Sunny Sonoma County Readies For Wine Harvest

By: Valarie D'Elia

To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

NY1’s Valarie D’Elia traveled to Sonoma County and filed the following Travel with Val report on the upcoming harvest.

Sonoma is more than just a pretty little town in California wine country, it’s a county that is home to 13 regions – or appellations –where particular wine varieties grow, based on the weather.

“Everything is focused off of the Pacific Ocean and your proximity to it,” explains Jim Collins of Gallo Family Vineyards. “Then you put varieties in those valleys that do well within those climates. It is really one of the most marvelous places to grow grapes in the world.”

And, it is one of the most accessible for visitors.

“I am enjoying the wines, fabulous weather, great countryside of Sonoma,” said visitor Greg Scarffe of New York City.

“A lot of people have called Sonoma the best-kept secret, as it is just an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge,” says Christopher Silva of St. Francis Winery as to why Sonoma is superior to the popular Napa. “You drive an hour from San Francisco and you are in the wine country."

Want More Travel Deals?

For this and other travel deals, go to TravelWithVal.com.

Sonoma has always been a haven for Hollywood types, dating back to Fred MacMurray of 1960's sitcom “My Three Sons” fame. His daughter Kate keeps up the tradition at MacMurray Ranch, the recent home for the annual Taste Of Sonoma.

“This is a marvelous chance for our neighbors, friends and our community to come out to enjoy the bounty of Sonoma: food and wine,” says the younger McMurray.

The newest Godfather of Sonoma is Oscar-winning Director Francis Ford Coppola, who is blending merlot with memorabilia at his new winery. Scoring a reservation at Rustic is the hot table of the moment.

If you are looking for a little vintage outside of the wine bottle, you can stay at a Santa Rosa historic landmark, The Flamingo Conference, Resort and Spa, a throwback to the 50s era of glamour.
•

Now here’s a D’Elia’s Deal you don’t want to miss with Flamingo’s Harvest Season special. It is offering a fourth night free from $99 a night midweek, including continental breakfast, fitness center admission, and $10 off spa services of $75 or more. Good through October 31. For more, go to FlamingoResort.com.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.