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Russian River Valley Wine Country

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One of the most exciting wine country regions in the world is the Russian River Valley. The Russian River Valley is the land of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool-climate grape varieties. If you like these wines, you must visit the Russian River Valley. You will be in some of the most beautiful wine country in less than an hour’s drive from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.

About the Russian River Valley AVA

Russian River Valley
View from the Westside of the Russian River Valley

Before we make suggestions for wineries to visit, let us talk about the region’s characteristics. Two bodies of water influence the climate of the region. First, the Pacific Ocean is just a few miles away from the Russian River Valley. The winds from the Pacific Ocean commonly pick up in the afternoons bringing a swift cool-down. The second body of water is the Russian River. The Russian River snakes its way from the north and turns west to empty into the Pacific Ocean. The soils in the region are a mix of sand and clay, which provide the vines with excellent drainage and promote the growth of healthy roots.

In the growing season, the Pacific Ocean and the river waters bring daily fog to the area. Morning fog means cold temperatures. However, by noon much of the fog burns off, and the vines enjoy the warm temperatures.

Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the Russian River Valley and is known for producing wine with rich, buttery, and tropical fruit flavors. The wines are often fermented in oak barrels, which gives them a signature vanilla and spice flavor. Some of the best Chardonnays from the region are known for their balanced acidity, making them a perfect complement to seafood dishes.

Pinot Noir is another popular varietal in the Russian River Valley, and it is known for producing wine with delicate, nuanced flavors and aromas. The grapes thrive in the cool climate, producing wine with bright cherry and raspberry notes. The Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley are often described as elegant and complex, with a silky texture and soft tannins. These wines are perfect to pair with roasted meats and rich sauces.

what happens to grapes
Pinot Noir grapes to the fermenting tanks – From Russian River Valley

In addition to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the Russian River Valley also produces excellent Zinfandel, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. The region has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the 1800s when Italian immigrants first began planting grape vines. Today, the Russian River Valley is known for its sustainable winemaking practices and its commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the region.

Wineries we like in the Russian River Valley

Merry Edwards Winery

Merry Edwards vineyard and winery
Merry Edwards

Merry Edwards is one of California’s great winemakers. She is famous for Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. In 2018, she sold the winery and retired from winemaking to enjoy the beauty of the Russian River Valley. The Merry Edwards winery is now in the hands of the famous French Champagne house, Louis Roederer.

The Merry Edward Pinot Noir wine along with other wineries nearby show beautiful black fruit, especially black cherry. The wines have soft tannins giving the Pinot Noir a beautiful mouthfeel.

The Merry Edwards tasting room near Sebastopol is currently open to visitors and curbside pickup. See more here.

Balletto Vineyards & Winery

The Balletto Family is an enjoyable story. At the ripe old age of 17, John Balletto began farming his parent’s vegetable farm. Later, when the Russian River Valley became a hotbed of Pinot Noir wine, John decided it was time to turn his vegetable farm into vineyards. Today blah sells most of the grapes to other wineries. However, he reserves a small amount, perhaps the best for the Balletto label.

Besides the Balletto Vineyards Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the winery has several other delicious offerings. We love the Pinot Gris, the Pinot Noir Rose, and the Sauvignon Blanc.

For a one-two tasting punch, you can visit both Merry Edwards and Balletto in one day. The wineries are very close. Check the map below to see the locations. Sebastopol has a terrific dining scene and some good choices for lodging. More about Balletto.

Lynmar Estate

Lynmar is also a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay winery. This a beautiful hidden winery nestled on Frei Road. Lynmar Estate is a step above in entertaining visitors and guests. Two full-time chefs and an extensive hospitality staff provide a luxury experience for wine lovers. Reservations are required for any of the tasting and dining options. Lynmar is a fantastic experience. More about Lynmar.

tasting room at Lynmar
The tasting room at Lynmar

Map of Wineries

Check out the wineries in the Green Valley AVA

The Green Valley AVA is a sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley. See the Green Valley Wine Trail

Picnic in Wine Country – Riverfront Regional Park

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Hiking trail – Riverfront Regional Park in the Russian River Valley AVA

Picnic and Hike at Riverfront Regional Park in Sonoma County

Since the COVID pandemic, it has been difficult for wine travelers to find a winery where one can enjoy a picnic lunch with vineyard views. Many wineries have restrictions on their picnic areas. Often reservations are required. Some offer picnic tables to wine club members only. Several wineries have closed their picnic areas because that is where they do their wine tasting for guests.

