Sonoma Wine Tours
Your Travel Guide to Sonoma
County Wineries
County Wineries
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Sonoma Afternoon Wine Tour
SONOMA AFTERNOON WINE TOUR
Lunch:
Depending on what your hunger pangs dictate, you can picnic at either Gundlach Bundschu or Bartholomew Park or if you’re like one of our friends who thinks picnics are for people who don’t have houses (or hotels) may we suggest a great restaurant for lunch?
The El Dorado Kitchen . . .or EDK
On the Plaza, lobby of El Dorado Hotel
Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner
Welcome to one of the snazziest (and newest) eateries on the Plaza. The El Dorado restaurant is located in the newly renovated El Dorado hotel and features Mediterranean inspired bistro cuisine by executive chef Ryan Fancher, formerly of the French Laundry and Auberge du Soleil. The place is stunning with an incredible 50 foot table down the center of the room and a beautiful courtyard for outdoor dining. We loved the small plates of various dishes and do have desert… after all you are on vacation.
After a great lunch you’ll want to get back to your main job of wine tasting and maybe take a stroll to walk off some of that lunch so…
Wine Tasting:
Bartholomew Park Winery
1000 Vineyard Lane (end of Castle Road)
11 – 4:30 Daily
From the Sonoma Plaza, take E. Napa St. to Seventh St. E. Go north on Seventh St. E. to Castle Rd., and then follow Castle Rd. to Vineyard Lane (look for signs for the winery)
Bartholomew Park Winery is a small production, unique winery in an incredible setting complete with tasting room, adjacent park, and it’s own local museum. It was founded in 1994, with a vision to produce handcrafted, vineyard-designated wines. Bartholomew Park Winery is dedicated to the expression of small, single-vineyard sites, producing limited quantities of Cabernet-family blends. The focus is on the mesoclimates of the western face of the Mayacamas mountains, a region challenging the preeminence of Bordeaux with complex, distinctive wines.
In addition to the wines, we love the small museum adjacent to the tasting room. The Bartholomew Park Museum provides fascinating insights into the property's colorful past. Personalities such as the eccentric Agoston Haraszthy and Kate Johnson, famous for owning 200 Angora cats, are remembered with artifacts from their respective eras. An extensive display of photos by Victorian photographer Edward Muybridge from his "A Vintage in California" series (1870-71) provides a captivating chronicle of viticultural practices of that time. Paraphernalia and documents, including wall murals and agricultural tools from the last century, are on display. Memorabilia, newspaper articles, old photographs, and even a life size reproduction of the alligator that supposedly ate Agoston Haraszathy (remember the Hungarian that planted all those grapevine cuttings from Europe?).All the wines are single-vineyard designations and available only in the tasting room. Also shown in the museum are soil samples, a topographical map and pictures illustrating present-day vineyard practices throughout the Sonoma Valley. In other words, it’s a cool place to visit. For more information on this outstanding winery check out their web site: www.bartholomewparkwinery.com/
Best sure to taste: Cabernet Sauvignon Desnudos Vineyard, full bodied. . . .from the vineyard that was a former nudist colony
What’s so special: All the wines are single-vineyard, micro lot, very special and the museum is truly a unique experience.
?
Hike Opportunity:
The other neat thing is the secret, private hiking trail located to the left of the winery at the edge of the picnic grounds (which are pretty awesome too). There are approximately three miles of marked hiking trails where you can see a variety of indigenous California vegetation - oak groves, mazanita, madrone, redwood-shaded fern grottos, and fields of spring wildflowers (if the season’s right). On a clear day, if you hike up far enough (breathe) the view from Bartholomew Park's trails extends to San Francisco . . . a rich reward for the effort.
