As guests boarded the Pure Luxury shuttle bus, we introduced ourselves to each other with excited smiles. This was going to be a beautiful day in Sonoma County Wine Country. The Westside Road Wineries Association presented an exclusive event for local concierges featuring visits to five wineries located on the picturesque Westside Road.
Heading into the Wine Cave at Thomas George Estates
First stop, Thomas George Estates. Inside the wine cave, the group was greeted by Hospitality Director, Jennifer Hanshew, and a table set for a tasting of two Thomas George Estates Chardonnays, and two of their Pinot Noirs. Not only did Jennifer guide us through the tasting of each delightful wine, she also shared information about the history of the winery and current offerings to guests and wine club members. Thomas George Estates is quickly becoming a popular wedding venue. With beautiful scenery, friendly hospitality, and superb wines, it’s easy to understand why couples are choosing Thomas George Estates.
HKG Estate Wines Tasting Room Manager, Ellissa Anderson
Next stop, HKG Estate Wines – Hop Kiln. Tasting Room Manager, Ellissa Anderson, greeted the group inside the estate’s Rose Garden. We started with HKG Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir, then compared that to a still wine, 2013 HKG Rose of Pinot Noir. We compared and contrasted two 2011 HKG Chardonnays from different estate selections before enjoying a sumptuous lunch from Big Bottom Market. The visit ended with a comparison of three 2011 HKG Pinot Noir from three different estate selections, paired with chocolate.
VML Sauvignon Blanc Paired with Fiji Strawberries
The halfway point through the tour was a visit to VML Winery. Our visit featured a couple of surprise visits – one with the incredibly talented Laura, responsible for the layout and care of the VML garden; the other, with C.E.O., Phil Hurst. Along with a tasting of wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtraminer, Rose of Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel, the tastings were paired with an object to enhance each tasting. My personal favorite was a flower by the name of Chocolate Cosmo paired with one of the Pinot Noirs. Gently rolling the petals of the flower produced a perfect chocolate scent. After a tour of the gardens, a few members of the group tried their luck with a giant Jenga game before heading to the next winery.
The View at Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery
Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery is family-owned. Owner Yvonne Kreck was our hostess. After greeting the group with a glass of flavorful and balanced Sauvignon Blanc, Yvonne escorted the group into the vineyard for a short lesson on a special grafting technique called, “t budding.” We returned to the Tasting Room patio where the group enjoyed tasting a selection of impeccable Zinfandels.
The Back Patio at Geyser Peak Winery
The final winery on the itinerary for the day was Geyser Peak, located at their new tasting room. The Geyser Peak staff met the group with warmth and enthusiasm and a delicious charcuterie platter. The tastings started with a Sauvignon Blanc and included Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the amazing 2011 Devil’s Inkstand.
This amazing excursion ended with memories of an unforgettable day spent on the Westside Road.
Contact Pure Luxury Transportation and allow us to create a customized Sonoma County wine tour featuring the wineries of Westside Road, or, gather of group of 6 to 10 friends for our Wonderful Westside Road wine tour package.
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