Near Healdsburg, we found the perfect spot, Riverfront Regional Park. This Sonoma County park is on Eastside Road, just 10 to 15 minutes from the center of Healdsburg. You can hike, fish, and grill at this lovely, beautiful park set among the Coastal Redwoods and the Russian River Valley wine region. 

Hike along one of two lakes – fishing and solitude

How to Get to Riverfront Regional Park

From the center of Healdsburg, get on Highway 101 South from either Dry Creek Road to the North or the Roundabout near the Healdsburg Plaza (just south). Go south on 101 and take exit 502, Old Redwood Highway. Stay west on Old Redwood Highway and then make a right turn onto Eastside Road. Go 3.7 miles to the park entrance. 

Beautiful lake hike

Where to Buy Picnic Delights

In Healdsburg there are two spots to buy your picnic goodies. Big John’s Market is an upscale market with a fantastic deli, salad bar, and a hot food area. The Troubadour, a new bakery and deli on Healdsburg Avenue, has delicious sourdough sandwiches wrapped and ready to go..

Fresh baked sourdough bread at Troubadour

What to Bring to Riverfront Regional Park

Bring your picnic basket, cooler, tablecloth, and beverage. You might want to take a hike before lunch and get in some exercise before your feast. See where to hike in Riverfront Regional Park.

More Ideas

Along Old Redwood Highway and Eastside Drive, there are several wineries where you can schedule a visit and tasting. One of our favorites is the Foppiano Vineyards. It is one of the first wineries on the way to Riverfront. Foppiano goes back to 1896 and is still a family-owned winery. We also enjoy Acorn winery run by Betsy & Bill Nachbaur. Directly across from the Riverfront Regional Park entrance is Copain Winery. Its owner is the Jackson Family Wine Company. You can visit there by appointment. The views are beautiful. Be aware that the wines are expensive and the experience is on the high-end side. We generally avoid those types of wine experiences. 

four 100 year old wineries in Sonoma
Cabernet at Foppiano

Where to stay and dine in Healdsburg

Where Vineyards Meet the Redwoods

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Where vineyards meet the Redwoods

Russian River Valley in Sonoma County

The Coastal Redwoods depend upon the fog bank that forms along the Pacific Coast from the Monterey area to the Northern border of California. Fog equals cool climate temperatures. Wherever Redwood trees thrive, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Alsatian varieties of grapes also thrive.

The Russian River Valley AVA is home to many wineries producing quality wines from this cool-climate region. The Pacific Ocean and the waters from the Russian River provide a daily dose of morning fog to the area. It’s the perfect environment for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Redwoods love this environment. The Redwoods have, of course, been here long before the first grape vines were sowed.  There are many places to view vineyards and Redwoods together, but we will focus on two areas.

Korbel Champagne Cellars

redwood trees at Korbel winery
Beautiful Redwood trees surround the Korbel Winery

One of the fun wineries that has a connection with Redwood Trees is Korbel Champagne Cellars. The Korbel Brothers originally made cigar boxes from the Redwood Trees. Later, they cleared the Redwood Forest in front of the property and planted the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes needed to make sparkling wine. The Korbel winery began in 1852, and it is a historic fixture on River Road. It is one of my favorite places to visit. We love the atmosphere and magic of this beautiful brick building. By the way, the inside structure is all Redwood. You can visit the winery and see the magnificent Redwood Trees that surround the winery. Korbel is at 13250 River Road, just a few miles east of the town of Guerneville.

Armstrong Grove State Park in Guerneville

Armstrong Grove State Prk
One of the beautiful groves of Coastal Redwoods at Armstrong Grove State Park in Guerneville

Not too far away from Korbel is one of the more fantastic groves of Redwood Trees at the Armstrong Grove State Park. An easy loop trail takes you through thick groves of tall and ancient Redwoods. It is a magical experience. For the more adventurous, try one of the many longer hikes in the park that will give you lasting pleasures of the amazing Coastal Redwoods.

