ALEXANDER VALLEY
This valley is named for the 19th-Century pioneer Cyrus Alexander, explorer of Northern Sonoma County and resident of the area. Flanking the Russian River from Cloverdale to Healdsburg along heavily graveled bench lands are world-class Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Considered one of the most diverse grape-growing regions in California; varieties including Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc also prospers.
The Taste of Alexander Valley is held the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend. Over 30 wineries host their own special wine and food parties offering wine and food pairings, live entertainment and special weekend wine discounts. One ticket gets you access to all the parties!
Like Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley is home to giant producing properties and the small winemakers. Out on Highway 128 in Headlsburg you’ll find Hawkes, a family-run winery now run by Jacob Hawkes, born and raised on the family farm on Chalk Hill Road where his still parents still reside. Personally, I loved their 2009 Late Harvest Semillon—a wonderful sweet dessert wine with only 100 cases produced.
Stop by, taste and do make a point to visit quaint Jimtown Store next door. A charming country store and cafe with a “wider worldview” as they like to say, this is a Sonoma County landmark. Their café and boxed lunches are impressive. Even if you’re just browsing, this is definitely worth a stop just to take in the local flair.
And speaking of flair, a visit to Francis Ford Coppola Winery is a must. Relatively new to Sonoma County, and like the big producers in the region, the spectacular property alone is reason enough to visit. There’s even a pool with cabanas where all are welcome. I even met people who say they’ve seen Coppola himself in the pool.
All the memorabilia from Coppola’s film are on display in the massive tasting room (“room” isn’t the right word, think two-story museum). There’s just so much to see and do. And of course there’s wine to be tasted. I loved the Director’s Cut Cinema blend, as well as the 2010 Malbec.
Coppola says his winery is “a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life.”
And a place to “celebrate the love of life” can be found at Rustic, Coppola’s impressive restaurant where the menu embraces international as well as traditional Italian dishes, with an emphasis on family-style cooking that features fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the property’s organic herb and produce garden. Authentic, Neapolitan-style pizzas are a specialty. A view not to be missed is from the outdoor terrace, which overlooks the picturesque Alexander Valley.
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