Running parallel to Napa Valley, Sonoma is just like Napa... 30 years ago. Less developed and less commercialized, it's not unusual to meet the winemakers and taste from barrels, often for free.
But unlike Napa, the good stuff is often hard to find since the wineries are smaller and more spread out. That's why the best way to experience Sonoma is with a tour, and the best tour guides are my friends at Platypus Tours. There's no studying up, no pre-planning, just hop onboard and let the pro's show you around.
You'll be picked up at your hotel and before you know it you're in Sonoma. What's cool about Platypus Tours is that they'll take you to the less obvious wineries, secret gems where you'll find great wines and friendly hospitality. There's no risk of a DUI, no "your turn to be the designated driver", just a fun day tasting wines. Lots of wines!
Our tour started in a warehouse, a sharp contrast to some of the palatial wineries found in Napa. Ty Caton, the winemaker himself, greeted us and began pouring us his wines - straight from the barrels! He even encouraged us to ask if there was something we wanted to taste or a barrel we wanted to sample. And guess what? Tastings were free, just like the old days.
Winery tours are big bucks at many of the Napa wineries. Its not unusual to plop down $25 or more per person to tour the grounds and see where the wine is made. Not at Loxton Cellars, where we not only got to see the latest wines being made but were treated to a tour and tasting by the winemaker himself - for free!
Afterwards we were served lunch amongst the barrels. Seriously, you can't duplicate this experience on your own, which is why I give this tour such high marks.
The tour also gives you some Sonoma history and fun facts along the way and though we stopped at smaller wineries, they'll do the big names as well if you ask. Most of the wineries didn't charge a tasting fee and for those who did, Platypus pre-negotiated a special rate for their guests so you get the most wine for your buck. Look, this darn tour pays for itself and you don't have to drive!
After lunch the tour took us to the top of a mountain via a narrow one lane road to Petroni Vineyards where we tasted in the owners private getaway. Then it was off to Figone's Olive Oil Company to taste rows of infused olive oils and 20 year old Balsamic vinegars. What? You've never tasted oil and vinegar from a sipping cup? Well then you have to try this!
But you can't end a day of wine tasting with oil and vinegar so we hightailed it to the Paradise Ridge tasting room where we tried more and more and even more wines before heading back to the hotel.
Four wineries and 8 hours later, we had sampled over 25 wines, bought a few bottles and had quite a few laughs. The entire experience was fun and educational, a unique way to get a crash course on Sonoma and wine.
Napa still has the draw with the big name wineries, but a side trip to Sonoma is an essential part of a complete wine country vacation. If your time only allows you one day in Sonoma, do yourself a favor and book a tour with Platypus. At $99, it's one of the great wine country bargains!
Visit Platypus Tours Website for more info.
Cheers,
Local Wally, 2012
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SPRING 2012: The bright yellow mustard plants, the vines starting to bud, and best yet, fewer crowds make this one of the best times to visit Napa. It certainly is my favorite time to go.
I've updated all the FREE COUPONS that you can print from home. And don't forget to spend a day in Sonoma where the tastings are often free the vibe more laid back.
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Cheers!!
Local Wally