BAY AREA ADVENTURE Two Night Wine Getaway in Sonoma County

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Situated just 45 minutes north of San Francisco, Sonoma is a thriving community with over 400 wineries, 100 organic farms, a budding arts scene and 75km of breath-taking Pacific coastline. Begin the weekend in style at Paul Hobbs Winery; named as one of the top wineries to visit in California. Wine critics routinely bestow perfect and high-90’s scores to the Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrah produced by owner-winemaker Paul Hobbs; formerly of the fabled Opus One winery. Held in the fashionable Lindsay House (designed by highly regarded winery architect Howard Backen), the two-hour winery tour culminates in a three-course tasting of Chef Anne Sibbaluca's intricate and intensely flavoured dishes, each paired with two wines from the surrounding vineyards. Expect to try combinations such as littleneck clams steamed in a wood-fired oven, served with the Richard Dinner Chardonnay. The following day, take in a tour and tasting at the modest Iron Horse Winery. The family-owned, independent and charming 110-acre winery, which grows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in equal measure, is most famed for supplying the White House with its elegant sparkling wine for nearly three decades - since the Reagan–Gorbachev state banquet in 1987. The tasting room at the Iron Horse winery sits on a site of rustic, redwood barn-style buildings with a stunning view of the valley below. Guided by the warm, welcoming and enthusiastic tasting room team, you’ll try incredible wines like the earthy, velvety Estate Pinot Noir and the fresh, unoaked Chardonnay. Emanating the farmhouses of Tuscany, terra-cotta walls and wrought-iron chandeliers provide a stunning backdrop for an iconic wine country dining experience finale at John Ash & Co; Open Table's ‘Diner’s Choice 2015’ award winner. Nestled next to the lush vineyards of the spectacular Vintners Inn, John Ash & Co. was the first Sonoma County restaurant to introduce the concept of farm-to-table cooking using the freshest, seasonal offerings from their three on-site vegetable and herb gardens and olive and fruit orchards. Executive Chef Tom Schmidt’s extensive wine knowledge provides the perfect foundation for creating a Chefs Tasting Menu of innovative dishes, featuring dry aged beef pavé and Asian-inspired tuna tartare, that complement the restaurant’s extensive, award-winning and Sonoma-centric wine list.

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