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A Trip to Sonoma and Napa Valley with Friends

A Trip to Sonoma and Napa Valley
with Friends

Going on a trip with friends can always be a great time, throw in Sonoma and Napa Vineyards and it’s pretty much a shoe-in.  We chose to take a little holiday in the fall with a group of our closest friends.  Kevin was the coordinator of the travel arrangements to get us there all safe and sound.  I looked for a home we could rent on Airbnb that would work for all of us.  Once this was all done scheduling of the vineyards for wine tasting took place.

Off to a great start

Our flights all went off without a hitch from Tampa as we landed in Sacramento Airport.  A large 12 passenger van was rented and soon we were off to our Airbnb home for the week.  The home was perfect for us, lots of room, huge dining room and great kitchen.  We had made a stop and opened up some wine to enjoy.

Our week was filled with amazing vineyards and wine tasting, beginning with Lasseter Family Winery.  This was a private tour arranged for us.  The owners of Lasseter Family Winery are the founders of Pixar Animation Studios and just as successful as they are with Pixar they also are with their wine.  The reception we received at this vineyard was amazing, they put out all the stops as you can see in these photos below.  The video in this post shows us taking a very informative wine making tour here.

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The welcome sign at Lassiter Winery
The welcome sign at Lassiter Winery
Beautiful grapes on a vine
Beautiful grapes on a vine

The Fun and Wine Tasting Continues

Since vineyards were the main attraction we kept on going all week long.  Other fantastic vineyards visited were Flora Springs, Whitehall, Russian River Vineyards, Buena Vista, Petroni and Joseph Cellars.  Each were unique in their own way.  I think I can pretty much speak for the group that we all loved the wine tastings , some more than others, some white, some red.  We all have different tastes and it was interesting and fun to pick up on the flavors and aromas of each of the wines.

Flora Springs has a stunning vineyard and grounds!  The name very well suits this vineyard.  We all loved sitting outside on their porch at a large table just enjoying the view and the wine.

Pathway to winery at Lassiter
Pathway to winery

Whitehall Lane Winery in Napa was not a scheduled stop, but we managed to drop in and take a tour.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take any photos. Just off the main highway you pull directly into the parking lot.  Beautiful area upstairs to have our private tasting.

Russian River Vineyards, okay they win my vote for the most comfortable place to relax and have some wine and delicious food! This was actually our second time going here and we enjoyed even more with our friends. A must stop when in Sonoma area, you won’t regret it.

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Did you know there are dog friendly wineries in Sonoma and Kenwood? Also the beautiful hotel Kenwood Inn and Spa is dog friendly and even offers doggie spa packages!

 

 

Buena Vista Winery Bubble Room
Buena Vista Winery Bubble Room

Now for something a little…different

Buena Vista Winery is probably the most unique of all the vineyards you could visit. The “Count of Buena Vista,” Jean-Charles Boisset is the owner of this… well you have to see it for yourself.  Again, Kevin and I had been here previously and we wanted our friends to experience the eccentric atmosphere of Buena Vista. Jean-Charles Boisset they say is the most flamboyant man in the wine business. we had the pleasure of seeing and saying hello on our first visit.  Just love his socks! The must see here is to enter the Bubble Room.  Champagne anyone?!

Buena Vista Winery Bubble Room
Buena Vista Winery Bubble Room
Buena Vista Winery Bubble Room piano
Buena Vista Winery Bubble Room

Petroni Vineyard was in a little more private setting. Climbing up the steep mountain and thin road to get there was a little intense, but when we there, the views!  It is here I felt more like being in Italy countryside.  Please take a look at their web site and check out the aerial video they have and you will see what I mean.

Petroni Vineyards wine barrel
Petroni Vineyards

Last but surely not least…

Joseph Cellars Winery in Calistoga. Owned by the Bartholomew family, our friend Jay who was with us is acquainted with the family so we wanted to take a ride to see this vineyard.  A few of the group had golfing on their schedule so the rest of us loaded up in the van while I claimed to be the designated driver.  Not sure if I remember whose idea it was to take the so called shorter route going through the mountain with a 12 passenger van, but we did. Never, ever will I do it again.  Needless to say we took the 10 more minute in length drive on flat ground back.  While at this winery we had a wine tasting in their caves, which was really nice.  Lots of wine down there!  Loved their Zinfandel!

Here's a little video of our trip!

Traveling with Friends

I believe we had a fantastic week in Sonoma and Napa and can not wait to do it again.  LOVED that the guys did all the cooking for us girls.  LOVED the amazing restaurants we dined at and Delicious wine was LOVED by all.  Best of All- LOVED the company!

And we will be doing it again….. Italy 2019!!

four men cooking in the rented home kitchen in Sonoma California
The guys cooking away at the rented home

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