Occidental Area – lots of wineries, lots of Redwoods

Vineyards along Graton Road on the way to Miramar Vineyards

Occidental is a quiet town nestled in Redwood country. Several backroads lead to beautiful views of both vineyards and Redwoods. Read about our stay in Occidental. This area is the heart of the Russian River Valley AVA. Check out our Wine Trail in this area. This photo shows vineyards belonging to Miramar Estate Vineyards and Winery. Miramar Torres is the proprietor, and a member of the famous Torres Family of Spain. The Pinot Noir wines are terrific. The winery is on Graton Road near the tiny town of Graton. Graton has three terrific places to dine. We love exploring the backroads in this area of the Russian River Valley. One backroad leads to another, and around each bend there is something exciting to see or do. Check out the map below.

Next up, in our series of Where Vineyards Meet the Redwoods is the Santa Cruz Mountain Area.

Hidden Wine Country Town of Occidental

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Healdsburg, Sonoma, Windsor, and Santa Rosa are the hot wine towns of Sonoma County wine country. If you like less hubbub, more solitude, and less wine snobbery, try visiting the town of Occidental. 

Occidental is in the Russian River Valley wine appellation, about 30 minutes west of Santa Rosa, CA.  Occidental is secluded, but in just a short distance there are many exciting activities that await the traveler. The scenery is breathtaking, with lovely rows of vineyards flanked by the magnificent Coastal Redwood Trees. 

There many attractions in Occidental but two restaurants, the Union Hotel and Negri’s Italian Dinners, draw many locals and tourists. It has been a long tradition for vacationers along the Russian River resort area to have dinner at one or both of these restaurants during their vacation stay. The Union Hotel has been serving up dinners since 1897, and Negri’s started in 1943.

Wine Country Getaway to Occidental – Details

Grove of Old Redwoods just outside of Occidental

How to get to Occidental

From San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, take Highway 116 from Highway 101 in Rohnert Park. We are going the back roads here, where you can discover so many excellent wineries and cozy restaurants. Sebastopol is a fun town, but for this trip stop in Graton for lunch. Two places not to miss for lunch, Underwood Bar and Bistro or the Willow Wood Market. Both are local favorites and often winemakers will dine for lunch here. Underwood Bar and Bistro has a varied menu and the Willow Wood Market Cafe focuses on hot sandwiches. Wineries in the area are Red Car, Merry Edwards, Dutton, and Marimar Estate.  See Occidental Map below.

Where to stay in Occidental

The Inn at Occidental

Dining in Occidental

Carmelized onions and arugula pizza at Hazel’s

Things are busy in Occidental, but the restaurants are not yet back to pre-pandemic operations. As of our visit, June 14th and 15th, the Union Hotel and Negri’s restaurants are open only on weekends. Hazel’s is also a good option, serving wood fire pizza and other main dishes. They are open Wednesday to Sunday. On one night of our stay, we bought deli sandwiches and side salads at the Bohemian Market and ate on the patio at the Inn. In Graton, Sebastopol, and Guerneville, there are more restaurant options, but you have to drive along the windy roads to get there and back. Stay safe and eat in Occidental.

Wineries to visit

This area is very much Pinot Noir and Chardonnay country. In and around Graton are terrific wineries. Follow this Wine Route. – Remember COVID has changed the way wineries take visitors. Even though things have re-opened, wineries are opting for reservations, with few drop-in visits offered. You need to plan in advance to taste wine. Our favorites in this locality are Merry Edwards, Lynmar. and Marimar Estate. If you are looking for other whites and reds, the Dry Creek Valley Wine Trail is 30 minutes away.

Vineyards at Miramar Estate – notice the Redwood Trees at the top of the vines

Other Activities

The Redwoods – view, hike, and enjoy

Drive any of the backroads from Occidental and you will see amazing groves of Coastal Redwoods. One close by hike is the Grove of Old Redwoods. From Occidental, take Coleman Valley Road to Joy Road and then a right on Fitzpatrick Lane. It is 1.4 miles on Fitzpatrick Lane to the parking lot and entrance is on the right. The hike is short but the beauty is stunning. This ancient grove of Redwoods will clear your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. If you love the Redwoods, this is an area not to be missed.

