Wine Travels; Sonoma’s Russian River Valley by Jack Chase

k engels

13 years ago

I have the opportunity to travel to many different wine regions and one that always seems to stick out for me is the Russian River Valley. If you find yourself anywhere near Santa Rosa to the south or Healdsburg to the north, you have journeyed to a very special place. This AVA is known for producing great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The fog coming in from the Pacific can bring to life cool climate varietals. The vibe of Sonoma and especially the Russian River is relaxed and enjoyable.

Each November, there is a great event titled “The Wine and Food Affair”. Attendees can travel between participating wineries, sample the days’ offerings and have the opportunity to pair these wines with food. Each individual also receives a cookbook which features information on each wine offered as well as the recipe for the particular food pairing. More information for this event can be found at www.wineroad.com

A few wineries worth checking out (and there are many), are;

Longboard Vineyards

Longboard Vineyards in Healdsburg. You feel like you are walking into a surf shop and it’s a great place to hang out and drink wine. Seek this tasting room out, you will find delicious Merlot, Syrah and a Sauvignon Blanc that is amazing.

Harvest Moon Winery

Harvest Moon Winery is another must visit. A quaint tasting room with amazing Estate produced Zinfandel. With the resident dog waiting to greet you, this place is great. A friendly staff and really good wines.

Arista Winery

One of my other favorite stops is Arista. A stunning property and a great place to sit and sip some wine. The Russian River Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are delicious. I hope that many of you take the opportunity to explore this beautiful place. You might find yourself going back again and again.

If you find yourself anywhere near Santa Rosa to the south or Healdsburg to the north, you have journeyed to a very special place. This AVA is known for producing great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The fog coming in from the Pacific can bring to life cool climate varietals.

Until Next Time,

Cheers!

Jack Chase is a Wine Educator and Broker who has recently relocated to Washington. His passion revolves around all things wine and food and he enjoys being able to speak to people and educate them on wine. What started out as a hobby has grown into a fun and rewarding career. It is my pleasure to be able to join the Your Home family and I look forward to sharing all things Wine and meeting new friends along the way.

winetastingwashington@gmail.com or find me on Facebook at Wine Tasting Washington