My Dearest Polite Traveler,
Our
coastal journey to the lovely Albion River Inn begins on a warm July
morning in Davis, CA. It was an exceptionally pleasant 80 degrees and
was warm for most of the day, not realizing we would end bundling up as if it
were late autumn once we reached our destination.
Tip: When
visiting north-coastal CA at any time of year, pack warm clothing.
We
decided to travel from our home base—100 m east of San Francisco—west through
the Napa Valley and then onto a more northerly procession through Sonoma and
Mendocino Valleys.
Driving
through these world-renowned wine countries, it was tempting to stop for a
taste. But, hey, a girl has got to eat—or indulge in a
hot chocolate beverage. I love Starbucks! Okay, I’ve said it. I just absolutely love it, with mochas as my
absolute favorite. Consequently, around lunchtime,
and with the long freeway ahead of us, we pulled up the Starbucks app and found
one nearby.
Quaint Santa Rosa
Luckily,
we were on Highway 29 in arm’s reach of Highway 101, which is just a few blocks
from downtown Santa Rosa. We had never
been to this quaint, touristy town center, which made me even gladder that I
have a Starbucks mocha addiction that sent us there.
Downtown
streets were lined with outdoor cafes and parks prompting memories of Paris. All were accessible, in fact, we noticed at least
five people in wheelchairs, one of which was motorized. Every store and café we passed had wheelchair
access and the sidewalks were easy to maneuver.
The stoplights were automated for the blind and sight-impaired. Overall, we found it lovely and decided we
will return.
Driving Through Anderson
Valley
Now,
back on the road and onto Highway 101. This
stretch of the freeway can be terribly busy and slow. Today, traffic slowed for just a few miles on
this pencil-straight highway.
Vineyards
adorned the highway and continued as we changed direction heading northwest to
the coast via Highway 128. Due to the winding
curves, it is a slow drive through the small towns of Yorkville, Boonville,
Philo, and Navarro.
Tip: Those
with vertigo may want to carry some candied
ginger to stave off motion sickness.
Besides
the few rustic timber mills, giant oaks, vineyards, California’s renowned
redwoods, and gentle creeks trickle by. And
be on the lookout for the families of deer munching on greenery and other fine
specimens of Mother Nature. In fact, on
our trip home, we came upon two fawns adjacent to the highway as we slowly rounded
a curve. Mother deer waited on the hill
above them. We watched as they leaped up
the hill as if they were flying—breathtaking.
The
modest signage, “Philo,” is the only announcement for this tiny town, but don’t
discount it. Its prestigious wine houses
give it weight. And those who know me,
know that if there are wineries anywhere along our journey, I will find a way
to stop. Since several miles of winding
roads were ahead of us, we could only taste at three. Because of this, I chose three of the most
well-known of the area: Scharffenberger Cellars, Navarro Vineyards, and
Roederer Estate Winery.
Note
Please check each winery’s website for current tasting information.
Scharffenberger Cellars
Our
first stop was Scharffenberger, which we found had been sold, became Pacific
Echo (same wine,
different name), and is now Scharffenberger again—still the same winemaker.
Today,
Eva poured the nectar of the gods for us, which was fortunate since she is a
fountain of historical facts. During our pours, she shared the history of the
area, WWII, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Internment camps. It was remarkably interesting.
Besides
the fascinating conversation, the wines were luscious, especially the extra dry
and crémant. In fact, we bought a bottle
of extra dry and will most likely come back for much more of the crement—crème
brulee in a bottle.
Note: The
parking lot had ample disabled parking, ramps were easily negotiable, and the
doorway was wide. Bathrooms were
adjacent to the tasting room, including a separate room for the disabled. The tasting was $10.00 per person, but the pours
were ample. The fee is credited toward a
purchase.
8501
Highway 128 Philo, CA 95466
(707) 895-2957
Navarro Vineyards
Interesting. Navarro makes a large variety of wines and has
received multiple awards, but Navarro left me wanting. We were treated coolly by our indifferent pourer. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, the visitors
before us could have been wine snobs who treated her badly. Nevertheless, she never
thawed, even with our good nature and friendly smiles.
Luckily,
the wines compensated for the chilly attitude.
The tasting list was the longest I’ve ever seen, with a refreshing
variety. At the time of our visit, we
could choose any wines to taste for no fee (call for updated info), but the
pours were minuscule. Some were particularly
good. However negative attitudes seem to
influence taste. So, we moved on without
purchasing.
The
grounds were set up for picnics, strolls, and long views. It was lovely. Navarro conducts tours. Call for more information.
Tip: There
was plenty of handicap parking and was fully accessible.
1-800-537-9463
or 707-895-3686
Roederer Estate Winery
Our
last stop was the award-winning Roederer Estate Winery. Although the wines were delicious, I felt they
were not as tasty as Scharffenberger. The bottom line, though, these two sister wineries do make great wine. We purchased a bottle of their extra dry
sparkling wine.
Note: Roederer
is especially wheelchair-friendly. Not
only did it have ample parking, ramps, and wide doors, they included a lower-level
counter for wheelchairs tasters next to a large window in which to view the
vineyards, hawks, and vultures who fly by.
Roederer
Estate Winery
4501Highway
128 Philo, CA 95466
707.895.2288
http://www.roedererestate.com/
Is that the Pacific I see?