A beautiful and peaceful area near Occidental

Drive to Bodega Bay or Jenner by the Sea

Bodega Bay is a wonderful playground for visitors. There are great restaurants, art galleries, fishing, kayaking and much more. From Occidental take the Bodega Highway to this beautiful area. The ride is spectacular and only 20 minutes away.

Jenner is the spot where the Russian River empties into the Pacific Ocean. Highway 1 has fantastic ocean views, plus several spots to enter the beach areas. About 12 miles ahead is Fort Ross State Park. Back in the day, Fort Ross was a Russian trading village. On the windy road to reach the Park, there’s a turnoff to Fort Ross Vinyard, about 2 miles up the hill. Reservations are required.

To get to Jenner from Occidental, take the Bohemian Highway to Monte Rio. Turn onto Highway 116 heading west to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, either going or coming, stop in the old lumber milling town of Duncans Mills. The population is only 175, but the interesting shops are a bonanza for boutique shoppers looking for unique items.

Cool shopping in Duncans Mills

Russian River Beaches

During the summer months, the Russian River beaches attract sun-bathers, swimmers, and fishing. Two close by beaches from Occidental are the Monte Rio Community Beach and in Guerneville, Johnson’s Beach. If you need fishing advice, head to King’s Sport and Tackle in Guerneville. King’s is an institution in the Russian River. They also rent kayaks and other outdoor equipment.

More Photos

Handy Map of the Occidental Area

Which is Better to Visit, a Little Winery or a Big Winery?

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On a recent trip to the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, we visited two wineries. These wineries could not be more different from one another. The only similarity in these wineries is that they are both located in the same AVA, the Russian River Valley. On a Wednesday, we visited the Battaglini Winery. The next day it was Gary Farrell. We were guests at both wineries, so we did not need to worry about tasting or touring fees. We were delighted to sit back and enjoy wine, food nibbles, and the beauty of the Russian River Valley.

The Little Winery – Battaglini Winery

Battaglini Tasting Room

The rustic Battaglini Tasting Room

Owned by Joe and Lucia Battaglini, the winery is on Piner Road in the Russian River Valley. The Battaglinis purchased the property in 1988. The major vines are Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. The Petite and the Zin were planted in 1885. If you visit, you must take a close look at both of these ancient but hearty grape vines. Joe is the winemaker and vineyard manager, with help from Lucia and their sons and daughter. Battaglini farms 30 acres of vines and produces 2500 cases of wine annually. The Battaglinis sell many of their grapes to nearby wineries.

Joe Battaglini proudly pours his wines

The tasting room is small and funky, accented by memorabilia from Joe’s home town, Lucca, and from his Soccer playing days in San Francisco. Tasting fee, scribbled on a chalkboard, is $15 and waived with a purchase. There is no formal tour, but Joe or a family member will give a quick view of the old vines. There are a Bocce court and picnic tables available for use for wine tasters and picnic goers. The wines are good; we especially enjoyed the Proprietor’s Reserve Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The wines are made “the old-fashion way, like my Dad back in Italy.” The vines are dry farmed and head pruned.

To visit Battaglini, call ahead and schedule a time to visit. This is an entirely family operated winery, with family members performing all the various jobs of growing grapes and marketing wines. It is a straightforward and fun winery, and very much a throwback to the golden days in the California wine scene before wine tourism became popular.

The Big Winery – Gary Farrell

The Terrace at Gary Farrell

The Terrace at Gary Farrell

Gary Farrell Winery is not big by many standards; 3o,000 case production is medium at most. When considering the plush tasting room and elaborate winemaking facilities, we fit Gary Farrell in the big category compared to Battaglini. Gary Farrell established his label in 1982 and completed the construction of the winery in 2000. In a rather shocking turn of events, he sold his winery in 2004 to Allied Domecq. Later the winery was sold to the  Ascentia Wine Group, who in turn sold it to the Vincraft Group in 2011. Vincraft remodeled the tasting room and hired the current winemaker, Theresa Heredia. 

