Sonoma Wine/Golf Trip:
Sonoma, California
Date: September 15-22, 2024
Trip Leader: Kurt Ricker
Email: ricremserv@gmail.com
Contact phone : 614-679-7470
ABOUT SONOMA:
Life opens up in Sonoma. Just 30 miles across the Golden Gate and you’ll discover a destination like no other, Sonoma County. While Sonoma is famous for its 425+ premium wineries, you’ll also discover renowned chefs with their acclaimed farm to table restaurants, famed Northern California coastline, towering redwoods, mild Mediterranean climate with the summertime high average of 87 and activities ranging from biking to walks in an ancient forest, and everything in between
Vacation Details
Dates: Sunday to Sunday/ September 15 to 22, 2024
Lodging:
Seven nights at the Dry Creek Inn, Healdsburg, CA. Travel and Leisure Magazine listed Healdsburg in the top 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021. Healdsburg could fairly be described as the jewel of California Wine Country, “a charming little town where you can eat incredible pastries on a park bench under redwoods in the morning, taste wine and spirits at the source, grab an organic burger or wood-fired pizza for lunch on a patio, detox with a scrub or tea tasting in the afternoon, and dine on Michelin–star cuisine at night before walking back to your hotel”.
The Dry Creek Inn offers a complimentary half bottle of wine at check in. Your room includes cable TV, free Wifi, refrigerator, safe, phone, iron/ironing board, and hair dryer. Hotel amenities include outdoor heated swimming pool, complimentary gym pass to nearby facility, refillable water station, and complimentary laundry facilities. There is also a restaurant on site. There is a free town shuttle that runs near the hotel.
Your Base Trip Incudes:
Seven nights lodging, double occupancy with two queen beds
-All airport/event transportation w/luxury mini bus and chauffeur
-All tips for activities and the chauffeur
-Package activities and events are:
**Welcome Party—On Monday evening a welcome party at the hotel. The party runs for about an hour and includes an open wine bar and light apps.
** Wine Tasting---Six wine tastings in the Dry Creek, Russian River and Sonoma Valley. Each tasting includes between 4-5 flights, lasts about two hours each. Certain wineries offer a tour of their vineyard or the actual winery. This is especially exciting during what they call the “crush”, aka harvest season.
**Armstrong Woods Tour is one of the few “old growth” redwood groves on the West Coast. Old growth means it has never been harvested. Trees in this ancient forest are as tall as 308 ft, with a base circumference of 46 ft and an age of 2,000 years. A docent will be provided for your group as you leisurely stroll through the grove. Bring your camera, Armstrong Woods is magical.
**Cooking Class and Dinner---A team cooking class is offered from 7-10 pm, taught by a professional Sonoma County chef. A menu from this year included a NY Strip Steak w/Wild Mushroom Sauce, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Cheddar and Spring Onion Popovers, and Vanilla Cream Brule. After the class, dinner is served. Note—the cooking class does not have a liquor license. You are
welcome to bring your own wine. Glasses will be provided and there are no corkage fees. If you have special diet needs, let Gayle or Kurt know.
**Lunch---On the days you are in the Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, and the day your visit the farm/cheese company, made-to-order sandwiches are provided. Lunch is usually provide in the picnic area of the winery or farm. For the day you are in the Sonoma Valley, lunch is on your own, usually at the many restaurants around Sonoma Square. While you’re in Sonoma Square, stop by the Sonoma Barracks and the Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of the California missions. Both are California State Parks.
**Farmer’s Market/concert in Healdsburg Square on Tuesday evening at 6 pm.
**Food and Wine Pairing---An afternoon of food and wine pairing is included. The event lasts about 2.5 hours and features up to 7 pairings. The food is prepared by the winery’s executive chef who explains the balance between the components of a dish and the characteristic of their reserve wine.
**Cheese tasting on the Farm—West Sonoma is known for its dairy farms. You’ll be taken to a working farm for two hours. In that time you’ll experience the entire process of making cheese, from farm to table. Afterwards wine will be paired with some great award winning artisan goat cheese.
** Tour of the Dramatic California coastline with photo opts at Bodega Bay and Goat Rock. Stop at some of the clam chowder, sourdough and Dungeness crab eateries along the way. The crab sandwiches are the best!!
Optional activities:
-Golf is just one of the optional activities. On the day of the coastal tour, those wanting to play golf will be dropped off at a Links style course right on the Pacific Ocean. A second day of golf is offered on Thursday, requiring participants to Uber or takes a taxi about 9 miles.
-Hiking: With 61 state and regional parks, there is always somewhere new to hike. From trails along the Pacific to Taylor Mountain looking west across Santa Rosa, the views are always exceptional.
-Craft Brewery Tours---Santa Rosa is known for their craft breweries, placing in the top 10-15 locations in the US. The most well-known brewhouse is the Russian River Brewery, located about 7 miles from Healdsburg.
-Biking is exceptionally popular in Sonoma, so much so that competitive cycling events such as Levi’s Grand Fondo are held every year in Sonoma County. It’s the diverse terrain and moderate climate. Participants from the Columbus Ski Club can experience that terrain and climate on their activity day. Biking out to Lake Sonoma or through Alexander Valley is a exceptional experience, stopping at the Stuhlmuller Vineyard for a barrel tasting before heading to Jimtown for lunch.
-Other Optional Activities can include spa, zipline, paddle boarding, horseback riding and shopping for everything you didn’t know you needed. There’s so much to do here, you’ll just have to come back.
Note: Golf greens fees are not included with the Base trip. The events and itinerary may change before arrival date based on group preference.
Base: $2,603 Double occupancy with two queen beds, ground transportation and the listed activities and events.
Add King Room: $121 (added to base, p/p)
Single Supplement: $1,231 (added to base for private room with a king bed)
Add Air: $459
** Note: If we fill the trip with 20 spots, Base price will be reduced by $130.
Next Step
Space is limited to a maximum of 20 people. Reservations are first come, first served. Reserve your vacation with a $250 deposit, second payment on 5/20/24 and final on 7/20/24.