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By Melanie, November 23, 2009 8:00 am

The first, and most obvious thought, of a Sonoma-inspired wedding is having the ceremony and/or reception at a vineyard. Beyond the location, there are many ways to bring capture the essence of Sonoma and to bring this fantastic location to your wedding – whether it’s in Alaska or Florida.

Our first Sonoma-inspired inspiration board brings together the calm, cool colors of nature. Combining the outdoor vineyard green with a teal and turquoise palette infuses a casual elegance into your wedding. Since Sonoma has a rustic, rural feel, we’ve also selected decor which highlights this setting.

Wedding accessories and fashion are captured in the first image. The juxtaposition of chic modern accessories with the beauty of outdoor photos quickly captures Sonoma’s outdoor charm.

Vineyard couple as photographed by Jose Villa; Camille Ring Bearer Pillow with Ivory Splash by Maihar Design; Boutaineers captured by Jose Villa; Midnight Cherub Clutch in Teal by Nelle; Rock Candy Bottlecap Ring in Turquoise by Ippollita; Talia Earring by Kendra Scott; Phoebe Dress in Casper Blue by Jenny Yoo; Bridal portrait by Sara Donaldson

Shades of greens and blues complement one another for the reception decor. From the use of grosgrain ribbon in the photo collage foliage to the simple flora surrounding the vases – these elements might seem understated in a large ballroom, but are perfect for the casual, elegant atmosphere of Sonoma.

Vineyard ribbon photo collage photographed by Jasmine Star; Chair with ribbon and cameo photographed by Jose Villa; Vase table decor captured by Brandon Kidd Photo; Invitations by Bella Figura; Barn reception captured by Jill Thomas Photography; Jackson Hole wedding reception tablescape by Carrie Patterson Photograhy; Basket with treats photographed by Aran Goyoaga

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By Ashleigh, November 16, 2009 12:00 pm

Selecting restaurants and delicacies to feature in this post was extremely hard. Sonoma has so many unique places to dine – and as I’ve already stated, they all have the freshest and finest ingredients! So, I’ve picked a variety of places throughout the county – all extremely different in their fare and ambiance.

First stop is the Girl & the Fig, located in Sonoma. The restaurant features “a wonderful antique bar with French aperitifs & traditional cocktails, an award-winning ‘Rhone Alone’ wine list, a seasonal menu, cheese & charcuterie platters, and outdoor patio seating.” The food is excellent and is a must visit if you’re in the town of Sonoma.

Next stop is Sebastopol, the location of the Starlight Wine Bar & Restaurant. This was an extremely unique and fun find. The restaurant is located within an authentic Pullman train car – no joke! It’s a bit tough to find the restaurant as the train car is housed within a building – but it’s worth circling around a few times to ultimately locate this restaurant. The chef was trained in New Orleans and has worked under many renowned chefs. You can definitely taste the New Orleans influence in the dishes – my husband fell in love with the Gumbo – best he’s ever had! We had a very tough time selecting our entrees, so this will definitely be on our list of places to visit again next time we head back to Sonoma.

We located a cute town square in Windsor – Windsor Town Green – just north up Highway 101. The next two locations are actually across the square from one another – and both worth a stop when shopping at antique stores and other unique finds in the town.

KC’s Downtown Grill has a style straight out of the 1950s. The food was excellent and the service was extremely friendly. The owners’ son, Austin, was our waiter and he gave us some great recommendations. For my fellow Texans who know a GREAT burger, KC’s is your place – my husband was right at home with the Austin Burger. We didn’t get a milkshake, but those are supposed to be pretty spectacular as well.

I have quite the sweet tooth, so we made the trip across the street to Powell’s Sweet Shoppe. The store was a walk down memory lane with candies and chocolates I remembered growing up with – Fruit Stripe Bubble gum among others. Scoop for yourself candy, gelato and a ridiculous amount of chocolate – had I not been in a rush to go drink wine, I could have done serious damage at Powell’s. Extremely noteworthy was the Willy Wonka section in the back of the store – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was playing, and there were autographed photos of Gene Wilder and the child stars from the movie. Super cool!

Heading a bit farther up Highway 101 is the town of Healdsburg – prime time for shopping and so many dining selections. Next time we go to California, I think I will plan to stay in Healdsburg for a few nights – particularly during the Holidays!

That being said, the last dining selection is located in Healdsburg – Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar. Willi’s food was great – seafood at its best, and the wine list is wonderful as well. Willi’s “extensive list of small plates combine with the eclectic drink menu to make visitors feel right at home. Designed for sharing, the menu features items ranging from New England Style ‘Rolls” and Latin-inspired skewers to ceviches and tartares.” Bring your appetite – so many great items from which to choose!

Now that we’ve covered dining, “wining” and lodging in Sonoma, it’s time to see how you can take the spirit and personality of this great place and bring a little bit of Sonoma to your wedding. Stay tuned for details!

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By Ashleigh, November 3, 2009 8:45 am

I like to think Heaven looks something like Sonoma. Jesus was a fan of wine, so my confidence rests in the fact that Heaven has an absolutely magnificent vineyard with wine that is beyond spectacular. Until then, I turn to Sonoma for my wine fix.

Some people are apprehensive about not only tasting wine, but about tackling the journey without any guidance. Our first trip to Sonoma began with a guided tour by Bruce with Wine Country Safari. His knowledge was incredible, and he has relationships with the finest wineries across the county. Depending on your purchase budget and taste preferences, Bruce will schedule the perfect tour for you. Additionally, he can take you into wineries that are usually closed to the public! I cannot brag enough about Bruce.

