partial image of a barrel
Event Tasting the Past, Present and Future: Barrel Weekend 2025

The 2025 Barrel Weekend is all about tasting wines from the past, present and future. This annual weekend event has been reimagined for its 47th anniversary, letting the wineries along the Wine Road focus on more than just tasting wines from the barrel. And, giving tasters new opportunities for exploring and learning about wine.   […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jan 31, 2025
Two full champagne flutes on a sliver tray with three yellows and a white napkin on the try. The tray is sitting on a small round table with two wrought iron chairs on each side and a bush with white flowers behind the table.
Wine Tasting Tips ’Tis the Season for Sparkling Wines

If you love the holiday season, you probably also toast a time or two with your favorite sparkling wines. Not that sparkling wine is just for the holiday season, quite the contrary. It is so easy to pair with foods, and is a great spirit lifter after a long and less than perfect day at […]

Rebecca Germolus / Nov 30, 2024
Wine Road wine glass in from of twig basket containing Dutton Goldfield Pinot Noir. A sprig of pine and a pine cone are off to the left side.
Event 10 Wine-Fun Reasons to Attend Wine Road’s Winter Festivals

By January, wine fun seems in short supply, especially after the fast-paced activities beginning with Thanksgiving and running through to the new year. But fear not, the Wine Road offers a winter wine festival filled with great wines, plenty of laughter, great photo ops and a whole lot of fun — it’s the 32nd annual […]

Rebecca Germolus / Nov 12, 2024
Two woman in a sound booth.
Podcast Wine Road Podcast: The Wine When and Where of Sonoma County

The Wine Road podcast, subtitled the Wine When and Where of Northern Sonoma County, is an amazing source for interesting stories, curated daytrip itineraries, wine recommendations, and so much more.   Birth of a Podcast In 2016, when the Wine Road podcast started, there weren’t a lot of quality, professionally produced podcasts. But, Beth Costa, […]

Rebecca Germolus / Oct 31, 2024
A kettle type grill is cooking three sausages, four kabobs with meat and vegetables, an ear of corn and three tomatoes still on the vine.
Wine and Food Pairings Best Summer Wine Pairings

Warm weather beckons us outside for grilling, picnics and sunset dinners. And, we’re always looking for the best wine pairings to accompany these al fresco meals. Here are some of the best summer pairings with delicious wines found along the Wine Road.   Pairings with Salads Rosé The combination of Greek watermelon salad and a […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jun 28, 2024
Two chilled glasses of champagne toasting with the sun setting over the ocean.
Vineyards Beyond Grapes: Discovering the Soul of Sonoma County Wine Scene

Sonoma County’s wine roots run deep. So deep that California’s oldest premium winery is located in Sonoma County, and so is the longest continuously operating family winery. Over the past 40-plus years, Sonoma County wines have broadened and deepened their reach so now you can find them almost anywhere in the United States, and in […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jun 10, 2024
four large glasses filled with red wine, held by four people, but can only see their hands.
Wineries Toast to Taste: Exploring the Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience in Sonoma County

Everyone hopes for the ultimate wine tasting experience when anticipating a trip. Research and planning take a lot of time, so I hope this blog can lend the guidance you’ve been seeking.   Wine Tasting Experiences in Sonoma County The Wine Road in Northern Sonoma County offers everything to create the ultimate wine tasting experience […]

Rebecca Germolus / Apr 11, 2024
The words The In Crowd with an orange background
Event The ‘In’ Crowd

In 1964 when Dobie Gray released The “In” Crowd, he sang about what we all want — to be a part of the inside group, to be a part of what’s happenin’. Would you like to be a part of the ‘in’ crowd, the Wine Road ‘in’ crowd, that is? Then read on.     […]

Rebecca Germolus / Feb 28, 2024
Mustard covered vineyard with green hills in the background
Event Early Spring Along the Wine Road

The sweet smell of rain-freshened air is one of the joys of early spring along the Wine Road, but there are many more.   Wild Mustard in Bloom One of my favorite early spring sights is the mustard blooming in vineyards, along the sides of back roads and anywhere else it left seeds the year […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jan 31, 2024
Aerial view of the Russian River Valley showing the fog heaviest over the river and then drifting into the surrounding land.
Vineyards What’s an AVA and Why Should I Care?

I’m often asked by wine drinkers, what’s an AVA and why should I care? The short answer is AVAs can help you figure out what type of wine you like and how to find more with similar characteristics. But there is also a longer and more comprehensive answer. In honor of back-to-school and the love […]

Rebecca Germolus / Sep 2, 2023