Field Stone winery Archives - Wine Country Getaways

Joseph Family Vineyards – Alexander Valley

November 8, 2016 by Joe Becerra

Joseph Family Vineyards – Alexander Valley

We continue our theme for this time of the year showcasing beautiful Fall colors in wine country. This wine country photo is a view of the Joseph Family Vineyards in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. One of the most incredibly beautiful backroads in wine country is Highway 128 in the Alexander Valley. Along this wine country backroad are spectacular vineyard views on both sides of the road. We love visiting wineries on the Alexander Valley Wine Route. Pick up picnic goodies at the historic Jimtown Store. There are several great picnic wineries along this wine trail, but our favorite, by far, is the picnic area at the Field Stone Winery. The wines are excellent and the vineyard views from the picnic area are breathtaking. Field Stone is the last winery heading south on this backroad. The winery is quiet, serene and very beautiful. The best way to get to the Alexander Valley Wine Trail is to head north on Healdsburg Avenue in the town. Once you pass the Simi Winery look for Highway 128 on the right. Continue on Highway 128 and follow the signs toward the south.

Additional Alexander Valley wine country information

Lodging in Healdsburg and Geyserville
Best dining opportunities in Healdsburg
Where to buy your picnic lunch in Healdsburg

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Introduction to Healdsburg Wine Country

Pruning time in wine country

January 28, 2015 by Joe Becerra

Field Stone vineyards in the Alexander Valley

Pruning time in wine country

This is one of my favorite winter scenes in wine country. It is at the Field Stone Winery in the Alexander Valley in Sonoma. From Healdsburg, drive north on Healdsburg Avenue. Take a right onto Highway 128, Alexander Valley Road. It heads east then turns and runs south along the beautiful Alexander Valley. Field Stone is a small family winery. Hit the tasting room there and then stroll around the area. The morning views of the vineyards to the west are spectacular. The photo shows two wonderful
beauties of winter in wine country. The mustard plant is in full bloom. Beyond the mustard are recently pruned vines. This is pruning time in wine country. From now to mid March, vineyard managers will prune the vines in preparation for the next growing season. This officially begins when the plant comes alive and starts to grow buds. Bud break occurs in April. At the higher elevations, pruning is delayed as long as possible. Pruning stimulates bud break and, if bud break is too early, frost may still be a possibility. Higher elevations experience a greater risk of frost; thus, delaying bud break is a good strategy.

More information on the Alexander Valley

Fall colors in wine country

October 23, 2014 by Joe Becerra

From now through November it is Fall color time in wine country

View Fall colors in wine country – Russian River area

It is Fall colors in wine country from now through November. This is a wonderful time to visit the wine country and catch Fall colors. Except for Thanksgiving weekend, wine country is much less crowded. One of our favorite roads to see Fall colors in wine country is the Alexander Valley Highway. This is Highway 128 that runs from Healdsburg and through the valley towards Santa Rosa. Along the Alexander Valley the traveler will have fantastic vineyard views of various Fall colors. Each variety of vineyard has its own timeline for changing color, dropping all its leaves and going dormant. The traveler will also have a good selection of wineries to visit and enjoy the views while wine tasting. We have two favorites along the Alexander Highway. The Hanna Winery sits up at the top of their hillside vineyards and has spectacular views of the Alexander Valley. We like the Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon and, if we have lunch at Hanna, a glass of their Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc goes quite nicely. Heading south from Hanna, just a short distance, is the Field Stone Winery. Things here are very laid back. This is one of our favorite picnic spots. It is very rustic but the vineyards stretching to the west are just so beautiful. I shot the photo above on the Alexander Valley Road. This road and the vineyards are owned by Harry Wetzel. Harry and his wife Maggie also own and operate the Alexander Valley Vineyard to the north on this same highway. This winery is also a nice stop.

We also like to drive the Westside Wine Route at this time of the year. The colors are just amazing, and there are even more choices for wine tasting than in the Alexander Valley. We like Mill Creek and Armida for the views and Hop Kiln Winery for the pond and picnic area.

Here is a close-up look at what you will see on one of our favorite wine country backroads.