Curated ideas for a very
nice Sonoma Valley day.
-Make reservations
when possible.
-Comfortable shoes are
everything!
-Have a designated
driver for wine tasting. Hang loose & have fun-you’re on Valley time now.
TRUE ROMANCE
Sleep in late, and then take a short stroll to Les Pascals Patisserie for the most delicious authentic French treats under the oaks on
their sweet backyard patio. Next, perhaps enjoy a relaxing massage and facial at Bridgeview Spa or perhaps taste world class Sonoma cabernets at the lovely
Laurel Glen Tasting Room. Keep the romantic mood going strong with a visit to the lush vineyards and picturesque gardens at Chateau St. Jean Winery, and a marvelous wine paired lunch for two at St.
Francis Winery. Don’t miss Wine Snob* and Talisman tasting
rooms, both right across the street from the Glen Ellen Inn. Both have Sonoma Valley limited production wines, produced with love. Stop by Jack London Village for
candle making at 707 Candle Co, and a personalized box or two of wine-filled
chocolates or truffles at Wine Country Chocolates. Finish the night with a sumptuous dinner overlooking Calabasas Creek at the romantic Mill Restaurant, or walk to the
Michelin recommended delight Glen Ellen Star.
VIEWS FOR YOU’SE
Enjoy a leisurely morning walk, just a block from Glen
Ellen Inn to Carmel Avenue, then take the hidden trail to Lake
Suttonfield for lake views and a magical vista point looking down on the historic
Sonoma Developmental Center. Or- wake up early for an amazing Hot Air Balloon
Ride to soak in unforgettable vineyard views from Sonoma Ballooning. Then stop in at Gloria Ferrer Winery
for sparkling wine; and enjoy the endless vineyard views from their Catalonian
Farmhouse. Another way to spend the afternoon is at the beautiful Benziger
Family Winery or Jack London State Park for lovely views of Glen Ellen. Ready
to ride? Try Triple Creek Horse Outfit for a trail ride through Jack
London State Park. Make a reservation to
visit Repris Winery on a magical mountain top, and then head to Kunde
Family Winery for lovely vineyard views. Another great choice is Wellington
Vineyards for wine and Charcuterie under the ancient olive trees. Then off for dinner at Salt and Stone for
vineyard views, Mill Restaurant for waterfront views, or the Chef’s
counter at the Glen Ellen Star to watch the culinary magic happen.
CALL OF THE WILD
Walk to
the Glen Ellen Village Market or Les Pascals to
grab a picnic for your day. Then a block or so away belly up to the bar at Eric
Ross where you’ll feel like you’re in the wild, wild west. And
don’t miss their neighbor Dane Cellars, where you’ll taste delicious handmade
wines while you are inside of a giant oak wine tank. Afterwards, head up the
hill to Jack London State Park, and follow the “Call of the Wild” authors’
footsteps on a self-guided tour of the remains of his mansion, Wolf House.
Picnic in the oak grove overlooking the stallion barn and vineyard for a one of
a kind experience. And for a real old west feel, try Triple Creek Horse
Outfit for a horse back trail ride through Jack London State Park. Once you
head back to “downtown”, visit small-but-mighty producers Talisman and Wine
Snob* for wine tasting. Finish your wild wine country day with a casual
dinner at the historic Mill Restaurant, or just mosey on over to the fig
café, which is right next door to the Glen Ellen Inn.
ART & MUSIC
Meander across the street to enjoy a lovely
breakfast or brunch at the Garden Court Café; Then off for wine tasting at Lasseter
Winery, founded by John and Nancy Lasseter of Pixar Studios and Skydance Animation. Next,
rock on down the highway to B.R. Cohn Winery, and their neighbor Little
Vineyards Family Winery for great wines, music and rock star memorabilia. A short jot away is Imagery
Winery-a must for art and wine lovers. And across the street from Jack London Village, you’ll
find Eric Ross Tasting room, with many of his beautiful photographs, on
the walls and on the wine labels. And across the street look for Passaggio
Winery, who often have live music in the afternoons. Visit Wine Snob*
tasting room and Talisman tasting room both right across the street from the Glen
Ellen Inn-and get your picture with the Glen Ellen Murals. Then it may be
time to indulge yourself with a massage and facial at Bridgeview Spa. Finish
the night at “Top Chef” alumni Casey Thompsons’ Folktable Restaurant
or walk to Michelin-rated Glen Ellen Star where food is art.
