Sonoma Sue's Guide to Sonoma, California

Roche Carneros Estate Winery

2008-02-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

I recently visited this winery for the first time. For people driving to Sonoma from Marin, taking highway 37, then highway 121, this is the first winery in Sonoma and is quite a bit South of the others. Unfortunately, most people drive straight past as I had done many times.

This is a family-owned and run winery, founded by Joseph and Genevieve Roche as a cattle ranch when they were both practicing physicians they initially believed locals who advised them that it was too cold to grow grapes. In 1982, they had a casual conversation with a winemaker who was convinced that their ranch and climate was suitable for grapes, resulting in them planting 10 acres of Chardonnay and 10 acres of Pinot Noir which produced an excellent first harvest. In 1989, they opened the tasting room and started selling their wines directly.

The tasting room was hosted by Tom when I visited, a local resident, he had also driven past the winery for many years before he tried it, and like me, was very pleasantly surprised. The tasting bar features original wine-related lithographs collected by the Roche family.

I like all of their wines and especially their 2005 Carneros Estate Reserve Pinot Noir and their 2006 Reserve French Oak Chardonnay. Unlike most wineries, they do not charge for tasting the non-reserve wines and most unusually, they always have one or more barrels of future releases available for tasting. These can be purchased as futures at a discount. Roche wines are only available at the winery and at a few select local restaurants.

On a clear day, the view from the tasting room and picnic area is spectacular with miles of unspoilt countryside in every direction. The verandah would be perfect for a private starlit party and is available for reservation. If you enjoy horseback riding, Roche offers both private ($85 per person) and group ($65 per person) tours of the vineyards, starting at 10am, 1pm and 3pm in summer months, reservations are required (1-800-825-9475) x 212.

Their web site is: www.rochewinery.com

Their telephone number is: 1-800-825-9475.

I recommend that you visit, tell them that Sonoma Sue sent you!!!

Buena Vista Carneros Winery, Sonoma

2008-02-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

California does not have many really old buildings that are worth visiting, but this one definitely is. Just 5 minutes by car from the Sonoma Plaza, the journey to Buena Vista and the winery itself takes you back in time.

The historic Buena Vista Winery was founded in 1857 and is the oldest premium winery in California. It was founded by Count Agoston Haraszthy, formerly Sheriff of San Diego and a member of the Hungarian Royal Guard. Although the great earthquake of 1906 destroyed its underground cellars, the winery was successfully restored in 1940.

Most of the year, visitors have to park above the winery and walk down a very pleasant shady lane to reach the listed buildings and tasting room. There are many picnic tables available and this is one of the coolest places to eat out on a hot summers day. At this time of the year, there are fewer visitors and tasting room hosts have more time to explain the wines and the processes.

I found Bobby to be particularly knowledgeable and friendly. Like most hosts, he is fiercely proud of the quality of Buena Vista wines, describing them as “great wine, which is food friendly and drinkable now.”

They offer a number of different tasting menus that are listed outside at the main entrance and at the tasting bar. I recommend the Carneros Room which has a seated food and wine pairing with five of their best wines. Seating is at 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm each day. Reservations are requested in advance and can be made at: 800-926-1266.

Note that if you happen to be a member of the wine club of a sister winery (Clos du Bois, Gary Farrell, Geyser Peak, Wild horse), tasting is complementary. My favorite wine this week was the 2005 Pilot Noir Gold Medal ($25).

The winery is open daily 10am – 5pm, excluding major holidays.

http://www.sonomasue.com/sonomaplaza/infor.asp?id=228

Their web site is: www.buenavistacarneros.com

Their telephone number is: 800-325-2764

I recommend that you visit, tell them that Sonoma Sue sent you!!!

Sebastiani Winery - Quality at affordable prices

2008-02-10T18:11:00.000-08:00

Most people that know anything about wine know the name Sebastiani which grew to be one of the largest wineries in California with vast operations in Lodi, California. A decade ago, they produced 8 million cases of wine a year, with an emphasis on value (ie “jug wine”). Now in its second century, this family-owned business has reinvented itself with a new a new direction and a new focus on quality wines. Production has been slashed to 300,000 cases and quality has leaped.

If you knew the old Sebastiani wines, you will be astonished with their current offerings, quite simply, they offer really good wine at very attractive prices, a fraction of what a similar wine from a Napa vineyard would cost. I am a member of their wine club and am a frequent visitor to their tasting room, just a short distance from the Sonoma Plaza, and I am constantly impressed with their wines. My current favorites are the 2005 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay ($25) and their 2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($30). Of course, wine club members enjoy a substantial discount (and free tasting). If you are REALLY lucky, and befriend the tasting room host, you might be able to taste the Cherryblock Cabernet, “a Cab to die for” as one of my friends describes it. Ask Pat who has been a host for the past 6 years.

