As part of our weekend getaway, I surprised my fiancé with a couples afternoon at a day spa. Nine years of trying to struggle through an MD-PhD program with your sanity intact can make anyone a little tense, so I thought this would provide some…Read More

As part of our weekend getaway, I surprised my fiancé with a couples afternoon at a day spa. Nine years of trying to struggle through an MD-PhD program with your sanity intact can make anyone a little tense, so I thought this would provide some much needed relaxation.I made an appointment for a couples 60-minute body mud treatment and half-hour neck, back, and shoulder massage at Sonoma Spa on the Plaza. The spa’s website (http://www.sonomaspaontheplaza.com/index.html) has a coupon for this for $194, but we were told that that was not available during "holiday periods." Despite the false advertising, we went ahead and booked it since $216 is still a good deal.As you could probably guess, this spa’s location is pretty convenient since it’s right on the plaza in the heart of Sonoma. We got there earlier in the day to stroll through the shops, have a delicious lunch, and watch the ducks at the pond before our afternoon appointment.Both of us had never had mud treatments before so we weren’t quite sure what to expect. In addition to the sanitary issues (where do they get this mud from? Is it reused?), we just weren’t sure if we would find it relaxing. Our treatment started out with some time in an aromatherapy sauna to open up the pores. It was pretty warm in there, but once we added more water to the rocks, it got to be really HOT. Just outside the private sauna they keep drinking water and cool, moist towels in case it gets a little too hot for comfort. We then were given robes and taken to an adjoining room for the mud treatments. It started with a body scrub and then came the mud. They explained that the clay was prepared specifically for each person during the sauna treatment (and thankfully it was not reused). We had earlier selected the herbal mineral body mud, but you can also choose a rose mud or a cooling mint mud. They spread the mud, which kind of reminded me of hot honey, on our arms, legs, and torso and then wrapped us up in a heavy blanket to allow the mud to dry. It felt warm and toasty. They then let us shower off the mud before our massages. It was pretty tough for the two of us to clean off all the mud, so I assume it’s nearly impossible for one person alone. For the massages, we were in two rooms with the adjoining wall removed. While peaceful new-agey music played, the tension melted away.As spa-novices we really didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be a fun, relaxing afternoon. It didn’t completely cure us of the problems brought on by 9 years of frustration, but at least it helped us relax for a little while.Close

My husband and I traveled with another couple to Sonoma for a week. We rented a two-bedroom cottage from Viansa winery, which was located between Gloria Ferrar and Cline. Every morning we woke up to beautiful sunrises over the golden vineyards and later saw a…Read More

My husband and I traveled with another couple to Sonoma for a week. We rented a two-bedroom cottage from Viansa winery, which was located between Gloria Ferrar and Cline. Every morning we woke up to beautiful sunrises over the golden vineyards and later saw a sunset over the mountains all around us. We would awake early every morning and head out to either wine-tasting, shopping, or touring the countryside and Route 1. They guys spent 1 day driving race cars at the Infinion Race track a few miles from our cottage while us girls shopped in Petaluma and Sonoma. One day we went into San Francisco for breakfast and then stopped in Sausilito for a quick tour. There is SO MUCH to do in the Sonoma area. They days went by so quickly. The weather is beautiful in the fall, getting up to the 70s during the day and down into the 40s or lower at night. Our cottage had a fireplace, so we would light a fire every night and enjoy a bottle of wine. The wineries are endless and so much fun. We would plan on going to seven or eight every day and only make it to four or five because we would have so much fun at each we had to go home and take a nap. The pace in Sonoma is so relaxed. One day we traveled to Healdsburg, which was also a quiet, relaxing town with lots to offer: shopping, wine-tasting, and such beautiful scenery. The drives along the coasts were breathtaking!! It was the most awesome trip EVER!!Close

For years I have seen Wine Country spreads in magazines and TV with a wonderfully set, long picnic table under a massive oak tree on a Sonoma hillside. The table is filled with huge bowls of fresh Sonoma County produce; perfectly grilled meats; and,…Read More

For years I have seen Wine Country spreads in magazines and TV with a wonderfully set, long picnic table under a massive oak tree on a Sonoma hillside. The table is filled with huge bowls of fresh Sonoma County produce; perfectly grilled meats; and, of course, wines from small, local wineries that are never sold to the public. "Oh, yeah right" I would mumble. "Who really lives like that?" "Nice photo shoot. How long did it take to set that one up?" I was skeptical that anyone had such a perfect life and that food outside of a five-star could be so perfect. Boy, was I wrong!

We bought a small cabin on the Russian River near the coast in Sonoma. We would spend weekends up north, exploring the wineries and meeting the locals. After a few invitations for dinner, we learned the amazing truth. People in Sonoma really do live this way!

There is a love here of great food, perfect wine, nature, and friendships. When all four of these features come together at a dinner party or simple Sunday lunch, the result is pure magic. Those lifestyle magazine spreads suddenly POP to real life!

