C. Donatiello Winery
I recently met with Robert and Ashley at C. Donatiello Winery on a very warm summer morning as I was wending my way out Westside Road just outside of Healdsburg. In addition to their famous, tasty pinots and chards produced here, C. Donatiello is quite the destination with its popular Summer Music series. Recently, a Food & Wine pairing was added to the selections offered in the tasting room on a daily basis. There are tours available too- including a tour of the Aroma Garden where herbs and other plants mimic and demonstrate the tastes found in wines. Picnic, anyone? Wish I could linger longer, but the Wine Road commands my attention! Here’s looking at you, kids. TR
Read MoreWohler Bridge Vicinity: Moshin Vineyards, Raford Inn and Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
Continuing my ramblings out Westside Road, I arrive at Moshin Vineyards where I am to meet with Julia and Amber- and Rick, too, for a few minutes, time permitting. The place is busy for a hot Thursday morning in mid-September- many guests in the parking lot and inside at the TR bar. We go over all things Wine Road. Julia describes the great wine club they have here at Moshin and ends by giving me a tour of the on-site suite for Wine Club VIPS- very cool! Make an appointment with Julia to “go with the flow” and learn about the Moshin Four Tier Gravity Flow Set up: Heading in a north-easterly manner, I soon arrive at Wohler Bridge- one lane, yield to oncoming traffic- beautiful span across the Russian River- I make like a tourist and inadvertently...
Read MoreTara Bella: New Partners
Tara Bella Winery- I met with the bella Tara and her new partner, Wendy, also bella, the other day. Dear, close friends, the Minicks and Morrows have joined forces and will be most likely doubling production of cabernet- but still well under 1000 cases, all exquisitely made. This jewel of a winery is tucked away on Viking Road just off Olivet near River Road- by appointment only and you must come! Kevin and Wendy Morrow are bringing years and years of winery successes to join forces with the years and years of successes that Tara Bella has already enjoyed- new to the winery will be the cool Bassett Hounds, Presley and Thornton. (No photo available as they were not quite moved in when I visited.) A Wine Cruise to Italy to study wine-making and food & wine...
Read MoreWilliamson Wines
One of our newer members, Williamson Wines is close to Wine Road HQ in downtown Healdsburg; they are extremely popular with their great wines and food & wine pairings offered on a daily basis 11ish ’til 7pm. I am meeting with Jen and staff- In addition to their daily warm hospitality and complimentary or more involved Food & Wine pairings, the Williamsons host an Epicurean Dinner on the first Friday of each month at the Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. You can join Bill and Dawn for an intimate wine and food dining experience that features six courses perfectly paired with Williamson Wines. Awesome Wine Club, too. Great quote on their door- makes me smile every time I pass by- In water one sees one’s own face; but in wine one beholds...
Read MoreMazzocco & Matrix: mmmmmm! & Sip! Sip!
Headed out recently to visit Mazzocco Sonoma Winery- meeting with Karen at their lovely location on Lytton Springs Road, which, it so happens, is very convenient to the Healdsburg Airport. Karen tells me about the Wine Club with the incredible perk of rental access to the Mazzocco Three-Bedroom Guesthouse- some guests fly in and walk on over. Sonoma Helicopter provides transportation and tours, too- what a great bird’s eye view! The day I am visiting is breezy and warm- great visibility. Would be fun to be staying here, too- with advance notice, Jimtown Old-Fashioned Box Lunches can be ordered- and then eaten in the picnic area with delicious Mazzocco wines. Karen talks about the Scholarship fund set up by the Wilson Family that each of the Wilson...
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