Tractor Tour and Wine Tasting in Sonoma Valley
In mid March we spent a beautiful afternoon doing the Tractor Tour and Wine Tasting in Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen in Sonoma Valley. This wonderful activity was courtesy of a Groupon voucher. If not for that Groupon email I would not be aware such a thing exists, this is why I don't delete these emails.
A drive by shot about 15 minutes from the winery.
My question about what the heck is a tractor tour was answered when I saw this. Okay, so we're getting pulled by a tractor.
Let's start the tour.
Benziger Family Winery is a big proponent and practitioner of organic and biodynamic grapegrowing and winemaking. We stopped and our guide Dr. Vic (I believe that's his name) gave an informative talk about the winery's practice of biodynamic agriculture and what the heck it is.
We reached the place where they store fermenting grapes. These are fermentation tanks.
It's a family affair.
And then, we walked towards the cave. I've always been curious about winery caves.
Our guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating to the questions we have.
When I read the voucher I knew that included in the tour is a wine tasting at their sister winery, Imagery Winery, a short drive away, so I was totally surprised when the next stop we made is at this winery's tasting room. Hah, there is a tasting included in this tour in this winery too. How about that.
We start with a white, of course.
Then the red. I believe we had two whites, then two reds. None was to my taste so we didn't get any bottle at all.
The display of wine pourer grabbed my attention.
After the wine tasting, we were told we could stay as long as we want in the compound. They have benches and tables and some people walked towards the vineyards and took more photos. We left for the sister winery to get some more tasting.
Imagery Winery (like Benziger) was packed this Saturday afternoon, so the tasting was not very intimate. The good thing is that this showed us that life is looking more and more like pre-Covid with people going out on a Saturday sipping and munching and enjoying life. The bad thing is I didn't love any of the ones we tasted either. And another thing, I am not a fan of stemless wine glass.
On the drive home we took Sears Point Drive and saw how the incredible amount of rain we had in winter affected the San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge. We have not seen it with this much water.
A drive by shot about 15 minutes from the winery.
My question about what the heck is a tractor tour was answered when I saw this. Okay, so we're getting pulled by a tractor.
Let's start the tour.
Benziger Family Winery is a big proponent and practitioner of organic and biodynamic grapegrowing and winemaking. We stopped and our guide Dr. Vic (I believe that's his name) gave an informative talk about the winery's practice of biodynamic agriculture and what the heck it is.
We reached the place where they store fermenting grapes. These are fermentation tanks.
It's a family affair.
And then, we walked towards the cave. I've always been curious about winery caves.
Our guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating to the questions we have.
When I read the voucher I knew that included in the tour is a wine tasting at their sister winery, Imagery Winery, a short drive away, so I was totally surprised when the next stop we made is at this winery's tasting room. Hah, there is a tasting included in this tour in this winery too. How about that.
We start with a white, of course.
Then the red. I believe we had two whites, then two reds. None was to my taste so we didn't get any bottle at all.
The display of wine pourer grabbed my attention.
After the wine tasting, we were told we could stay as long as we want in the compound. They have benches and tables and some people walked towards the vineyards and took more photos. We left for the sister winery to get some more tasting.
Imagery Winery (like Benziger) was packed this Saturday afternoon, so the tasting was not very intimate. The good thing is that this showed us that life is looking more and more like pre-Covid with people going out on a Saturday sipping and munching and enjoying life. The bad thing is I didn't love any of the ones we tasted either. And another thing, I am not a fan of stemless wine glass.
On the drive home we took Sears Point Drive and saw how the incredible amount of rain we had in winter affected the San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge. We have not seen it with this much water.
I bet you had a fascinating tour. Thanks for bringing us along and for sharing your photos at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/05/spring-at-duke-gardens.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing me, I would like to join you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice experience for you. I've been on a wine tour once but dont' actually drink wine funnily enough.
ReplyDeleteNo wine for me, I´ll take coffee instead. Maybe I could go to a coffee tasting..
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a "tractor tour" but it's a great idea and looks like fun!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun way to spend the day!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! I remember touring Napa Valley 10 years ago; the place was packed and the traffic horrible.
ReplyDeleteCheers to a wonderful wine filled day!
ReplyDeleteI love doing wine tastings. It was one of my favorite parts of being in France and Italy. One we did was a bicycle wine tasting through the hills of Tuscany.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy wine tastings. I live about an hour and a half from a major New York State wine region (Finger Lakes) but, long story, I can no longer tolerate many wines (especially high acid ones). I think I would have enjoyed this tour anyway although I most probably wouldn't have been able to taste the wines. Beautiful scenery, too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots! It's a shame none of the wines tasted quite matched your preferences, but the experience of trying new things is always valuable. Thanks for sharing your adventure! I like the wine pourer.
ReplyDeleteI like the tractor idea. That's a lovely way to tour a vineyard. And gosh! it been ages since we've done these winery tours and wine tastings. At one point we did it quite often. :D
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see your pictures and read about what you did there.
And about the rains we got this winter, yesterday, we passed by an area that saw the overflow of the San Joaquin River and it's 'still' flooded. Oh my! :)