Pet Friendly Restaurants in Sonoma County

With the growing number of people taking their beloved pets on vacation with them these days it's no wonder more and more restaurants are allowing pets at their locations. This is great news for our best friends! Here are some restaurants in Sonoma County, California that allow you to share your lunch time with your furry loved ones.

Barndiva - "Barndiva grew out of our family's desire to celebrate the exquisite food sheds of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties from Healdsburg to the ocean, with special attention paid to following the breadcrumbs up Hwy 128 through the Anderson Valley to Philo, where we have dry farmed apples, figs and chestnuts on a ridge above the pacific for the past three decades."

Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar - "Located just north of the town square in downtown Healdsburg, the East Coast and South America meet Wine Country at Willi’s Sea­food & Raw Bar. The inviting vibrant decor and an exten­sive list of small plates combine with the eclectic seasonal cocktail menu and wide-ranging wine list to make visitors feel right at home. Designed for sharing, the menu features items ranging from New England Style “Rolls” and Latin-inspired skewers to ceviches and tar­tares. The chef’s raw bar features an ever-changing selection of fresh seafood, including at least eight varieties of fresh oysters."

Costeaux French Bakery & Cafe - "Costeaux is a full service bakery renowned for its world-class artisan and sourdough breads, cakes and desserts. Our bakery café in downtown Healdsburg serves made-to-order bistro cuisine and is open for breakfast and lunch daily. We are also available for private events in the evenings."

Sweet T's - "Welcome to our home away from home! Sweet T's is a labor of love from the Tussey family with food reminiscent of our Southern roots and our love for Sonoma County. Here, you will find quality southern cuisine, made with the freshest local ingredients. Real food. Great cocktails. Real people. Come and see us. You're always welcome."

For more restaurants in the Sonoma County click here!

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Residual Sugar in Wine

"The subjective sweetness of a wine is determined by the interaction of several factors, including the amount of sugar in the wine, but also the relative levels of alcohol, acids, and tannins. Sugars and alcohol enhance a wine's sweetness; acids (sourness) and bitter tannins counteract it." - Wikipedia

Residual sugar refers to how much sugar is left in the wine after it is fermented. This amount tells you how sweet the wine is.

Commonly measured in grams or sugar per litre of wine, residual sugar is found in almost all wine, even dry wine because some types of sugar cannot be fermented. A wine that contains over 45 g/L is considered a sweet wine. Other aspects that influence the sweetness of wine include the acidity and alcohol levels, tannins, and whether it is a sparkling wine. If the level of acidity is high, a sweet wine may taste drier and if the level of alcohol is high, a dry wine may taste sweeter.

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On The Road - June 2017

Barnett Vineyard

4070 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574 www.barnettvineyards.com Tel: 707-963-7075

Hours: By appointment only. Tasting Fee: YES

Tripadvisor: #46 of 114 things to do in St. Helena. Yelp: YES.

Famous for their Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon and delicious Cab Francs and Merlots, this vineyard while off the beaten path, is a MUST. Located on Spring Mountain with breathtaking views of Napa Valley you can sit and sip your wine in the beautiful, cozy caves while taking it all in. Tastings are also done in the wine cellar and picnics can be arranged. When making your reservation inquire about the availability of tasting the Rattlesnake Cab – every now and then, they run out. Barnett also produces in small quantities Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc. Simply Delicious.

Pride Mountain Vineyards

4026 Spring Mountain Road

St. Helena, CA 94574 www.pridewines.com Tel: 707-963-4949

Hours: 10:30AM-3:45PM/Reservation required.

Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor: #1 of 114 things to do in St. Helena. Yelp: YES.

A long winding road takes you up Spring Mountain to this incredible vineyard with beautiful views and magnificent wines. The tour is terrific and you can enjoy your wine while wandering the cellar. You may even be offered a taste from the Barrel. The staff is friendly and informative. Well worth the drive.

Robert Sinskey

6320 Silverado Trail

Napa, CA 94558 www.robertsinskey.com Tel: 707-944-9090

Hours: 10:00AM-4:30PM/Reservations highly recommended, walk ins may have to wait.

Tasting Fee: Yes: Tripadvisor: #23 of 190 things to do in Napa. Yelp: YES.

