Sonoma Wine Tours
Your Travel Guide to Sonoma
County Wineries
County Wineries
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Kenwood Afternoon
This is a self-guided wine tour to Kenwood wineries, hiking, shopping, activities, dining, lodging and the best of Kenwood usa. It suggests only the wineries and activities that we’d choose if there was only one day to visit Kenwood.
Landmark Vineyards
101 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452-9045
Tasting Room 10:00 – 4:30
Next door is Landmark Vineyards. Landmark is an established and exquisitely beautiful winery but with the laid back attitude Sonoma is famous for. Nestled at the foothills of Sugarloaf Ridge, part of the Mayacamas Mountain Range, Landmark Vineyards and Winery epitomizes the grace, harmony and excitement that is Sonoma County. The 20-acre estate designed by landscape architect Morgan Wheelock, whose work includes the design of the D-Day Commemorative Landing Parks in Normandy and the Queen's Courtyard at Ascot, England, effortlessly blends California mission-style architecture with natural beauty--panoramic views of mountains, vineyards and sun pouring on well-tended landscaped gardens.
Sip their flagship Overlook Chardonnay or some of their newly released unfiltered Pinot Noir. Robert Parker calls Landmark, “The best kept secret in California wine.” Wine Spectator consistently rates the Overlook Chardonnay best California Chardonnay.
Relax and have a picnic anywhere on the beautiful grounds, there’s special places to sit and gaze at Sugar Loaf Ridge and Hood Mountain. The shady courtyard and pond-side picnic area can actually help you “take it down a notch”.
A little known but fun adventure on the weekends (Saturdays in the summer months only) is going on the horse-drawn wagon vineyard tour. When does it leave? When there are enough people to go! Pat Prather hangs out in the drive with his horse Candy until he collects some savvy visitors for the educational and FREE tour.
And don’t miss the BOCCE BALL court out on the lawn. The balls are already there and all you need are the simple rules to challenge your partner to a short game.
But the real excitement here is the wines. The whites and reds poured for tasting are excellent (the Overlook Chardonnay is included) and for a $10 tasting fee you get to taste some truly extraordinary whites and reds. Don’t miss them and visit their website for a sense of how beautiful the grounds are at www.landmarkwine.com
When we were there we also discovered that they offer an enchanting one-bedroom cottage in the vineyards for rent. Complete with kitchen, fresh sweet rolls and juice, the cottage stands alone in the vineyard away from the winery for plenty of privacy and ambience. Go to their web site to see pictures and call 800-452-6365 for more details and to reserve. The cottage is $275 for one night or $225 for multiple nights.
Be Sure To Taste: Overlook Chardonnay and newly released Steel Plow Syrah, 2005. This is a Syrah done in the Northern Rhone style from Kivelstadt Vineyard in Sonoma Valley. It’s a well balanced, well made wine and a bargain at $27.
What’s So Special: If you’re there on a Saturday, definitely the horse drawn wagon tour of the vineyards. Any other time don’t miss the bocce court for a quick game.
Bocce Rules: Bocce for the average players is very simple. There may BE two four or eight players. Each player is given two balls (boccia). Each player must then take turns rolling (lagging) the ball toward the pallino ball (the smallest ball), which has already been thrown onto the field. The players get points for the balls thrown closes to the pallino ball. Players may also throw on the fly (volo), striking the ball to move the point ball. Balls, including the pallino, may also be displaced by the balls of other players. In other words, horse shoes with balls!
LUNCH TIME
So you’ve seen some really beautiful picnic grounds at the park, Kaz’s, and Landmark, and after all that wine tasting, you probably should get some food. We don’t want one of our members becoming a Highway 12 statistic—it’ll make us look bad.
Cafe Citti
9049 Sonoma Hwy,
Kenwood.
