Wine country is the mood

long weekend itinerary for Sonoma, CA

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Winery Sixteen 600 for all the vibes

One of the most romanticized regions of the country, of the world, is wine country.

Amy Poehler made a movie about it. If I were to play a round of word association, naming what comes up for me when I hear “wine country,” I’d say… Sunshine. Joy. Nature. Elitist. Pleasure. Wild. Excess. Art.

As a self-professed wine snob, learning about wine and living the lifestyle of wine are activities I genuinely geek out about. However, the first time my husband and I took a trip to Northern California wine country in 2016, I was googling “how to taste wine correctly” on the way to our scheduled tasting. I knew absolutely nothing other than that wine is alcohol and some people take it very, very seriously.

I am now one of those people.

But it’s important to note that even if you don’t watch wine documentaries for fun or practice blind-calling a wine’s grape, region, and year, wine country can still be enjoyed with intention and joy.

In the words listed above, it might seem as if I tried to sneak in “excess” and “elitist” and brush off the less accessible aspects of the wine world. Unfortunately, there are limiting barriers to understanding wine. Cost, snotty gatekeepers, and a several-thousand-year history of literal grape juice can make getting into the wine world feel overwhelming. But luckily, again, you don’t have to do any of these things!

Wine is meant to be drunk and enjoyed. That’s it.

And the thing with wine country: they don’t make wine in ugly places. It’s impossible. So, if you’re looking to experience a taste of wine country somewhere where the sun simply seems to favor, I’m here to share all about Sonoma, California, as an excellent entry point.

Most people think of Napa immediately when they think of California wine country, and it is truly incredible! But Sonoma is just over the Mayacamas Mountains, about a 20 - 30 minute drive, and is (I believe) an easier, more cost-effective entry into wine and the beautiful experiences to be made.

Sonoma County hiking + dining + tasting

Wine country is also more than wine! It’s nature, connection, and vibrance. It’s art. In this long weekend itinerary, you’ll find recommendations for hiking, eating, drinking, and exploring. And, of course, wine tasting.

Oh, and if you want to know how to taste wine “correctly” (says the certified wine snob, ie, WSET Level 2 certified for anyone who cares), keep these five steps in mind.

Five Steps to Taste Wine (and look like someone who knows what they’re doing)

1. Look - Observe the wine in the glass, preferably against a white background (such as a wall or napkin), and pay attention to the color of the wine and how opaque (see-through) it is.

2. Swirl - For newbie swirlers, hold the base of the wine glass to the table and swirl against the tabletop to keep it from spilling over the edge. The point is simply to coat the sides of the glass with the wine, allowing for the aroma to open up more, allowing you to have a better…

3. Smell - Hold the glass to your nose (like, get it real deep in there) and smell while trying to find one to two scents, such as lemon, pear, strawberry, vanilla, blueberry, peach, etc.

4. Taste - Drink that wine! Take a small sip first and completely coat your mouth, then take a second, larger sip to coat your tongue, and see if other fruits or flavors come to mind, or if it reinforces what you found in the aroma/bouquet.

5. Reflect - Think about what you just drank. Most importantly, was it yummy? What was favorable about it? Does it linger on your tongue? Would you bring it over for a dinner party with friends?

Continue to repeat these steps. And, of course, the final step is Enjoy! Now, let’s head to wine country.

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Sonoma, CA Weekend Itinerary: Life in Wine Country

the boy and the fig