2 days in Sonoma - planning advice sought

[florwoman]

We are planning a two-day getaway to Sonoma and have a few things locked in but are looking for advice on restaurants and "must-visit" wineries.

Day 1 - we will drive up and have a 2:30 appointment at Merry Edwards (the last time I went there the office was in her garage!). Thinking of lunch at either Underwood or Willow Wood beforehand.

We then head to Healdsburg, where we are staying at the H2Hotel. We got their "Path to Pinot package, which includes dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen, a $50 certificate for lunch or dinner at Bovolo, and complimentary "enhanced" tastings at: Davis Family, Longboard, Thumbprint Cellars, and La Crema.

We are waitlisted for a tasting at Rafanelli (they may not have tastings that week), and are also considering Preston, Limerick Lane, Garry Farrell, and Quivira.

I think it's too ambitious and would love advice on which to visit and which to skip (I love free tastings but will trade better for free).

Also, need to decide where to eat on our second night. We are considering Zin or Baci - can't get into Cyrus - and would love to stick close by so we can indulge and walk back to the hotel.

Thanks very much.

-----
Bovolo
106 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Limerick Lane
1023 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, CA

Baci
336 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[Zollipop]

We like The Girl and The Fig in Sonoma for a casual bite

[prima]

Realize you didn't ask for breakfast recs, but if your breakfast isn't included at the H2Hotel, I recommend trying the Downtown Bakery & Creamery for a casual breakfast in Healdsburg. Great pastries, and they also serve a tasty breakfast pizza. ;-)

http://www.downtownbakery.net/bakery-cafe.html

http://www.downtownbakery.net/docs/menu.pdf

Just checked out the breakfast menu at Bovolo- and they also serve a breakfast pizza. Is breakfast pizza fairly common on brunch/breakfast menus in Northern CA? I had never seen it offered on a menu before I ordered it at Downtown Bakery in October. http://www.bovolorestaurant.com/break...

-----
Downtown Bakery & Creamery
308 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[celeryroot]

Use your cert for breakfast if you can at Bovolo......it is very good but very casual , you order at the counter. Baci and Zin are fine , you might also stay at your hotel as Spoon Bar is great and fun. Also, Barndiva , Scopa, Bistro Ralph would all be fne choices. Coustaux is great for breakfast/
Try and add Ridge to your tastings.
Enjoy

-----
Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Bistro Ralph
109 Plaza St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Scopa
109 Plaza St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Baci
336 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[florwoman]

Thanks - will check all these out. But seriously, how can I add Ridge unless we lop something else off? I'm inclines to skip LaCrema unless I hear it's a great experience, but I know my hubby will not want to hit 10 wineries in 2 days (and it's even a lot for me).

[celeryroot]

My opinion is that Ridge makes a much better wine then all the others. Im sure others will disagree . I do really like Merry Edwards. Le Crema has a tasting room within walking distance (very close) of your hotel.

-----
Crema
411 13th St, Oakland, CA 94612

[dedlaw]

Ridge IS definitely worth adding, and dropping most of the others you've mentioned. If you can contact MacPhail and get in to taste their pinot noirs, HIGHLY worthwhile.

For dinner, Spoonbar is fun, but lots of hard surfaces and thus loud (same at Zin). Food at both is fine. Barndiva is one we really like.

-----
Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[florwoman]

OK - Barndiva is reserved and Ridge is added (as it happens I had a bottle of the 3 Valleys Zin at dinner last night and was reminded how good their wine is). Thanks, all.

-----
Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[celeryroot]

Stop into the bar at Cyrus for a nice quiet drink . I hope you enjoy your trip

[florwoman]

Thanks very much - can't wait!

[celeryroot]

I forgot to mention, very close to town
http://healdsburg.patch.com/listings/...
good olive oil
If your still going to Preston their oil is good also plus they have an outside wood burning stove and make great bread
what time of year are you coming??

[dedlaw]

Just wait -- the Three Valleys is by far their least interesting zin.

[florwoman]

Just need to report that we had an extraordinary meal at Barndiva last night. Hubby had pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon w/morels, which sounds over the top (and perhaps is) but beautifully pairs the smoky bacon flavor with the subtle tenderloin. Then load it up with morels - wow. I had the ribeye - sliced with gorgeous fava bens, onions, tiny potatos, peppers -- to die for. We drank a gorgeous Rusina Zin with it. Never want to leave.

-----
Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[wincountrygirl]

I'd skip La Crema for Ridge.

[syrahgirl]

Check out Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar on the Plaza! :)

[florwoman]

oh, and after reading some recent posts, adding Barndiva as another option.

-----
Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448