Do you ever just hear wine country calling your name? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We chatted with our friends with the Wine Country Colbert Group based out of Wine Country in Sonoma County. We’ve got the inside scoop on where to stay, eat, and visit from one of their team members, Erika Altes, who is also a digital influencer with over 70k followers across social media. You can follow her on Instagram here!
Plus, we chatted with our very own Allison Goodhart to get her recommendations on where to go next door in Napa Valley. She recommends staying at the Carneros Inn and Spa. Each room is its own private bungalow featuring an amazing indoor/outdoor shower and great patios with fire pits. Plus, the pool is amazing! For dinner, check out Ad Hoc and Bouchon, great restaurants by Thomas Keller, who also owns the famed French Laundry. Don’t miss a tasting at Caymus, which has amazing Cabernet in a beautiful setting. For a truly special experience, visit a small producer, like Scalon, which is so small it doesn’t even have a tasting room. You enjoy a tasting under a weeping willow tree with the vineyard owner himself. For a truly special experience, visit Auberge du Soleil for a Michelin Star lunch overlooking a stunning view. Cheers!
Where do you typically recommend visitors stay for a trip to Sonoma County?
Erika: Our favorite places to visit in Sonoma County is Healdsburg because it has a cute and quaint vibe, Sonoma for its central location and because it’s close enough to Napa for a day trip, for a beach experience we highly recommend Point Rayes, Kenwood for its small town wine country vibe, and for true wine country secluded experience Russian River area is the perfect choice.
Airbnb’s are limited in Sonoma County but a few that we recommend are:
If you’re looking for a place with a pool in the heart of Sonoma and close to downtown this is a great choice.
If you’re looking for an experience in Sonoma county other than wine tasting, why not head to the beach? This Airbnb is the perfect choice!
The cute little town Healdsburg is ALWAYS a good choice when deciding where to stay in Wine Country and this place is in the heart of Alexander Valley and just 3 short minutes to downtown.
If you are looking to stay in a hotel while visiting Sonoma county here are a few that we highly recommend you check out:
If you want to stay in Sonoma our favorite spot to stay is MacArthur Place. MacArthur Place was originally founded over a century ago as a family estate, vineyard, and working ranch. They’re also known for their spa and mid-century pool. One of our favorite places to stay when we want splurge is Kenwood Inn and Spa in Kenwood. If relaxation in a beautiful Mediterranean setting is what you’re looking for, Kenwood is a great option. While Healdsburg hotels can tend to be on the pricey side, one choice that won’t break the bank is Hotel Trio! Part of the Marriott Bonvoy Travel program, each room contains a full-size kitchen and amenities include a free shuttle to downtown Healdsburg, bicycles to rent, and a heated outdoor pool. If you want a true luxury experience and a place that is close to several wineries, then The Farmhouse Inn in Forestvilel is just the choice!
What are the not to miss restaurants or dining experiences in Sonoma County?
Erika: Our favorite restaurants by area include:
- Healdsburg: Willi’s Seafood, Campo Fina, Brass Rabbit, Vallette and Chalkboard
- Point Reyes: Nick’s Cove is a must-visit!
- Sonoma: Girl & the Fig, Glen Ellen Star, El Dorado Kitchen, Sunflower Caffe
- Kenwood: Salt & Stone, Cafe Citti, and VJB
Where are some spots people should go to or check out to get the true Sonoma experience?
Erika: Wine tasting is the obvious choice! Some of our favorite standout wineries to visit are:
Reeve in Dry Creek Valley, MacRostie in Healdsburg, Banshee in downtown Healdsburg, Trione in Geyserville, La Crema in Russian River Valley, Kendall Jackson In Russian River Valley Jordan In Alexander Valley, Imagery in Sonoma, Benziger in Glen Ellen, Matansas Creek in Bennett Valley, and VJB in Kenwood.
What are some other fun or interesting things to do in San Francisco/Napa that people may not think of?
Erika: If you’re looking for a different experience other than wine tasting that not many people know about you MUST book a Safari at Safari West! This is a one of a kind unique experience you will never forget! You could even plan to stay the night which we highly recommend!!
Anything else someone traveling to Sonoma County should know?
Erika: While Napa tends to be the most popular option when thinking of visiting wine country we think Sonoma County has just as much to offer and the price of tastings and stay tend to be less inflated. Be mindful that prices tend to escalate during the harvest season (beginning of September- Beginning of November). January, although it’s cold and could be rainy, is a great time to visit because there are fewer tourists and prices tend to be much lower!
We would love a peek at a few wine country listings! Do you have any you can share?
Yes! Here are two of them.
Located just minutes from Healdsburg, this picturesque 2 bed home plus a 1 bed guest home is set on 4 plus acres as well as 3 acres of a high quality Cabernet vineyard. The main home also features floor to ceiling glass views of the Alexander Valley.
Acorn Ranch lies over 2,000 acres of majestic ranch land that are deemed vineyard-ready. The property has several eco-systems within its 19 APNs. Farming, a ranch, wineries, hunting, or camp site are all possibilities on this gorgeous piece of land. The property also consists of a quaint farm house, several out buildings and barns located at the foot of the ranch aside Dry Creek. Two high producing wells and numerous are also part of the grounds.
