Sonoma and Russian River Valley, California

What a beautiful day – clear blue skies, warm sun and perfect temperatures for exploring wine country! The grape plants are just budding in the area, roses are in full bloom everywhere and the hillsides are still green from the winter rains. Deedee now stands for “Designated Driver” as we toured Sonoma County. As Linda expanded her extensive knowledge of reds and whites, Deedee limited her intake. We left Santa Rosa in the morning and drove toward Geyserville, stopping at Clos du Bois for about two hours of tasting and education. While the sommelier explained each wine, production, and the differences between French and American oak barrels to Linda, Deedee sipped and tried to taste the hint of blueberry or vanilla (problems she never encounters with Two Buck Chuck). We continued to several wineries in the Healdsburg area before stopping for lunch and a bit of the bubbly at Korbel. We learned that Korbel can call it champagne, despite the efforts of the French to monopolize that word. We drove to the town of Sebastopol for homemade ice cream and time to explore the various art galleries and shops in the town. We arrived back at our hotel and decided to carry-in dinner and relax in front of the television, before we head to San Francisco.