Sometimes a video is worth more than a thousand words. So watch what happens when my world collides with a candy apple red Lexus‬, a few great friends, the Napa Valley Wine Train and many bottles of excellent wine in Wine Country courtesy of Passport Magazine and Out in the Vineyard.

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In a county full of stars, Healdsburg shines bright for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the small-town glamour of the plaza that serves as the heartbeat of the enchanted town. On this plaza and the arteries that flow from it, a thriving food and wine scene flourishes alongside a range of quaint boutiques and upscale Inns that together confirm Healdsburg’s reputation as a “must-see” destination in Sonoma County.

With that in mind, I made Healdsburg the next stop on my LivingWells California itinerary with an eye toward sampling the fare at some of the newest eateries on Healdsburg’s most notable square, an adventure made particularly easy by the delightful Tammy Gass, owner and Head Foodie at Savor Healdsburg Tours.  Take a walk on your own around Healdsburg Plaza and you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice. Take a tour with Savor Healdsburg and you’ll find that Healdsburg doyenne extraordinaire Tammy Gass has done all the guesswork for you.

Gass, like me, enjoys finding hidden, off-the-beaten path treasures which is exactly what she has done in what has frequently been ranked one of the top ten small towns in America. Hence the reason that the marriage of Gass’ tour and my own LivingWells California adventure seemed set in the stars before I even arrived. I opted to join the “Taste of Healdsburg” tour, which was one of several options Gass’ wildly popular foodie tour company offers, and from the first stop on the tour I knew I had made the right choice.

We began the epic three and a half hour epicurean journey at Shed, an extraordinary new space that combines a shop stocked with everything from organic vegetables and fruits delivered daily by local farmers, flours freshly milled onsite, farm fresh eggs, smoked fish, cured meats and farmstead cheeses to housewares and garden implements of every variety with a café that serves an every changing daily menu built on the principles of responsible farming and seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking.  In the cavernous, impeccably curated space where one might quite easily imagine Ina Garten raving “How great is that?” at every turn, we sipped on a variety of shrubs and nibbled on a few items including a flavorful and colorful sampling that included beet tzatziki, goat cheese, olives, hummus and house-made crisps before it was off to our next stop, Café Lucia for a taste of Portuguese cooking, the highlight of which was a soul-satisfying plate of Chorizo Crusted Day Boat Scallops.

From there we headed to the impressive tasting room at Cartograph Wines which, in a refreshing turn, resembles an art gallery rather than a traditional wine-tasting venue, for a few sips of their equally impressive wines. Be forewarned, though the Pinots are clearly the stars at Cartograph, the dry Riesling and Gewürztraminer are standouts of equal note.

Bravas, a tapas restaurant that is one of the newest restaurants in the constellation of celebrated Stark Reality eateries, was our next stop. Here we sampled Champagne Sangria, croquetas and cider braised chorizo and padron peppers on the restaurant’s rustic back terrace, which I am told is quite the scene on weekends and gloriously sunny Wine Country afternoons and evenings.  Speaking of sunny Wine Country afternoons, a cool, sweet treat from Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar was the final delight on my “Taste of Healdsburg” tour and what a spectacular end it was. After spoons of Noble Folk’s innovative ice cream flavors like Japanese Purple Yam, Almond + Cardamom and Roasted Pumpkin, I dived into a generous slice of Maple Walnut Chocolate pie with such zeal that I am grateful to know that it is only available hundreds of miles away from me rather than right on my own back doorstop because I am not sure I would otherwise have the willpower to resist daily indulgence.

After a brief respite in nearby Santa Rosa later that afternoon, It was on to more food on a return visit to Chef Duskie Estes’ Zazu Kitchen + Farm at its snazzy new location in The Barlow, the uniquely fabulous retail space in Sebastopol. A stark contrast to its former farmhouse-style location on dusty country road, the industrial, sleek new Zazu invites a completely different experience albeit with the same farm-to-table fare that made its previous incarnation such a hit. Beginning with Rodeo Jax, a box of black pig bacon caramel popcorn that could become yet another addition, and the ‘pigstrami’ with Johnny’s sauerkraut, the meal ended on a high for me with a heaping serving of the meaty Stemple Beef Chili and Cornbread which offered just the latest example for me of how Chef Duskie can take an everyday favorite and elevate it to a whole new level. Twas a brilliant end to a brilliant day of food and wine in Sonoma.

