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Things to Do and Must-See's

     We consider ourselves very fortunate to live in Sonoma County, which is so natural and beautiful. It also has a strong and proud history of agriculture including many artisan craftspeople. Renowned for Olive Oils, Cheeses and Wines, there are so many activities to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to start. Here are some of the attractions you may not want to miss. We're including Winery stops, personal indulgences, Events and Special Places, Olive Oils, Produce and Flower farms and local artisan Cheeses and Meat producers. Many of the places we are recommending offer directions on their websites which are linked below. We will be happy to provide you with more detailed directions and offer assistance in planning your time if you wish.

Wineries to Visit
There are many choices and we realize you may have your own list. These are our favorites for a variety of reasons and we hope if you have time, you'll check a few of them out. If you let us know where you would like to visit, we can provide directions and a suggested itinerary designed to make the most of your day.

Our Favorites
A, Rafanelli Winery
Appointment is needed - our favorite Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
4685 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, (707) 433-1385

Benziger Family Winery
The estate vineyards are all biodynamic - certified since 2000. They offer a tram tour and explain what biodynamic means and their methods and results.
Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m except major holidays.
1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen

Crinella Winery & Vineyards
A new winery in Forestville with outstanding Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Noir of exceptional quality just released. They already have excellent placement in some outstanding restaurants.
Ask us for more information about this wine - we usually have some to share.

David Coffaro Vineyard & Winery
Very fun wines - these people know how to make good wine!
7485 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville

Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
One of our favorite sparkling wines.
23555 Highway 121, Sonoma

Rodney Strong Vineyards
A wonderful group of people with generous natures. Very well-run and organized events. Don't miss their summer concert series if you are in town.
11455 Old Redwood Highway ~ Healdsburg (between Windsor and Healdsburg)

Seghesio Family Vineyards
Edoardo Seghesio, planted his first vineyard in Sonoma county's Alexander Valley in 1895. Today, his grandsons and great- grandsons continue his legacy. You must try their excellent Zinfandels. Very available on restaurant menus and we all know how nice it is to find something on a menu you're already familiar with.
14730 Grove Street, Healdsburg

The Wine Room
A delightful experience tasting wonderful, small production artisan wines in a casual and entertaining atmosphere. Serving Adler Fels, Family Dog, Moondance Cellars, Smothers/Remick Ridge Vineyards and Sonoma Valley Portworks.
9575 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6131

Windsor Oaks Vineyards
Primarily growers of ultra premium wine grapes, Windsor Oaks also produces a limited quantity of Estate Collection wines.
Tasting by appointment - 707-433-3810

Oldest Wineries
Buena Vista Winery
Founded in 1857, Buena Vista is California's oldest premium winery. Just outside the town of Sonoma, the original winery is open for tasting June through October.
18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery
One of the original Sonoma Valley Wineries - Winery tours, historical tours, trolley tours.
(707) 933-3230, 389 Fourth St. E., Sonoma

Some Other Notables
J Winery
Specializing in sparkling wines and Pinot Noir.
11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg

J Rochioli Vineyards & Winery
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
707.433.2305, 6192 Westside Road, Healdsburg Indulgences
Sandra Balitbit, Certified Massage Therapist
Swedish Massage Therapy - relax in the privacy of your own (vacation) home.
(707) 575-8641

Lincoln Avenue Spa
Several alternatives to the traditional Calistoga mud bath. Their body treatments use herbal formulas that have been specifically developed for Lincoln Avenue Spa for your health and beauty. The luxurious Calistoga spa treatments are prepared for each client.
1339 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, 707 942-5296

Cedar Street Spa
Perfected specialized massage techniques, from Shiatsu to Deep Tissue. A variety of signature all natural Herbal Facials for both men and women.
1107 Cedar Street, Calistoga, (707) 942-2947

Local Attractions and Events
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
Among the many shows and events are the Sonoma County Fair, Harvest Fair (see below) and Holiday Gift Fairs, Horse Shows, Home Shows and Antique Shows & Sales. Don't miss the Health and Harmony Festival (see below) as well as the many other events including a huge 4th of July celebration.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Premier wine-tasting, food-tasting, art show and sale, pumpkin carving, hay rides, Haunted Room, jazz stage, and many more events and fun activities for the whole family.

