If you are hanging out in the town of Calistoga you might think about taking a day trip to check out a few wineries in Sonoma County. This is an easy drive along Highway 128 and perhaps one of the most beautiful roads in California wine country. The drive is about 25 miles from Calistoga to Sonoma County’s wine destination town of Healdsburg.
In Calistoga, Highway 128 comes in where Highway 29 turns right into Lincoln Avenue. Take Highway 128 towards Santa Rosa but make sure that later you stay on Highway 128 towards Healdsburg, and not take the road to the left towards Santa Rosa. Highway 128 travels through two famous wine appellations, the Knight’s Valley AVA and the Alexander Valley AVA. As you enter the Alexander Valley stretch, about 14 miles, both sides of the highway are lined with beautiful vineyards, and there are several wineries to visit along the Alexander Valley Highway.
Our recommendations for wineries are Field Stone Winery for a picnic lunch, Hanna Winery for some great Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. A must stop along Highway 128 is the famous Jimtown Store. Lunch and gourmet goodies abound is this wonderful 50’s style market. If you stop there, you might as well head for Stryker-Sonoma winery. This is one beautiful tasting room and the wines are fabulous. We like their Speedy Creek Petite Verdot from the Knights Valley, and all the Zins they produce. The picnic area is grand as well. If you have time, be sure to visit the town of Healdsburg for shopping or fabulous gourmet meals.
The Good: Beautiful highway, a chance to visit Alexander Valley Wineries
The Bad: Watch out for the locals, they haul on this road.