The visitors center has been expanded and upgraded as part of a seismic retrofit project and is now a marketplace for all things relating to wine. If you do not have time for the tour, at least look in the back room to the left of the tasting bar and enjoy the wonderful old barrels on display.

There is complementary tasting of two wines and then a choice of menus, but note that there is no fee if you purchase. My recommendation is to go for the Private Reserve tasting ($10), then plan to purchase at least one bottle.

has historical tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and they also offer a trolley tour at certain times of the year. Their picnic area is very quiet and is set alongside a vineyard. The best time to visit is mid-week, but you can be sure of a warm welcome at any time by Pat or one of his fellow hosts.

Their web site is: www.sebastiani.com

Their telephone number is: 707-933-3230

I recommend that you visit, tell them that Sonoma Sue sent you!!!

LaSalette Portuguese Restaurant -great and unusual flavors

2008-02-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

Twice recently I had really enjoyable lunches at LaSalette which is located just off and to the East of Sonoma Plaza. LaSalette is a modern restaurant with Portuguese heritage. It is located in the Mercado Building, to reach it, walk down the passage between Half-Pint and The Wine Exchange. Only 100 yards from the bustle of the Plaza, the restaurant enjoys a quiet location with patio dining available.

The greeting that I received has been exceptionally warm and friendly, every time I have dined there. This week, I was greeted by Kimberley Azevedo who owns the restaurant with her chef husband, Manuel. Kimberly also waited on me; the food and service were both excellent. The restaurant is modern, bright and airy and the chefs can be seen working behind the counter, it is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

I learned that the name LaSalette is the name that was given to Manuel’s Mother. It is a tradition in Portugal to give people the name of a place where a religious event has taken place and her family named her after the French town of this name. Manuel’s Mother is responsible for some 80% of the recipes used at the restaurant, including the excellent LaSalette bread rolls, which are made without any dairy ingredients, but use olive oil and spices. They are baked fresh daily and are a favorite of diners.

The LaSalette menu features fresh seasonal ingredients with a focus on fish dishes many of which are baked in the wood-fired oven, but they also have both meat and vegetarian items on the menu. All are delicious. Their house specialty is Cataplana de Marisco, a seafood and white bean stew served in a copper bowl.

If you have never tried Portuguese cuisine, I encourage you to visit LaSalette and try it, there are flavors for every palette, and do not miss the cheese and charcuterie plates, some of which feature house-made dishes.

Their web site is: www.lasalette-restaurant.com

See: http://www.sonomasue.com/sonomaplaza/infor.asp?id=207

Their telephone number is: 707-938-1927.

I recommend that you visit, tell them that Sonoma Sue sent you!!!

Gundlach Bundschu Winery - a fun place to visit

2008-02-07T10:55:00.001-08:00

Gundlach Bundschu is one of my favorite places to visit; only a short drive from Sonoma center, it is well worth the trip. The winery itself is a fun place and everyone who works there has the same happy disposition. They tell me that it comes from Jim and Jeff Bundschu, the father and son team who run the winery who are described as “great people to work for.” On a recent visit, I met Gail, Cathy and Carol (see picture) who seemed to be having too much fun!

First time visitors always have trouble with the name, so they have come up with the following picture-helper “gun/lock/bun/shoe” which is close!

When asked what makes Gundlach Bundschu a special place, Cathy is very clear, the quality of their wines made possible by their winemaker of 18 years, Linda Trotter.

The winery was founded by the Bundschu family and is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150^th) year this year. They are inviting all of their friends (new and old – that means you!) to a special party on March 12 with free tasting, free cave tour and discounted wine. http://www.gunbun.com/web/htdocs/visiting_the_winery/events.html

The tasting room is in an historic old building next to a lake and opposite their wine cave which is open for tours and “cave tasting” which I highly recommend, it can be reserved for parties of eight people. On most summer weekends they host Shakespeare plays, Mozart concerts and film nights. This is an ideal place to picnic either adjacent to the lake, or under the shade trellis in the hot summer months, but you should bring your food with you as there are limited supplies at the winery.

My current favorite red wine is the 2005 Cabernet Franc ($35), but they only made 821 cases! Of the white wines, I always like their Gewürztramina, they currently have their 2006 which retails at $25.

Their web site is: www.gunbun.com.

Their telephone number is: 707-938-5277.

See my listing for Gundlach Bundschu on the Sonoma Sue website

I recommend that you visit, tell them that Sonoma Sue sent you!!!