Gary Farrell

One of three tasting levels at Gary Farrell

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are emphasized at Gary Farrell, with small lot and vineyard selection labels. The wines range in price from $35 to $75. The quality is high, and we tasted several beautifully-produced wines. They are exquisite, to say the least. The winery has no vineyards; they choose to source their grapes from top nearby vineyards and some that are outside the Russian River AVA. The tasting experience is well executed, with the staff highly trained and knowledgeable with the Gary Farrell label.

Tasting Choices range from $35 to $75 per person and reservations are required. Make a reservation online or call the winery.

So which winery is better to visit?

There are good reasons to visit each of these two wineries, but your enjoyment will probably depend on your lifestyle. If you like old-fashion, laid back and relaxed with no pretenses, go for Battaglini Winery. If you love to be pampered and desire excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, go for the Gary Farrell Winery. My preference always goes to the old timers. Janelle loves the look and feel of the higher-end wineries.  A bottle of wine always has a story to tell. The enjoyment of a bottle of wine increases the better the story behind it.

 

Trending Now – Book Clubs are Meeting in Wine Country

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Mills Book Club meets annually at a winery

Mills Book Club meets annually at a winery

Book Clubs are Meeting in Wine Country

The Mills Book Club was established in 1989 by Librarian Kris, long before book clubs were as popular as they are now. Today, book clubs are flourishing among friends and neighbors all over the world. Perhaps it was the Mills Book Club that set the trend for book club proliferation! The Mills Book Club is setting another trend these days, holding a book club meeting in wine country. The Mills Book Club has been doing this for the past six years.

It began in 2012 when Mills Book Club member Pat thought it would be fun to hold a book club meeting at her summer getaway home in Healdsburg, CA. The book club enjoyed the event so much that they decided to make this an annual affair and host the meeting at a winery. It seems that to sip wine and discuss books in the peace of wine country brings much joy to the book club. The club picks small wineries, preferably family-owned, and ones where the winemaker or winery owner has time to meet with the book club.

The Mills Book Club wineries

The Battaglini Winery is a terrific winery stop in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Owner and winemaker Joe Battaglini gave us a walking tour and showed us 135-year-old Zinfandel and Petite Sirah vines. His small but quaint tasting room is filled with memorabilia and good cheer.  While we were busy tasting, a couple visiting from Florida came into the tasting room. Upon leaving, the woman said “This is so much fun. Yesterday we were in Napa at a snobby tasting room where the winery was selling $100 Cabernet. Who needs a hundred-dollar bottle of wine?” Certainly not the Mills Book Club members!

Joe Battaglini with Mills Book Club member Mike in the vineyards

Joe Battaglini with Mills Book Club member Mike in the vineyards

The Mills Book Club meets once a month, and members are mostly retired teachers from Mills High School in Millbrae.  A few still teach there and a few others are close friends who wanted to be part of the book club environment. In case you are wondering what the Mills Book Club reads, the following is a list of recent books they have read.

Latest Choice:

Recent favorites:

100 Year Old Wineries Near Healdsburg

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100 year old wineries healdsburg

Korbel on the Russian River near Guerneville, California.

Sonoma County is one of the founding regions of American wine. In the 1800s, there were many vineyards and several wineries. Today, these four 100-year-old wineries represent the magnificent and historical past of California viticulture. The four wineries are a short driving distance from the town of Healdsburg. Plot your stay and trip and visit one or more of these Sonoma 100-year-old wineries.

Four 100-year-old wineries near Healdsburg

Korbel Champagne Cellars

There is a special place in our hearts for Korbel. At the ripe old age of 21, we visited our very first winery, Korbel Cellars. That first visit got us hooked and started our journey of visiting wineries and vineyards around the world. What an impact! Korbel was founded in 1882 by Francis, Anton, and Joseph Korbel. The Heck Family, the current owners, bought the winery in 1954. It is a big-production, sparkling wine house producing over a million cases per year with distribution worldwide. Korbel has an excellent 50-minute tour followed by a tasting. The Korbel tour takes you through the step-by-step process of making sparkling wine in the French tradition. You will also want to check out the fantastic rose garden and the luxurious tasting room. There is also a good deli restaurant, where you can eat while enjoying one of the most beautiful settings along the Russian River.

