and Dylan Sheldon, “Chief Alchemist & Barrel Monkey”, epitomize romance- and have made their winery dreams come true, producing very small lots, under 1000 cases produced annually.  Tobe Sheldon, also the Founder of  The Sippy Room, (aka, sometimes, the Sippy Lounge) expresses it better nor I:

Unfiltered and un-fined because sterile wines have no soul. It’s just me, Dylan and the dingos. We are a micro-winery. Hand harvested, foot stomped, basket pressed, hand bottled and hand labeled. Quality control experienced nightly!  Cheers, Tobe

Dylan and Tobe Sheldon

A more whimsical versions of the Sheldons....

The Dirt,  The Juice (chardonnay, viognier, pinot noir, Vinolocity, petite sirah- from carefully chosen, distinct vineyards),  The Club, The Shenanigans…the humor and affection of the Sheldons is evident in every pour….

The beginnings....

The Life....

Alive, Awake, Free….Most Likely Delusional….with words like that to live by, the journey will always be joyous.

Awesome chair at the Sippy Room....

The Sippy Room has the only bed in a Tasting Room setting that I have ever seen- and I have seen many, as I am Wine Time TR....

A major Wine Work in Progress.

The TR is wrapped in the working winery....

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

The Weatherly Cuvee Image- I have it on a favorite glass that holds pencils and pens on my Wine Road River Office desk. It was created by Tobe's mother....I just love this image....

I am the Wine Road Member & Guest Concierge- I administer to our Wine Road Winery and Lodging Members- and in so doing, learn all about them, blog them- and then help guests effectively travel the Wine Road, pointing them in directions that their interests and preferences indicate will make their personalized best visit ever in terms of lodging, wineries, restaurants, touring, recreation- well, All Things Wine Road.

A Hotel Concierge:

In hotels, a concierge assists guests with various tasks like making restaurant reservations, arranging for spa services, recommending night life hot spots, booking transportation (limousines, airplanes, boats, etc.), procurement of tickets to special events and assisting with various travel arrangements and tours of local attractions. In upscale establishments, a concierge is often expected to “achieve the impossible”, dealing with any request a guest may have, no matter how strange, relying on an extensive list of contacts with local merchants and service providers.

Rather like a Jack-or-Jill-of-All-Trades:

Or perhaps a bit like sparkly Michael J. (“J” is for Jello) Fox as a concierge on film:

Or perhaps omniscient and all powerful:

Is it Kali? or TR planning a Wine Road Adventure Itinerary?

What everyone wants nowadays....even physicians provide concierge service (like on that addictive show, "Royal Pains"...but they are in Hamptons- not at all as cool as Wine Road.

But Hank is awfully cute....anyway, I digress in a Concierge Riff.

I belong to the Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma (CANVAS), a membership organization of hospitality folks and businesses in the Wine Country- one of the coolest things that CANVAS does is provide educational and networking events.  Recently, I attended an evening at Gary Farrell Winery, with a distinguished panel speaking on the Russian River Valley AVA.  Not only was it a chance to visit the spectacular Gary Farrell Winery, but I was able to meet  transportation, restaurant and winery staff, as well as other concierges and hospitality professionals- well, a great group from Napa and Sonoma counties- who work with Wine Road: one more way to help me make a visit to Wine Road a complete visit.

I parked behind the winery, and noted the darkening sky as evening descended on this very faux Spring-like day.

Top of the Gary Farrell driveway, redwoods, view west.

Setting up in the courtyard....

The spectacular wood-beamed soaring ceiling in the TR.

TR fireplace takes off the increasing chill of the evening. Spring is not yet sprung after all.

I am now going to borrow some great shots off of the CANVAS Facebook taken by professional, Wright's Photography.

Wright’s Photography- check them out!

Paradise Winery, starring Sonia Byck-Barwick and Dan Barwick:

Dan and Sonia. (Wright's Photography.)

Sonia and Tracy (Wright's Photography)

Inside the Barrel Room, the attentive attendees learn from the panel.... (hey, I am on the left!) (Wright's Photography.)

Just like school- but I get to have wine and my BlackBerry....

The Panel Supreme on RRV: Kirk Lokka, Susan Reed, Duskie Estes, Ramon Meraz. (Wright's Photography.)

Duskie Estes- a contestant on Iron Chef and owner/chef/awesome person of Bovolo, zazu and Black Pig Meat Co.

