wanderlust...Sonoma

During my recent trip to California, I spent a weekend in Sonoma visiting wineries. As my vacation was focused on being away from the office and simply relaxing; Sonoma Valley's small town feel and friendly atmosphere were preferable to visiting neighboring Napa Valley, where the tasting rooms can get crowded and the atmosphere a bit commercial and a tad pretentious. The Sonoma wineries had courteous, knowledgeable staff that helped a fledgling wine drinker like me learn new things and develop a better understanding of my own wine preferences.

Kunde Estate had a demonstration vineyard where you can view up close their sustainable winegrowing process.

We had an amazing lunch at La Salette, a Portuguese restaurant located in Sonoma's town square. We wanted to try a little bit of everything and ordered the Tasca tasting plate -- I loved the cheeses and blood sausage. Their piri piri fries tasted like Nibbits snack chips -- are those only sold in Hawaii?

After several wine tastings, the poses for pictures start to get a little kooky.

Cline Cellars has beautiful grounds and boasts over one hundred different varieties of roses.

cheers.