Robert Sinskey is a lovely and architecturally beautiful vineyard. The wines are outstanding and combined with their food pairings from their sustainable farm it is the ultimate culinary delight. Robert Sinskey prides itself on its organic and biodynamic grapes. You can taste their pride in every sip of wine and each delicious bite of food composed by a James Beard award winning Chef. Truly an exceptional experience.

While in the area and not too far away...

 Dining:

PRESS St. Helena (American, Steakhouse, Gluten free options)

587 St. Helena Hwy

St. Helena, CA 94574

Tel: 707-967-0550 (Open 5:00Pm-10:00PM))

Terra

1345 Railroad Street

St. Helena, CA 94574

Tel: 707-963-8931 (Open 5:30PM-9:00PM)

Mustards Grill

7399 St. Helena Hwy

Napa, CA 94558

Tel: 707-944-2424 (Opens as early as 11:00Am on Sunday.11:30AM during the week closing at 9:00PM/10:00PM on Saturday & Sunday)

Lodging:

Andaz

1450 First Street

Napa, CA 94559

(707) 281-4064

Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer

1 Main Street

St. Helena, CA 94574

(707) 723-4363

Wydown Hotel

1424 Main Street

St. Helena, CA 94574

(707) 345-4072

At Home Palate Training Exercise

Your sense of taste is extremely important when tasting wine so here is an at home palate training exercise which will help you identify how you sense the tannin, acidity, sweetness, and alcohol in red wines.

What You'll Need:

• 1 bottle of dry red wine (avoid reds like Menage à Trois, Apothic Red and Jam Jar which contain Residual Sugar)

• 1 black tea bag

• 1/2 a lemon

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp vodka

• 4 identical wine glasses + one wineglass per person at the tasting

• a notepad and pen

Prepare the tasting:

Pour 3 oz of red wine in each of the 4 wine glasses. Add the tea bag to one glass, the 1/2 squeeze of lemon to the next glass, the sugar to the next glass, and the vodka to the last glass. Fill your own glass with red wine; it will act as your control glass.

Tannin - Black Tea Bag

In about 10 minutes, the black tea should dissolve at which point you can remove the bag. Taste the control wine first, then the black tea wine (without smelling it) and jot down what your taste and how it felt on your tongue. Tannin is usually bitter but you may also feel a drying sensation.

Acidity - Lemon

Taste your control wine, then taste the lemon win (without smelling it). With increases acidity, you may notice the lemon wine tastes less bold, your mouth may water, and more of the natural bitter notes may be presented. Try to ignore the lemony flavors since this is not a feature of acids in wine.

Sweetness - Sugar

Stir the sugar into your wine. After tasting your control wine, taste your sugar wine (you can smell it first). You should notice the sugar doesn't make the wine taste sweeter. Instead it brings out the fruit flavors of the wine and may add an oily texture to the aftertaste.

Alcohol - Vodka

Taste your control wine, then taste the vodka wine (without smelling it). Note what sensations you feel on your tongue and in the back of your throat when you swallow. Tiny prickles may be felt which makes the wine feel thicker. You may feel a hot sensation in the aftertaste.

Since everyone has different tastes and preferences, this exercise is meant to help you identify which aspects of wine you personally pick up on.

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Larger Bottles of Wine

Whether having a party or wanting to give an impressive gift, a large bottle of wine can be perfect for a number of occasions. But where can you buy a large bottle of wine and what do you need to know?

Some stockists that offer a good range of larger bottles of wine include:

Amazon

Sherry-Lehmann

Wine.com

Wine Library

Larger bottles of wine not only look good on the table, they also age better. Because less of the wine's surface is exposed to air, the wine's rate of oxygen absorption is lower which makes the wine fresher. 

Wine does come in a variety of larger bottle sizes such as magnums and jeroboams. However, some larger wine bottles may refer to different size bottles depending on different regions of France. The chart below shows the large format bottlings that are commonly referred to:

The Burgundy terminology tends to be more popularly followed.

Generally made for special events, the largest bottles of wine (a lot of which are named after Biblical kings) are not intended for the cellar since they have custom made corks that are also extra large and must be cut by hand which can be prone to air leakage.