Leaving
the visually stunning wine haven on the few miles of 128 to navigate before we
hit Highway 1, majestic scenes of fields of grasses and flowers, to forests of
deciduous and redwoods delighted us. As
if a curtain lifts, a vision of a river appears.
Once
on the famous Ocean Highway, the air smells cleaner, the ocean waves sing,
and…boy does it cool down with temperatures dropping 20 degrees in only a few
miles. However, Albion River Inn is only
a couple miles north of this juncture.
Albion River Inn
As
the sign came into view, my stomach did flips I was so excited. Guest rooms align the river, which flows out
to the ocean from a bay. We were among the lucky ones who booked a room with an
ocean and river view.
Our Room
Once
inside our immaculate room, I felt an immediate feeling of being free and
weightless: no worries, no deadlines, nothing scheduled except wine and cheese
on our balcony later in the afternoon.
The
room was a good size furnished with a king-sized bed, two large overstuffed chairs,
a desk, and a fireplace, for which we were supplied with an endless supply of
wood.
A
double door opened into our ample bathroom, which included a soaking tub, refrigerator,
large closets, and all the amenities a person could hope for, including coffee
and a variety of tea. High-quality
toiletries were also provided.
To
our delight, we received a half-bottle of wine each night and chocolate. And because it was our anniversary, we were also
gifted with two glasses of sparkling wine—yummy.
The
view was stunning. From the massive
sliding door and windows, we could look out over the bay. Sitting in two comfortable Adirondack chairs on our large deck,
we enjoyed our private grass-covered “backyard,” especially as birds and
quail—munching on grasses—entertained us.
Guests
are prohibited from walking through these backyards, which is comforting
because I loved sitting outside in the cozy and warm robe provided to each
guest.
Note: A few
steps up to the room’s front door is an issue for the wheelchair user. But it would be an easy maneuver for anyone
using a cane.
Belt-Busting On-Site Restaurant
The
Albion River Inn Restaurant is to-die-for-wonderful. Inside is a 180-degree view of the grounds,
used for weddings, and the river. It was
breathtaking. I could sit here for hours
watching hummingbird wars, massive vultures showing off, and the water flowing
in and out of the bay.
A
full breakfast was part of the room price, which was incredibly lucky for us, as we
could without time limit to enjoy the excellent fare and view. All staff was friendly and efficient. The waitstaff was always available to provide for
our pleasure.
Food
was fresh and top quality. For example,
we had a frittata made with vegetables so fresh they tasted as if they were
picked directly before sautéing. My hubby’s
French toast was filled with a rich custard, which tasted quite a bit like bread
pudding. Yum.
Our
anniversary dinner was excellent and cooked perfectly. The chef must specialize in reductions
because the sauces were reminiscent of our last stay in Paris.
Note: The
restaurant is wheelchair friendly, has handicap parking with a ramp easy to
navigate.
Enjoying Nature & Quirk
Due
to the proximity of the property’s location—next to the highway and nestled
between the bay and ocean— there is not much of an opportunity for walking and
sightseeing. So, for those who yearn to walk,
join us for a short car ride.
Within
a few miles, there are two state parks with easy-to-navigate excellent hiking
trails and the quaint, quirky small town of Mendocino, which is where we
landed. This unique oceanside town sports
an abundance of charm and is filled with charming shops in which to browse.
Note: With
few sidewalks and streets in disrepair, Mendocino is not mobility impaired friendly. Motorized chairs? Forget it.
Cane users may not experience much difficulty. Nevertheless, there are steps nearly everywhere
and the ground is uneven.
Wrapping it Up
All
in all, this was one of our most favorite trips. I will not forget it, as every aspect was remarkable.
Quote
from my better half:
“I
don’t know if I would call Albion River Inn truly magical, but it is a fantasy
land with little cottages looking out over the ocean and the gardens are so
beautiful and well kept up. The staff,
whether at the front desk or restaurant treat you so well and so special. There are no televisions, and you don’t even
think about them. You can just go and
totally unwind. And when they say you
can relax and rejuvenate…that is so true.
You go and forget about everything.
All the little details are so perfect.”
I asked, “What details did you appreciate the most?” My sweetheart replied, “The way they
decorated and detailed the rooms, the furnishings, the finishing’s of the
rooms, like crown molding, the fireplace, and the bathroom. It is just a special place that you can go to and forget almost the entire world. You
want time to just stop for that afternoon or day.”
Note: The weather
is changeable and unpredictable. Take a
variety of clothing. Even if it is
summer, it could be 50 degrees—burr.
Wheelchair User 101
The
Inn is fairly wheelchair friendly, including ramps, parking, and a wheelchair-accessible
room. The room is a bit small, so a
motorized chair would not be advisable. But
it has a wheel-in shower and is designed well.
Albion
River Inn
- 3790 N. Hwy. 1 Albion, California
- http://www.albionriverinn.com/index.php
- 800.479.7944
Scharffenberger
Cellars
- 8501 Highway 128 Philo CA, 95466
- http://www.scharffenbergercellars.com/
- 707. 895.2957
- The tasting room is open daily 11-5, excluding major holidays. There is a $3 tasting fee.
Navarro Vineyards
- 5601 Hwy 128 Philo, CA 95466
- http://www.navarrowine.com/main.php
- Tasting room is open daily 10-5
- 800.537.WINE
Please
visit Anderson Valley Wine Association for more information.
- Anderson Valley | Wineries, Vineyards, Restaurants, Lodging
- avwines.com
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