Soliciting opinions and/or recommendations on my Sonoma Area Winery choices

[jmsvss]

We are staying in Healdsburg and have a day and a half to tour wineries (Oct 23-24). We enjoy all wines with the possible exception of California Chards but are always open to having our mind changed. We will be more interested in smaller wineries, like to stroll through beautiful gardens, enjoy hearing about growing techniques and winemaking. Sorting through all the possibilities in the area is a challenge

Here are the wineries currently on my list:

Farrari-Carano - 10am appontment
Seghesio - have requested the food and wine pairing but haven't heard back yet
Gary Farrell
Everett Ridge
Deerfield Ranch
Matanzas Creek
Chalk Hill
Davis Family

Debating on Michel-Schlumberger but will probably need to drop one on the above list.

[whiner]

Keep Deerfield and Davis (Davis only because it is IN Healdsburg)

add:
Merry Edwards
Lynmar
Hartford
Siduri/Novy

subtract:
Whatever you don't have time for after adding what I told you to add :-)

[jmsvss]

Thanks for your reply. All of your recommendations appear to excel at pinot noir. I'll look forward to checking some of them out.

[whiner]

Re: Pinot. Yes, I should have said that. If you are a big Zinfandel fan you should try for Rochioli, Carol Shelton, and Rosenblum (and Hartford).

Most of the places I have mentioned an appointment is necessary or at least advisable.