Wine Tasting

Most of the wineries in the region have tasting rooms open between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm (some open until 5:00pm) and several have tours of their facilities available. As you enter Sonoma Valley on Hwy 121 (or as you are leaving), be sure to stop at Gloria Ferrer for a glass of sparkling wine on the terrace with its spectacular view, or at nearby Viansa or Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.

Located just a few blocks off of the Sonoma Plaza, Sebastiani Winery offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the Plaza. While there, enjoy a complimentary tour of their famous Cask Cellars. Buena Vista Winery, the oldest premium winery in the state, is just a short drive and is a great location to enjoy wine tasting and an afternoon picnic.

On the way back to the Inn, stop by Ravenswood or Gundlach Bundschufor some of their award-winning wines. If you're looking for green and organic options, you might consider Benziger Winery.They are well known for their strides in biodynamic and organic farm practices and have a strong commitment to sustainability throughout their operation. Benziger also owns Imagery Winery that also has biodynamic vineyards and a biodynamic garden. Kunde Winery uses sustainable farm practices and have eco-tours to engage and educate the public. Bartholomew Park Winery is a beautiful site and certified organic. Coturri Winery is certified organic and Phil Coturri is very knowledgeable about organic viticulture. Moon Mountain Vineyard is certified organic and also a unique site with volcanic rock caves. Hanzell Winery is a member of the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance and they follow the guidelines for sustainable winegrowing (www.sustainablewinegrowing.org) and theytake a holistic approach to being more sustainable. Cline Cellarsis also a member of the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance. and some of the others above are also part of this group.

California Wine Tours could provide your transportation. They are really focusing on their sustainability program and have a "Green Fleet" of smaller transportation vehicles and are the first Bay Area transportation company to be included in the Bay Area Green Business Program.

Thirty other wonderful wineries are located throughout Sonoma Valley which will offer tasting and the full range of information about wine making. Our staff will be happy to offer directions to a specific winery or a list with directions to wineries throughout the valley. For a complete winery list visit www.sonomavalley.com

Another good source of winery information is the California Directory of Fine Wineries.

 

California Historic Sites

The Historic Sonoma Plaza, the largest town square of its kind in California, is just a short four-block walk from MacArthur Place. Approaching the Plaza, notice Sonomas City Hall which stands proud in the middle of the eight-acre park. Taking a stroll around the Plaza is like stepping into California history; passing the Mission San Francisco de Solano the last and northernmost of the California Missions, the Mexican Barracks, and the Depot Museum. Several other historic structures on the Plaza now house fantasticrestaurants, boutiques, bookstores, and wine shops. Many visitors spend most of their stay in Sonoma just walking the Plaza!

Other must-see historic locations in the area include General Vallejos Home which is located on Spain Street just a few blocks west from the Plaza. A former Mexican commandante, Vallejo called his home Lachryma Montis, in Latin meaning "Tears of the mountain," after a local Indian legend. The house is a classic two story, "Yankee Style Gothic" and is open 10:00am 5:00pm.

A short drive to Glen-Ellen offers a visit to Jack London State Park. A historical tour of the site of the famed authors Wolf House (which burned before he and his wife were able to move in) is available at a minimal charge. Take along a picnic and enjoy the beautiful setting of this historic park.

Fora unique and entertaining way to learn about Sonoma's history, food and wine, try George Webber's Sonoma Plaza History/Food/Wine Experience. It's much more than a walking tour! 707-694-5097

Hiking & Biking

For an outdoor adventure, Sonoma offers great trails for hiking, biking, or even just plain strolling. We can point you in the direction of a great walk or hike, or rent one our mountain bikes to explore the valley's vineyards and historical sites.

The Sonoma Overlook Trail is just a few blocks north of the Plaza and features beautiful views of the town of Sonoma, or head to historic Bartholomew Park Winery for a picnic and then a hike on the hills that surround the winery.

Ramekins Sonoma Valley Culinary School

Unique cooking classes available for all cooking levels (including the beginner) housed in a stunning "rammed earth" style building. The Catalog of classes offers courses in several different styles from renowned Chefs. Check out their site at www.ramekins.comor call 707-933-0450 for class catalog and information. Other interesting culinary adventures include Sonoma's seasonal Farmers' Markets, the Olive Press, and Sonoma County Farm Trails

The Audi Sportscar Experience / Formula 3 Racing School/ Karting

The Audi Sportscar Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that puts you behind the wheel of some of the most powerful vehicles Audi has to offer, including the Audi R8, RS4, S5 and S8. With professional drivers as your personal instructors, you'll learn to drive these cars the way they were meant to be driven: on the track. Course offerings include half day, 1-Day and 2-Day courses in addition to private and corporate events.

