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How We Saved 50 % on Our Mid-Week 2-Day Escape

 Fountain; Vintners Inn, Santa Rosa

Discounted Four-Star Accommodations and Wine Tastings Equals Heaven in Northern California

Dear Polite Traveler,

Exciting two-day travel escapes are easy for those of us living in Northern California.  Napa, Sonoma, and San Francisco are one to two hours from home.  So ... where to go?  Our choice was Sonoma County, more specifically the Santa Rosa/Healdsburg area to taste wine, indulge in the beautiful landscape, and to lodge at the Vintners Inn, Santa Rosa.   With a package purchased through Travelzoo we saved 50 percent on four-star accommodations and received coupons and vouchers for reduced price or free wine tastings, breakfast, and more. 

Road Trip!

Our first stop was the charming town of Santa Rosa to walk the downtown core and to surrender to my mocha addiction at Starbucks inside a local bookstore.  Brimming with unique shops and restaurants surrounding a perfectly maintained park, Santa Rosa seems the perfect place to stop, rewind, and recharge.  However, we needed to get on the road again as we were within a virtual arm's length of our hotel and our first winery visit. 


Wine Tasting

Our first stop was Rodney Strong Vineyards.  The pourer was so pleasant; we stayed for well over an hour.  During that time, he poured most anything we wanted to try, including reserve wines and a port.  Yum.  Leaving with a bottle of their Russian River Valley, 2018, Pino Noir (excellent), we walked about 100 yards to our next stop. 

J Vineyards – free tasting with our Visa Signature card – was bustling with tasters.  Known for fine sparkling and still wines, we focused on those with bubbles.  Wines available for tasting and the pours were generous.  The wines were superb, but a bit pricy.  Picking up a bottle of J California Cuvee, we were off to check into our temporary housing: Vintners Inn. 

Time to Check-In

Ooh-la-la!  This European-inspired inn includes a common house (sitting room, breakfast room, and check-in desk) and three, two-story buildings housing 44 rooms.  A large fountain in the center of a shared courtyard connects the four buildings.  Our quiet room, which included a complimentary bottle of wine and plenty of amenities, looked over their vineyard—breathtaking. 

Our package included a discount at their on-site lounge, which coincidentally has a generous happy hour.  For our light dinner, we chose a few items off their ample menu and two glasses of sparkling wine, which was plenty, and spent half of what we would in a restaurant (under $50).

We began our only full day with a healthy breakfast – on site (free with voucher).  After a brisk walk around the vineyard, we were off on our day's adventures. 

boar head; Italian; winery in CA; Ferrari-Carano

Winery, Gardens, and Rolling Hills

We drove through what I consider the most beautiful part of Sonoma County (Dry Creek Valley) to the stately Italianate villa Ferrari-Carano.  We tasted their reserve wines (with voucher) and chose a favorite, the 2019 Reserve Chardonnay.  After tasting, we strolled the gardens before heading off to one of my favorite towns: Healdsburg. 

Healdsburg 

As soon as we arrived, my mind was on the perfectly crafted cappuccinos at the Flying Goat Coffee house.  I was, and never have been, disappointed.  We shared one of their excellent muffins, drank our cappuccinos, and discussed shopping for our dinner. 

Since all rooms at our inn include a balcony or patio, we decided to dine alfresco with local finds.  Of course, this meant visiting Oakville Grocery, right on the town center, for our fare.   We selected a couple of local cheeses, salamis, grapes, and a fresh baguette.  Wine?  With Kendall Jackson as our next stop, I knew we would find a good one to pair with our bounty.

Covid Note

Call before visiting.  Some wineries are still open for tastings by reservation only.  Some are offering tastings outside only.  Be prepared before your visit.

Kendall Jackson winery gift shop

The French Chalet on the Left

Kendall Jackson's wines are consistently good.  Nevertheless, we had dinner waiting in our car.  So we limited our complimentary (with voucher) tasting to just a few of interest.  We purchased the Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2019 and bid the friendly pourer farewell. 

A Toast to the Vineyard

Oakville Grocery provided plates and plastic knives and our inn provided glasses and a corkscrew.  So, setting out our fare was simple.  Our little patio overlooking the vineyard was ideal for our leisurely deli dinner.  We reflected upon our trip, marveled at the fruited vines, and discussed our impending trip home. 

Reflections

The Travelzoo package and our Visa Signature card afforded us an opportunity to visit places we might not have otherwise.  Even better, both saved us money.

More by The Polite Traveler

Hotel & Room Review: Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo, CA

Hotel Review: Comfort Inn Downtown Morro Bay, CA

Hotel Review: Gaige House + Ryokan in Glen Ellen, CA

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