On Day 17 I head to Petaluma and a night at the casino but before that stop. here’s a look back at the best of Day 16 in pictures.

Packed and ready for Healdsburg

Exterior, Shed Healdsburg

Seasonal Shrubs at Shed, Healdsburg

A colorful start to the Taste of Healdsburg tour at Shed

Shed, Healdsburg

Inside Shed, Healdsburg

Another view inside Shed, Healdsburg

Cartograph wine tasting room, Healdsburg

Arriving at Cartograph Wines Tasting Room, Healdsburg

Welcome to Bravas, Healdsburg

Tapas Anyone?

The Menu at Bravas

The popular patio at bravas

Talking food with Tammy Gass

Champagne Sangria and croquetas at Bravas, Healdsburg

Champagne Sangria at Bravas, Healdsburgs

Instructive signage on the patio at Bravas

Outside Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar, Healdsburg

Daily Menu at Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar, Healdsburg

Shelves at Noble Folk, Healdsburg

Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar, Healdsburg

Getting chatty with Noble Folk co-founder Osvaldo Jimenez

Zazu at The Barlow, Healdsburg

(Scroll over image for details)

(Additional photography by Rob Musick)

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So you’re thinking of getting engaged?

After years of first dates, torrid affairs, one-night stands, false romantic starts and broken hearts, you’ve finally found the guy who makes you want sing at the top of your lungs, drop down on one knee and beg the question, ‘Will you marry me?’. Great. But now the question becomes where to make the big proposal and how.  Few places in the contiguous United States, or, dare I say, the world, deliver romance on as grand a scale as Sonoma County, and even fewer do so with the velvet touch of a luxurious BeautifulPlaces villa in Wine Country.

What could set a more romantic scene for the proposal of a lifetime better than a cozy villa tucked into an 80-acre vineyard estate possessed of a private lake, a gravel beach and its own windmill? Or what about a poolside white pergola set among towering Redwoods in the shadows of a classic Neocolonial home plunked down in a sea of green lawns and more than 250 rosebushes? Better yet, how does a secluded tree house with unobstructed views of densely forested hills and its own private pool strike you as the ideal backdrop to declare your undying devotion to your beloved? All of these experiences and more are on tap at Sonoma’s BeautifulPlaces, an award-winning luxury villa resource based in Sonoma, CA.

Not only can BeautifulPlaces provide the perfect engagement setting, they can also sprinkle it with fairy dust. Through flourishes ranging from gestures as dramatic as arranging private chefs to prepare romantic candlelit dinners, organizing musicians for intimate serenades or scheduling private in-villa massages to more practical items as simple as stocking your rented villa with all the fixings you’ll need to prepare your guy’s favorite meal, having your favorite Champagne chilling upon arrival or making a reservation pour deux at one of Sonoma’s many charming and notable restaurants, BeautifulPlaces is more than well-versed in the art of turning the already extraordinary into the spectacular. That said, while BeautifulPlaces offers an array of almost turnkey options for making the perfect proposition, Sonoma County itself offers even more.

“There are almost as many romantic spots in Sonoma County as there are couples who visit,” explains Suzy Montes, sales and services manager at Sonoma County Tourism, who handles wedding requests. “Some areas, though, are undeniably perfect for a proposal.”

Among those “perfect” places, locals like concierge Ramon Meraz most highly recommend settings that highlight the natural splendor of Sonoma as the ideal backdrop for a dream proposal. “For about a decade I have found several special spots in Sonoma County that are beautiful…but none has had the response that Rivers End has had,” says Meraz of the popular local restaurant perched on a bluff overlooking the Russian River. “The spot there is like no other on earth when it comes to witnessing a glorious Northern California sunset (www.Ilovesunsets.com).”