Duskie- love those cowboy boots! (Wright's Photography.)

Check her out on our Wine Road Concierge Section, Restaurants.

Meeting up with Dan from Platypus Tours and Rick Bidia of Gary Farrell. (Photo by Wright's Photography.)

Platypus Tours- on the Wine Road Concierge Section under Transportation.

Sunset by Wright's Photography.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

“The concierge is the Winnipeg equivalent of a geisha.” Michael Scott.

Krutz Family Cellars, centrally located on Santa Rosa Vintners' Square, shares a space with Sheldon Winery, offering tasty wines in the aptly nicknamed, "Sippy Lounge".

Krutz Family Cellars, ensconced in the Urban Wine District of Cleveland Avenue, in downtown Santa Rosa, brings a lovely vibe of Southern Hospitality Philosphy mixed with down-home family involvement mixed with delicious wine production.  Heck- KFC are the initials for KRUTZ FAMILY CELLARS – and also Kentucky Fried Chicken…though the Krutz family is from Mississippi; truly, the Southern drawl apparent in Patrick and Cole is amazingly welcoming; you know what suckers Californians are for accents!

The magnolia flower- a symbol of ole Miss and all the warm hospitality it engenders, is the logo for Krutz Family Cellars.

Family- emphasized here....

Their TR and production facility are both under one roof, and they offer up that you can just holler to contact them.  They are ready to welcome you, providing a concierge level of service to make sure that your visit is all you want it to be.

Up close production....

Even closer....

The Magnolia Club, the Krutz Family Wine Club, will include you in all Krutz goings-on, just like family.  You can even share the family recipes!  Checking things out on Facebook and such, I find this intriguing item:

THIRSTY THURSDAYS -  Come join us and the other wineries at Vintners’ Square, 1301 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa, for $5 glasses of wine, food trucks, Bocce Ball, and music.  Hours are from 4 to 8pm.

Check it out further- this is fun for locals and visitors alike!  And it IS amazing how much fun it is to hang out with the principals at a winery- that is what Wine Road is all about!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Watch for the signs!

We are working here- but you are always welcome- (Hey- must be that Southern Hospitality!)

D'Argenzio Winery- a visit to Italia!

Santa Rosa, home to Snoopy and Charlie Brown, is convenient to Highway 101- especially on your trip up 101 from SF or back down 101 to your Bay Area home. Right off Highway 101 is a step back to an Italian village.   D’Argenzio Winery is the founder of  this cool, new, innovative, urban, wine destination, part of the Santa Rosa Wine Trail, sharing Vintners’ Square with The Wineyard, Sheldon Wines & Krutz Family Cellars.

Ray D’Argenzio, whose surname translates: “People of Silver” and his daughter, Breanna, now also making wine, greet me.  Their delight and pride in their family winery and endeavors are evident.  They share a wine and food pairing with me, highlighting the different varietals they produce, especially from the Russian River Valley.  Their Wine Club, Primo, with different levels of same, their special events, including Wine Down Eat Up Thursday with awesome wines, atmosphere and special food truck are becoming legendary with locals and visitors alike.  This is a one stop wine stop- they will bring the vineyards to you!  Hey- and you can be part of it all with their blog!

I am here on the first day of Spring....

Santa Rosa? or Tuscany?

D'Argenzio or, perhaps, Venice? Check out the wine bottle wall- my favorite!

The back terrace- perfect for picnicking- and- BOCCE!

The TR Bar....

Chalk Art- Was Alec Baldwin here?

"Divorce Italian Style"? "La Dolce Vita"? "Cinema Paradiso"?

Bella! Romantico....

ALL the special touches....

The wine is LEANING towards Italia....

Speaking of leaning....

I think that I just saw Sophia Loren....

OMG! The cool passageway into the Special Secret Barrel Room...I LOVE the wine bottles embedded in the walls! and the curved, small doorways...romantic.

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Breanna and Charlie.

Ray and Breanna at the D'Argenzio TR bar.

Jerry Nunn & TR: Wine Road Adventurers (photo: Jerry Messina)

Chicago journalist extraordinaire, Jerry Nunn, and I have the chance to head out for some non-Barrel Tasting adventures along Wine Road.

Calls with Annie Potts and Joan Rivers made our drive through the Dry Creek Valley particularly stellar!