Stroll Opportunity:
For the rest of us, next door to the winery is Bartholomew Park, is Sonoma's Bartholomew Memorial Park. Easy to reach from the town plaza but hidden from the masses, the 400-acre "Bart Park," as it's known to locals, encompasses vineyards and gardens and even includes a babbling brook. Formerly the site of the Sonoma Hospital it’s beautifully maintained grounds and trails are perfect for a stroll and also good for kid’s bikes and scooters (if you brought any). Signs along the way will educate about the land and it’s history, which by now you’re beginning to realize there’s a lot of. Enjoy.
By now it’s been at least an hour without wine (oh no!) so get back on that bike or car, we have another few stops planned or you may want to head back to your hotel for a nap (be careful with that car or bike navigating). But if you’re one of those East Coast energy types we have a final winery that is a real treat. Just head back to the Plaza and go to the NorthWest Corner, next door to the Girl and the Fig Restaurant.
Castle Vineyards & Winery
122 West Spain Street.
Phone 707-996-1966
www.castlevineyards.com
Open daily: 10am to 5pm, excluding major holidays
You’ll feel like you are at home from the minute you walk through the door of the provincial-style bungalow. The vintage ambience complete with mahogany bar, wrap around porch, shaded courtyard and Buck (the yellow lab), all contribute to this feeling of being at home and the “king of the castle”. . . .sorry, couldn’t resist the pun. There are plenty of spots in this French bistro style tasting room and courtyard to sit and enjoy the unique Rhone style wines that aren’t found elsewhere. . . .except in Provence. Vic, the winemaker was a pharmacist in a former life. . . .and it is evident in the complex, well balanced wines that he knows his chemistry! The locals know these small lot and vineyard designated wines are special. . . .you may run into them sipping and playing petanque here.
Be sure to taste: Vic’s signature Pinot Noir, Cinsault 2002 Lodi. Fruity and delicious. Try the fun Plaza series wines, Boules Rouge, Castleblanca, and Maison Rose. These are nice, good value wines for your future picnics. His Pinot Noirs are our favorite, especially the Carneros, Durell Vineyard.
What’s special: Port Syrah 2000 and the incredible looking (and tasting) chocolates Erin’s found for your pleasure.
Must be time for a nap by now, or go back and get ready for a great night...
Lunch:
Depending on what your hunger pangs dictate, you can picnic at either Gundlach Bundschu or Bartholomew Park or if you’re like one of our friends who thinks picnics are for people who don’t have houses (or hotels) may we suggest a great restaurant for lunch?
The El Dorado Kitchen . . .or EDK
On the Plaza, lobby of El Dorado Hotel
Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner
Welcome to one of the snazziest (and newest) eateries on the Plaza. The El Dorado restaurant is located in the newly renovated El Dorado hotel and features Mediterranean inspired bistro cuisine by executive chef Ryan Fancher, formerly of the French Laundry and Auberge du Soleil. The place is stunning with an incredible 50 foot table down the center of the room and a beautiful courtyard for outdoor dining. We loved the small plates of various dishes and do have desert… after all you are on vacation.
After a great lunch you’ll want to get back to your main job of wine tasting and maybe take a stroll to walk off some of that lunch so…
Wine Tasting:
Bartholomew Park Winery
1000 Vineyard Lane (end of Castle Road)
11 – 4:30 Daily
From the Sonoma Plaza, take E. Napa St. to Seventh St. E. Go north on Seventh St. E. to Castle Rd., and then follow Castle Rd. to Vineyard Lane (look for signs for the winery)
Bartholomew Park Winery is a small production, unique winery in an incredible setting complete with tasting room, adjacent park, and it’s own local museum. It was founded in 1994, with a vision to produce handcrafted, vineyard-designated wines. Bartholomew Park Winery is dedicated to the expression of small, single-vineyard sites, producing limited quantities of Cabernet-family blends. The focus is on the mesoclimates of the western face of the Mayacamas mountains, a region challenging the preeminence of Bordeaux with complex, distinctive wines.
