A day on the North Coast
When I worked at Twomey Cellars, I would recommend this itinerary to guests who don’t want to do a big wine tasting day but want to enjoy the sights and find little gems along the way.
I have done this a few times but one of the most memorable was with my best friend Emily. We started our morning grabbing coffee and pastries at Quail and Condor in Healdsburg. Everything they make is fresh and so delicious! They are dedicated to the craft of baking and commitment to the community. Every morning this place is packed, get there when they open for warm pastries and fresh coffee.
After we enjoyed our pastries and coffee, we visited House of Flowers on Westside Road. Their tasting experiences are curated to be intimate wine tastings paired with crudité and a snack board. They are known for their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and of course their Rosé. The Rosé is a crowd pleaser! Depending on the vintage, it has limited availability so if its anytime in the Spring/Summer and you see it. Get it! Great with a BBQ, peach burrata or laying out by the pool. We love to get the Magnum bottle.
Our next stop was Bodega Bay, we drove through the redwoods to Guerneville and out to the ocean. We stopped for clam chowder at Spud Point Crab Co. Seating is limited and first come, first serve. We both ordered chowder and drove out to Portuguese Beach where we enjoyed it with an ocean view. We hopped back into the car and drove out to a little town called Freestone. Freestone is quaint and charming with another delicious bakery called Wild Flour Bread. Their scones are out of this world! Next door is a little tchotchke shop with cute little gifts and hats. Emily and I got hats as souvenirs. Our final stop was a tasting at Merry Edwards Winery and Vineyards. Lead by a team of women and known for their Pinots and Sauvignon Blanc. Their Russian River Valley Sauvignon is a chefs kiss! love, love love! We enjoyed a tasting, explored downtown Sebastopol and then headed back to Healdsburg.
This is a great itinerary if you are looking for something different and unique. This is a little different from wine tasting all day. You can discover the little rustic and quaint towns, talk to some of locals, explore their small businesses and see Sonoma Wine Country in a different light.
Cheers,
Emina