Jerry flies into SFO- for his very first trip to San Francisco, and northern Sonoma County, a.k.a:  Wine Road.  I meet him at his member lodging, Bella Villa Messina, just finishing his sumptuous breakfast prepared by innkeepers, Jerry and Harold.

Bella Villa Messina: Snap by Jerry Nunn. Great accommodations, location, innkeepers and views of all three of the Wine Road AVA's: Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.

Jerry and I head first to nearby neighbor, Manzanita Creek Winery- Great Wines, No Scenery, Never Boring-  just a hop-skip-jump south on Grove Street, in the Garagiste Section of Healdsburg.  Home to an array of varietals, and the Yes You Can Plan Wine Club, with The Salerno Brothers at the helm, Manzanita Creek educates us on farming techniques, ecological concerns, water wars in the state of CA, how to leave less of a footprint on the land…well, we have lots of lively conversation.

Jack Salerno of Manzanita Creek Winery leads our tour....

Starting in the TR/Barrel Room, we taste through some wines, then head next door to the tank room and learn the scoop.

Working winery....

Heading north, further into the Alexander Valley, we have plans for lunch at Francis Ford Coppola’s Winery at his restaurant,  RUSTIC, Francis’s Favorites- as well as an awesome tour of the bottling line, Academy Award Memorabilia, pool, cabines- well, All Things FFC!

Jerry by TR @ the gates of Francis Ford Coppola: channeling Maria in that great opening shot in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. (I look much more like Julie Andrews, though....)

Ah- Jerry finds the memorabilia right away- here is Bram Stoker's DRACULA by Jerry. (Who fits in that white dress??)

The day is wintry, so we eat inside in the dining room, comfy booth with views of the Alexander Valley, Geyser Peak and Mt. St Helena in the distance… greatly enjoying Coppola wines, viognier and pinot noir…with his Rack of  Lamb Madame Bali and my perennial  favorite, Francis’s Favorite Cobb Salad.

Fabulous FFC Cobb Salad! (Photo: Marcia Frost)

We are next spirited away with James for our fabulous tour:

Jerry enjoys a tranquil moment out by the pool...Teepee also houses the FFC Children's Library in the summer months.

The pool and cabines from a "behind the scenes" vantage point....

I cannot get enough of watching the bottling line....especially so when it is running....

Secret observation hallways.

The very-impressive, off-the-beaten-track tank room.

FFC Barrel Room....

The last look back- a fond farewell, as we head over to the Dry Creek Valley.

Utilizing Lambert Bridge Road, we head over to the Dry Creek Valley, to our next destination- Nalle Winery, where it is just about as “family” as it can get.  It is just minutes away- after all, we ain’t Heaven Condensed for nothing!  Nalle Winery- where they insist that wine makes you smart- and I am the poster girl for that….

Dry Creek Valley zinfandel, pinot noir, chardonnay, sometimes a sauv blanc- family produced deliciousness.

Old Zinfandel vines surround the above-ground-rosemary-covered-cave which houses the winery.

The iron rich, red, fecund soils of this part of the DCV....

Famous Nalle Above-Ground-Rosemary-Covered-Cave.

Andrew Nalle, left, and Jerry, inside of the Cave....Lila says "time to play super soggy tennis ball!".....

Pella....

"Wha'? My ear is stuck...."

Lila: "Ballballballballballballballballballballballballballball...."

"PleaseJerrypleaseJerrypleaseJerrypleaseJerry...."

"Lila is intense...."

"JerryJerryJerryJerryJerryJerryJerryJerryJerry!!!" Ah, the price of journalistic fame.

Doug and Andrew Nalle explain it all. (Not pictured, who were also explaining it all: Lee Nalle & Stephanie Callimanis.)

Wine Road is an amazing eclectic blend of winery members- from the garagiste, to the famous, big names (still families), to the awesome small family-owned, to the corporate biggie, to the 300 case really tiny producer- here it is all personal, and the principals are always evident and accessible.

Heading now over to the Russian River Valley- I am bound and determined to have Jerry Nunn experience all three of our AVA’s on my ambitious, achievable itinerary.  On the way, we stop by the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, and zip into the TR, home to the amazing Wine & Food Experiences, say hello, then head out into the gardens- kitchen, affinity and then the demo vineyards.

Kendall-Jackson Wine Center- a.k.a, KJWC.

