Lunch in the Russian River Valley Update

If you want to spend your entire day tasting in the Russian River Valley, there are few options for lunch without heading to the towns of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, or Sebastopol. However, in the heart of the Russian River Valley sits the small town of Graton. Here you can lunch at Willow Wood Market or Underwood Bar and Bistro.

The similarly named restaurants have the same owners but the food and ambience are different.  Willow Wood, which is my favorite, serves a variety of salads, hot sandwiches, and polentas.  At one time, the restaurant was a small part of a larger market, but today the restaurant and carry-out bar occupy the entire space.  You can also dine outside in the small garden behind the restaurant.  Willow Wood is open for lunch from 11:30 - 5:00, Monday - Saturday.  Brunch is served on Sunday from 11:00 - 3:00.

Under Wood is larger with bar in the front.  The lunch menu consists of tapas and small plates.  Lunch is served between 11:30 and 2:30, Tuesday - Sunday.  A similar menu is offered at the bar from 2:30 - 5:00.

If you are a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay fan, you'll definitely want to spend some time in the Russian River Valley.  Stop in Graton for lunch and you won't be disappointed.  If you would like to include a private tour of the Russian River Valley, contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com. 

Something Different in the Dry Creek Valley

The Dry Creek Valley in Northern Sonoma County is best known for Zinfandel and many wineries produce at least one wine from this grape.  However, one winery -- Michel Schlumberger -- has gone down a different path.  The winery built its reputation on Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.  No Zinfandel was to be found.  Today the winery has expanded its offerings to include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Syrah, and Pinot Blanc.  But still no Zinfandel.

If you're heading to the Dry Creek Valley and want to taste some Bordeaux style wines in pleasant surroundings be sure to head to Michel-Schlumberger but make an appointment first.  The winery offers tours and tastings daily at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  For $15/person, you'll get to walk through their lovely vineyards, gardens, and winery.  You'll see how their wines are made and then will be able to taste their current releases either in the winery's gourmet kitchen, living room, or courtyard.  Other touring and tasting options are available so check out the winery's website for options.

Better yet, take a private tour of the Dry Creek Valley that includes a visit to Michel-Sclumberger.  For more information contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or at Rick@BlueHeronTours.com. 

Criteria for Tasting Room Reviews

I've been commenting on tasting rooms for over 4 years now and thought I should provide a little background on how I come to talk about a particular winery or tasting room.

First, I only comment on tasting rooms or wineries that I have personally visited.  Half of the wineries in Napa and Sonoma are not open to the public.  Of those that welcome visitors either by advance appointment or by dropping in,  I have visited about 125 of Sonoma's 270 wineries and tasting rooms and 145 of Napa's 335 wineries and tasting rooms.  The vast majority of those I have yet to get to require an appointment to visit.

Second, I operate under the assumption that the wine is good at nearly all of the tasting rooms in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties.  Not every winery has wine that is going to be to your or my taste but the wines are generally good.  There are many people far more qualified than me who review wines.  Besides visiting wine country to taste wine is more about the experience than the quality of the wine.

Third, I generally only post positive reviews.  I want to give my readers information on wineries and tasting rooms to seek out.  Most tasting rooms are neither good nor bad; they're much like every other tasting room.  However some tasting rooms are special and are worth visiting.  Many factors contribute to a positive review including friendly tasting room staff, unique architecture, good value, an opportunity to meet the owner and/or winemaker, pretty scenery, an unusual tasting experience, and/or an interesting tour.  On the rare occasion when I say something negative about a winery or tasting room, it's because I think the visitor is not getting a quality experience.

Fourth, I do not get compensated for my reviews.  Many guests on my tours ask if the wineries give me anything to thank me for bringing visitors to their tasting rooms.  At the end of the year, a couple wineries may give me a bottle or two, but that's it.  I've never received anything for a positive review other than an e-mail thanking me.

I hope this background is helpful.  Let me know what you think.