Tasting Room Hours 10:00 – 4:30 Monday through Sunday. Champagne Cellar Tour Hours 11 – 3:00 Monday through Sunday. Garden Tour Hours 1:00 and 3:00 Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays.Garden Tours offered mid-April to mid-October. (707) 824-7000, E-mail: [email protected], Korbel

Simi in 1966

Simi Winery

Simi is another winery that we visited early on. I could not resist posting this photo taken in 1966. That is my son held by my mother while Janelle and I were inside the tasting room having loads of fun. Grandmothers always come to the rescue. In the photo, you can see that the tasting room was a mega-gallon redwood wine storage tank. We would walk down a few steps to the tasting bar where Isabelle Simi, in her 80’s was handling the wine tasting tasks. Isabelle was the daughter of Giuseppe Simi, who founded the winery along with his brother Pietro Simi in 1876. Isabelle ran the winery from Prohibition until she sold it in 1970 at the age of 84. For those of you old enough to remember Hollywood actress, comedian, and glamor queen, Mae West, Simi had a photo in the tasting room of Mae West with a sexy quote modified slightly: “Come up and Simi sometime.” That’s how fun the tasting room was to visit in those days. Simi Winery offers daily tours (11 am and 2 pm). The Simi tour leads you into the historic stone winery and gives a very informative look at winemaking. Simi owns prime acreage in the Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley and can produce a lovely array of wines. Simi’s Pizza Café is open, but check the Simi Website to get the latest hours of operation. Today the winery is owned by Constellation Brands.

Tasting room open daily 10 to 5:00, (800) 746-4880. E-Mail: [email protected], Simi Winery

Foppiano Vineyards

operated by the Foppiano Family. With the sale last year of the Seghesio Family Winery, that makes the Foppiano Winery the oldest family-owned winery in the Russian River wine region. The family owns 140 acres of prime vineyard property in the Russian River Valley. The best part is that the family owns the land outright. That is one reason why their wines are excellent bargains and value wines. Their signature wine, a Petite Sirah, sells for $25 a bottle, an excellent price for this superb wine. Another great feature at Foppiano is their self-guided vineyard tour dedicated to the late Margot Patterson Doss. You may remember that Margot wrote a column in the San Francisco Chronicle encouraging people of all ages to walk and explore the San Francisco Bay Area. Pick up a brochure at the tasting room and take the walking tour that is probably a mile at the most.

Open daily, 11 to 5:00 Phone: (707) 433-7272 Email: [email protected], Foppiano

Seghesio Family Winery

Seghesio Winery began in 1895, growing grapes and producing bulk wines. Edoardo Seghesio founded the winery and was said to be the first one to bring in and successfully grow the Sangiovese grape. It was not until 1983 that they began to bottle premium wines under their label. Today the winery is most famous for its Zinfandel wines and, in particular, the Sonoma Zinfandel that has won numerous awards and is in many wine shops for under $20. In 2011 the Seghesio Family shocked the wine world by selling the winery to the Crimson Wine Group. The tasting room contains a lot of memorabilia and is a fun place to visit and taste wine. Seghesio also has a Bocce Ball court, should you feel the urge to have some friendly competition while sipping wine.

The tasting room is open daily 10 to 5, Seghesio

Healdsburg 100-year-old-wineries map

Additional information on this wine country

four 100 year old wineries in Sonoma
Cabernet at Foppiano

Riverfront Regional Park in the Russian River Valley Wine Country

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Lake Benoist - Hike It!

Lake Benoist – Hike It!

Mix wine country with a picnic, hike, and more – Riverfront Regional Park

It it always healthy to mix in some exercise among all the wine and food consumption during a wine country trip. The Riverfront Regional Park in the Russian River Valley provides just that with some easy hiking trails.  The Coastal Redwood  picnic grove provides an added bonus for contemplating nature and enjoying a peaceful picnic lunch. If you are new to Northern California, don’t miss the Coastal Redwood Trees. These are the tallest trees in the world. The park entrance is directly across the road from the Copain Winery, and there are several wonderful and fun wineries to visit within just a few miles of Riverfront Regional Park.

