[Nobbc] Info for Marla and Andy's Tour

[Ron Engelhardt]

Andy asked me to post this to you all. I'll be babysitting my grandson 
so will probably be unable to make this one. Looks like a nice route and 
tour so have fun with it!

Ron
58 MGA

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Saturday June 7th, 2008
By Marla and Andy Preston


We hope you can join us for this year's Sonoma County tour, which will 
take a different route from previous years.  We will be meeting at the 
Doubletree Hotel located off Golf Course Drive, at 1 Double Tree Drive 
in Rohnert Park at 9:30 for a 10:00 departure.  There is Starbuck's 
coffee and bathrooms available in the hotel.   This was the MG 2007 
hotel venue.

We'll be heading out to the spectacular Napa Valley for our first stop 
and then back into Sonoma Valley for lunch.  Our route will take us over 
Crane Canyon through Glen Ellen and then over Trinity Road which boasts 
one of the most breathtaking views in the area as you descend into the 
Napa Valley.

Our first stop will be at the V Marketplace 1870 in Yountville for a 30 
minute break.  The 137 year old marketplace (originally the Groezinger 
Winery) offers upscale specialty shops, galleries, restaurants and most 
importantly, bathrooms!  There's also a wonderful coffee and pastry shop 
across the street.

We will continue our tour along the Silverado Trail (established in 
1852) through the Stags Leap appellation and pass by numerous famous 
wineries on our way to our lunchtime destination.  Lunch will be at the 
Viansa Winery and Italian Market Place which is above the Sonoma Valley 
on a hilltop overlooking 90 acres of waterfowl reserve. (www.viansa.com)

You can buy freshly made wood fired pizzas, hot barbequed sandwiches or 
a variety of Italian panini sandwiches.  The Italian market is a delight 
itself and hosts 2 wine tasting bars for anyone who wants to do some 
wine tasting, ($5.00). There is plenty of outdoor seating with live 
music and wine is also available by the glass.

Viansa winery is close by the Infineon Racetrack (Sears point) so 
there's easy access to Hwy 37 and Hwy 101 for heading home.