Sip, Zip & Stay Honeymoon Package!

Wine Country Honeymoon Package - Wine GlassesWe are so excited for Valentines Day to be here!
To celebrate the launching of our new interactive honeymoon tool planning site @ www.Virtualhoneymoon.com
We are giving away our most popular Wine Country Honeymoon, “Sip, Zip & Stay” honeymoon package! We feel so blessed to work with some amazing vendors
here in Sonoma Wine Country who graciously have given us a vineyard house, ziplining tours, wine tastings, vineyard tours etc…….
the lucky couple who are chosen for this honeymoon are going to be so happy!

We will be at Occidental Road Cellars on Saturday to have the winery/vineyard owners draw one lucky name, we will be video-taping and will stream it live on our you tube channel  and vimeo sites, so be on the look out and share with your engaged friends & family!

“Its not too late to enter to win, if your a engaged couple, you can go to Virtual Honeymoon site and take the short quiz, fill out contact form and be automatically entered, good luck!

Honeymoon package - Wine RJ ToastHoneymoon package - RJ HouseHoneymoon package - RJ Wine Vineyard Overlook

Announcing the Wine Country Honeymoon Winners!!!!!

First off, thank you to all that entered our “Zip, Sip & Stay” Honeymoon package for beautiful Sonoma Wine Country!Wine Country Honeymoon Winners - RJ House

A BIG thank you to Occidental Road Cellars for so graciously giving their Vineyard House & wine tasting tour,  and to Sonoma Canopy Tours 

 

For the zip-lining the redwoods tour for 2!

We love working closely with our partners in putting together incredible, “one of a kind” honeymoon getaways and this Wine Country package is one of our favorites!

On Valentines day we went to Occidental Road Cellars wine tasting bar in Sebastopol, Ca. to meet with owners, Richard & Joelle Prather, we got to interview them and had them personally do the drawing for the lucky winner.
Check out our interview and meet the owners :

Congratulations to Marianne & Levi of Rohnert Park, California, who are our Wine Country Honeymoon Winners. We can’t wait to hear all about your stay!!

Stay tuned for our next honeymoon giveaway in May to Jamaica, YAY MON!!!!!!

To enter for Jamaica Honeymoon, just take our quiz and fill out contact form to win @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com

Wine Country Honeymoon ~ Giveaway!

Virtual Honeymoon is working with some amazing vendors in Sonoma Wine Country in giving a dream honeymoon away to a lucky couple for help with launching our new interactive honeymoon tool: www.virtualhoneymoon.com  enter to win, take our quiz and fill out contact form.

One lucky couple will win our “sip, zip & stay” 4 day honeymoon package!
Stay in our favorite vineyard house with a romantic picnic and  zipline tour for 2 through the redwoods!

See details below, and get to know our wine country partners…….

Occidental Road Cellars - Rich & JoelleOwners Richard & Joelle Prather of Occidental Road Cellars  who not only have beautiful vineyards and amazing award winning wine, they also have a breath-taking house situated within a beautiful, private 20-acre vineyard that grows award winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.

Wine Country Honeymoon - RJ ToastThis property is in close proximity to all that Sonoma County Wine Country has to offer!

The winning couple will experience the winemaker’s lifestyle for 4 glorious days………
Relax on the deck with a glass of wine while looking at the spectacular views or take a leisurely stroll through the vineyards.
Wine Country Honeymoon - RJ Vineyard Walk                                    Wine Country Honeymoon - RJ HJouse
Wine Country Honeymoon - Rich VineyardThe lucky couple will get to personally meet owner/winemaker Richard, he will take them on a private vineyard tour, followed with a personal wine tasting, choose your favorite bottle for a romantic vineyard picnic!  

