Here's what I've got for Sonoma. All comments welcome:
3b. Sonoma? The wine growing area of Sonoma is far larger than that of the Napa Valley. Sonoma can be subdivided into four distinct regions: Sonoma Valley (Cab/Merlot), Russian River Valley (Pinot Noir/Chardonnay), Dry Creek Valley/Geyserville (Zinfandel) and Carneros (Pinot Noir/Chardonnay), and it's a fair hike in between the four. Sonoma is not as touristy as Napa (especially outside of the town of Sonoma) but US 101, the main N/S artery can get very crowded during rush hour around the city of Santa Rosa. The wineries of Sonoma Valley and Carneros are some of the most easily accessible from San Francisco for a day trip.
Wineries:
Cline (Carneros)- Good Zins and Rhone varities Domaine Carneros (Carneros)- In the Carneros region of S. Sonoma, good sparkling wine, Pinot Noir Wellington (Sonoma Valley) Gary Farrell (Russian River) - Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a Burgundian touch Porter Creek (Russian River) – Pinot Noir and Rhone varieties; smaller winery Rochioli (Russian River)- Famous for their Pint Noir, they make many other wines, too (beware crowds) Alderbrook (Dry Creek)- Friendly place, good wines Dry Creek (Dry Creek) - good whites and Zinfandel, nice picnic area Papapietro (Dry Creek) – Pinot Noirs and Zinfandel Rafanelli (Dry Creek) - A top Zinfandel producer Ridge (Dry Creek) - A top Zinfandel producer; they might open an older wine Unti (Dry Creek) - Good red wines
Lodging:
MacArthur Place - In Sonoma, near the square, nice smaller hotel Haydon St. Inn - B&B in Sonoma, good breakfasts Farmhouse Inn – good B&B in Russian River Valley, great restaurant Applewood Inn – charming B&B, great breakfasts, very good restaurant Sonoma Mission Inn – excellent but pricey
Dining:
John Ash & Company – Top notch fine dining The Girl & The Fig – Good dining on the square in Sonoma Applewood Inn – Good food as well as lodging Farmhouse Innn – Ditto Café La Haye – Fine dining on the Sonoma square
Mark Lipton