If you love wine and have any have any interest in visiting the grape-growing region of Sonoma (or Napa, or really anyplace in California) it really shouldn’t be intimidating — it should be a no-brainer. However, there are a lot of options when it comes to figuring out the right people to use and rely on. With that being said, we have assembled a trusted listed of drivers and purveyors of places to stay that have an innate ability to point you in the right direction. They will tell you where you need to go, where to taste, etc. Please feel free to book with them should the need arise:
Drivers
This is a group of folks that can do no wrong. They will get you where you need to safely and be amazing while doing it. If drinking in wine country is something you plan to do all day, then having a designated driver is an absolute priority. Nobody wants to end up bailing friends out of jail…
- Da Vine Wine Tours — Denise, the matriarch of her business, is a seasoned pro of the Sonoma wine scene. She knows the all the undiscovered nooks and off-the-beaten-path places to go. Best of all? She drives your car which dramatically saves on transportation cost. Be aware of her Fu Manchu-mustachioed husband Dennis as he might be driving you instead of her. He is also awesome.
- Perata Luxury Tours — There is an old proverb that states: “experience is a comb which nature gives to men when they are bald”. With that, Nick Perata is the handsomest, baldest dude you will meet in the wine world. Jokes aside, he is a master of his craft and will not steer anyone astray. Putting your trust with Nick means you won’t be disappointed.
- Napa Valley Wine Excursions — Don’t let the name fool you. Paul, the owner, and his team will venture far into the depths of Sonoma and beyond to give their clients the best wine experience possible. They are the raddest supporters of the wild and unruly — and Ricci fits that vibe perfectly. His team will deliver no matter what you are looking for.
- Platypus Wine Tours — What do a platypus and wine have in common? Nothing for the most part — except Platypus Wine Tours can deliver exceptional, value-driven wine experiences where other mammals can’t. Trust that lil’ duck-billed deliverer of wine dreams and opulence. You won’t be wronged.
Where To Lay Your Head
While coming to wine country might be grand in the sense that you can frolic and imbibe to your heart’s content, ultimately you will need a place to rest at some point. With that, here is a small list of places that we recommend exploring for their accommodations:
- Carneros Resort & Spa — Notice the name? They’re in Carneros and WE’RE IN CARNEROS! Wild, right?! Seriously though, this resort is right around the corner from our vineyard and they couldn’t be nicer, more hospitable and provide a higher end, white glove, over-the-top type of service. Their grounds are stunning and if you need a luxurious retreat, this is it.
- Stanly Ranch — Pampering neither knows, nor needs, any limits when it comes to wine country. The folks at Stanly Ranch are well aware of this. Prepare to be taken care of like never before should you stay with them. Accommodations are top-notch and the surrounding environment isn’t half bad — just a stone’s throw to Ricci (if you had a really strong arm).
- Sonoma Barn Suite — Yes, one of these things is not like the others. While the first two places to stay on this list are resorts, Sonoma Barn Suite is a locally owned AirBnb right near the heart of downtown Sonoma. Susan, the proprietor, not only offers up a slice of country charm through her accommodations but she is also a baker by trade — so it is fairly reasonable to assume that there could be some sweet treats included in your stay as well. Check out this link for a sneak peek of the property.
OTHER PLACES TO TASTE
Obviously it can be said with heavy bias that Ricci Vineyards is a stop that you must make when it comes to wine tasting, but we aren’t alone in being awesome and making really good juice. Here are a few other, lesser-known places that we enjoy being patrons of ourselves:
- Wine Snob* — With tongue-in-cheek lightheartedness the folks at Wine Snob* know that making killer wine doesn’t mean that you have to be pretentious about it. Ryan and Lindsey, the husband and wife duo that run the brand, are all about casual vibes and offering wines that are approachable for wine drinkers of every echelon. Check out their hip urban tasting room on the outskirts of Sonoma and in the middle of the little village of Glen Ellen.
- Dunstan — The similarities between Dunstan and Ricci are so rampant, it’s no wonder we dig what they’re doing. They focus on Chardonnay and Pinot (like us), they are situated on a retired dairy farm (like us), and they operate out of an old farmhouse (samesies). That being said, Dunstan is its own experience that is absolutely worth checking out and Lisa, their hospitality gal, is second to none. BONUS: if you book a tasting experience using promo code RICCI, you will receive a 50% discount per person.
- Saintsbury — Perhaps the most established winery on this short list, it can still be said with a fair amount of confidence that even the most seasoned wine country traveler may not know about Saintsbury. We consider that a good thing. Tucked in a corner of Carneros, the intimate garden vibes and down-to-earth hospitality are a breath of fresh air in comparison to the over-crowded, commercialized wineries further up the valley.
- The River Club — Home to two different wine brands operating out of the same space (Belong Wines and Paper Planes Wine Company), The River Club feels like a secret that you want to keep for yourself. Located in an old leather tanning district outside downtown Napa, The River Club tasting salon straddles the Napa River and makes for a pretty killer place to hang out and grab some sips around sunset. Not to mention, the place is kid and dog friendly to boot!
- Kivelstadt Cellars — Kivelstadt is almost like a Swiss Army knife because it feels like it is so many things in one. Want a traditional wine tasting? They have that. Need to sit down for a full meal? They do that too. In fact, if you need transportation, they directly run the Bohemian Highway Travel Co. as well. They truly are a one-stop shop.
- Bedrock Wine Co. — It might be said that some people wander into the wine industry for the wrong reasons — vanity, prestige or by the (false) allure of getting rich quick. There are also people that make and share their wines out of devotion to a craft and the fact that it’s in their blood. The folks at Bedrock fall into the latter category. Their wines are fun, unique and unforgettable. Added bonus: their tasting room is an old 1850’s home originally owned by a Civil War general — how cool is that?!
- Pax Wines — Our neighbors situated in the coastal enclave of Sebastopol to our west, Pax Wines are the undisputed, heavy-weight champs of Syrah in Sonoma County. If hanging out in an idyllic hipsters’ parlor of warped, reclaimed barnwood, leather and vintage vinyl is your dream destination for a wine outing, go hang with the folks of Pax at the Barlow. The wines are beefy, the people are awesome, and the vibes are pure wine paradise.