We head out River Road to Slusser to Russian Hill Estate:  amazing views, panoramas….

Wow- what a view from Russian Hill....

The hop kiln barns/kilns over at the neighbor, Sonoma-Cutrer....

Heaven (Condensed)....

Jerry, left, and charming, educational proprietor Edward Gomez....we are on the back patio with the amazing views.

Off we go on a behind-the-scenes-tour with winemaker, Patrick Melley, with new puppy in tow….we learn about cool climate here and the varietals that do well- especially their pinot noir and chardonnay, small-lot winemaking, and all about the Russian Hill Winery Team.

Heading out Slusser, we pop into next-door neighbor, Sonoma-Cutrer, more views, vistas and the amazing UK medieval, or perhaps Yucatan-design reminiscent croquet courts:

Where is Alice? And those flamingos....?

Heading north again back to Bella Villa Messina so that Jerry might have moments to rest up before dinner- he will attend the lovely cocktail hour with his hosts.

I have Jerry in my Wine Road Mobile again- and off we go to dinner at Mateo’s Cocina Latina.  Amazing!  Lovely! Completely delicious.  Just this morning, SF Chron food critic, Michael Bauer, had written up Mateo’s scary monkey-face eel- really a  fish presentation- so everyone is positively clamoring to have this.

Here is ours- presented with a taste of special Mezcale, a favorite of Mateo’s:

Looks like an eel, really a fish- snapped by Jerry.

Special Mateo Margaritas: famous shot of Jerry by TR.

My portion of that crazy monkey-face fish/eel...delicious! Check out the innovative ingredients....Mateo is ALWAYS innovating.

Jerry and Mateo Granados.

What a day along Heaven Condensed!  I take Jerry back to the Bella Villa Messina….

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Jerry & TR on the Bella Villa Messina Terrace. (Photo: Jerry Messina.)

The Wineyard: Welcome new Wine Road Member! Downtown Santa Rosa, off Cleveland Avenue....shares a venue with D'Argenzio, Sheldon, and Krutz....a Destination.

Along the Santa Rosa Wine Trail, snuggled up oh-so-conveniently on Cleveland Avenue, The Wineyard is a bright new cooperative tasting room where you can “drink like a local”, and especially so, as they bring the vineyard to you, in a dramatic space, perfect for learning about the different wineries and wines.  Innovative regular tastings that teach and enrich the wine  experience are to be found here, as well as special events, plus a very warm, educated staff to guide you through the tastings.  The selections are fabulous; they even have their very own Wine Club- City Club, catering to locals and visitors.  When you visit The Wineyard, you will also be visiting all the other wineries in the Santa Rosa Vintners Square: D’Argenzio, Krutz, Sheldon….they maintain their separate identities, but the collective whole is just amazing!

Cleveland Avenue at the Ridgway Cross...easy to find, right off the 101....

The amazing neighbors here at The Wineyard; watch for the signs....

Dino D'Argenzio and his brother, Ray, are greatly in evidence here- total Labors of Love- or as they would term it: Opera d' Amore....

Speaking of D'Argenzio, the brothers are inexorably entwined....though not in a circus kind of way....

Such FINE neighbors!

The Picnic Piazza behind D'Argenzio....Bocce anyone?

Behind the scenes at D'Argenzio....

Our destination for today!

The TR and Bar at The Wineyard.

Nice space, nicely done....

Details matter here.

The Wineyard: A Taste of Italy....

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Heaven in the wintertime, The Wineyard, and their cozy fireplace....

BT many years back at Pedroncelli Winery, one of the original Founding 9 along Wine Road.

I head out along Wine Road with Ray Johnson, the Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University, wine lover, writer, world traveler and general all around bon vivant.  He is my Guest Star today and it is wonderful to see how many of our members know and love him from his classes, wine judging and Sonoma County presence.

Ray at Trione Winery.

So off we head along Wine Road for our 34th Annual BT:

The "staged" photo from which the BT poster will be born....

BT Poster 2012 by Richard Sheppard.

Wine Road Event Flag...144 winery participants in 2012: The largest Wine Event in California (even bigger than the Catalina Wine Mixer.)

Ray and I take Dry Creek Road north and, at just about exactly one mile out, we arrive at West Wines, one of our new members, under the large oak tree, right in the vines.

West Wines.

