Wine and the great outdoors
Several Sonoma wineries offer unique outdoor tasting experiences you’ll want to check out this spring and summer: Arista: At this Westside Road gem, the tasting room staff encourages guests to relax and enjoy their wines outdoors. Savor Arista’s Pinot Noir in its pristine, Japanese-inspired gardens, where the sound of a gentle waterfall is the only accompaniment to your conversation. 7015 Westside Road, Healdsburg; (707) 473-0606. www.aristawinery.com. Lynmar Estate: No trip to the Russian River Valley is complete without a stopover at this winery, whose tasting room opens onto an expansive courtyard overlooking the stunning Quail Hill vineyard. Designed for alfresco wine experiences, the courtyard has plenty of tables for seated tastings or for enjoying the estate’s farm-to-table picnic pairings. Inspired by the lush gardens that surround the courtyard, the picnic menu is seasonal and changes based on the fresh produce available on site. The estate also offers several pizza and Pinot evenings in its enchanting redwood grove. 3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol; (707) 8293374, Ext. 102. www.lynmarestate.com. Gary Farrell Winery: Don’t miss the terrace tasting at Gary Farrell Winery, another Westside Road treasure. Seated tastings here offer sweeping views of the Russian River Valley and signature tastings, guided by an estate ambassador, of five exquisite single-vineyard wines. Or opt for a guided tour that takes you from the crush pad to the cellar and includes a gourmet lunch. 10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg; (707) 473-2909. www.garyfarrellwinery.com. Twomey: The patios that wrap around Twomey’s modern Healdsburg winery are a prime spot for wine tasting in Sonoma County. The winery’s own chefs design food “boards” to complement the estate wines. Loaded with cured meats, artisan cheeses and fresh garden produce from local sources, these fine little feasts demand that guests slow down and enjoy their wine tastings while they take in the view. 3000 Westside Road, Healdsburg; (800) 505-4850. www.twomey.com.