For those unable to take a tour, or looking for the best way to “attack” wine country on their own, plan on spending at least two days vineyard hopping. Grab a map, and hit the roads. Don’t be afraid to travel on the back roads – some of the best wineries are off the beaten path. We discovered some of our favorite locations by taking this approach.

Plan to spend time at each vineyard. The tasting room managers and staff are very friendly and have extremely interesting backgrounds. On that note, the vintners are diverse as well! At many of the small production wineries, you will often get a chance to visit with them. From biologists to doctors – their “first” lives provide an interesting backdrop for their subsequent journey into the art and science of wine making.

Bring on the Wineries!

We fell in love with so many different vineyards. The decision of which ones to include ultimately came down to which ones I had photos from. Yes, not very scientific, but it is visual.

Raymond Burr Vineyards – Morgan is a huge fan of Raymond Burr. You might think, “Wow, Perry Mason was a bit before his time.” Indeed. It was actually in the Godzilla movie that Morgan discovered Raymond Burr; Morgan can’t get enough of Godzilla. The vineyard is closed to the public, but you would be permitted entrance if you take a tour with Wine Country Safari. Their wine is excellent and the view is spectacular – perfect spot for lunch.

Hop Kiln Winery – Hop Kiln used to grow and produce hops. The farm began growing grapes and producing wine in the 1970s. The building is extremely unique, and they have a broad array of other products in the tasting room – from gourmet meats to olive oils and spices. Yummy!

Harvest Moon Estate & Winery – This winery is one of the many great wineries located off Olivet Road in the Russian River Valley. Their Zinfandel is delightful and their tasting room manager is one of the kindest I have ever met. Great wine and great company – plan to stay a while at Harvest Moon!

Siduri – This winery has a special place in our heart – it was the first winery we visited in Sonoma. Siduri buys some of the best grapes and is known for their Pinot Noir. Their bottling and tasting room is located in Santa Rosa, and their wines constistently rank among Wine Spectator’s highest.

Moshin Vineyards – Hands down probably our favorite vineyard. Julie, the tasting room manager, is awesome! Their wine is fantastic. Last trip to Sonoma we arrived at closing time for the Vineyard and left three hours later. Moshin is a must visit on your trip to the Russian River Valley.

There are so many vineyards – we cannot do them all justice. Other must visits include:

• David Coffaro
• Inman Family Wines
• Davis Family Vineyards
• Martinelli Winery
• Hook & Ladder Vineyards

Stay tuned for more from Sonoma…..more exciting places to visit and adventures to undertake! And, most importantly, how to bring a little bit of Sonoma to your wedding!

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By Ashleigh, November 2, 2009 7:30 am

I am completely smitten with Sonoma County. Charming and polite is probably the best way to sum up Sonoma, one of my favorite places in North America.

My first excursion to Sonoma was March 2008 for my honeymoon. We fell in love and recently planned another trip this past August. The scenery, the food, the people, the wine – it is all incredible.

Due to my love for this destination, and the hopelessly romantic scenery for a wedding, my next few posts will explore some of the best destinations throughout Sonoma – wine, lodging, food and recreation.

Whenever people think of wine country, Napa is the first to pop into their minds. Sonoma seems to be the best kept secret, and I’m hopeful that it will remain that way. I personally feel Napa Valley has too many mass-production vineyards, creating a commercial, stuffy ambiance. The distinct difference between Napa and Sonoma was evident within minutes of driving down the major highway lined with vineyards in Napa – Highway 29.

Sonoma, on the otherhand, has remained very rural and has a small town charm to each little community. The winemakers consider themselves farmers, and many of the vineyards once produced hops for beer or were orchards with an assortment of fruits blossoming across the countryside.

So Many Rooms from which to Choose

The lodging options are overwhelming. This was probably one of the toughest decisions – with so many neat places and so many gorgeous views, how do you choose? To top it off, many of the vineyards have guest suites on property. While most of these are limited to wine club members or VIP only, chances for finding a room on vineyard premises increases during the winter off season – an incredible overnight rate with a magical view.

If you find yourself having a tough time narrowing down the options, take a look at the broad categories and start with that selection first: (1) beds and breakfasts, (2) cottages and (3) resorts & spas.

Bed & Breakfast in Sonoma
The dozens of B&Bs throughout Sonoma County range from cottage charm to lavish spas. You can be sure, though, that most include homemade cookies and evening receptions with assorted cheeses and wine.

Below are two such B&Bs – Bella Villa Messina and the Healdsburg Inn – both located in the town of Healdsburg, but each with their own distinct style.

Resorts and Spas
The resorts and spas in Sonoma are wide in variety. Many of the inns throughout Sonoma offer an array of services – each a perfect destination for a wedding ceremony and reception. The Kenwood Inn and Spa is absolutely delightful, as evident by the pictures below.

Cottages
There are tens of dozens of cottages from which to choose. Cottages often have beautifully landscaped gardens and patios. With multiple rooms and the entertaining capabilities, a cottage is the perfect option for a family or group of friends. The bars and restaurants close early in Sonoma (9 – 10pm), so the ability to continue celebrating at your private cottage is truly ideal.

Some of these cottages are located in more remote areas amidst mountains and vineyards, while others are nestled in small, communities such as Sonoma or Santa Rosa. Below is one located in the city of Sonoma, Casa Sonoma.

With the bird’s eye view of lodging throughout Sonoma, I hope to have given you better direction as to what type of accomodations best fit your needs. Stay tuned for more Sonoma posts, including a look at some of my favorite small production wineries throughout the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek regions. Much more to come!