Ray at the West Wines TR Bar, tasting the finished cab sauv.

Ray with Katarina Bonde, Proprietor.

Traveling north, we arrive at Rued Winery, snuggled in the vineyards:

Welcome to Rued! Cute Winery Dog!!

Ray is welcomed at Rued, starting with some finished whites....

Let the thieving begin! Eponymous Richard Rued himself provides the barrel sample to Ray....

Meeting of the wine minds....

Back on the Wine Road heading north to Kachina Vineyards, dramatic entrance along their private drive past estate vineyards, just past the iron gates we arrive at this dreamy version of Tuscany: (like in deMaurier’s REBECCA as envisioned by Hitchcock…but I digress….)

Nancy Chambers, co-proprietor and winemaker for whites, barrel sampling her chardonnay.

Greg Chambers, co-proprietor and winemaker for reds, converses with Ray.

Heading yet even further north, Ray and I arrive at another new Wine Road member: Chateau Diana, nestled into her garden-covered hillside:

Chateau Diana TR.

Chateau Diana's cool Quonset- BT site supreme....

I am quite an admirer of Quonsets....

Ray and winery family member, Emily Manning.

Ray samples from the barrels at Chateau Diana....

Heading over Canyon Road east, we arrive in Geyserville for lunch at famous and very popular Catelli’s:  (Lady Gaga was here just the other day- in our neck of the woods, Ray has similar fame, but not the wardrobe or dance moves.)

Excellent Italian fare- nicely complemented by 2010 Mauritson DCV Sauvignon Blanc.

Heading just down the road to Geyserville Mud: Delicious espresso!

Ray and I dodged the Paparazzi- though we met a nice chap who stopped me on the street (I now wear a Wine Road Tracy Logan badge when out- well, when out working….) to tell us that he had come all the way from Scotland to enjoy this wonderful time with friends.

Domenica Catelli and Lady Gaga- apparently not as elusive as Tracy and Ray....

Heading south on Geyserville Avenue, we arrive in Alexander-Valle- housed Trione Winery, spectacular in its stone-worked-vintage-historical-vineyard-encircled setting:

Friendly staffer, Andrew, mans the bar and tells the story of Trione.

We are asked upstairs to sample some food and wine pairings....

The view:

Upstairs on the deck at Trione...unbelievable....

Our guide to the Trione Wines is winemaker Scot Covington, gracious, kind, funny and knowledgeable.  I am amazed at the incredible wealth of wine knowledge embodied in Ray and Scot and honored, and a little cowed, to be included in this heady wine conversation.  (Scot is very elusive, it would seem, and the Paparazzi were not successful in snapping him.)

Oh what a time we had….

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Does Jack London appreciate this?

@ Rafanelli- by Marta Hayden. Particularly popular BT spot.

I hit the Wine Road with Chicago journalist Jerry Nunn for a whirlwind day- do not attempt!  Remember, Jerry and I are professionals!  (I have always wanted to say that….)

Jerry and Tracy at Bella Villa Messina by Jerry Messina

I pick Jerry up at his lodging, the lovely Bella Villa Messina, and off we go!

First stop: Dave Coffaro Winery- Dave & Pat: experienced and knowledgeable King & Queen of  Barrel Tasting:

Jerry Nunn, left, and Dave Coffaro Himself....

The Coffaro BT Setup - The Big Picture. Lots to sample- great Futures opportunities!

The Specific, Little Picture.

Next stop, Pedroncelli Winery , where we meet up with Ed and Julie Pedroncelli St. John- along Wine Road, it is all about owners, winemakers, proprietors- THE folks here for you, the visitor:

Winter vines....

Pedroncelli TR.

Jerry Nunn, left, and Julie Pedroncelli St. John.

I learned @ the Barrel, that Julie and Ed are Underdog Experts, entertaining us mightily, though Jerry was too young to remember….Polly Purebred rules with Julie- she thought it would be an excellent Little Sister Name….

Voiced by Wally Cox.

From left, Underdog, Polly Purebred and Jerry Nunn in the Barrel Room at Pedroncelli.

Romantic Pedroncelli: When you have their wines with your dinner, the bottle will be empty before you know it....

Next stop, downtown Geyserville:

Route 128 and Lorna Opatz:

Route 128 sparkling in the winter sun!

Jerry and Lorna!

