Holiday wine trail & market sign
Event Sip, Shop, Relax and Repeat

To sip, shop, relax and repeat sounds like a dream day, especially when it comes to holiday shopping, but this is the real deal. On Dec. 6th, the Wine Road will be holding the Holiday Wine Trail + Market. This one-day wine tasting and shopping event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday […]

Rebecca Germolus / Oct 31, 2025
Two women with white wine in glasses toasting outside.
Wine Tasting Tips Free Wine Tasting Along the Wine Road

Free wine tasting. Yes, you read that right. No wine tasting fees. Complimentary wine tasting. No kidding. It’s happening now!   Free Tasting a.k.a. Sip Into The Weekend Around mid-summer, several wineries along the Wine Road in Northern Sonoma County started offering free wine tasting on Thursdays and Fridays through August 31st. You may have […]

Rebecca Germolus / Sep 15, 2025
The words Summer Wine Trail in colorful lettering
Event Explore and Sip During Wine Trail

Wine Trail is your one-day pass to explore wineries along the Wine Road that are new to you, visit wineries and try wines you’ve always wanted to taste, and return to wineries you call your favorites. Wine Trail happens five times a year — February, May, July, September and December — giving ample opportunities to […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jun 28, 2025
Wineries Animal Pals Along the Wine Road

If you thought a visit along the Wine Road was all about superb wines, breathtaking views and savory dining, you’d be right, but there is more. A visit is also about the relationships you build with those you meet and connect with—a favorite tasting room manager, the owner of a small winery who also pours […]

Rebecca Germolus / Mar 1, 2025
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 13, 2024
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
purple grapes hanging form vines with leaves that are turning from green to a reddish rust
Wineries Seeking the Quintessential Zinfandel

If you’re seeking the quintessential Zinfandel, head to Dry Creek Valley, a slice of heaven in Northern Sonoma County. Why visit Dry Creek Valley to find amazing Zinfandel when so many other regions produce good Zins?   Why Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel? Long-time Dry Creek Valley winegrower Fred Peterson, owner of Peterson Winery, explains, “If you […]

Rebecca Germolus / Apr 16, 2024
A lineup of 6 bottles of Grenache from Sonoma County
Varietal of the Month Varietal of the Month – Grenache

Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to fame is its use as one of the fundamental grapes in the highly regarded French Rhone blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with moderate acidity, and bright red fruit and strawberry flavors. The tannin structure can range […]

Marcy Gordon / Apr 10, 2024
photo of Nebbiolo grapes just before harvest
Wine Tasting Tips Lesser-Known Varietals Revised

The joys of wine appreciation include checking out unusual or lesser-known varietals. This means varietals that aren’t the standard Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, etc. When wine tasting Along the Wine Road or elsewhere, I find most wineries have some of the standard classic varietals, but I’m seeing more lesser-known varietals […]

Rebecca Germolus / Feb 15, 2024
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 / Feb 1, 2024