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Pet Friendly Restaurants in Napa Valley

Your dog is not just your pet, they are part of your family. It's becoming more and more common for people to bring their pets on vacation with them. But what do you do with your pet when you visit a restaurant in Napa Valley? If you visit one of the restaurants below, you bring your furry family member along!

Angèle Restaurant & Bar - "We are a French country restaurant and bar offering refined bistro fare, wine and cocktails on the Napa riverfront in the heart of downtown Napa. Our dining room, located in the historic 1890's ship chandlery now known as the Hatt Building, evokes the simple romance of the classic French brasserie, while our riverfront patio celebrates the region's temperate climate and relaxed atmosphere."

Downtown Joe’s Brewery & Restaurant - "An American style grill united with quality and freshness. Our menu is locally resourced then cooked with the flair that is true Napa Valley. We proudly feature salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, decadent house made desserts, and more modern pub grub."

Fumé Bistro and Bar - "Great food, seasonally inspired menus straight from the farmer's market and regional growers, personal service, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. "We build strong ties with local growers and producers of only the freshest produce, meats, cheeses and wines. Our menu, and the friendly welcome you receive when you enter our dining room, reflect my passion for delivering the very best experience to every customer, every night." -Chef Terry Letson"

Gott’s Roadside - "For anyone who craves delicious, high-quality fare in a welcoming, down-to-earth spot, Gott’s Roadside is a tried-and-true local favorite. We serve juicy cheeseburgers, great hot dogs, incredible onion rings and hand-spun shakes alongside crispy Ahi Poke tacos, Chinese chicken salad, and a renowned Ahi burger—try finding those at your average drive-in—but our versions of these American roadside favorites and California classics are made-to-order using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our commitment to local sourcing also extends to the glass: our California-centric list of wines and beers means you can order a Point Reyes Blue Cheese Burger with a high-end Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, or sip a San Francisco-brewed Anchor Steam beer alongside your spicy, sweet potato fries. At Gott’s Roadside every detail matters and nothing is ever ordinary."

For more restaurants in the Napa Valley click here!

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What to do in Sonoma County

Sonoma County, California is home to over 425 wineries, amazing redwood forests, and miles of beautiful coastline. It is close to San Francisco which makes it a great vacation spot. Visiting the gorgeous wineries is on the top of our to-do list, but there are a lot of other great activities available for those who love adventure, or just want to relax.

Some activities include:

Regional Parks

Beaches

Fishing

Wildlife Tours

Zip Lining

Horseback Riding

Biking

To see our full list of Napa Valley Activities, along with businesses that offer these activities, click here!

On The Road - May 2017

Hawkes Vineyard

6734 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448 www.hawkeswine.com Tel: 707-433-4295

Hours: 10:00AM-5:00PM, walk ins welcome

Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor: #51 of 156 things to do in Healdsburg. Yelp: YES.

Hawkes vineyard is located in Alexander Valley and is bordered by a forest of Douglas Firs and a tributary of the Russian River. While it is off the beaten path it is well worth the visit. Growing stunning Cabernets since 1972 you will be welcomed by a friendly and informative staff into a casual atmosphere with a beautiful and intimate tasting room. The Chardonnays are excellent too. There is a fantastic patio complete with Picnic Tables, which makes Hawkes wine and cheese pairings a delightful experience.

In Sonoma, Hawkes Vineyard has a lovely tasting room that requires reservations:

338 First Street, West Sonoma 95476

Hours: Thursday – Monday 11:00AM-6:00PM by appointment only.

Tel: 707-938-7620/Tasting Fee: YES

Medlock Ames Winery & Vineyard

3487 Alexander Valley Road

Healdsburg, CA 95448 www.medlockames.com Tel: 707-431-1418

Hours at the Tasting Room: 10:00AM-4:30PM

Hours at Bell Mountain Ranch: By appointment.

Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor: #26 of 156 things to do in Healdsburg. Yelp: YES

Medlock Ames is known for their organic delicious Cabernets & Bordeaux Blends. The tasting room is lovely offering walk ins a fabulous tasting experience overlooking views of the beautiful gardens. Wine and Cheese pairings are a sumptuous treat not to be missed, requiring a reservation in advance. Parties of 6 or more must reserve their spot.

