Sonoma, Mendocino, and Napa Counties

Novermber 2003

www.DavidPAdams.com/NCalifornia03.html

Domaine Chandon in Yountville

the Napa winery of Moet & Chandon

Chateau Souverain in Geyserville

Russian River - Sonoma

I visited a limited number of wineries, particularly those making sparkling wine.  My first (cold and rainy) afternoon I stopped at Tattinger in Carneros.  From the outside the winery is a replica of the family chateau.  I took the tour, which I had never done before, and bought a glass of blanc de noirs.  I also visited Mumm in the Napa Valley and tasted several wines at Roederer in the Anderson Valley, which I consider to be the most authentically French of the French-owned producers in California.   

At the start of my trip I spent a weekend at Hotel la Rose in Santa Rosa, an enjoyable hotel about 100 years old.  It was a good location for visiting the city and wineries in the Healdsburg area.  From there I drove to Mendocino, a  coastal village that I have always liked.  I spent a lot of time wandering around town and also visited a couple of wineries in the Anderson Valley.  This time I stayed at the MacCallum House, a comfortable inn with a good restaurant.  My sister-in-law reminded me to also have dinner at at a wonderful restaurant, Cafe Beaujolais. 

Clos du Bois is a sentimental favorite.  I stopped there early in my trip.  Their wines are readily available in the Boston area.  I have bought and enjoyed them many times. 

I took a leisurely drive from Mendocino to Sonoma.  On the  way I stopped for lunch at Chateau Souverain, which has an excellent restaurant.  I stayed several nights at the Sonoma Hotel, which is a comfortable small hotel on the main square.  The center of Sonoma is a plaza that dates back to when it was a Mexican town.  The historic sites, including the northernmost Spanish mission church and the Mexican barracks, are close at hand.  There are also a number of good restaurants, bakeries, galleries, and shops, all within walking distance.  I visited the historic sites, sampled the restaurants and shops, and visited wineries.  I spent one afternoon in the Dry Creek area, and a day visiting the Napa Valley.   

Matanzas Creek

is somewhat hard to find, but the winery makes great wine, and the staff are very informative.  The building is attractive, as is the garden in front that features lavender. 

Lambert Bridge

makes good wine and also sells excellent flavored grapeseed oils.  I arrived on a cool afternoon to find a warm fire and friendly employees in the tasting room.