Looking to venture out North for a short getaway? Be ready to pack in the fun, because these small towns are anything but "sleepy". When it comes to showing our visitors a good time, we've got all the bases covered.
Here are some favorite places where Reed -Team Trione, Geyserville resident, and Cloverdale native- enjoys spending his time.
Stop at Trione Winery for bocce and wine of course. Sit out in the vineyards or up on the veranda over-looking Alexander Valley. Family and pet-friendly, bring your picnic or pre-arrange one of the wine experiences. Trione hosts dinners throughout the year; these are not to be missed - a farm-to-table wine paired experience in the beautiful courtyard hosted by the Trione family. Checkout the updated calendar for upcoming events. Notable wines to try: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Made Pony, and Zinfandel. All of the wines are fantastic but you'll have to start somewhere! Join the wine club to reap the benefits of preferred access to the property and wines. We may be a little bias, but we do here from many that we are among their favorite wineries to become members at.
Drive over to Coppola to checkout the movie memorabilia and the grounds. Its a winery unlike any other. Take yourself into town for Mercury, Ramazzotti, and Pech Merle wine tasting rooms. Each tasting room has unique wines that you won't find anywhere else. They are all family-owned with small production wines and offer a lovely, hospitable experience.
If you are looking to dive deeper into seeing where the wines are made and be closer to vineyards, make your reservations at Robert Young and taste wines on top of the hill in a stellar setting. Favorite wines: Chardonnay, every day. Say hi to Maggie while you're there!
Stop by Medlock Ames and enjoy the garden. Snap your selfie in the field off of highway 128 in the rich mustard flowers.
Unwind after a day of exploring and wine tasting with a cold beverage. "The best place in Geyserville to grab a beer and sit a spell has got to be the Geyserville Gun Club. Excellent food coming from the shared kitchen (the chef owner is the same too) over at Diavola Pizzeria next door."
The Gun Club offers a chic atmosphere for small groups to gather while enjoying local beer and wine as well as unique craft cocktails. They are the only spot open late night in Geyserville and offer a delicious food menu with savory items that will please any palate. This is a cool place to hang for an after nuptial parties as well, plan ahead though, space is limited. Its such a quaint space, often the stools will be filled with the local industry folk who are happy to partake in friendly conversation. Favorites are the ramen bowls and the Korean tacos - the menu is ever changing so you're always in for a real treat. Try the Negroni, Paper Plane, or the Ginger Mule for something tasty and different.
Diavola Pizzeria is a rustic Italian restaurant offering fresh, seasonal dishes prepared daily, some using their pizza oven. Some local favorites include: Pork Cheek Ragu, Rock Cod Tacos, and the Elmo and Sonya pizzas.
"Don’t forget Catelli’s - just two buildings down - for a charming atmosphere and a dynamite burrata platter, the best in Sonoma County." Catelli's is owned by a brother and sister team who were born and raised in Geyserville. A family tradition, Catelli's was originally owned by their father and was home to many, many locals spending their free time dinning after a long days work in the farming community. The sibling team brought back many of the family favorites and serve up these steamy dishes daily. Dine in or outside in one of the elegant cabana-style suites. Local favorites include: Buratta, Lasagna and Meatball sliders.
Stay at the newly renovated Geyserville Inn in one of the four suites over-looking the vineyards and the Mayacama Mountain range. Not only does the inn have stunning views of the valley, its also walking distance to the town filled with shopping, eateries, and unique art and sculptures.
Cloverdale is up the 101 from Geyserville and is becoming the next "up and coming" small town in Sonoma County. The area offers family-friendly dining and hikes and routes for cycling for everyone.
"If you’re down for a hike that will challenge and reward you, head to the trails at Porterfield Creek (near the Clover Springs neighborhood) where you can be completely covered by the tree canopy. Soak in the silent environment with cool air from the ferns and variety of trees and enjoy the wildlife. It’s my favorite place to quiet my mind and get away from things." This three mile loop offers a nice workout with a rewarding view. The trail is family and dog friendly. Head out to the trail early for a nice hike or run before taking on the day of adventure in Northern Sonoma County.
Dry Creek Road is packed with wineries of all types along with sweeping views of the valley (while technically partially Healdsburg, its still far enough north). Any of the many spots to stop will be worth it. Zinfandel is the name of the game over in Dry Creek Valley and towards the end of the road is Lake Sonoma where there are trails to hike and during certain times of the year, boating and water sports.
Do a food and wine tour for lunch! Visit Comstock for their food and wine pairing made with dishes from the pizza oven and Sbragia for the nice views accompanied by bites. Reserve an experience at Ferrari-Carrano for their delicious Sunday brunch (I should know, my husband is the Estate Chef. Many of you know him from Peloton Culinary locally) or a wine tasting with bountiful cheese & charcuterie made from local ingredients. Finish off the day with a short hike to soak up the rest of the sun and watch the sun set. Don't forget to grab a bottle of wine to sip on while enjoying that beautiful wine country evening. Pickup a bottle or two - notable wines: Ferrari-Carrano Fume Blanc and Sangiovese and Sbragia Gamble Ranch Chardonnay and Home Ranch Merlot.
"For the best view, head to the Overlook at Lake Sonoma. Head out past the Fish Hatchery, make a left onto Skaggs Springs Road, follow the signs. The two-story wooden platform overlooks Lake Sonoma, where you are above the birds flying by below. Looking for the best sunset to take your date? Go there. Trust me!"
After the sun goes down, find yourself back in Geyserville for dinner - keep with the 'tasting' style and share plates at a couple different places so you can try a variety of dishes. After 48 hours in Northern Sonoma County you'll be asking yourself why you just come up to visit Healdsburg and never quite make it a few miles further. These charming smaller towns will woo you with country shopping at Bosworth's, vintage at Gin'Gili's, great eats, comfortable accommodations, and views for miles. Say peace-out to the hustle and bustle of city life for a couple of days and see where the locals go to enjoy the better things in life.
Cheers!
~Jess