707-833-2690
Lunch 11:00 to 3:30 Dinners 5 - 9
Our favorite is Café Citti. As you leave Landmark, go back south on Hwy 12 (that’s a right on to Adobe Canyon Road about five steps and a left on to the highway). About a half mile down the road you’ll see Café Citti along with VJB Cellars on the right. There’s plenty of parking either in front, on the side or in the back.
The Café is a bustling Italian Trattoria with terrific lunches. If you want to take advantage of some of those lovely picnic grounds, you can order the BOX LUNCH, which includes a huge sandwich (try the homemade Focaccia bread), choice of pasta salad (we love the tortellini salad), a bottle of water and a house baked biscotti all very reasonable. (If you’re planning on a picnic, don’t leave until you go next door and pick up a bottle of wine).
If you like your lunches served where you order them there’s lots of tables inside and out to enjoy a full meal. The Tuscan owners have solved the pasta/sauce dilemma by letting you choose the type of pasta and then pairing it with your choice of seven different sauces. Citti excels with pizzas in the real Italian style and has a great deli for “to go” pints and quarts of their great salads. Who knows, you may be forced to go back again just to cover all the bases.
Don’t have coffee yet because right next door is some of the best espresso in the valley at…………..
VJB Vineyards & Cellars
Tasting Room
9077 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood
707-833-2300
“Wine worthy of all the angels”
Vittorio Belmonte, proprietor and winemaker will be happy to accommodate any of your needs. The recently opened family tasting room (not on most maps yet) is a beautiful presentation of dark wood, stone and great wines. Try both the reds and whites and don’t miss their unique Prosecco, a fresh bubbly floral treat you can add to that Citti picnic you just picked up or enjoy as a late afternoon “watch the sun set over the valley” addition. You may be asking at about this point “Don’t they ever stop drinking wine?” In a word, NO!
While you’re there, don’t miss Maria’s best seller, the artichoke pesto (to ask for it in Italian: pesto di carciofi) or her pesto alla Genovese (you get 20% off). Delizioso! These home-canned gourmet treats make delicious take home gifts or for those great dinners you’ll make to go with the 2000 VJB Danté Cabernet Sauvignon you buy from Vittorio. Check out all their wines at www.vjbcellars.com.
Be Sure To Taste: 2001 Dry Creek Zinfandel, 2000 Cabernet Reserve and the 2002 Mendocino County Barbera (It just won the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition Gold Medal!)
What’s Special: The winemaker and family are pouring the wines so you can get the real story on these delicious, estate grown and bottled Italian varietals.
If you’d like to picnic right there at VJB there’s a couple tables in the front. Or head back up to Kaz’s or Landmark. . . or go to
Ledson Winery & Vineyards
7335 Highway 12,
Phone 707-537-3810.
Hours daily 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Go North up Highway 12 (turn left out of VJB’s for 2 1/2 miles and you’ll see “the castle”, you can’t miss it. There is a gourmet marketplace here and you can stock up on Sonoma artisan cheeses (try the creamy Vella Toma) and gourmet mustards for that snack back at your hotel room later on. The tasting rooms (there are ten of them) are elegant. Ledson wines are only available for purchase at the winery, at the Ledson Hotel and Harmony Lounge in Sonoma, and at the online store www.ledson.com; you won’t see it at your local wine seller. There’s a good selection, so if you find a wine you like, better buy it.. We personally like the sauvignon blanc for that happy hour you’re going to enjoy later on. . . . with the artisan cheeses. It’s from 25-year-old vines in Napa Valley. This crisp, grapefruity white wine is delicious with food. For a peek at the marketplace, a schedule of events or if gothic architecture interests you, go to their website at www.ledson.com.
Be Sure To Taste: Dry Creek Old Vine Zin: it’s big and brawny with classic berry character. The Lodi Old Vine Zin: it’s made from 50 year old vines and get ready for juicy, lush, and jammy. And don’t miss the estate merlot, they are known for it. (The merlot vineyard is part of the beauty of the grounds here). If you like celebrity wine go for the 2000 Ledson Harmony Collection Meritage, it’s a joint adventure between Steve Ledson and Jeff Bridges. It is a blend of Napa Cabernet, Napa Cabernet Franc, and Ledson estate Merlot, and, reportedly, there are only 300 cases left.
