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Martin Ray Winery – Alive and Well in Wine Country

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Martin Ray Winery – Fun winery to visit in the Russian River Valley

The Martin Ray Winery is alive and well despite the Wine Country Fires. This area was far from the main fires. The Martin Ray Winery is one of those “Under the Radar” wineries. It does not have the fame as many of the other wineries, but it is one of the best wineries in this area to visit. Why, the wines are excellent, reasonable in price, and the setting is fantastic. It is one of our favorite picnic spots in all of wine country. It is off the beaten path tucked away among the backroads of the Russian River Valley. The address is 2191 Laguna Road, in Santa Rosa. It is quiet and peaceful and surrounded by vineyards. See the Martin Ray Website for the “Experiences” available for visitors. We like to do a basic tasting and purchase a white or Rosé wine to go with our picnic lunch. It is a very relaxing.

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Vineyards Russian River Valley AVA

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Vineyards Russian River Valley AVA

The beautiful vineyards in this photo are owned by the St. Francis Winery. The winery and tasting room are located on Highway 12 in Sonoma Valley. These vineyards are located at the northeastern end of the Russian River Valley near Healdsburg. I shot this photo at the Christopher Creek Winery on Limerick Lane. To see this vineyard view go behind the Christopher Creek tasting room and hike up the hill.

Buy a print of this photo.  See also the Old Redwood Wine Trail to find Christopher Creek.

Veraison Pinot Noir Grapes

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Pinot Noir grapes undergoing veraison

Pinot Noir grapes undergoing veraison – beautiful work of nature

Veraison Pinot Noir Grapes in the Russian River Valley

Nearing the end of July in a normal climate year, veraison is underway in the vineyards of Northern and Central California. Veraison is a French term and means the onset of ripening. Veraison is an important event in the growing season of a vineyard. Excitement reigns among vineyard growers and managers. Veraison signals the anticipation of harvest in about one month’s time. Our Wine Country Photo of the Day shows a cluster of Pinot Noir grapes in the Russian River Valley. The photo was shot at the Benovia Winery.

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

Lynmar Estate in the Russian River Valley

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tasting room at Lynmar

The tasting room at Lynmar

Lynmar Estate in the Russian River Valley – hidden elegance

Tucked away near Sebastopol, California, is one of the Russian River Valley’s finest wineries. It is the Lynmar Estate Winery, the producer of excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. The Lynmar Estate Winery is a hidden winery, off the beaten path. Travel north along Highway 116 from Sebastopol and turn right on Frei Road to the winery. We love traveling from San Francisco to the heart of the Russian River Valley through the artsy city of Sebastopol. We make a brief stop at The Barlow before going onward to some of our favorite wineries in the Russian River Valley. Although Lynmar has made its name for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it also produces a lovely Rosé of Pinot Noir.  How appropriate that this Mother’s Day, May 8th, Lynmar will release the 2015 vintage of the Rosé of Pinot Noir.  From winemaker Shane Finley: “Crafted from Estate fruit and using the classic French soigné technique, the first impression of Rosé of Pinot Noir displays a lively watermelon hue in the glass. Followed by tantalizing aromas of white peach, raspberry and tangerine delight on the nose, the luscious mouthfeel offers up juicy flavors of marmalade, grapefruit and spun sugar, leading to an attractive mineral-laden finish.”  The tasting room at Lynmar offers a variety of tasting and food pairing options. The winery also has a full-time chef. Lynmar is open daily from 10 to 4:30 pm. Visitors can also reserve the Lynmar Lunch.  Nearby wineries include Merry Edwards,  Red Car and Dutton Goldfield. If you have time, stop in the town of Graton and check out the Underwood Bar & Bistro and Willow Wood Market.