Majestic Redwood Grove at Riverfront Regional

Majestic Redwood Grove at Riverfront Regional

The main hike is around the beautiful Lake Benoist. It is about 2.5 miles and very moderate. At about the half-way point, there is a short spur leading to a small beach on the Russian River. This is a rare look at one of the great wine rivers of the world. The Russian River is a direct influence on the terroir of those great Pinot Noir wines coming from the vineyards growing on its banks. Following your hike, sit and relax among the Redwood Trees. Even on a warm day, the Redwood Trees provide plenty of shade and cooling air to enjoy a picnic lunch and, of course, a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. There are barbecue pits, lots of tables, a volleyball court, and horse shoes.

An easy to moderate hike

An easy-to-moderate hike

“Must see” wineries

This is certainly one of the less traveled roads in Healdsburg and Sonoma County wine country. It is a beautiful road surrounded by vineyards. Our favorite wineries include J Vineyards, Acorn, Foppiano, and Rodney Strong.  J Vineyards has sparkling wine that would be perfect for your picnic at Riverfront. Acorn is a small winery run by Betsy & Bill Nachbaur. They have an old vineyard, providing a field blend for a fantastic red wine labeled Acorn Hill. It is a blend of five different grape varieties. Foppiano dates back to 1926 and is still family run. Rodney Strong is one of the largest wineries in the area and has a beautiful tasting room and picnic area.

Getting to Riverfront Regional Park

From San Francisco, take Exit 498/Old Redwood Highway and drive through Windsor for 2 miles. Turn left on Eastside Road and drive a mile to the entrance. From Healdsburg, take Old Redwood Highway exit and then Eastside Road. Continue along Eastside Road for about 4 miles.

Helpful resources for this trip

More hiking in Sonoma and California wine country

Gracianna Winery on Westside Road

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gracianna winery

The beautiful setting of the Gracianna Winery Tasting Room

Gracianna Winery on Westside Road

One of the most beautiful backroads in California wine country is Westside Road near Healdsburg CA. It winds through the Russian River Valley and along the banks of the Russian River. About halfway from Healdsburg on Westside Road is what many refer to as the Miracle Mile. This is where we find the Gracianna Winery tasting room. The Miracle Mile is a term coined by the local vintners and vineyard growers. It refers to the terroir in this area, a mix of climate and soil that provides the ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir and other cool climate grapes. Visit any of the several wineries along this stretch and you will enjoy some of the finest Pinot Noir wines made in California.

We stopped in at the Gracianna tasting room last week and visited with owner Lisa Amador. Gracianna produces two wonderful Pinot Noir wines. One is from their 1.3 estate Pinot Noir acres just behind the tasting room. The other is from the Bacigalupi Vineyard, a nearby neighbor. John Bacigalupi farms some of the oldest and best vines in the Russian River Valley. The Gracianna winery has been a long time dream of Lisa and her husband Trini Amador III. Perhaps the most interesting facet of the winery dream was Lisa’s story about how she and her husband had stumbled upon their then 15-year-old son secretly making wine in their garage. Sixteen years later, Trini Amador IV is the winemaker at Gracianna Winery. In his early adult years, Trini gained his winemaking experience being mentored by the famed Pinot Noir winemaker Bob Cabral at the William Seylem winery. Trini has taken those skills and adding his own touch to the wines of the Gracianna Winery.

We tasted through the lineup of Gracianna wines. A typical tasting is five wines for a tasting fee of $15.  The fee is waived with a purchase of two bottles of wine. We very much enjoyed the two Pinot Noir wines. They reminded us of the character of some the Burgundy wines we tasted while touring the Burgundy region of France a year ago. We also enjoyed a spicy and deep fruited Zinfandel. The Gracianna wines are made at a custom crush facility in Santa Rosa. Currently, 1200 cases of wine are produced with a plan to hit the 2000 case mark in a couple of years. With 500 wine club members, the demand is high for those 1200 cases of wine.