What’s Special: The architecture of this place and the grounds overlooking the vineyards are eye-popping amazing. This “castle”, as it is known by the locals, is a valley landmark and showplace that hosts many local events; Art shows, classic car shows, “Porsches at the Palace” for Porsche aficionados, and live music nearly every weekend in the summer and fall.
If you still have the energy left (think East Coast visitors) there’s one final stop that’s like nowhere else you’ve visited. Go back south on Sonoma Hwy. Past Landmark back to center of Kenwood and on the left you’ll see a cool house that’s home to:
The Mayo Family Winery Reserve Tasting Room
9200 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood.
Phone 707-833-5504.
Hours: Thursday-Monday 10:30am to 6:30 pm. Reservations are not required, but are recommended during peak season.
The Mayo Family offers a unique experience in the form of their Reserve Room.
Not just a tasting room but a complete menu offering seven courses for food and wine pairings for a flat fee of $20. The wine list runs the gamut of varietals and the menu crafted by Chef billy Oliver offers such treats as molasses-glazed smoked duck breast with arugula hazelnut pesto or the southwest pork loin and polenta with blackberry and pecan compote.
For more information visit their web site at www.mayofamilywinery.com/
Whew! After that taste-a-thon, head back to your hotel room and take a break. Unless you’d like to stop for a little shopping at. . ..
Shopping
Jonathan’s Farmhouse
9255 Sonoma Highway,
Kenwood. Phone 707-833-6532.
Hours 10:15 to 5:15 Seven days a week.
It’s a farmhouse that goes on and on. There are quilts, toys, Americana galore . . .it’s all there. Explore this place and don’t miss the big country garden in the back with the architectural salvage! We can’t resist the fun seasonal decorations (For example at Easter they display a 3 foot “chocolate” bunny, giant bread basket sized Easter Eggs, and foot long carrots hang from the trees. . .. you should see it at Christmas time!)
Dinner is at 8 or when ever you wake up from that nap you can’t wait to take.
Landmark Vineyards
101 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452-9045
Tasting Room 10:00 – 4:30
Next door is Landmark Vineyards. Landmark is an established and exquisitely beautiful winery but with the laid back attitude Sonoma is famous for. Nestled at the foothills of Sugarloaf Ridge, part of the Mayacamas Mountain Range, Landmark Vineyards and Winery epitomizes the grace, harmony and excitement that is Sonoma County. The 20-acre estate designed by landscape architect Morgan Wheelock, whose work includes the design of the D-Day Commemorative Landing Parks in Normandy and the Queen's Courtyard at Ascot, England, effortlessly blends California mission-style architecture with natural beauty--panoramic views of mountains, vineyards and sun pouring on well-tended landscaped gardens.
Sip their flagship Overlook Chardonnay or some of their newly released unfiltered Pinot Noir. Robert Parker calls Landmark, “The best kept secret in California wine.” Wine Spectator consistently rates the Overlook Chardonnay best California Chardonnay.
Relax and have a picnic anywhere on the beautiful grounds, there’s special places to sit and gaze at Sugar Loaf Ridge and Hood Mountain. The shady courtyard and pond-side picnic area can actually help you “take it down a notch”.
A little known but fun adventure on the weekends (Saturdays in the summer months only) is going on the horse-drawn wagon vineyard tour. When does it leave? When there are enough people to go! Pat Prather hangs out in the drive with his horse Candy until he collects some savvy visitors for the educational and FREE tour.
And don’t miss the BOCCE BALL court out on the lawn. The balls are already there and all you need are the simple rules to challenge your partner to a short game.