THE VILLAGE STROLL
First
stop- Garden Court Café for an amazing and hearty breakfast. Then
a few steps away, enjoy wine tasting with Lindsay and Ryan at Wine Snob*
tasting room, and stop by Talisman for a vertical Pinot Noir extravaganza
with Marta and Rich. Check out Opalescence where the John the Goldsmith
creates one-of-a-kind personalized jewelry. Grab a picnic from the Glen
Ellen Village Market or Les Pascale’s Patisserie and take a gentle stroll
under the oaks through the Glen Ellen Regional Park (you’ll find the hidden entrance
across the street from Glen Ellen Inn, on Carmel Avenue). Take a right
on the path, and it will lead you to Lake Suttonfield; Take a left, and you
wind up at Elizabeth Anne Perrone Dog Park. Back in downtown, Stop by Laurel Glen wine tasting room, found
the Historic 1906 Poppe Building, and then a massage and
facial at Bridgeview Spa. Then off to dinner at Glen Ellen Star
or fig café. All without stepping into a vehicle. Way to go!
THE VILLAGE ROLL
Start
your day with a roll or pastry from Les Pascals Patisserie in the happy yellow building across the Arnold Drive Bridge. Then off for small production wine tasting
at Wine Snob* and Talisman tasting rooms, both found right across
the street from the Glen Ellen Inn. Next door to Talisman, check out Opalescence
Jewelry Store where the John the Goldsmith creates personalized jewelry
onsite. Walk across the street Bike Basement to rent some wheels; Then bike the Henno
Road to Lasseter, Loxton and Wellington Wineries. Or stay on Arnold
Drive and bike towards Jack London Village in Glen Ellen to visit Eric Ross, Dane Cellars and Passagio Winery, and 707
Candle Co.. And a must for anyone with a sweet tooth is Wine Country Chocolates where you'll find handmade truffles and wine filled chocolates. Check out Songbird Event Parlour for pop-up dinners and events, and the sweet Schermeister
tasting room. Walk to dinner at Glen Ellen Star or fig café
for the finish to a wine country day well spent.
GLEN ELLEN SMALL
PRODUCERS, BIG TASTE
Walk to breakfast at the little French
Bakery Les Pascals Patisserie, then off to meet the
winemakers at Wine Snob* and Talisman which are both right across
the street from the Glen Ellen Inn. Make sure to take a picture at Talisman
with the Glen Ellen Mural. Then off to Little Family Vineyards tasting
room. Make an appointment for Amapola Creek Winery, B. Wise Vineyard, or
Glen Lyon Winery. Stop for lunch in
Jack London Village, where you can choose from the Mill or Yeti. Once
refreshed, time to visit Schermeister Wine Tasting room, Eric Ross,
Passagio Wines, Dane Cellars, Laurel Glen, and Mayo Family tasting
rooms. Walk to dinner at Glen Ellen Star, who feature produce from their
own GlenTucky Farms.
KENWOOD SMALL PRODUCERS,
BIG TASTE
Stroll to breakfast at Les Pascals Patisserie, then jump in your car for a very short drive to meet the winemakers at Ty Caton, Seamus, B. Wise, and Vaughn Duffy tasting rooms, all easily accessible in Kenwood. Have a casual snack at Palooza Gastropub, or have a wine paired lunch at Mayo Family Reserve Room, then off to St. Annes Crossing and their giant metal bear mascot, and La Rochelle Winery. On your way back to the Glen Ellen Inn, take a gentle hike through Sonoma Botanical Garden. Finish your day with an intimate dinner at Yeti or The Mill, or just a stroll over to the fig café or Glen Ellen Star.
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES
Start
the day with a cup of coffee on our Creekside Patio, which overlooks the second oldest bridge in Sonoma County, built in the early 1900’s by Joshua Chauvet. Then it’s
off to the historic Abbotts Passage, where you can taste and learn about
old vine wines, as well as stock up on snacks in their mercantile. Make your
way to the oldest wineries in Sonoma Valley- Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Bartholomew Park Winery, and Buena
Vista Winery. Scribe Winery is in a pre-prohibition Hacienda, and has a hip yet historic vibe. Don’t miss General Vallejo’s Home, which is just off
the historic Sonoma Square, to see what life was like in Sonoma Valley in the
early days. Another fun idea is to take a “History Walk” with George Webber
(dressed as General Vallejo).
Back in Glen Ellen, visit Jack London
State Park and discover the exquisite ruins and mysterious circumstances of
the demise of Jack and Charmians' Wolf House. The House of Happy Walls Museum is truly
a beautiful blast from the past. Then it’s back to downtown Glen Ellen and the Laurel
Glen wine tasting room, housed in the historic 1906 Poppe Building, which is
also home to the Bridgeview Spa, located right upstairs. In the downtown
area, look for Marshalls Body Shop-it was once the towns’ only Blacksmith Shop.
Last stop, Pinot Noir at Talisman wine tasting room, located right across the
street from the Glen Ellen Inn in a hundred year old cottage. You may
notice the Yellow Building next to Glen Ellen Inn Secret Cottages along the
creek-it was the Train Station Masters home for the railroad that once went
through town. As the sun sets, have a lovely dinner at the historic grist Mill
Restaurant, built in 1856 and located in Jack London Village, or a walk
to Jack London Saloon for a casual burger and a game of pool in the 1905 wild west style bar.
