We normally head to Napa or Sonoma with our own agenda and determine what wineries we are going to visit. On this particular visit though we signed up for Passport to Dry Creek. This is a 2 day event in the spring showcasing over 40 wineries in the Dry Creek area. Your ticket gets you admission to all of them which sounds like a lot! Fortunately they are very close to each other. You obviously can’t go to all of them so it’s good to get out the map and go with a plan. Choose a couple of wineries that are your favorites and then choose new ones around those.
Each winery chooses a theme and their decorations and food embellish on that theme. One winery chose Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. There were desserts with crazy colors, candies and lots of cellophane balloons around the tasting room and grounds. That’s just one example. Most of the wineries actually have their wines and food throughout the winery so you are also getting a tour of the winery while sampling their wine.
You might say to yourself—how can I eat and drink at 6 wineries (that’s our typical number in a day)? Well the good news is that each winery will typically pick 4 of their wines which are placed at a station somewhere in the winery. Along with that wine is food prepared by the caterer to accompany that wine. These are small bites. But remember—there are around 4 at each winery and if you do get to 6 wineries that’s 24 small bites and 24 small pours of wine. Not bad for a day in Sonoma.
A must-see is Mauritson Vineyards. The winery is co-owned by famed Chef Charlie Palmer. It is by far the best food of the day with lobster corn-dogs and pulled pork tacos. Charlie is there overseeing the food and is also walking around talking to guests and getting pictures.
Another interesting one is Fritz Underground Winery. It is one of the furthest out being near Lake Sonoma (definitely worth visiting if you have a chance). It is up in the mountain and the winery is totally built into the cliff. Besides the fabulous view it had the most interesting pairing of the day: Donuts and Bubbly.
Along with the winery visits there are a few intimate winery or vineyard lunches with the winemaker or owner. Each year changes so visit the Passport website and sign up early. This year you could do lunch in the vineyard with 10 other people and the winemaker.
If you truly want to experience the weekend purchase tickets to the Friday night Vintage Soiree. This is an evening where 30 wineries (some of which don’t actually participate in the winery visits) have a table for sampling their wines, amazing food from several restaurants, and music. This is an intimate evening where you can actually talk to the winemakers.
Of course the wineries LOVE to get new members! We love joining wine clubs. It’s like Christmas when every few months a few bottles arrive from a winery that you loved. The memories come flowing back of the good times and the great friends that you either traveled with or met.
Can’t wait for next year!
For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.drycreekvalley.org/events/passport-dry-creek-valley/
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