Wine Country Quick
Getaways - Buena Vista Winery, Gundlach Bundchu, Sebastiani Vineyards
Buena Vista Winery |
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Less than hour from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, you
will find the historic town of Sonoma and thee famous wineires.
Buena Vista is the
oldest winery in Sonoma and an historic landmark. Just a short
distance away is the second oldest winery in Sonoma, Gundlach
Bundchu, now in its sixth generation of family
ownership.
Sebastiani Vineyards is located
near the Plaza and has a new tasting facility. Don’t pass
up a visit to the Plaza. It’s filled with interesting shops
plus the Sonoma Cheese Factory where you can get a picnic lunch.
Directions from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
• Take 101 North and exit at Highway 37
• Travel on Highway 37 for roughly 8 miles
• Turn left to Highway 121 and Sonoma
• Take Highway 12 to Sonoma
• At the Plaza, turn right on East Napa Rd.
• To get to Buena Vista travel nearly to the end of East
Napa Rd.
• Turn left on Old Winery Road
• To get to Gundlach Bundchu, travel down East Napa Rd from
the Plaza
• Turn Right on 8th Street, and follow the white winery
signs
Picnic Lunch
On route to these wineries, a suggested spot to pick up a picnic
lunch is the Sonoma
Cheese Factory on the Plaza at 2 Spain Street. Best
picnic spot is Gundlach Bundchu
Buena Vista Winery
If you are a wine history buff, you will need to stop at the
Buena Vista winery, the first winery in California and a registered
historic landmark. It opened its doors in 1857, founded by the “Father
of California Wine,” Count August Hazasthy. Today the
winery is own by Allied Domecq Wines USA. The Buena Vista winery
owns 1000 acres of vineyards in the famed Carneros region of
Sonoma and Napa counties. This region is world famous for producing
fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. The Buena Vista winery
owns more acres in the Carneros region than any other winery.
To get to the winery from the Sonoma Plaza, travel east on
East Napa Rd., almost to the end, turn left on Old Winery Rd.
and follow the signs to the winery.
Tasting room open daily, 10 am to 5, (800) 926 1266
Email: bvw_info@buenavistawinery.com, Go to
Website
Gundlach Bundchu
The wines are all excellent at this historic winery. The winery
is the second oldest winery in California with a founding date
just a short three months later than the nearby Buena Vista Winery.
The winery today is owned by the same family and is now in its
sixth generation with Jim Bundchu at the helm. The winery produces
about 40,000 cases of wine per year. They produce an amazing 16
wine varietals, and all but 2 are produced from the Gundlach Bundchu
Estate of 350 acres of vineyards. They produce several white varietals,
all dry and well balanced. The reds are the most recognized, with
the Merlot the best seller. The grounds are quite beautiful with
a great picnic area. To get to the winery from the plaza, travel
east on East Napa Rd., turn right on 8th St. and follow the white
winery signs.
Tasting room open daily, 11 am to 4:30, (707) 939
3015
Email: info@gunbun.com, Go
to Website
Sebastiani
Vineyards
Sebastiani is another grand old winery in the town of Sonoma. This
family-owned winery began operation in 1904. Recently, the winery
has embarked a new era in its winemaking. The winery has decided
on a “less is more” philosophy, reducing its wine production
so it can concentrate efforts on making higher quality wines. The
payoff is evident with several of its wines receiving awards and
raves from wine experts. The winery also has a new hospitality room
where besides tasting wine, you can browse the wine merchandise,
view works of art, or learn a bit of wine history. We like the Sonoma
Coast Pinot Noir, the Sonoma County Merlot, and the Cabernet. To
get to the tasting room from the Plaza, head out along East Napa
St. to Fourth St. East. Make a left turn and you will shortly see
the parking lot and hospitality center.
Tasting room open daily, 10 am to 5, (707) 933-3230
Email: info@sebastiani.com, Go
to Website
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