Health and Harmony Festival
500 vendors, four outdoor stages, nationally renowned speakers and musical acts, and a focus on creating a healthy lifestyle and environmental sustainability.

Safari West
Nestled on 400 acres in the heart of California's wine country, this wildlife preserve where the whole family can experience some of nature's most beautiful animals in a natural habitat
Reservations are required. You can use the link above or call 707-579-2551 or 1-800-616-2695. Your credit card will be required at the time of reservation.

Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers
Dragonfly Farm
A former vineyard that was removed 14 years ago in favor of a sustainably and organically grown farm with many varieties of flora and fauna.
425 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707.433.3739

Dry Creek Peaches
Certified Organically grown and handpicked peaches - products available mail order.
Visit this farm and farm stand in the beautiful Dry Creek Valley. We're open Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12:00 ‚ 5:00 during the months of July and August.
2179 Yoakim Bridge, Healdsburg

Chestnut Ranch
Colossal Variety Chestnuts handpicked in October and November. The store is open Saturday and Sundays from 12 noon - 4 pm. Visitors and families are welcome to tour chestnut shipping center and store.
Dabel Road off of Green Valley Road

Koslowski Farms
Established in 1949 is to this day family owned and operated jams, jellies, chutneys, mustards, preserves, etc.
Open 7 Days a Week - 9:00am to 5:00pm P.T. (Closed New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
5566 Gravenstein Hwy. 116, Forestville

Laguna Farm
"We encourage EVERYONE to come and explore the farm! Come and see the land on which your food is grown and experience the wildlife of Laguna de Santa Rosa!"
1764 Cooper Road Sebastopol, (707) 823-0823

Martinelli Winery
Wine and apples, handcrafted products available for tasting in the historic hop barn.
3360 River Road, Windsor, (707) 525-0570 or (800) 346-1627- between 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. PST

Oak Hill Farm
45 acres of productive farmland set on 700 acres of protected wildlands nestled against the western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma Valley.
Inside this 100-year old dairy barn they dry their flowers, make wreaths, wash and pack produce, give classes, process fresh-cut flowers and make bouquets. This is a beautiful store that you won't want to miss. Specialty is seasonal produce and flowers, picked fresh every day.
15101 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen

The Olive Press
Experience the charm of Sonoma Valley at this factory where they will be pressing olives for commercial producers, growers with small harvests, and hobbyists wishing to create "estate" olive oil from home grown olives.
14301 Arnold Drive, Jack London Village, Glen Ellen

Twin Hill Ranch
This historic apple ranch opened in 1942.
1689 Pleasant Hill Rd, Sebastopol

Meat Dairy & Poultry
Martindale's Quality Meats & Deli
Homemade Hams, Sausage and Bacon as well as wonderful deli selections.
5280 Aero Drive, 707 545-0531

Marin French Cheese
Authentic French cheeses with a unique California style and flavor. The cheeses are completely handmade and hand-packed. The milk comes from 100% BST free cows, and they use non-animal rennet exclusively.
Sales Room Open From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tours are possible, but please call.
7500 Red Hill Road, Petaluma, (707) 762-6001

Sonoma Jack Cheese
Third generation family business was the first cheese factory west of the Mississippi River to win a gold medal in Wisconsin.
On the Sonoma Plaza

Willie Bird Turkeys
All Willie Bird smoked products are prepared at the family processing plant in Sonoma County, California. The family has been raising poultry in Sonoma County for over 75 years starting with Grandpa in 1924. Willie began raising Free Range turkeys over 40 years ago. They've become famous in this bountiful region for their superior quality and taste.
5350 Highway 12, Santa Rosa, CA 707-545-2832 or to dine - 1150 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA

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