July 29, 2011

Plymouth: Sobon Estate Winery & Vineyards; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Sobon Estate Winery & Vineyards 

14430 Shenandoah Rd., (209) 245-6554. Tasting daily 9:30-5.

This winery began back in 1856—before the Civil War--as the D’Agostini Winery and stayed open during Prohibition by producing sacramental wine. Sobon Estate Winery & Vineyards is the oldest continuously producing winery in the state. Now, using its own sustainably farmed, estate-grown grapes, Sobon makes a range of distinctive varietals, including some delicious old-vine Zinfandels as well as the colorful Vicious Red line of red wines. Stand-out Zins to sample in the woodsy, award-laden tasting room, which was formerly a bottling room, include Rocky Top (grown in decomposed granite), Cougar Hill (grown in volcanic ash), and Fiddletown (from a 101-year-old vineyard). Plenty of picnic tables are positioned around the scenic surrounding grounds, through which meanders a nice little “crick” that originates from an old mine across the street.

On site, the Shenandoah Valley Museum displays a well-marked collection of dusty old wine-making artifacts, farm tools, and household items in the cellar of the original 1856 winery house built from wood cut right on the property.








July 27, 2011

Plymouth: Cooper Vineyards; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Cooper Vineyards 

21365 Shenandoah School Rd., (209) 245-6181. Tasting F-Sun 11-5.

winery owner Dick Cooper with his chickens at Cooper Vineyards in Plymouth, California
winery owner Dick Cooper with his chickens at Cooper Vineyards
in Plymouth, California


Plenty of old-time bouncer chairs invite lingering a while on the front porch of the tasting room at Cooper Vineyards. Inside, owner Dick Cooper’s fully-restored 1937 Junior Scout red Indian motorcycle adds some pizzazz. Sampling at the polished granite counter includes the range of the house gems—a classic, smooth Barbera, a Zinfandel made from 25-year-old vines, a Spanish-style Tempranillo, a delightful Primitivo (Zin’s genetic twin), a crisp Pino Grigio, and a Port-style dessert Zinfandel. Once planted with French prunes, the property now has rows of vines that are on their way to becoming biodynamic with the help of 42 free-range chickens and three roosters. The motto here is “We are grape growers first, wine makers second.” Since owner Dick Cooper is referred to as the Godfather of Barbera, it is appropriate that the first-ever Barbera Festival was held here in June 2011.


More things to see and do in Plymouth.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

July 24, 2011

Danville: Sideboard; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Sideboard 

411 Hartz Ave., (925) 984-2713. B-L-D daily; $-$$. No reservations.
 
pastry case at Sideboard in Danville, California
pastry case at Sideboard in Danville, California


Situated on the town’s main street, in a historic building that was once part of the Danville Hotel, this ultra-casual, cheery spot is especially perfect for a relaxing breakfast (served until 11 a.m. on weekdays, to noon on weekends). Order at the counter, then choose from an array of tables inside or outside and settle in. Everything is organic and made on site. French morning buns at Sideboard are among the goodies in the drool-provoking pastry case, and eggs Benedict is available Friday through Sunday. More items include beignets with housemade preserves, breakfast puddingwith asparagus and goat cheese, and poached farmhouse eggs on levain toast. This is the only restaurant in Contra Costa County to serve Blue Bottle coffee, and most of the many coffee drinks are served French-style in big bowls. At lunch, the #12 is most popular—a chicken breast salad with avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette.


More things to do in Danville.

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

July 20, 2011

Forestville: Case Ranch Inn; hotel review

101 North

Case Ranch Inn 

 7446 Poplar Dr., (877) 887-8711, (707) 887-8711. 3 rooms, 1 cottage. 1 kitchen. Afternoon snack; full organic breakfast. No pets. 

exterior of Case Ranch Inn in Forestville, California
exterior of Case Ranch Inn in Forestville, California


