PtY Trip Help Needed?

We stayed at the Vintner Inn a long time ago (before we moved here) and it was good. It's just off 101 so it is not as scenic as the Farmhouse Inn (15 min down River Road).
Hopefully, the Moonlight Brewing tasting room will be open by Feb as they were doing growler fills for NYE.

 

I second the Vintner Inn. Outstanding food a John Ash as well... Often overlooked Third Street Aleworks is only two blocks from Russian River. Check it out.

 

In terms of really great beers on par with Lagunitas and Russian River, places like Moylans or Marin are fairly forgettable (altho it's nice to enjoy a Hopsickle straight from the source). Third street has some real nice pub grub but it's like going to a Rock Bottom or Karl Strauss. Not the worst, not close to RR or Lagunitas.

 

It'll be SF Beer Week, there are about 25,000 events scheduled. Rare Barrel, the new Sierra Nevada Torpedo room (right close by), Drakes, Cellarmaker, Speakeasy...

 

If Sonoma Springs Brewing is open when you're in Sonoma, don't miss it! They are transitioning to a new facility, so I don't know when they'll be back up and running. Hopmonk is also a nice place for dinner out there.

 

Just a thought, knowing you're also interested in wineries: The Anderson Valley, which is not too far from Healdsburg, is a great place to go wine tasting, and also has Anderson Valley brewing in Booneville. I'm not that much of a wine person, but I really like a lot of Husch, Navarro, and some of the others that are there. It'd be a full day trip, because the road out there is really windy up through the hills, but if you've got the time it's a really beautiful place with some great wine and good beer to be had.

 

Go to the Russian River Wine Company in Healdsburg on the Plaza. Ask for David, he's the owner, and ask him where to go. Tell him I sent ya. He is straight legit and a longtime local. He probably has coupons for complimentary tastings, too. Be a pal and buy something if he helps you out.

I love Dry Creek Valley and Westside Road for Rhone and Italian reds (LOVE Seghesio), but it depends on what you want. If you are pinot hunting, you may want to take a trip through on Russian River Valley.

As for beer, I recommend you stay local. There are so many stellar breweries in the Bay Area, it easily gets out of control once you start trying to hit others outside of your immediate area. Enjoy what you have in Sonoma County, there's plenty there and it is beautiful.

 

In healdsburg
Wine: ulises Valdez is some awesome Pinot and chard, walking distance of downtown healdsburg.
Food: chalkboard is great.

 

airbnb often has great places that are better than hotels and more affordable

and no, i don't work for them

 

Windsor has a property that you can use points with if you have RCI. I think you have to wait until a week before you want to stay and if they have rooms available you can get them for really cheap.
As far as wineries
J Winery is a good one that has a chef on site to prepare pairings with each wine
Limerick Lane makes some really Zins
Rochioli makes world class wine (pretty much anything along Westside Road is good to me as I prefer Rhone wines)
Ridge up in Lytton Springs is great (especially if they have a bottle of Monte Bello open)
Christopher Creek is a cute place
Ferrari-Carano has some great art

I agree with the other poster who suggested Anderson Valley up in Mendecino. Be prepared for a full day trip. Its an hour and a half drive each way. Anderson Valley brewing is great, but don't eat there. Go to the liquor store a mile down the road and get a sandwich, then go back and get a pint. As far as wineries.
Golden Eye has the best Pinot I've ever had
Roderrer Estate is good if you want sparkling
Tolouse is another great place to visit. Might have to make an appointment, but they will make you feel like royalty.

 

Anyone know any lowkey spots that release younger with less hype and no lines?? Preferably South Bay Area 408, 510, 650?

 

The Bistro in Hayward usually gets the most kegs of Younger in the Bay Area. Other than the Double IPA fest, they post on Facebook about an hour before they tap a keg.

 

Yea I love the bistro , been too long since I've been there since I moved to SJ.

 

Good Karma in SJ has gotten it before.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I just started following good karma, the bistro and Harry's hofbrau on Facebook for updates. Any other downlow spots please let me know.

 

I am also planning a trip and was planning on staying around Novato as a central location to hit up SF, Santa Rosa, and Napa/Sonoma.

- Planning to try RR on a weekday and maybe Lagunitas on the way there/back.
- In SF there seems to be tons of options (City Beer Store, Mikkeller Bar, Cellarmaker, 21st Amendment)
- Recommendations on what wineries to hit in/around Napa if you only spend one day there?

Any must stops in these areas? Or places to just skip? (beer related or not) Best place to find new Almanac releases?