Understanding Northern Sonoma
When writers talk about Sonoma it’s often in the same sentence with the word Napa. Such as, Napa is famous for the Bordeaux grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but Sonoma does Chardonnay and Pinot Noir really well. Talk about an over simplification!
In talking with our clients during tours I often describe the two counties as being in a yin and yang relationship. Sonoma is like the dutiful older sister who is a good cook, pretty, responsible and hard working. Napa is like the noisy, but very cute little brother who gets all the attention.
Truthfully Sonoma is a lady of infinite variety and delights, and saying she is good at producing just two grapes is to sell her short in so many ways. Let me give you a classic example from a tour we did the other day.
In the course of the tour we visited the Alexander Valley and some wineries that produce spectacular Bordeaux varietals. Then we traveled over the short hills to the Dry Creek Valley to that pretty place that produces the Zinfandel wines that everyone else aspires to. Finally we traveled down Westside Road into the Russian River Valley to wineries that produce Chards and Pinot Noirs that blow you away for their complexity and quality.
The entire tour took place within fifteen miles from the pretty little town of Healdsburg, home to great restaurants and hotels. Speaking of hotels, the H2 hotel has just opened in the Healdsburg square, just steps from its sister property, the Hotel Healdsburg. It shares its stylish ways, but even more so. We’ve heard great things about its restaurant, and you can’t beat its location.
The fact that they can grow such diverse grapes within such a small circumference is thanks to the combined influence of the ocean and the river, intersected by numerous lines of hills and mountains. That’s the nature of micro-climates, where traveling even a small distance yields very different weather.
One hint, the reason that Northern Sonoma is not overwhelmed with guests is the distance from San Francisco. It’s not that two hours is so far (although it can be much more if you don’t plan on avoiding the traffic), it’s that Southern Sonoma and Napa are so close to the city. So they get the lion’s share of the visitors, where Northern Sonoma gets the folks who have been to wine country before, and want to explore a little farther afield. It makes for a great vacation. In our Sonoma Winery Tour iPhone App, and in the Amicis Winery Guide Books we list and review hotels in the Northern Sonoma area. So, do some research and visit!
Ralph & Lahni de Amicis are authors of the Amicis Winery Guides (Find them on Amazon), and owners of Amicis Tours. They are authors of over twenty books on health, design, business and travel. Their iPhone Apps, The Napa Valley Wine Tour, and The Sonoma Winery Tour are a tour guides approach to these beautiful area, complete with 1000’s of photos and insights. Their articles and products can be found on the sites http://www.amicistours.com and http://www.spaceandtime.com
|