Our friends Andy and Eric are a perfect example. They have several acres on a small country lane near Sebastapol. They have several small guesthouses for friends, and from their main house, you can see the Pacific Ocean. Andy, who lived in Italy, knows how to cook an Italian feast. They even had a pizza oven (wood-burning) built on their patio. On a beautiful summer day, it's wonderful to sit outside and everyone make his or her own pizza. I love a simple goat cheese (local cheeses), basil, and tomato sauce with a very thin crust. It's fun to make together, and even the kids love coming here to make pizzas!

This year, they have planted an olive grove below their home. In the middle of the grove is a cement slab to sit a table on and have a summer supper in the middle of this peaceful olive grove. Sometime in the future, they actually hope to press their olives and make homemade olive oil. I can't wait!

We also have friends like Gene and Will. Their home is in a grove of redwood trees near Occidental. Their home and gardens remind of someplace you might meet a gnome or a hobbit. They have a lot of small trails that wind around the giant redwoods, and it is a magical place for both kids and grown-ups. Will was a purser for United Airlines, and he and Gene are perfect hosts.

Have you seen the movie Sideways? People actually talk about wine up here like they do in this movie. They have a love affair with the grape. Often, a bottle of wine from a local winery will be pulled out, and the discussion is similar to discussing a good friend. There is a love and passion for wine here like no other place. Everyone knows most of the growers and winemakers, and everyone has a favorite. Often a bottle will be shared that is a special vintage or a varietal that is so special, it never makes it into stores or restaurants.

So those spreads in Martha Stewart Living are real. People really do eat and drink like that in Sonoma County. A Sunday lunch is taken very seriously here. I can't invite you to lunch at my friend's homes. I wish I could, but it's easy to make friends here. If you show a sincere interest in wines and food at a local winery, chat up the host. It won't be unheard of for him or her to say "Well, we are having a few friends over for lunch on Sunday. Why don't you stop by?" If you get the offer, jump on it. Sunday supper in a Sonoma vineyard is like nothing else!

My wife and I recently returned from a two day trip to Sonoma Valley. Although we have visited "California's Wine Country" several times in the past (and by that, I mean Napa Valley and not the Central Coast, which is in fact where most of…Read More

My wife and I recently returned from a two day trip to Sonoma Valley. Although we have visited "California's Wine Country" several times in the past (and by that, I mean Napa Valley and not the Central Coast, which is in fact where most of California wines are produced), somehow we had managed to skip through Sonoma in order to visit the larger, more well-known wineries in Napa. However, after a lovely visit to Northern California's less touristy, less crowded, and utterly charming Sonoma Valley, I have been converted.

First off, the details:
We traveled during the first week of September, and the WEATHER was just perfect. A warm mid-80's in the daytime, dropping to 70 in the evening. After experiencing many cool, if not downright chilly, "summer" evenings in San Francisco, this weather was a welcome change.

September is also the very beginning of the CRUSH season, which is the period when the grape harvests begin, and incidentally, a great time for those of you budding photographers who, like me, enjoy the idea of snapping postcard-worthy pictures of winding vines dotted with plump grapes. (Yum!) Even for the non-photographers, crush season is a good time to visit as you may see many of the wineries beginning to spring to action.

We also traveled MID-WEEK, which I highly recommend, if you are able to, as you will avoid the weekend crowds and traffic. From the Bay Area, Sonoma is a relatively painless road trip with some truly beautiful vistas. We live in Silicon Valley by Stanford, and I was pleasantly surprised that our round-trip traveling time was just 3 hours, and that even includes driving through San Francisco and over Golden Gate Bridge. Previous visits to Napa have taken close to 3 hours each way, due to traffic along Hwy 29. Despite this, I still like Napa...but Sonoma scores some major points with its ease of entry and exit.

If you decide to visit Napa there are two wineries that cannot be missed. The larger of the two is the V. Sattui Winery. It is almost the only winery in Napa that doesn't charge for tasting their wines. These wines are…Read More

If you decide to visit Napa there are two wineries that cannot be missed. The larger of the two is the V. Sattui Winery. It is almost the only winery in Napa that doesn't charge for tasting their wines. These wines are sold exclusively at the winery. During my last visit we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. George Sattui in the tasting room. Surrounding our stone winery building is a large tree shaded picnic ground. There is also a large gourmet cheese shop and deli. V. Sattui Winery, 1111 White Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574, 707-963-7774.

Heading north out or Napa on Hwy 29, you come to Lower Lake, you will come to the Ployez Winery. Don't let the gravel road fool you, this three year old winery has some good wine! Ployez produces a number of wines under the name "Sunset," including a sparkling. Saturdays are usually light, but business picks up on Sunday. They also have picnic grounds available. They offer an excellent pate, along with brie and crackers. There is no charge for tasting. Ployez Winery, 11171 S. Highway 29, Lower Lake, CA 95457, 888-704-WINE. Close

The Dry Creek, one of the tributaries to the Russian River, is home to about 20 to 30 wineries. A very pleasant day can be planned around packing a picnic lunch into the car (stop by the Healdsburg Grocery for supplies) and just 'heading out'. …Read More

The Dry Creek, one of the tributaries to the Russian River, is home to about 20 to 30 wineries.