Jim Russell Racing In 1957, British racing champion Jim Russell founded the racing school industry and realized his dream of teaching people from all walks of life the fine art of motor racing. His school was the worlds first training facility for racing drivers. Come and experience the thrill of driving a Formula 3 racecar! Course offerings include a 1-Day Experience, 2-Day School of Racing or 3-Day Advanced School of Racing.

Jim Russell International Karting Center is one of the premier karting venues in the country and offers a full range of karting courses for beginners to experienced drivers. Whether you're 8 years old, or 50, there is a class for everyone. All classes feature substantial track time in race-prepared karts that can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Courses are full day and conclude at 3 p.m. and are also available for private and corporate events.

Not to mention.

Infineon Raceway:(formerly Sears Point) in Sonoma holds major racing events throughout the year, including the Dodge/Savemart 350, NASCAR Winston Cup Series. www.infineonraceway.com. 800-870-7223.

Art:The sculpture throughoutour gardens is just a sampling from an amazing collectionat the I.Wolk Gallery in St. Helena 707-963-8800. For a truly unique art & wine experience, tour your favorite vineyard with acclaimed artist Ann Rea and she will return to capture the moment with a beautiful oil on canvas. To see her Sonoma Remembered brochure, click here; The di Rosa Preserve offers the world's largest collection of California Bay Area Contemporary Art - more than 2,000 pieces. Set on 217 beautiful and historic acres in the Carneros, the Preserve is available for guided tours by appointment 707-226-5991; Cornerstone Festival of Gardensis located on Arnold Drive just past Gloria Ferrer Winery on the way into Sonoma and showcases some of the world's foremost landscape designers in approximately 25 completely unique and thought inspiring outdoor display gardens 707-933-3010; The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is located on Broadway between MacArthur Place and the Plaza and has changing exhibits 707-939-7862; La Haye Art Centeris located on the Sonoma Plaza and features a number of local artisits;If your visiting Napa, The Hess Collection Winery has an extensive collection of contemporarypaintings and sculpture 877-707-HESS.

Wine Tours: California Wine Tours offers both public and private tours 707-939-7225; Burdick Vineyard Tours offers personalized tours of the Wine Country 888-368-8463 or 707-996-3200; Viviani Tours offer full and half day tours 707-265-1940 or 800-658-9997; Sonoma Wine Tours707-486-0377 and Napa Valley Wine Tours 707-251-9463 both offer personalized private wine tours; Beau Wine Toursoffers customized tours of Napa and Sonoma 800-387-2328; Napa Valley Wine Train has lunch, brunch and dinner excursions through the Napa Valley 253-2111or 800-427-4124. Platypus Wine Toursoffer fun, light hearted Napa and Sonoma Valley Tours(707) 253-2723.

Golf: There are a number of excellent golfing choices within a 30-minute drive: Stonetree Golf Club -18-holes in a beautiful setting in Novato 415-209-6090; Oakmont Golf Club- 2 Ted Robinson designed 18-hole courses in Oakmont 707-538-5524; Chardonnay Club - 27 holes of championship golf in the Napa Valley 707-257-1900; Eagle Vinesis a new course in Napa that offers reduced rates for our guests 707-257-4470, ext. 1.

Children's Activities:Sonoma Plaza is 4 blocks from the Hotel and has a large children's playground. Sonoma Train Town is on Broadway a few blocks from the Hotel and has rides and the most developed scale railroad in the Americas 707-938-3912; The Charles M. Schulz Museum is about a 30 minute drive into Santa Rosa and is the official Museum of the "Peanuts" founder 707-579-4452; The Jelly Belly Visitor Center in Fairfield is about a 30 minute drive and offers factory tours 707-522-3267.

Or, kick-back and enjoy a quiet, peaceful day around the pool or at the spa at MacArthur Place! For spa treatment reservations call us at 707-933-3193.

Click Hereto watch a video about what makes Sonoma Valley special, and Click hereto watch a videoon Exploring Sonoma Valley. Both of thesevideos are provided by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau.

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