While Catherine’s on a romantic getaway with her hubby, I’ll be manning the helm of the blog machine this week – stand back…  Chatting with our guests each morning at breakfast about their many adventures exploring Northern California, I can’t help but notice that I’m hearing so many of our guests rave about so many of the same activities.  And, not just adventures here in the Russian River Valley, but out on the Sonoma Coast, in the towns of Healdsburg and Sebstopol, up in the Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley, and even over in the Napa Valley – all easy drives from us and all chocked-full of great discoveries.  Now, here’s the catch, everyone knows about our fabulous wines, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah… but did you know that there is so much more to do than drink wine in wine country?  Of course, you can’t come to the Sonoma Wine County without drinking some wine, and in no way am I suggesting you skip the wine.  I’m just saying there’re lots of great finds in addition to tasting all of our fantastic wines!   So, I’ve polled our guests and I’ve polled our concierge team and – are you ready? –  we’ve come up with a list of the Top 10 Things to Do in California Wine Country (imagine reading this with a drum roll in the back ground!) other than WINE TASTING (gasp!)!  Here goes…

1. Blackberries – It’s blackberry season.  They grow everywhere and they taste so good.  Pull over on the side of the road and pick a few handfuls.  You won’t be sorry.  They taste like summer. 
2. Live Music Sundays at C. Donatiello Winery – Yes it’s a winery and yes you can drink wine.  But, in addition to their stellar portfolio of wines, they manage to pull in some of the best acts in wine country for their FREE summer concert series. 
3. Zip-lining through the Redwoods – They’re big, they’re beautiful and you can see them from an all new vantage point – 100 feet up in the air!
   

   Zipping through the Redwood Trees

4. Overlook at Lake Sonoma – Take in one of the most majestic views in all of wine country form the overlook at Lake Sonoma located a the north end of the Dry Creek Valley.  And, if you happen to be there on a Sunday morning, enjoy a Ranger led bird walk.
5. Olive oil tasting at Dry Creek Olive Company – Some of the best olive oil to be found, no designated driver required!
6. Walk the lakes at Riverfront Park – Just a few miles down the road from us, this park is a nesting site for the great blue heron, North America’s largest wading water bird.  Their nests can be spotted high in the trees.
7. Windsor’s Thursday Music on the Green and Farmers Market – Great local produce and great bands.  Bring a famous Farmhouse picnic or pick something up from one of the many vendors.
8. Safari West – Home to over 400 wild and exotic animals. This 400-acre wildlife preserve is part zoo and part jeep safari adventure. Get up close and personal with a giraffe or cheetah.
   

   Getting up close and personal with a giraffe!

9. Segway Tours of Healdsburg – Great itineraries and a travel speed where you can really enjoy the scenery.  Added bonus, you get to brag to all your friends back home that you segwayed your way through wine country!
10. Oysters Hog Island – Have an oyster picnic at a real live oyster farm.  Never mind the fact that these are some of the best oysters to be found anywhere and the view is amazing! 
    

    Have an oyster feed along the water's edge.

Have a great adventure! 

Post by Joe Bartolomei