There is a cozy picnic area outside the tasting room and also one just beyond the Pinot Noir vineyard on the edge of the Russian River. Tasting is by appointment daily 11 to 5 from March to the end of November. Check the Gracianna Website for complete tasting and touring information.

gracianna tasting room

Gracianna tasting room and the picnic area

Trini Amador has written a gripping novel based on the life of his maternal grandmother, Gracianna Lasaga, a French-Basque girl living in Nazi-occupied Paris in the 1940s. You may want to add this to your reading list. It can be purchased at Amazon.com  Gracianna

Additional Westside Road Resources

MacRostie’s new digs on Westside Road

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MacRostie tasting room

The MacRostie tasting room as seen from Westside Road

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards on Westside Road

After 28 years of making very fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Sonoma Valley, Steve MacRostie finally has his dream tasting room and Pinot Noir winemaking facility.  It is a beautiful piece of vineyard property located on scenic Westside Road that runs along the Russian River. There are many beautiful attractions along this road, and the MacRostie Estate House adds another element of splendor to the area.

steve-macrostie

Steve MacRostie – wine pioneer in California

Early on in his career, Steve established himself as pioneer winemaker with his tantalizing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Steve began making wine in 1974 and soon became interested in producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a true Burgundian style –  fresh, crisp, and food friendly. In 1987 he established his MacRostie label and began producing wine in Sonoma Valley. He sought out vineyards in the Sonoma Coast region that provided the terroir ingredients of fog and cooling breezes. His main winemaking facility is in a warehouse-style building in Sonoma Valley. The opening of the MacRostie Estate House in the Russian River Valley marks a new era in Steve MacRostie’s winemaking career.

MacRostie tasting room

MacRostie Estate House

What a wonderful spot to enjoy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir! We visited the Estate House last week. As we walked toward the entrance, the doors opened and we were greeted with a delightful glass of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. This is standard for all visitors who arrive at the tasting room. What a very nice welcoming touch. Beautiful vineyard views of the Russian River Valley surround the tasting room.  Besides the welcome glass of wine, there are two other features seldom found in a wine tasting experience. Wine tasting at MacRostie is sit down, elegant but not over the top. One can sit outside on the terrace or in the main area at tables or on a relaxing chair or sofa. The server comes to you and explains the wine. The staff goes through some serious training, so a tasting is very educational. A second added touch is a side-by-side comparison of wines. There are two glasses at each table setting, sometimes three depending on the tasting. This gives wine country travelers the ability to compare two wines of the same varietal made from different vineyards or in a different style.  We tasted the Russian River Valley Chardonnay alongside a vineyard Chardonnay, the Wildcat Mountain Vineyard.  In the Pinot Noir category, we enjoyed the Russian River Chardonnay and the Goldrock Ridge Vineyard from Annapolis on the Sonoma Coast.  The side-by-side tasting is a great way to educate your palate and to discover the subtle differences in two wines.

MacRosite seated wine tasting

Outdoor wine tasting with fantastic views of the Russian River Valley

The MacRostie Estate House also has a separate small winemaking cellar equipped with state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. This is where Pinot Noir will be made from the 2015 harvest of their Russian River Valley vineyards. These days Steve takes a secondary role in the winemaking, tending to more of the vineyard management and business aspects of the winery.  The main winemaking duties belong to Heidi Bridenhagen, who handles the majority of the winemaking duties.  Steve says he appreciates the fresh ideas that the young people he hires bring to his winemaking methods.

To get to the MacRosite House, take Mill Street under Highway 101. Mill Street becomes Westside Road. Drive for about nine minutes on Westside Road and look for the winery on the right.  Take it slow and enjoy the beauty of this area of wine country.  The MacRostie House is open daily from 11am to 5 pm. Reservations are recommend especially on weekends.

Additional wine country details

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY REGIONS:

Carneros • Livermore • Lodi • Mendocino • Monterey • Napa Valley • Paso Robles • Santa Barbara County • Santa Cruz Mts. • Sierra Foothills • Russian River • Sonoma Valley

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