Vines just starting to show their autumn colors - across from Pedroncelli Winery
Heading Out Along the Wine Road…
I am writing this in mid-October during the first in-earnest storm of the Fall – amazing amounts of rain and wind- such a contrast to the easy-going weather of just days ago. I am in Summer Shock- cannot believe it is gone – I was swimming in the River just days ago. Farmers are scrambling to get grapes in and at our next-door neighbor, Optima, they are crushing crazily round-the-clock. The crew is hearty but they must be tired out. It is so exciting to see the bins arrive. Beth and I really get a kick out of it.
Daniel moving grapes at Optima Winery, right outside our office door!
Looks like Fall is here with a bang, which means it is time for the three Wine Road Annual Events to now fall into place in the quieter, at least agriculturally, months of November, January and March. A Wine & Food Affair will be the first weekend in November- and then between that and the end of the year, many holiday-geared events occur along the Wine Road at our wineries.
Holiday photo shoot... wine country style
Wine Road is a year-round destination and each season brings new things of interest. The Thanksgiving Weekend is the traditional kick-off to the holidays and also marks the end to the busiest time along Wine Road. Most wineries are closed for Thanksgiving to allow family and friends to spend this most delicious of American holidays together. (We always post as much information as we can gather from our wineries about Holiday Hours and Schedules on our website.) The Friday following Thanksgiving, the biggest retail day of the year, is an exciting day here, too. Many of our wineries have their holiday open houses with great decorations, special foods, gifts, pairings and SHOPPING. Warm fireplaces, friendly staff, seasonal treats and the excitement and anticipatory feel of the season changing to winter make this a special time along Wine Road. Not only is it fun to head out on Wine Road bundled up for the merriest time of year, but it is a great place to shop for wine for the holiday dinners to come and for gifts. Wine is the embodiment of the romance of Wine Road, the music of its soul. What better gift?
Cave at Bella Winery decorated for winter events...photo by Nicole McKee
The city of Healdsburg holds their Downtown Merchant Holiday party on that Friday following Thanksgiving with the annual Tree Lighting on the Plaza on that Sunday, sponsored. Events are added daily to our wineroad.com by our members and show on the Events section. December is lovely here- not too cold with empty vines with green grass sprouting in the rows after the browns and umbers of autumn. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are quiet with some closures (see our website or just give a call ahead). With the New Year, we will gear up for Winter Wineland (January 16-17, 2010- MLK Holiday Weekend) followed closely by our 32nd Annual Wine Road Barrel Tasting the first two weekends in March- 6-7 & 13-14, 2010.
Winter sunset along the Wine Road...photo by Susan Williams-Pellegrini