CONTEMPORARY VIBES
Get the day started at the Garden Court Cafe' for morning snacks, and make reservations for Corner 103,
found on the Sonoma Square for an elegant wine and a food pairing with a
knowledgeable staff. Then it’s off to Pangloss Cellars for wine tasting
in a historic, yet fully modern setting. Then make
reservations well in advance for the ultra-modern Hamel Family Winery back
in Glen Ellen. For some fun, grab a blanket for a picnic and wine tasting at Arrowood
Vineyards and Imagery Winery, who share an access road. Last stop-the
adorably Mod Wine Snob* tasting room-one of the only “new”
buildings in Glen Ellen. Walk to dinner at Glen Ellen Star or the fig café,
and you’ll be ready for bed.
A VERY FAIRY TALE DAY
Start
with the short walk from the Glen Ellen Inn to Les Pascals Patisserie
for authentic French pasties, snacks and coffee. Next, head to Dane Cellars, across from
Jack London Village, for wine tasting inside a gigantic wooden wine tank; Then
off to Schug Winery for an afternoon of relaxation wine tasting in a charming
Bavarian inspired setting. Don’t miss Hanzell Winery and it’s quant
European Village feel to keep that fairy tale vibe going! Have lunch at the Mill
Restaurant, and then off to Chateau St Jean Winery for an enchanted
French estate garden vibe. Don’t miss Ledson Winery, a gothic inspired
Castle for a bit more wine. Then back to Glen Ellen Village, and a short stroll
to the Glen Ellen Star to finish your magical day.
DOWN UNDER
Walk to Brekkie at Garden Court Café,
then head to Australian Winemaker Chris’ Loxton Winery in Glen Ellen for
a wine tasting walkabout. Next, really go down under-actually underground with PJ and Robert at Deerfield
Ranch’s wine cave, and then to Kunde Winery for another fun cave
expedition. Then on to Benziger Winery for another cave tour, or perhaps an above ground Tram Tour. Back to Glen Ellen Inn
for a rest, and then stroll to dinner at the fig café or Glen Ellen
Star for a top knot finish to the day.
ROME, IF YOU WANT TO
Start
the day with a bang at Wine Snob*- try their Italian style Lorenzo red
blend, and a visit to Passagio Wines, who often have live music. Then
off to Muscardini Winery for more tasting of Italian inspired wines.
Getting hungry? It must be time to head to VJB Winery for wine tasting,
shopping, and lunch in their bellissimo courtyard La Cucina. Next, play a
little Bocce Ball with bottle service at Imagery Winery. Or-roam the
other direction…The Olive Press is a nice stop on the way to Jacuzzi and
Viansa Wineries, both with picturesque views and Tuscan inspired wines.
Finish the day with a short walk for wood-fired pizza at the Glen Ellen Star or fig cafe.
FRENCH CONNECTION
Begin
the day with a stroll to Les Pascals Patisserie to
say “Bonjour” to either owner, both named Pascal, and savor their truly delicious
pastries. and then a visit to Talisman, the local producers of unparalleled
Pinot Noir. Next, spend some quality time sipping amazing French varietals at Lasseter
Winery. Or perhaps take a scenic drive to Matanzas Creek Winery,
where in lavender season, will transport you to the Provance, or to Anaba
Winery, for a variety of Rhone wines and a game or two of Pickleball. Or maybe
a relaxing picnic in the gardens of Chateau St. Jean Winery and
its’ beautiful French style architecture and gardens may be calling to you. Then
it’s bon appetit with a drive to Yountville to The French Laundry, or
better yet, right next door at the passionately French fig café.
FARMERS FANCY
Have a farm-sized
breakfast right across the street at the Garden Court Café, then you’re off
to Landmark Winery to taste wines, and learn about the history of the
John Deere family. Then have fun at the incredible Deerfield Ranch Winery to learn
about their passion for Clean Wines, and a visit to Kunde Winery,
who were some of the earliest farmers in Sonoma Valley. Don’t miss Winetasting
in Kenwood Vineyards beautiful barn; and pet their farm cat for extra good
luck. Stop by Oak Hill Farm and Flatbed Farm for some Sonoma
Valley farm-fresh snacks and souvenirs, then off to Charlies Acres Farm
Animal Sanctuary, to visit rescued farm animals, and goat yoga, or up to Benziger Winery to learn about the
fascinating and quite magical art of biodynamic farming (and see their sheep if
the vineyard needs mowing). Try Triple Creek Horse Outfit for a trail
ride through Jack London State Park. Then plow your way to a fantastic dinner
at The Mill or walk to the Glen Ellen Star for a delicious dinner
featuring local Glentucky Farms produce.