 

 

Next, meet our zipline partners……

Alliance Redwoods Sonoma Canopy Tours - Zipline

Nestled off the coast of Northern California and deep in the Redwood forest, Sonoma Canopy Tours is high adventure and completely unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

The winning couple will enjoy a two-and-a-half hour Guided eco tour that includes 7 ziplines, 2 sky bridges, a majestic spiral staircase, a rappel to the forest floor, and the unparalleled beauty of the world famous California Coastal Redwoods.
California Ziplines“Winning couple will be drawn at Occidental Road Cellars on Feb. 14 ~ Good luck honeymooners!”
Please share with your friends and enjoy the journey @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com
*accommodations based on availability through 2016

Sonoma County Wineries

We LOVE Sonoma County Wineries! Not only because we live and grew up here, but for what its turned into, from apples to grape vines to perfect wines! A peaceful, beautiful valley full of breathtaking vineyards, majestic mountains, quiet rivers, towering redwoods all close to the pacific ocean. There are different areas in Sonoma Wine Country and over 700 wineries at last count, so choosing which ones to visit can be a little overwhelming to say the least.  No worries, we will break down the best areas and list our favorite and highly recommended wineries for you. 

There are basically four Wine Regions you should not miss! 

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY– This is the appellation best known for its Top- Pinot Noirs, Old Vine Zinfandels, Chardonnays, also known for Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah.   The grapes, for the most part, grown and produced here in Russian River Valley.  This valley set the standards for California Wine Country back in 1983.  Because of the sunny yet cool protected coast line, Russian River area has some of the finest wines ever produced, in my humble opinion!
Here are some of our favorites & highly recommended Wineries:

Russian River Vineyards – Russian River Old Winery
Love this place! Its a very unique destination winery! Hands down, the best wine!  But don’t take my word for it.   They were just voted best wine north of the Golden Gate.   Their wines are all organic.  The winery has great prices and a friendly staff.  Stop by and meet the Winery owners, Gio & Chris, the most down to earth friendly guys who love to share their stories and wine with you!
They also have a amazing onsite Restaurant -Corks.  The restaurant, which grows it’s own organic produce, was just voted best outdoor restaurant in Sonoma County.  Seriously, this is a must when in Wine Country!
Occidental Road Cellars-
Ultra-premium wines from lands farmed by their family for four generations. The vineyard site is a rolling ridge near Occidental, with a southern aspect and spectacular views of the hills beyond, the moderate climate allows for fruit maturity with exceptional depth and balance with amazing wines, great prices.
Hook and Ladder-
On 375 acres, their vineyards produce cool climate grapes widely recognized as some of the finest in the world. They have a really quaint winery which you can go to and taste right in a old barn style room alongside the wine barrels, sometimes you get lucky and get to taste right out of the barrel!
Lynmar Winery-
Situated on a unique and picturesque site with rolling vineyards, their vines are over forty years old, 15 clones of Pinot Noir and 4 clones of Chardonnay . They also have breathtaking gardens which border the vineyards that attract beneficial insects and hummingbirds, providing a natural barrier from pests, they practice sustainable farming which lends itself to amazing wine.

DRY CREEK VALLEY– Known for its idyllic undisturbed beauty, Dry Creek Valley is home to over 9,000 acres of vineyards, with a grape growing history going back 140 years. Because of the valley a little more heated, they boast one of the best Old Vine Zinfandel in the world!  Most the wineries, at least the ones we recommend, have a commitment to land stewardship with the valley’s farming practices, they follow sustainable, organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyards.
Here are some of our favorites we recommend:
Truett-Hurst Winery-Truett-Hurst Winery
One of our favorite and most highly recommended wineries in Dry Creek area! They are located on a quiet river, complete with farm animals and gardens, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a tasting creek-side or grab a table and enjoy the gardens! They specialize in making Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, they also produce delicious Port, this is a must stop when in Dry Creek area, love this place!
Bella Vineyards & Wine Cave-
Located on West Dry Creek Road, enjoy estate grown, award-winning Zinfandels and Rhone varietals. Explore the wine caves and enjoy the incredible serenity and breathtaking views while tasting small-production wines in their underground tasting room. Their wine tasting can be done in their quaint county barn or in their wine cave, either one is really unique and fun
Sbragia Vineyards-
The end of Dry Creek road, this winery is located on a hillside, overlooking the entire valley with sweeping views,  wine taste varieties which include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bring a picnic and enjoy wine tasting with the sunshine and vineyard views in the tasting room or request a tasting on their scenic wrap around deck!
Wilson Winery-
A small, family-owned and operated winery. Specializing in estate-grown red wines only.  Visit the tasting room with one of the finest panoramas of Dry Creek Valley, enjoy a tasting in their quaint tasting room or on the panoramic deck over looking the vineyards, very friendly, great wine, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy!

