Nicolas ARST

Few weeks ago, we took a trip to Sonoma County and spent an amazing weekend where wine, bike and hike were involved. First of all, if you have never been to Sonoma and wonder why pick this wine region over Napa, I’ll recommend to read this article: https://thepointsguy.com/2015/06/napa-valley-vs-sonoma/ . It will certainly help you make a decision on where to spend your future trip.

Before going there, I knew very little about Sonoma and its wineries. Hopefully, my article and experience there might be helpful if you are planning a visit in this region.

We stayed close to Healdsburg, in a cabin style house, by the Russian River. If you can, I really think renting a cabine (versus a classic hotel chain) is such a great option as your experience will be completely different. We were in the woods (by those giant Redwoods) and were able to use all of the cool stuffs from the house: Jacuzzi, Kayak, Backyard for Cheese & Charcuterie boards at night, etc.

Healdsburg is a great option to stay in the Sonoma County as some amazing wineries are very closed (see below) as well as the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. This is a perfect place to hike and allowing your liver to have a break before the next wine tasting =) This State Parks is home to the Redwood Trees, tallest living things on Earth! Some of them, like the Colonel Armstrong, have more than 1,000 years old.

The first winery we visited was Pasterick. If I remember correctly, this winery was by appointment only and we have been welcomed by Gerry. Gerry was an amazing host (with a great sens of humor) and took the time to explain to us the history of the Pasterick Wines and answered every single of our question. We were the only ones in the winery and we tasted the Pasterick’s wines (3 different years of Syrah and a very good Rose de Syrah) in the beautiful cave in the middle of the vineyards. I particularly enjoyed this format as it was a great way to better connect with Gerry (even if he never shared which wine was its favorite) and be completely in the “tasting moment”. I brought back home the Rose of Syrah 2017, the Syrah 2012 and Syrah 2013.

After Pasterick Wines, we biked few miles and stopped for Lunch at Comstock. I strongly recommend the Brunch White Flight (available by appointment only) as you will be able to taste Comstock’s Sauvignon Blanc, their Viognier (I purchased a bottle of this one, so good!), Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel (+ a full lunch!) for only $50. Definitely worth it! Every wine is paired with a delicious meal that the Chef (Justin?) is cooking outside, right by your table. Plus, you’ll enjoy this beautiful view…

The following day, we stopped by Rochioli Winery. We mainly tasted white wines and their Sauvignon Blanc was my favorite. They do have 140 planted acres and most of the vineyard is Pinot Noir.

Last but not least: A. Rafanelli Winery. What a beautiful vineyard! We tried few of their Reds and I personally really enjoyed their Cabernet Sauvignon from 2016. I brought back a bottle in Long Beach (just saying) =)

I felt very lucky to have been able to spend few days in Sonoma County and I would like to thanks Michelle and Jeff (if they ever read this!) for the perfect organization of this weekend.

Less popular than Napa, I would strongly recommend to go and discover this amazing wine country, bike from winery to winery and hike in the Redwood State Park.

I am French, a wine enthusiastic and certainly a fan of most of the wines I have tried in Sonoma!