A very pleasant day can be planned around packing a picnic lunch into the car (stop by the Healdsburg Grocery for supplies) and just 'heading out'.

I have some favorite wineries, including Mill Bridge and Lambert Ridge. Each of the wineries is unique, as is their product... and that's the joy of exploring. Far less popular than the Napa Valley, or even the Sonoma Valley proper, Dry Creek wineries produce some excellent wines, and there are almost no crowds in the tasting rooms. When the time is right, buy a bottle at one of the wineries and unpack your lunch spread. Almost all of the wineries will provide dining tables and wineglasses, as long as you've purchased your wine from them.

If you're flying home after your visit, purchase one of the styrofoam-padded shipping boxes. Fill it with your wine, and check it with the sky cap at the airport. Your wines will get home intact, and there's no lugging of the box into the airport!

Healdsburg, in the heart of Sonoma County, California, could easily be nick-named “Home town USA.” With a gigantic square in the center and a park for strolling, relaxing, picnicking, and listening to music, it’s a way to return to a different era. This is definitely…Read More

Healdsburg, in the heart of Sonoma County, California, could easily be nick-named “Home town USA.” With a gigantic square in the center and a park for strolling, relaxing, picnicking, and listening to music, it’s a way to return to a different era. This is definitely the place where you'd like to be on July 4th--or anytime you want to enjoy a homey, yet sophisticated atmosphere.

In the many boutique shops that line the square, you can enjoy a thoroughly modern shopping experience. We especially like Toyon Books where we look at books—and admire the Head Cat, Dorothy,originally a stray who is now very much queen of her bookshop domain.

At various antique shops, you can browse and, more than likely, find that item that you just can’t live without. And, if you’re looking for a refreshing trip to Thailand, check out Lotus Thai Restaurant.

Just a few minutes out of town, you’ll find the Honor Mansion. We weren’t able to stay there, but did stop in to see if we might look at their rooms. We liked what we saw and made a note that, when we return to Sonoma County, we’d like to stay here for a night, where they pride themselves on pampering guests. Homemade macaroon cookies are a specialty.

The Honor Mansion has elegantly appointed rooms, plus all those wonderful, sumptuous things you look for in a bed and breakfast—gourmet food, a lovely garden to work in, fireplaces, and a deck to relax on.

But, there’s one more thing that truly makes the Honor Mansion unique: they have some very friendly Koi, and provide their guests with food (and handy-wipes) so they can experience the delightful joy of letting these gentle creatures nibble the food right out of their hands. For more information, visit www.honormansion.com Close

Before our trip to wine country began, I had business in San Francisco. I tried out a couple of restaurants downtown that were both quite good: North Beach Restaurant and Trademark Grill. The morning we headed north, we stopped by a pastry shop…Read More

Before our trip to wine country began, I had business in San Francisco. I tried out a couple of restaurants downtown that were both quite good: North Beach Restaurant and Trademark Grill. The morning we headed north, we stopped by a pastry shop in the North Beach neighborhood called Stella Pastries. No question: the food in SF is very good! I can't stand cities, but oh, the food is good!Close

I'm sure many of you reading this are wondering why I titled this Journal "The Unknown Wine Country" because Northern Sonoma County wine is no secret. Or, at least that is what I thought. Much to my surprise, while in San Francisco and…Read More

I'm sure many of you reading this are wondering why I titled this Journal "The Unknown Wine Country" because Northern Sonoma County wine is no secret. Or, at least that is what I thought. Much to my surprise, while in San Francisco and Sacramento on a business trip, I mentioned to several locals that I was going to wine country for the weekend. The response from everyone was, "oh, Napa?" When I said that I was not going to Napa and instead was visiting the Alexander Valley and Russian River Valleys, all I got was blank looks. Maybe the people I spoke to don't like wine, but I wouldn't have expected wine country this lovely to be unknown to people living a few hours away!

Perhaps the problem is getting there. It was smooth sailing along Hwy 101 until just after Novato when we hit traffic worthy of rush hour in DC. It was Friday around 1pm, and we were at a dead stop. We inched along until we were almost to Santa Rosa when the highway opened back up to 3 lanes and traffic flowed freely again. Hwy 101 is under construction through that area but very little work was going on. According to wine country locals, work has stopped due to lack of $$.

Because of the traffic, we had to call and postpone our 2pm tasting to 3, but now we had some time to kill. Driving up Chalk Hill Road, we stopped into Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards, wondering if it would be any good. We burned through our extra time and then some and had to hurry to our appointment at Lancaster Estate. Then we headed to the Sonoma Orchid Inn to check in and get a recommendation for dinner. Dinner at Restaurant Mirepoix in Windsor topped off a marvelous first day! We chased the massive full moon sitting just above the horizon as we drove back to the B&B.Close