Additional information on the Russian River Valley wine country

Hop Kiln in the Russian River Valley

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Hop Kiln Estate Winery

The Hop Kiln Estate Winery

Hop Kiln Estate Winery in the Russian River Valley

Hop Kiln has been a fixture along Westside Road in the Russian River Valley since 1905. For the majority of its history, it was used to dry and process hops, one of the key ingredients in making beer. After the hops production disappeared from the scene, it became Hop Kiln Winery. For many years Hop Kiln has been one of our “Go To” wineries for a different experience. We love the buidling and what it represents. The picnic area around the pond is scenic and relaxing. In 2004, the Hop Kiln Winery was purchased by the Westside Wine Group LLC and became HKG Estate Wines. Many changes followed.  Some vineyards were pulled and replanted. Additional vineyards were also planted. The one-hundred-acre vineyard surrounding the winery provides all the grapes for the HKG wines. These are grapes that grow beautifully in the climate of this portion of the famed Russian River Valley AVA. The emphasis is on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio grapes.  The winery recently added a very attractive picnic area opposite the winery entrance. The tasting room is one of our favorites.  You really get a feel for what this place was like back in 1905. The old wooden beams and the stone walls are so enchanting.  As far as the wines, we think they are on a par with any of the wines in the area, including those next door at the Rochioli winery, famous for its Pinot Noir waiting list. Why wait! We thought the 2012 HKG Pinot Noir Triple 7 was about as good as any Pinot Noir we have recently tasted. In the Chardonnay category, the HKG Russian River Valley is delicious and refreshing, with just the right amount of oak. At $28, it is a great buy.This area of the Russian River Valley is one of the most beautiful backroads in wine country. The Russian River flows to the east of the road, and each bend of the road brings another beautiful view of vines and trees. The HKG Estate Winery is open daily from 1o am to 5 pm. From Healdsburg, take Westside Road for six and a half miles. You will easily be able to spot Hop Kiln’s distinctive architecture. Don’t forget to pack your picnic lunch.

Hop Kiln slide show

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Nearby dining, lodging, and more wineries

How they make huge wine barrels

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Making huge wine barrels at Rodney Strong in the Russian River Valley

Making huge wine barrels at Rodney Strong in the Russian River Valley

About these huge wine barrels

On Wednesday of this week we had a very nice visit with Mark Ketcham, proprietor of Ketcham Vineyards in the Russian River Valley. There were ten of us tasting Pinot Noir wines in Mark’s spacious home. After our visit it was lunch time, and the closest winery with a picnic area was Rodney Strong. Rodney Strong has a lovely outdoor area. It is a great spot for lunch and the Rodney Strong Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are ideal wines for a lunch time snack on a summer day. Inside the winery, there is a walkway that encircles the tasting room, and visitors can view the wine cellar. As you can see in the photo, these huge barrels were being constructed. Loud, to say the least, was the noise level as these barrels were being put together. It was a treat to see the barrel crew work. The staves go up side-by-side and are then strapped tightly. If a stave is out of place, a large wooden mallet is used to pound it back to a tight fit. Then the newly finished barrel is filled with water (I assume) and the the staves swell together. Later, of course, grape juice will go into these huge wine barrels. I asked two different tasting room gents if they knew the gallon size of the barrels and also asked how the barrels would be used in the production of wine. Neither one could give me a definitive answer; they work in the tasting room and are not winemakers. Maybe on my next visit, the barrels will be in use, and I can get the real dope on these huge wine barrels. I am guessing that these barrels hold about 15,000 to 20,000 gallons of wine. They are definitely neutral oak, so perhaps the wine is to be aged only a short period of time. Anyone out there know exactly how these wine barrels are to be used?

Rodney Strong is open daily to visitors, 10am to 5pm, and I am guessing the barrel construction will go on for a few more days. If you want to visit other wineries near Rodney Strong, take the Old Redwood Road Wine Trail.

Copain Wines and the Daily Meal

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copain wine cellars and daily meal

The Copain winery is Number 10 on the Daily Meal’s  “101 Best Wineries in America”

About Copain Wines and the Daily Meal

The Daily Meal, a popular online Website that covers “All Things Food and Drink” has published a list of what they consider to be the 101 Best Wineries in America. That is a tough job considering that there are over 7000 wineries in America. Nonetheless, for whatever it is worth, one of the wineries I have visited a few times is Number 10 on the list. It is Copain Wines located atop a hill overlooking the Russian River Valley. It is a very beautiful setting and the drive from Highway 101 in Healdsburg to Copain is one of the prettiest backroads in wine country. Wells Guthrie is the winemaker at Copain and his wines are highly acclaimed for their restrained style, complexity, and food friendliness. Copain wines is open by appointment only from 10am to 4 pm. Call the winery to arrange an appointment and to select one of the tasting flights offered.  To get to Copain, take the Old Redwood Highway Exit from Highway 101 in Healdsburg.  Stay on Old Redwood Highway and turn right on Eastside Road. Copain is located at 7800 Eastside Road.  Along the way you’ll pass other interesting wineries including Foppiano, Acorn, J Vineyards, and Rodney Strong.

More information on the Russian River Wine Country

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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