Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Russian River Area Wineries
Sonoma County's wine-growing regions encompass several diverse areas, each famous for
different reasons. Pick up the free, useful
Russian River Wine Road
map
(
www.wineroad.com
)
in tourist-brochure racks.
Russian River Valley
Nighttime coastal fog drifts up the Russian River Valley, then usually clears by midday.
Pinot Noir does beautifully, as does Chardonnay, which also grows in hotter regions, but
prefers the longer 'hang time' of cooler climes. The highest concentration of wineries is
along Westside Rd, between Guerneville and Healdsburg.
Hartford Family Winery
WINERY
tasting $15; 10am-4:30pm)
Surprisingly upscale for West County, Hartford sits in a pastoral valley surrounded by
redwood-forested hills, on one of the area's prettiest back roads. It specializes in fine
single-vineyard Pinot (12 kinds), Chardonnay and Zinfandel from old-vine fruit.
Umbrella-shaded picnic tables dot the garden. Bottles are $38 to $90 and the tasting fee is
waived with purchase.
Korbel
WINERY
Guerneville; 10am-5pm; )
Gorgeous rose gardens (April to October) and a stellar on-site deli make Korbel worth a
stop for free tasting, but the sparkling wines just OK.
Iron Horse Vineyards
WINERY
707-887-1507;
www.ironhorsevineyards.com
;
9786 Ross Station Rd, Se-
bastopol; tasting $20;
10am-4:30pm)