ALEXANDER VALLEY–  Located at the north end of Sonoma County, is about 22 miles long, the valley is best known for the world-famous Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that thrive from the valley floor all the way up the rolling hillsides and mountain ridges.
Soda Rock Winery-SODA ROCK WINERY
Taste a erray of delicious wines with a focus on Bordeaux varietals. Enjoy the historical buildings that have been beautifully restored using green building and recycling practices, a realistic feel of a historic old town. They inspire to regain its place in the community, by providing spectacular venues for social gatherings, and to promote local agricultural products, cuisine and artisanal specialties.
Hanna Winery-
Founded in 1985 by Dr. Elias Hanna, a world-renowned cardiac surgeon, eager to find a place in the country to continue the farming heritage of his upbringing. His daughter Christine has run the operations of the winery for 20 years and has has lived in  Sonoma all of her adult life. Hanna owns 600 acres of land in the Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley and the Mayacamas Mountains, the winery has evolved and blends the diversity of fruit cultivated in its four vineyard estates in unique appellations.
Alexander Valley Vineyards-
Located on Highway 128 owned since 1963 by the Wetzels family, they planted premium grape varieties, they bottled their first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1968 which was given to friends and family. In 1975 the family built a small winery , which they produced thier first wine in 1975. They now produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot constitute over one-half of total production.
Clos Du Bois Winery-
After traveling France’s wine regions, founder Frank Woods returned to California inspired to marry the French style of winemaking! In 1974 their classic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, 1980 Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc were added and early 1900’s Zinfandel release and the winery were born.

SONOMA VALLEY-Also known as The Valley of the Moon, is located in the southern portion of the county. The appellation is bordered by two mountain ranges: the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west. This area is known for its unique terroir, with Sonoma Mountain protection from the wet and cooling  Pacific Ocean, and Sonoma Mountains to the west, that protect the valley from excessive rainfall. The cool air that does affect the region comes northward from the Los Carneros region and southward from the Santa Rosa Plain.
Deerfield Wine Cave-Wine Cave
Our favorite Wine Cave! They have the best organic fruity wine, perfectly balanced, soft tannins, low acid and cleanly made with low sulfites, they are located in the center of 23,000 square feet wine cave. You walk through the crush pad, around the fermenting tanks through beautiful Redwood portal doors into the cave. Stroll past hundreds of barrels full of wine to the center of the wine glass shaped cave and into the Grand Room.
ST. Framcis Winery-
Established in 1971 with four decades of wines that reflect the finest mountain and valley vineyards in Sonoma County. The founder, Joe Martin, fell in love with Sonoma Valley and planted 22 acres of Chardonnay and 60 acres of Merlot in Sonoma Valley. After achieving great success as a grower, Joe opened his own winery in 1979 with his business partner Lloyd Canton, thus known as St. Francis. certified as a sustainable  family-owned winery!
Landmark Vineyards-
In the heart of Sonoma, founded in 1974 in Windsor, CA and in 1989 relocated from Windsor, a town that was slowly being smothered by urban sprawl, to a spectacular piece of land at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain in the Sonoma Valley. Practicing old tradition of handcrafted wines, producing rich, balanced wines perfect for pairing with a multitude of cuisines.
Ledson Winery-

Known as the Castle Winery, this 16,000 square foot French Normandy winery originally designed as their family home, specialize in small varietal lots that reflect the genuine diversity of their select vineyards and appellations, taste Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Petite

Find Your Perfect Honeymoon Match on www.VirtualHoneymoon.com