Where Vineyards Meet the Redwoods

Russian River Valley in Sonoma County The Coastal Redwoods depend upon the fog bank that forms along the Pacific Coast from the Monterey area to the Northern border of California. Fog equals cool climate temperatures. Wherever Redwood trees thrive, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Alsatian varieties of grapes also thrive. The Russian River Valley AVA is … Read more

Solitude at Mill Creek Winery

Here is a winery that is easy to miss among the big names near Healdsburg in Sonoma County. Mill Creek Vineyards and Winery is a small family-owned winery on Westside Road. The second and third generations of the family are at the helm with a production of 7000 cases from 45 acres of vineyards. We … Read more

Hidden Wine Country Town of Occidental

Healdsburg, Sonoma, Windsor, and Santa Rosa are the hot wine towns of Sonoma County wine country. If you like less hubbub, more solitude, and less wine snobbery, try visiting the town of Occidental.  Occidental is in the Russian River Valley wine appellation, about 30 minutes west of Santa Rosa, CA.  Occidental is secluded, but in … Read more

Dario Cecchini – The Butcher of Chianti Classico

Dario Cecchini is an 8th generation butcher but he has taken his skill to another level from his predecessors. Not only does he have innovative ideas about his profession, but his amazing outgoing personality, and his love for his trade and the people that come to his butcher shop and restaurant, are what sets him apart. He is truly a living legend in the land of Chianti Classico.

A Vineyard Year

Wine Country Photography for Wine Lovers. Frame it

We miss the wine country of California. March will mark one year since our last trip to the wine country. We are inching closer to getting back to wine country visits. We will soon have both doses of the COVID vaccine and will feel much safer to travel. Masks will still be most important. We … Read more

Daffodil Hill in Wine Country

Daffodil Hill in Wine Country – Volcano, California Daffodil Hill is not open to the public this year Amador County is a hot tourist destination for wine country travelers. There are many small boutique wineries to visit in the spectacular foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. But there is another attraction besides wineries worth seeing, … Read more

Do You Know Napa Valley’s Big Three?

I originally posted this article in 2017. As of this month in 2021, there are limited wine tasting opportunities in the Napa Valley. We can enjoy Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley and learn a few facts about these “Big Three” grapes at home. Napa Valley’s Big Three – Chardonnay, Merlot, and … Read more

Napa Valley Hiking – Moore Creek Park

Moore Creek

The late winter months present many days of quality hiking in the Napa Valley. The outdoors, with your mask in use, is safer than most activities in wine country. If you miss the wine country, try this hike. On the way to the hike entrance, you will drive by many beautiful vineyards and wineries. Hiking … Read more

J Lohr in Paso Robles

National Geographic and the Somm Journal are teaming up to present a virtual exploration of wineries worldwide. The series is “Unique Wine Regions of the World.” In the most recent virtual experience, J Lohr Vineyards & Wines represented the wine region of Paso Robles. Paso Robles Wine Country Paso Robles is one of our favorite … Read more

The Fine Art of Wine

We recently became aware of the wine art by artist Cecilia Anastos. Please take a minute to read her Press Release and discover her art work. You would receive a discount on purchases made through Wine Country Getaways, and you’d be supporting service dogs for adults and children with disabilities. Thank You! The Fine Art … Read more