But the real excitement here is the wines. The whites and reds poured for tasting are excellent (the Overlook Chardonnay is included) and for a $10 tasting fee you get to taste some truly extraordinary whites and reds. Don’t miss them and visit their website for a sense of how beautiful the grounds are at www.landmarkwine.com
When we were there we also discovered that they offer an enchanting one-bedroom cottage in the vineyards for rent. Complete with kitchen, fresh sweet rolls and juice, the cottage stands alone in the vineyard away from the winery for plenty of privacy and ambience. Go to their web site to see pictures and call 800-452-6365 for more details and to reserve. The cottage is $275 for one night or $225 for multiple nights.
Be Sure To Taste: Overlook Chardonnay and newly released Steel Plow Syrah, 2005. This is a Syrah done in the Northern Rhone style from Kivelstadt Vineyard in Sonoma Valley. It’s a well balanced, well made wine and a bargain at $27.
What’s So Special: If you’re there on a Saturday, definitely the horse drawn wagon tour of the vineyards. Any other time don’t miss the bocce court for a quick game.
Bocce Rules: Bocce for the average players is very simple. There may BE two four or eight players. Each player is given two balls (boccia). Each player must then take turns rolling (lagging) the ball toward the pallino ball (the smallest ball), which has already been thrown onto the field. The players get points for the balls thrown closes to the pallino ball. Players may also throw on the fly (volo), striking the ball to move the point ball. Balls, including the pallino, may also be displaced by the balls of other players. In other words, horse shoes with balls!
LUNCH TIME
So you’ve seen some really beautiful picnic grounds at the park, Kaz’s, and Landmark, and after all that wine tasting, you probably should get some food. We don’t want one of our members becoming a Highway 12 statistic—it’ll make us look bad.
Cafe Citti
9049 Sonoma Hwy,
Kenwood.
707-833-2690
Lunch 11:00 to 3:30 Dinners 5 - 9
Our favorite is Café Citti. As you leave Landmark, go back south on Hwy 12 (that’s a right on to Adobe Canyon Road about five steps and a left on to the highway). About a half mile down the road you’ll see Café Citti along with VJB Cellars on the right. There’s plenty of parking either in front, on the side or in the back.
The Café is a bustling Italian Trattoria with terrific lunches. If you want to take advantage of some of those lovely picnic grounds, you can order the BOX LUNCH, which includes a huge sandwich (try the homemade Focaccia bread), choice of pasta salad (we love the tortellini salad), a bottle of water and a house baked biscotti all very reasonable. (If you’re planning on a picnic, don’t leave until you go next door and pick up a bottle of wine).
If you like your lunches served where you order them there’s lots of tables inside and out to enjoy a full meal. The Tuscan owners have solved the pasta/sauce dilemma by letting you choose the type of pasta and then pairing it with your choice of seven different sauces. Citti excels with pizzas in the real Italian style and has a great deli for “to go” pints and quarts of their great salads. Who knows, you may be forced to go back again just to cover all the bases.
Don’t have coffee yet because right next door is some of the best espresso in the valley at…………..
VJB Vineyards & Cellars
Tasting Room
9077 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood
707-833-2300
“Wine worthy of all the angels”
Vittorio Belmonte, proprietor and winemaker will be happy to accommodate any of your needs. The recently opened family tasting room (not on most maps yet) is a beautiful presentation of dark wood, stone and great wines. Try both the reds and whites and don’t miss their unique Prosecco, a fresh bubbly floral treat you can add to that Citti picnic you just picked up or enjoy as a late afternoon “watch the sun set over the valley” addition. You may be asking at about this point “Don’t they ever stop drinking wine?” In a word, NO!
While you’re there, don’t miss Maria’s best seller, the artichoke pesto (to ask for it in Italian: pesto di carciofi) or her pesto alla Genovese (you get 20% off). Delizioso! These home-canned gourmet treats make delicious take home gifts or for those great dinners you’ll make to go with the 2000 VJB Danté Cabernet Sauvignon you buy from Vittorio. Check out all their wines at www.vjbcellars.com.
