I participated in the 35th Annual Healdsburg Barrel Tasting Weekend in Northern Sonoma County where you purchase a wristband, which allows you to sample wines still in the barrel (often for another 4-6 months) as well as the current wines at most of these wineries. All of that for under $50!! They had me at barrel tasting ; )
Mounts Family Vineyards
We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County and were on our way to Healdsburg, where we would stay for the weekend to explore as many of the more than 120 participating wineries as we could!
Driving over the Golden Gate into creepy looking fog – I swear, SF is the only place I know with weather like this!
Friday, we started in downtown Healdsburg tasting from the wine shops who had barrel tasting. The weather was absolutely gorgeous – allowing us to run around comfortable in short sleeves and dresses.
Hot guys serving barrel wine? Yes please! – Topel Winery
Saturday, we explored Alexander Valley, sampling wines from around 5 wineries. It was amazing to taste the difference between the wines from the 3 different regions: Alexander, Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys and how different the tastes were though they are relatively close in location. Some were mellow, others bold; some were sweet, others had more of a bite.
At Meeker, which used to be a bank, you are served in the spots where the tellers used to help customers. They store the wine in the bank’s old vault.
I ❤ wine!
Sunday, we explored a few Dry Creek Valley wineries after taking a short but glorious bike ride, basking in the sunny day.
Bike ride view
The device that is used to pull wine from the barrel is called a wine thief
Even driving around the area was a pleasant experience; I enjoyed the open space and views of nature and winemaking in the process!
Just magical – doesn’t it look like a painting??
We enjoyed some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had this weekend! If you enjoy wine and food, this annual event is definitely for you!
This 10-year-old sous chef in training was serving pork tenderloin white bean stew at Trione
delicious (Gerard’s) Paella at
Passalacqua Wineries’ Event
Now having been to both Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries, I know I’ll get some flack for saying this, but I enjoy Sonoma a lot more. Not only do I generally like the wines a little better, but the region is less touristy (even on this great weekend!), and the people working at the wineries are more down to Earth I’ve felt. See the bottom of this page for the website.
Have Life, Will Travel! 
This looks so much fun! I’m gonna be in San Francisco next month, but sadly I won’t have any time for trips outside the city.
Well you’ll just have to come back =D
Ha ha! Yes! One day I’m gonna do a whole west coast trip…Just have to find a way out of South America first!
I was born and raised here and I am still finding great new things on the west coast! It’s definitely a magical place! And so is South America!