To visit the Vineyard at Bell Howell Ranch and have a complete tour and wine tasting with food pairing call and reserve your spot, you will not be disappointed.

While in the area and not too far away...

Dining:

JimTown Store

6706 Highway 128

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tel: 707-431-1212 (Open 7:30AM–5:00PM)

*Located next to Hawkes Vineyard & previously featured in our On the Road Blog.

Gusio Latin Fusion (Latin American & Caribbean)

117 North Street

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tel: 707-431-1302 (Open 11:30AM-2:30PM & 5:00PM-9:00PM)

Catelli’s (Italian)

21047 Geyserville Avenue

Geyserville, CA 95441

Tel: 707-857-3471 (Open Noon – 9:30PM)

Taste of Tea (Coffee House)

109 N. Street

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tel: 707-431-1995

Lodging:

Alexander Valley Lodge

20507 Geyserville Avenue

Geyserville, CA 95441

(707) 756-2400

Kenwood Oaks Guest House

854 Warm Springs Road

Kenwood, CA 95452

(707) 833-1221

Olea Hotel

5131 Warm Springs Road

Glen Ellen, CA 95442

(707) 996-5131

Common Flower Aromas Found in Wine

Since it's spring, flowers are blooming everywhere! There's a wide variety of flowers around the country that are in bloom right now and there's a wide variety of flower aromas that you can find in different kinds of wine. Here are some flower aromas and what wines to sample them in:

Citrus Blossom

Citrus blossoms, like orange, lemon, and lime, feature a perfumed smell that is commonly found in white wine.

Found in: Riesling, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc

Geranium

With long, palm-shaped leaves that are generally circular, these flowers contain five petals and usually are white, pink, purple, or blue.

Found in: Torrontes, Malbec, Petit Verdot

Lavender

These shrub-like perennials' flowers are usually blue, violet, or lilac.

Found in: Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Mourvedre

Rose

With over a hundred species, roses are available in numerous sizes and colors. They are known for their romantic style and delightful smell.

Found in: Pinot Nior, Gerwurztraminer, Nebbiolo

Violet

Generally having heart-shaped, scalloped leaves, violet consists of five petals - four that are facing up and one larger one facing down. Violet is usually found in fine red wines.

Found in: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah

White Flowers

Having a subtle, flowery smell, white flower aromas mainly accompany fruit flavors in white wines.

Found in: Pinot Gris, Chenin Blanc, Fiano

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2017 Napa Valley Farm Markets

If you're visiting Napa Valley and looking for a casual activity try visiting one (or more) of the many farm markets in the area. In addition to fresh produce, farm markets offer handmade gifts, clothing, household goods, jewelry, prepared foods, and more while allowing you to support the local economy.

Some other things you may find at the local farm markets in Napa Valley include live music, face-painting, and cooking demonstrations.

The local farm markets include:

Napa Farmers Market

April 15, 2017-November 21, 2017 every Tuesday and Saturday from 8:00 am until 12:30 pm.

195 Gasser Drive, Napa, CA 94559

St. Helena Farmers Market

Fridays from 7:30 am – 1:00 pm

May 1 through October 31

Crane Park – 360 Crane Ave.  St. Helena, CA 94574

Long Meadow Ranch Farmers Market

May to October every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

AND

November to April every Friday from 9:00 – 1:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 2:00 p.m

1796 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574

Calistoga Farmers Market

Saturdays from 8:30 am to noon, year-round

Sharpsteen Museum Plaza Washington Street, Calistoga

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What to do in Napa Valley

Napa County, California is one of the most beautiful places in the world which makes it a very popular vacation destination. Of course we recommend visiting wineries while in the area, but there are so many other activities to do while there.

With the exquisite scenery, warm weather, and amazing views Napa offers, getting out to explore the land is a must. 

Here are some activities available:

Hot Air Balloon Rides

Biking

Golfing

Jet Skiing
Kayaking

Fly Fishing

Horseback Riding

Paddleboarding

To see our full list of Napa Valley Activities, along with businesses that offer these activities, click here!

What Temperature to Serve Wine

A lot of the time your bottles of wine are stored at room temperature on a wine rack. When you're ready to serve the wine you may be unsure if it should be served at that temperature or if it should be chilled before serving.

