Sonoma Wineries- All Aboard!

If you are staying in Sonoma, there's a variety of wineries within bicycle distance.  I know what you're thinking- not sure about the drinking+bicycling thing.  This is not a bad idea if you do not plan on drinking too much, plus it beats driving a vehicle!  At any rate, we were off and riding toward a couple of wineries on a sunny Sonoma day.

We first visited Bartholomew Park Winery.  The property was originally home to Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian nobleman who traveled America and became the "father of American wine".  The winery now offers organic estate wines overseen by Jim Bundschu, of Gundlach Bundschu.  All are small batch with most being under 1000 cases produced.  We tasted the entire line:

• 2007 Sauvignon Blanc- a fruity white with a smooth richness, despite the absence of oak or malo.  Best SB we tasted on the trip!


• 2005 Desnudos Vineyard Merlot- good mix of spice and fruit for this silky red


• 2005 Estate Syrah- full bodied and very complex with dark fruit, smoke, and earth


• 2005 Estate Zinfandel- excellent depth and long flavor.  Slight sweetness, very rich.


• Two Cabs: '04 Kasper Vineyard, '03 Estate- both will be great wines, are still youthful, and need aging.

The only way to purchase these wines is either at the estate or through their club. 

We later stopped at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery.  There is no winery in the US that has been producing wine on a continual basis while being family owned than Sebastiani (since 1904).  They have a wide array of wines to choose from, over twenty, and all are reasonably priced, quality selections.

Sonoma is also surrounded by many other wineries: Gundlach Bundshu, Gloria Ferrer, Viansa, Buena Vista, and Ravenswood.  Enjoy the wineries if you visit Sonoma City and happy hunting!