Located on a spacious 2-acre plot in a quiet rural residential area, this robin’s-egg-blue 1894 Victorian farmhouse boasts a wrap-around sitting porch, a front yard with fountain, and plenty of places in the gardens to relax a spell. Beds at the Case Ranch Inn are fluffy and white, and it has WiFi plus a guest computer is provided in the parlor near the fireplace. Owner Diana says, “We think of our inn as the geographic center of the earth.” An all-organic breakfast using many items grown in the inn’s garden is served to all guests at the same time in the dining room. Homemade cookies are always available. Owner Allan makes the bed frames and night stands. The property is certified green and uses all-cotton sheets and towels. Cooling is by ceiling fan, with an AC option. Cozy attic rooms have angled ceilings and mix clean lines with some antiques. Jam made from the property’s concord grapes and fresh-pressed apple juice from the orchard’s trees are sometimes served at breakfast, and wine made from the property’s grapes is sometimes an afternoon treat. The cottage has a private hot tub. This just in: The Case Ranch Inn is the only B&B to have completed Sonoma County's rigorous Green Business Program and has now added the ultimate in "green" amenities--an electric vehicle charging station. Guests can plug in their vehicle to recharge . . . while they recharge on a comfortable, pillow-top mattress.

July 17, 2011

Livermore: Underdog Wine Bar; things to do

880 South

Underdog Wine Bar  

At Concannon Vineyard, (925) 583-1581. L-D daily.  

This small-plates lounge has more than 50 local and international wines available by the glass. Foods are locally sourced, and veggies are grown on site. What’s not to like about a cheese board with dates paired with a glass of Cabernet?  Underdog Wine Bar is built with redwood reclaimed from the winery’s original buildings. Decor is modern, with plush furniture and a shaded outdoor terrace featuring drapes as moveable walls. Live music is sometimes scheduled.

Jim Concannon signs his book at the Underdog Wine Bar in Livermore, CaliforniaAt left, Jim Concannon, age 81 and grandson of the winery's founder, autographs his new book, “Concannon: The First One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years.”


More things to do in Livermore. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

July 14, 2011

Volcano: Volcano Union Pub and Inn; hotel revies + restaurant review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Volcano Union Pub and Inn 

21375 Consolation St., (209) 296-7711. 4 rooms. Afternoon snack; continental breakfast.

exterior of Volcano Union Pub and Inn in Volcano, California
exterior of Volcano Union Pub and Inn in Volcano, California


Built in 1880 for $400, this newly restored vintage building known locally as “The Union” was originally a boarding house for hard-working miners. Rooms at the Volcano Union Pub and Inn are dubbed Lemon, Mocha, Daffodil, and Terracotta, and one has a big tub that accommodates two. A long second-floor front porch beckons to come sit a while and watch the street action. Perhaps it is time to accept the invitation to “come to Volcano, where the stars are your nightlight and the crickets lull you to sleep.”

Downstairs, the Union Pub (L Sat-Sun,D F-M; $$.) serves seasonal comfort food plus burgers, soups, and great fried chicken. Ribs are house smoked, and the butterscotch pot of creme is to-die for. Diners can indulge in complimentary shuffle board and darts on Friday afternoons. Though there are plenty of local wines by the glass, including a Sobon Estate Old Vines Zin, draft beers include a crisp Konig Pils and a smooth Boont Amber Ale.


More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

July 12, 2011

Pleasanton: Ruby Hill Winery; things to do

Greater East Bay

Ruby Hill Winery 

400 Vineyard Ave., (925) 931-WINE (9463). Tasting daily 11-5; tour by reservation. 

vintage tour bus at Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasanton, California
vintage tour bus at Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasanton, California


Established in 1887, Ruby Hill Winery is perfect for a picnic and has a small deli case stocked with some provisions. Do take their 2-hour Mello Cielo bus tour, which seats tasters in comfy swiveling wine-barrel seats inside a refurbished old school bus and transports them, lurching and bouncing through the vineyards, while sipping sparkling wine. Tour guide Norm, who doubles as the winery’s enologist, warns that “it won’t be the smoothesst ride you’ve ever had,” but it might be the most fun. You’ll see peacocks, tour the production facility, do a barrel tasting, and do a tasting with food pairing inside a cozy water tower. The owner is a big Grateful Dead fan, which explains the Grateful Red blend with tie-dye label.


More things to do in Pleasanton.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Popular Posts

followers