At Foppiano Vineyards in the Russian River Valley, take the Vineyard Walk
Margot Patterson Doss Vineyard Walk at Foppiano Vineyards
How many of you are veteran readers of the San Francisco Chronicle? For 30 consecutive years, beginning in 1961, Margot Patterson Doss wrote her walking tour of San Francisco column in the Sunday paper. The Foppiano winery in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County has honored Margot Patterson Doss with a one-mile vineyard walk. We last took this walk in 2011 on a beautiful warm, sunny day in November. It is an easy and casual walk that educates visitors about the various grape varities in the vineyards of Foppiano. The Fall colors in the vineyards were spectacular on that November day. Margot Patterson Doss passed away in 2001, but her memory lives on in designated walks like this one and her many books that she published.
Foppiano Vineyards was founded in 1896 and is still family owned. In fact, it is the oldest family-owned winery in this area of Sonoma County. The tasting room is loaded with memorabilia. Photos and old bottles of wine are wonderful conversation pieces as you savor the various wines made by Foppiano. We think the wines at Foppiano are great values. There is no over charging and many wines to taste are under $20. The winery is located at the northern portion of the Russian River Valley. In fact, their vineyards run up against the eastern banks of the Russian River. Nearby are several other wonderful wineries to visit, like Acorn Vineyards and J Vineyards. The town of Healdsburg is just a short hop away (3 miles to the center of town), where there are many upscale restaurants and places to stay.