In addition to the wines, we love the small museum adjacent to the tasting room. The Bartholomew Park Museum provides fascinating insights into the property's colorful past. Personalities such as the eccentric Agoston Haraszthy and Kate Johnson, famous for owning 200 Angora cats, are remembered with artifacts from their respective eras. An extensive display of photos by Victorian photographer Edward Muybridge from his "A Vintage in California" series (1870-71) provides a captivating chronicle of viticultural practices of that time. Paraphernalia and documents, including wall murals and agricultural tools from the last century, are on display. Memorabilia, newspaper articles, old photographs, and even a life size reproduction of the alligator that supposedly ate Agoston Haraszathy (remember the Hungarian that planted all those grapevine cuttings from Europe?).All the wines are single-vineyard designations and available only in the tasting room. Also shown in the museum are soil samples, a topographical map and pictures illustrating present-day vineyard practices throughout the Sonoma Valley. In other words, it’s a cool place to visit. For more information on this outstanding winery check out their web site: www.bartholomewparkwinery.com/
Best sure to taste: Cabernet Sauvignon Desnudos Vineyard, full bodied. . . .from the vineyard that was a former nudist colony
What’s so special: All the wines are single-vineyard, micro lot, very special and the museum is truly a unique experience.
?
Hike Opportunity:
The other neat thing is the secret, private hiking trail located to the left of the winery at the edge of the picnic grounds (which are pretty awesome too). There are approximately three miles of marked hiking trails where you can see a variety of indigenous California vegetation - oak groves, mazanita, madrone, redwood-shaded fern grottos, and fields of spring wildflowers (if the season’s right). On a clear day, if you hike up far enough (breathe) the view from Bartholomew Park's trails extends to San Francisco . . . a rich reward for the effort.
Stroll Opportunity:
For the rest of us, next door to the winery is Bartholomew Park, is Sonoma's Bartholomew Memorial Park. Easy to reach from the town plaza but hidden from the masses, the 400-acre "Bart Park," as it's known to locals, encompasses vineyards and gardens and even includes a babbling brook. Formerly the site of the Sonoma Hospital it’s beautifully maintained grounds and trails are perfect for a stroll and also good for kid’s bikes and scooters (if you brought any). Signs along the way will educate about the land and it’s history, which by now you’re beginning to realize there’s a lot of. Enjoy.
By now it’s been at least an hour without wine (oh no!) so get back on that bike or car, we have another few stops planned or you may want to head back to your hotel for a nap (be careful with that car or bike navigating). But if you’re one of those East Coast energy types we have a final winery that is a real treat. Just head back to the Plaza and go to the NorthWest Corner, next door to the Girl and the Fig Restaurant.
Castle Vineyards & Winery
122 West Spain Street.
Phone 707-996-1966
www.castlevineyards.com
Open daily: 10am to 5pm, excluding major holidays
You’ll feel like you are at home from the minute you walk through the door of the provincial-style bungalow. The vintage ambience complete with mahogany bar, wrap around porch, shaded courtyard and Buck (the yellow lab), all contribute to this feeling of being at home and the “king of the castle”. . . .sorry, couldn’t resist the pun. There are plenty of spots in this French bistro style tasting room and courtyard to sit and enjoy the unique Rhone style wines that aren’t found elsewhere. . . .except in Provence. Vic, the winemaker was a pharmacist in a former life. . . .and it is evident in the complex, well balanced wines that he knows his chemistry! The locals know these small lot and vineyard designated wines are special. . . .you may run into them sipping and playing petanque here.
Be sure to taste: Vic’s signature Pinot Noir, Cinsault 2002 Lodi. Fruity and delicious. Try the fun Plaza series wines, Boules Rouge, Castleblanca, and Maison Rose. These are nice, good value wines for your future picnics. His Pinot Noirs are our favorite, especially the Carneros, Durell Vineyard.
What’s special: Port Syrah 2000 and the incredible looking (and tasting) chocolates Erin’s found for your pleasure.
Must be time for a nap by now, or go back and get ready for a great night...