Appropriately, wine is everywhere, a testament to Sonoma’s ability to do it all, from cool, coastal chardonnays and pinot noirs to historic old-vine zinfandels and structured, elegant cabernet sauvignons. Where there’s good wine, good food follows (or is it the other way around?), and any visit should center mightily on this happy marriage.

A fine base for exploring the area, Blue Rock Vineyard’s guesthouse in Alexander Valley is ten minutes north of the town of Healdsburg. Tucked away in an oasis
-like nook, Blue Rock grows bordeaux varieties like cabernet sauvignon on forty-six acres of rolling hillsides adorned with centuriesold olive trees.

Blue Rock’s vines are farmed sustainably—a common theme in Sonoma County—and visited by wild turkeys, boars, and other wildlife. The guest accommodations are luxuriously cozy and old-world chic, with a central indoor kitchen and outdoor brick oven the dual focus. Lucky guests will be cooked a meal by the proprietor himself, Kenny Kahn, who grew up on a farm in Tennessee and is a gourmet chef by avocation.

From Blue Rock, head into the tiny town of Geyserville, where some of the best Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta in Northern California awaits at Diavola, a popular meeting spot housed within a historic landmark building. Salumi and sausage are cured and made in-house as well.

Nearly next door is Geyserville Gun Club Bar and Lounge, a neighborhood favorite for drinks and oysters that maintains an old-school jukebox and periodically hosts live bands. Another must for food is Catelli’s, which dates back to the 1930s and is currently run by third-generation siblings. Handmade ravioli and seasonal carbonara are the main draws, while Nonnie’s minestrone stays true to the founder’s recipe.

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