400585 Fri May 11 07:51:17 -0700 2007 2 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2561191 My husband and I will be taking out first trip to Sonoma and Healdsburg July 4 - 8th and wanted some suggestions. We will be staying at The Lodge the 4-6th and then heading up to Healdsburg from the 6th -8th. So far the only thing I have planned was Cyrus on the 6th (could only get 6:00 reservations) and a private wine tour on Saturday the 7th. Can anyone suggest any wineries we should focus on in that area and maybe help with our other free days? We were thinking of taking a trip to Napa on the 5th and have heard great things about Peju and Del Dotto??? Can you suggest any others we should stop at along the way and maybe a lunch spot? I made dinner reservations at Generals Daughter for that night. Also any suggestions for dinner on July 4th around Sonoma Plaza? Is it possible to see the fire works from any of the outdoor seating areas at the restaurants? I look forward to your suggestions and itineraries. My husband and I are very adventurous and will eat anything!! Thanks in advance from a long time lurker first time poster. J Fri May 11 07:51:17 -0700 2007 67772 jeanf1 1 2561266 De Dotto is an excellent idea. It is an expensive tour, but a great experience. I'm friends with Thys (pronounced Tie) who works there and for years Georgia (known to winos as 'cave girl') has ben a great resource to the online wine community. There is a Sonoma and Napa thread where I lsted the names and contacts of where I would go. Here you go: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/399689 Fo me, no trip to Sonoma is complete without dinner at Zazu in the Russian River Valley. Maybe it is because I keep going there that I keep wanting to go back. I really don't know, but it just seems like part of the Sonoma experience to me. For lunch in Napa I always just get a sandwich at Oakville Grocery or a burger at Taylor's Refresher Fri May 11 08:10:28 -0700 2007 2561191 50041 whiner 1 2562613 You will be here for Robert Mondavi's Summerfest in Napa Valley. http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/summerfest.asp Definitly try to make the fireworks on the 4th (if you reserve a table outside at Domain Chandon you can watch the fireworks during dinner). Del Dotto is a very nice tour, as is Peju (lovely small family owned winery). The Swiss Hotel serves very good Italian, and Murphy's is a fun spot for a casual lunch. Downtown Healdsburg is nice to hang around during the day because there are lots of tasting rooms in the square as well as shops and restaurants. If you dont make it to Oakville Grocery for lunch in Napa there is one on the southeast corner of the Healdsburg square. But make sure you stop by the Mayo Winery Reserve Room for wine & food pairing!! For a full day of wine tasting in the Sonoma Valley I would suggest you start in Kenwood and work your way back; be sure to hit St. Francis, Chateau St. Jean, Kunde, Ledson for lunch (picnic area and gourmet marketplace), Valley of the Moon, BR Cohn etc as you make your way back to Sonoma. Great lunch in Kenwood= Doce Lunas. I hope this helps and let me know if you need more ideas! Fri May 11 14:18:22 -0700 2007 2561191 74399 fyoulady