We Interrupt Costa Rica For A Little Sonoma
You must have noted that I have a thing about Sonoma lately. Guilty, I admit it's one of my fave spots for a drive. So when Travelzoo (y'all know what it is, right? If not google it *wink*) offered a wine tasting deal in one of the wine bars in Sonoma at a not-to-be-missed price, we were not going to let that pass us by.
The rolling hills make me feel like I'm on vacation and not just 20 minutes away from home.
Spotted the wine bar quickly.
I like to have something like this in my house :)
The sommelier was very knowledgeable.
I was happy with just tasting a flight of wine, but the basket of bread and plate of wine and charcuterie was a big bonus.
After the tasting and the nibbling, we decided to take three bottles home for gift-giving.
I was a bit buzzed. I took in more than I normally do. I get drunk on one bottle of beer. I was not driving, but I wasn't keen on going home yet so we decided to walk around the plaza and get some coffee.
Walked passed Mission Sonoma, will repeat visit some other time.
The Sonoma Cheese Factory sells a wide variety of cheese and a great place to get coffee. They also have yummy fudge. We went in got some coffee and tasted some cheese.
The Sonoma City Hall front facade.
The back side - facing the cheese store. Dedicated in 1908, Sonoma's City Hall in the center of the Plaza was originally designed with four identical facades so that merchants from any side of the square could say the City Hall faced their businesses. Made of basalt stone from local quarries, the City of Sonoma government offices still remain in this central landmark of the valley.
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The rolling hills make me feel like I'm on vacation and not just 20 minutes away from home.
Spotted the wine bar quickly.
I like to have something like this in my house :)
The sommelier was very knowledgeable.
I was happy with just tasting a flight of wine, but the basket of bread and plate of wine and charcuterie was a big bonus.
After the tasting and the nibbling, we decided to take three bottles home for gift-giving.
I was a bit buzzed. I took in more than I normally do. I get drunk on one bottle of beer. I was not driving, but I wasn't keen on going home yet so we decided to walk around the plaza and get some coffee.
Walked passed Mission Sonoma, will repeat visit some other time.
The Sonoma Cheese Factory sells a wide variety of cheese and a great place to get coffee. They also have yummy fudge. We went in got some coffee and tasted some cheese.
The Sonoma City Hall front facade.
The back side - facing the cheese store. Dedicated in 1908, Sonoma's City Hall in the center of the Plaza was originally designed with four identical facades so that merchants from any side of the square could say the City Hall faced their businesses. Made of basalt stone from local quarries, the City of Sonoma government offices still remain in this central landmark of the valley.
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must have been a pleasant afternoon! :) one of the things i would want to do, wine tasting! btw, happy new year!!! xx
ReplyDeleteso nice. place looks so clean and so silent. less people less tourists. i like that place.
ReplyDeleteA fine, interesting series. What a neat idea to make both sides of a building identical to please the merchants.
ReplyDeleteSuch great shots. I'm going to do this one of these days. I will, really! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is an affluent neighborhood, and i love the first photo best! If i were you i will always be out of the house photographing whatever! I've always had a nagging question in my mind, 'wonder if your husband is not one of us, white American, i mean'.
ReplyDeleteWow you're lucky it is just 20 minutes away! Great hobby - wine tasting. :D
ReplyDeletehaven't been up to sonoma in 12 years...sad, right? you're tempting me!
ReplyDeleteThe first photo has an extradoirnary composition, really lovely, a postcard for the living room.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Val
Barcelona Daily Photo
Fascinating photos! I totally loved the first and third!!
ReplyDeleteAh, your captures just turned me into a wine and cheese lover. Perhaps, someday, I'd get to visit Sonoma Valley as well. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSonoma seems to be a pretty neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteRecently been exploring wines also,
but not much choice here and
for a rookie, I can't distinguish Cabernet to Merlot. ^0^
maybe something to do with my europe trip last year that made me miss it.
What a gorgeous area... I've always heard about Sonoma and the wineries. I'd love to see it in person someday...
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the city hall... I love seeing old buildings.
Thanks for sharing Sonoma.
Hugs,
Betsy
All shots are great but the cheese and ham made my mouth water now! I'm going to open a bottle of Alentejo wine, my favourite region in Portugal when it comes to wine. :-)
ReplyDeleteSonoma looks a nice place! You are so lucky to live only just 20 minutes away from your home.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of rolling hills is beautiful!
It's great tasting a good wine, bread and charcuterie. Sounds you had a pleasure time.
Thanks for your visiting and comment. Hope you have a wonderful weekend too.
with all that wine to taste - someone has to be a designated driver :)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Travelzoo, Maria, but will look it up. There's something similar here in the Netherlands but I haven't checked it out yet. I will!
ReplyDelete