Off down Geyserville Avenue south to The Meeker Winery where we are greeted by Charlie Meeker:

Charlie Meeker and Jerry....

Heading now to Mercury Wines ….

Grady and Brad Beard- Mercury Wines!

Next up, W2 Williamson Wines:

Jerry Nunn at the TR Bar at W2

Those wacky Williamsons- ALWAYS pairing their delicious wines with food!

Now it is time to drive out 128 over to Jimtown for lunch with Carrie Brown:

Carrie Brown and Jerry Nunn- what a great lunch....I LOVE the Olive and Brie on the sourdough....

Next, Starlite Vineyards all set for BT with their amazing viognier and zinfandel, and statue by Peter Crompton:

Wow- right there in the vineyards....

Starlite TR.

We drive through the Alexander Valley, through Chalk Hill and over to the RRV to Joseph Swan and Rod Berglund, another Wine Road King of BT:

Designs by Lynn Swan Berglund....a Queen of BT.

Jerry and Rod.

Volunteer womanning the barrels at Joseph Swan.

Rod is always ready to offer up visuals to explain exactly what is going on with the wines- here a soil display, totally geeky, totally endearing- Jerry and I learned a great deal....

Rod and Lynn are ready for BT: give us a place to BE THE SPITTING IMAGE!

Jerry and Rod- BT!!

Heading now to Sunce Winery- with Janae & Frane Franicevic- Barrel Tasting Royalty!

(Frane is absent- he has gone to pick up their daughters from school… Sunce Winery is their home- our visit is up close and personal.)

Jerry and Janae in the Barrel Room- incredible, amazing barrel samples! Janae is brandishing The Thief!!

Janae and Jerry....

Jerry and I have covered lots of professional/journalistic/amazing wine ground !  We head back to Healdsburg and Bella Villa Messina- Jerry had an incredibly early flight out of SFO- so, off we go to dinner early at Scopa:

Amazing; completely delicious with wonderful ambiance!

Scopa- exquisite food, wine, service, atmosphere: amazingly delicious!

Lots of ground covered- great Friday #1 #WRBT 34th Annual- where were you in ’78?   (Please excuse, Francis Ford Coppola and  George Lucas- where were you in ’62?)

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Here are some amazing non-winter blossom shots I took today:

Ornamental Cherry tree on Matheson Street in Hburg- ready to pop since last Sunday!

The hounds of spring are definitely on winter's traces- but let it pass, let it pass.

Paradise Ridge Winery, just off of Fountaingrove, on Thomas Lake Harris Road, perched on its ridge above Santa Rosa: Welcome to Paradise....

Paradise Ridge Winery, with arguably one of  the most beautiful views in Sonoma County, sits perched on its romantic ridge, surrounded by rolling vineyards,  gardens and amazing art in Marijke’s Grove, incorporating wedding and meeting sites, daily tastings of their restrained, balanced, food-friendly wines, Wine & Food Pairings, Paradise Found Wine Club,  the Nagasawa Fountaingrove Exhibit, warm hospitality AND an amazing view of the Santa Rosa Plain west to the coastal mountains.  The Byck family story illustrates a perfect blending of people, place and wine.  This is a complete winery experience, encompassing as it does not just delicious wines, but warm presentation, spectacular venue, art, history, tradition, romance, striking spots for picnics, llamas grazing the hillsides, sunsets…a joyful, inspiring, fun, special place to visit.

Wind your way up off of the 101 into historic Fountaingrove:

The history-rich, and aptly named, Round Barn at Fountaingrove.

Watch for Thomas Lake Harris Road- a quick turn to the north (left), off of the Fountaingrove Parkway- meandering through some residential blocks- keep going- you are in the right place:

Watch for the banners and the distinctive signs just to your left (west)....

As you enter the winery grounds along the curving driveway, you will be amazed and surprised by the installations of art, just popping up in this natural setting.

Llamas, non-Dalai....

You betcha! (Ed. note: I said that years before Sarah Palin....)

View west from the deck....

Ditto.

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine...oh yeah, and thou....

Nagasawa Exhibit- romantic stories, winemaking detail and history of Fountaingrove....

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR

Of Interest, close by:

Fountaingrove Inn

Equus Restaurant

Hilton Sonoma County

Vintners Inn

John Ash & Co. Restaurant

Romance at Paradise Ridge....Thank you Norah Burrows Photography.