The temperature a wine is served at is important in releasing the best aromatics of the wine.

The best temperature for white wine is 49-55°F.

Most refrigerators are set to about 39°F which is too cold for the majority of white wines. Dry white wines and champagne should be chilled in the refrigerator for about an hour and inexpensive, sparkling, or sweeter white wines should be chilled for about two hours to bring their temperature down a little more.

The best temperature for red wine is 62-68°F.

Since most homes are kept warmer than 62-68°F, many reds will benefit from sitting in the refrigerator for about a half an hour to bring the temperature down a little bit.

Another way to chill wine is to put it in a bucket with ice and water. This chills the wine more rapidly than the refrigerator. If wine is too cold and needs the temperature increased before serving, warm the wine gradually to avoid damaging it.

If you're not sure what temperature to serve a certain wine at, keep this in mind: it's always better to serve wine a little too cold as opposed to a little too warm.

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On The Road - April 2017

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

www.jordanwinery.com Tel: 800-654- 1213

Hours: By Appointment only.

Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor: #8 of 155 things to do in Healdsburg. Yelp: YES.

You are welcomed into a French style chateau in an estate like setting where you will

enjoy an intimate tasting and educational experience. The Chardonnays are fashioned

by the finest White Burgundy and the Cabernets inspired by the finest Bordeaux. There

are several tasting options to choose from and delicious food pairings that enhance the

tasting experience. Tours of the grounds available in good weather.

Ridge Vineyards - Lytton Springs

650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

www.ridgewine.com Tel: 408-867- 3233

Hours: Walk-in: Monday – Thursday 11:00AM-4:00PM/Friday- Sunday 11:00AM-5:00PM

Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor #29 of 155 things to do in Healdsburg. Yelp: YES.

When you arrive at Ridge-Lytton Springs you will be welcomed by a friendly staff in a

spacious tasting room with lovely views of the vineyards. Famous for their Zinfandels,

tastings will not disappoint. Delicious wines all around. You can personalize your

experience with an intimate tour and tasting. On your next trip visit their other location,

Monte Bello, in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains.

Unti Vineyards

4202 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

www.untivineyards.com Tel: 707-433- 5990

Hours: Everyday 10:00AM-4:00PM by appointment.

Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor # 37 of 155 things to do in Healdsburg. Yelp: YES.

Unti is well known for their Italian varietals, which are all delicious. The simple entrance

to the winery takes you to a lovely tasting room, which is set in the middle of the

vineyard. A warm welcoming staff makes you feel tight at home. Sip, sit and enjoy.

While in the area and not too far away...

Dining:

Café Lucia (Latin American)

235 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tel: 707-431- 1113 (Lunch & Dinner)

Campo Fina

330 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tel: 707-395- 4640 (All day dining opens 11:30AM)

Dry Creek Kitchen (American-Seafood)

317 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tel: 707-431- 0330 (Dinner only)

Spoonbar (American)

219 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tel: 707-433- 7222 (Dinner only)

Lodging:

Best Western Dry Creek Inn

198 Dry Creek Road

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Honor Mansion

14891 Grove Street

Healdsburg, CA 95448

L & M Motel

70 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

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When and How to Let Wine Breathe

After being trapped in a bottle for years, wine needs a chance to breathe. This allows the wine to oxidize which can soften the flavors and release the aromas in the wine. Twenty-five to thirty minutes is usually all you need to accomplish this, but in the case of some tannic or younger red wines, you may need to let them breathe for a few hours.

Just opening the bottle and letting it stand is not the best way to let the wine breathe since it only exposes a little part of the wine to air. A great way to let your wine breathe is to pour it into a decanter. A decanter is a large bottomed glass bottle that exposes a larger portion of the wine to air. If you don't have a decanter, you can pour the wine into a large wine glass and swirl it for a few minutes.

However, not all wines are the same so they don't require the same time to breathe. Here are some tips to remember when aerating wine:

• Vintage red wines should only be aerated for 10-15 minutes to ensure their flavors don't get overpowered by over-oxidation.

• Young red wines should be allowed about an hour to breathe in order to soften the flavors.

• Most white wines don't have tannins so they don't need to be aerated.

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