Oh Sonoma! I love you.
After Tuesday’s DEEP, SERIOUS, and EMOTIONAL post (YIKES!), I am doing something SO fun today. I am taking you guys on a trip to Sonoma! Well, at least taking you through my trip. The last time I was in the wine country, I was a senior in college. I had ZERO money to my name, and I am not quite sure how I was even able to make the trip. We stayed at a sweet family friend’s house, and the father drove us around Napa all day in the family minivan. It was just the sweetest thing ever. And . . . for your enjoyment . . . here is a picture of that trip. Three things to note:
1. We were babies.
2. My bangs. Wow.
3. Mom jeans. I wasn’t aware they were hip in 1998.
I have been known to say that the “best girlfriends can save marriages”. Let me clarify since that could probably be misconstrued. I believe that time with great friends can make you a better wife. Sometimes, I am very aware that sweet Reid doesn’t need to hear me going on and on about a certain subject. So, I spare him, and I let my dear friends hear me complain instead. Ahhh . . . lucky them! And, I think that time away on a girls trip is good for everyone involved! I love my sweet friends. New and old! I am a lucky girl.
Each year, for over ten years, my college friends have gone on a girls trip! We have been a few places in Mexico, we have driven to Austin for the weekend, we have now been to Sonoma. We love wine, so it was a perfect fit. Like I have said previously, I had to cancel two girls trips last year (one in Cancun, one in Cabo) due to the Zika virus. Boo! So, needless to say, mama was overdue and needing to get out of town on the annual college girls trip!!! Only six of us were able to make it this year . . . we missed our girls that couldn’t join us!
My sweet friend, Courtney, created our Sonoma itinerary. Forgive the blue lines, but I didn’t think you guys would be interested in our contacts’ phone numbers and personal information! 😊 We managed to stay busy, but didn’t overwhelm ourselves with too many tastings. I would say that is my biggest suggestion if you go out to the wine country . . . DO NOT overbook yourself! Wine tastings are meant to be fun and relaxing! Well, that is one of my biggest recommendations. The other is to hire a driver. Drinking and driving is not cool!
A quick note regarding the precious itinerary . . . Courtney is SO creative and SO talented. Click here to go check out her awesome store, The Blue Coco. She can help you create something amazing for yourself or for someone else! (Hint, hint: Graduation and teacher gifts coming up!) ANYWAY . . . back to Sonoma!
As I was leaving to head out of town, I posted the picture below on my instagram. How gorgeous is that place? Well . . . please check out where we actually drank wine! I think my reality was better than the pinterest inpiration! That never happens! The “reality” picture was taken at Glen Lyon Vineyards. One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The picture doesn’t do it justice!
PINTEREST INSPIRATION
REALITY
Reid and I really love our wine. For California wines, we are mostly into the Napa vineyards. This trip was mostly all about Sonoma, and small, family vineyards. Most of these vineyards don’t sell to the grocery stores of America. You may find a bottle here and there at a restaurant, but the majority of time the wine is purchased direct from the vineyard. We made sure to have reservations at each location to ensure we were able to even get in!
VINEYARDS:
Three Sticks owns a historic home in Sonoma Square. All tastings are held in this precious home, and the story behind the home’s origin and upkeep is fascinating. This was our first tasting of the trip, and we were so excited about it! The wine is great, and it is an easy location. We aren’t having any fun at all, are we?!?!?
This was BY FAR my favorite spot! This was the largest vineyard we visited, and also comes with an amazing story dating back 600 years. Our reservation was for “Bubbles & Bites”, and lasted about an hour and a half. The wine was amazing and we learned a ton! Gloria Ferrer has kicked off a new champagne obsession for me. The absolute BEST! And, the grounds were breathtaking! Several people stopped by to sit on the patio for lunch and wine while we were there. For some unknown reason, I only ordered ONE bottle of the champagne. And, it is already gone. So, very sad. I think it may be a Champagne Summer at the Beucler house!
We stopped at this small vineyard for a quick tasting and picnic lunch. I just said not to overbook yourself, but we had a bit of a quick stop here before needing to be at the next vineyard. We were at Little Vineyards for less than an hour, and the owners were so kind and welcoming to us. And, if you like dogs, they come snuggle you while you drink wine. Dogs + wine = win!
Excuse the awkward solo picture. New blogger problems over here, and had a helpful friend trying to do an impromtu photo shoot. Highly comical and WAY out of my comfort zone. BUT, please notice how beautiful the vineyard is!
This is the vineyard with the amazing “reality” picture earlier in the post. Breathtaking! So, random story. Squire Fridell, the owner of Glen Lyon, purchased the land in 1986, and learned how to make wine. Squire and his wife made the move out of Hollywood when he decided to take a break from acting. Remember THE Ronald McDonald from commercials? Yeah . . . that’s him!
Such an interesting man. He has quite a story, and even better wine. I am a recent member of the Glen Lyon wine club!
This was our last tasting of the trip. We were able to walk through the vineyard to a guest house on the hill for our private tasting. This was the only vineyard where the staff took the time to explain how the grapes are grown, when it is decided they should be picked, etc. Very interesting, but even more so when you have a glass of wine in your hand. We had such a great time with our “wine tasting guy” (I know there is a better word for this, but I can’t think of it!), that someone came up to check on us because he was gone for too long! Amazing wine, and lots and lots of laughing. The perfect ending to our trip!
Such an amazing trip! I highly recommend Sonoma if you are contemplating a trip to the wine country. Smaller vineyards, more of a country feel, very relaxing. Each vineyard was started by a family, and we learned rich history of the families and their wines. Their fabulous wine! I also now have BOTTLES of wine throughout my house. Reid is now either wanting the bottles to stop coming (they have, i think?!?!) or wanting to go back with me. If you guys have been to Sonoma or Napa, which vineyards are your favorite? Thanks for letting me review my girls trip! XO