Be Sure To Taste: 2001 Dry Creek Zinfandel, 2000 Cabernet Reserve and the 2002 Mendocino County Barbera (It just won the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition Gold Medal!)
What’s Special: The winemaker and family are pouring the wines so you can get the real story on these delicious, estate grown and bottled Italian varietals.
If you’d like to picnic right there at VJB there’s a couple tables in the front. Or head back up to Kaz’s or Landmark. . . or go to
Ledson Winery & Vineyards
7335 Highway 12,
Phone 707-537-3810.
Hours daily 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Go North up Highway 12 (turn left out of VJB’s for 2 1/2 miles and you’ll see “the castle”, you can’t miss it. There is a gourmet marketplace here and you can stock up on Sonoma artisan cheeses (try the creamy Vella Toma) and gourmet mustards for that snack back at your hotel room later on. The tasting rooms (there are ten of them) are elegant. Ledson wines are only available for purchase at the winery, at the Ledson Hotel and Harmony Lounge in Sonoma, and at the online store www.ledson.com; you won’t see it at your local wine seller. There’s a good selection, so if you find a wine you like, better buy it.. We personally like the sauvignon blanc for that happy hour you’re going to enjoy later on. . . . with the artisan cheeses. It’s from 25-year-old vines in Napa Valley. This crisp, grapefruity white wine is delicious with food. For a peek at the marketplace, a schedule of events or if gothic architecture interests you, go to their website at www.ledson.com.
Be Sure To Taste: Dry Creek Old Vine Zin: it’s big and brawny with classic berry character. The Lodi Old Vine Zin: it’s made from 50 year old vines and get ready for juicy, lush, and jammy. And don’t miss the estate merlot, they are known for it. (The merlot vineyard is part of the beauty of the grounds here). If you like celebrity wine go for the 2000 Ledson Harmony Collection Meritage, it’s a joint adventure between Steve Ledson and Jeff Bridges. It is a blend of Napa Cabernet, Napa Cabernet Franc, and Ledson estate Merlot, and, reportedly, there are only 300 cases left.
What’s Special: The architecture of this place and the grounds overlooking the vineyards are eye-popping amazing. This “castle”, as it is known by the locals, is a valley landmark and showplace that hosts many local events; Art shows, classic car shows, “Porsches at the Palace” for Porsche aficionados, and live music nearly every weekend in the summer and fall.
If you still have the energy left (think East Coast visitors) there’s one final stop that’s like nowhere else you’ve visited. Go back south on Sonoma Hwy. Past Landmark back to center of Kenwood and on the left you’ll see a cool house that’s home to:
The Mayo Family Winery Reserve Tasting Room
9200 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood.
Phone 707-833-5504.
Hours: Thursday-Monday 10:30am to 6:30 pm. Reservations are not required, but are recommended during peak season.
The Mayo Family offers a unique experience in the form of their Reserve Room.
Not just a tasting room but a complete menu offering seven courses for food and wine pairings for a flat fee of $20. The wine list runs the gamut of varietals and the menu crafted by Chef billy Oliver offers such treats as molasses-glazed smoked duck breast with arugula hazelnut pesto or the southwest pork loin and polenta with blackberry and pecan compote.
For more information visit their web site at www.mayofamilywinery.com/
Whew! After that taste-a-thon, head back to your hotel room and take a break. Unless you’d like to stop for a little shopping at. . ..
Shopping
Jonathan’s Farmhouse
9255 Sonoma Highway,
Kenwood. Phone 707-833-6532.
Hours 10:15 to 5:15 Seven days a week.
It’s a farmhouse that goes on and on. There are quilts, toys, Americana galore . . .it’s all there. Explore this place and don’t miss the big country garden in the back with the architectural salvage! We can’t resist the fun seasonal decorations (For example at Easter they display a 3 foot “chocolate” bunny, giant bread basket sized Easter Eggs, and foot long carrots hang from the trees. . .. you should see it at Christmas time!)
Dinner is at 8 or when ever you wake up from that nap you can’t wait to take.