Likewise, Charles Kimball, the founder/owner of GayCaliforniaWeddings.net, also suggests turning to nature for a hand in popping the question in Sonoma. “Take the windy three mile drive up to the top of Armstrong Woods State to Bull Frog Pond,” he recommends. “[At] 1,200 feet above the towering redwoods…the views to the great Pacific are amazing.” Alternatively Kimball also suggests making the big ask on the banks of the Russian River with a bottle of Champagne following a leisurely kayaking expedition or stealing away to Goat Rock Beach on the coast for a romantic stroll.

Nature aside, there is no denying the aphrodisiacal qualities of wine of which Sonoma is obviously not in short supply. But it’s not just the wine that can set the right tone for your proposal, its source can also go a long way toward creating a picture-perfect mood.

“The Kunde’s Mountain Top Tasting is one of the best vineyard tours in Sonoma,” offers Mark Vogler, co-founder/owner of Out in the Vineyard, a Sonoma-based experiential Wine Country event and travel company promoting positive LGBT lifestyles. “Visitors are taken out in the vineyard, up to the top of the estate, located at 1,400 feet, for winetasting and spectacular views of Sonoma Valley and beyond. On a clear day, the views extend all the way to the San Francisco Bay to the south and past Santa Rosa, to the Western Hills of Sonoma County to the north. The views are stunning by themselves, but put a glass of wine in hand: Sublime.”

Out in the Vineyard co-founder/owner, Gary Saperstein, concurs with his business partner about the romance of wineries but offers some additional ideas. “Two of my favorite wineries in which to share that most romantic moment are Hanzell Vineyards and Paradise Ridge,” says Saperstein.  “Hanzell Vineyards is located in the Mayacamas Mountain Range and has one of the most spectacular settings in Wine Country…[while]… Paradise Ridge Winery located on a 150-acre estate in the hills of Santa Rosa offers some spectacular views to enjoy while sipping some delectable wines.”

In short, no matter what your romantic fantasy, Sonoma delivers the perfect romantic storm. With its world-class wines, natural assets, memorable sunsets, stunning vistas, jaw-dropping accommodations, and cozy restaurants – what’s not to love? Say ‘yes’ to Sonoma and I’m pretty sure he’ll say ‘yes’ to you.

For a chance to win a  3-day/night stay in Sonoma in your very own luxury villa—complete with wine tastings, romantic meals, hot air balloon ride and more – enter the Instinct Magazine and Beautiful Places ‘Pop The Question” Contest. For more details, click here.

http://instinctmagazine.com/post/romance-sonoma-perfect-proposition

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Did someone say ‘weekend shopping expedition’?  Because if so, there is a new mecca in Sonoma County that is just screaming for your credit cards to make a holy pilgrimage.

Sonoma County has never been a stranger to reinvention and there is perhaps no better recent example of that fact than last month’s reopening of the former Barlow Apple Cannery on November 2. Though it languished empty and unused for more years than residents of Sebastopol would like to recount, the former fruit factory has been sleekly reborn as The Barlow, a modern retail gateway celebrating the very best of Sonoma.

The massive 222,000 square-foot artisan marketplace and production facility sprawled over 12.5 acres houses local wines, foods, arts, crafts and other locally made products presented in an environment imbued with the distinctively rustic elegance that is Sonoma’s stock-in-trade.

Perched in the heart of downtown Sebastopol The Barlow’s tenants include: Kosta Browne Winery, Guayaki Yerba Mate, Wind Gap Wines, Community Market, Taylor Maid Farms, Spirit Works Distillery, Wolfard Glassblowing, Bronze Plus Art Foundry, Move 2 Change Studio, Woodfour Brewing Company, Village Bakery, Zazu, Hanses Fine Art, Soap Caldron, Circle of Hands, Warped Brewing Company, Gypsy Bay Laurel, Reframe Hair Gallery, MacPhail Family Wines, Tibetan Gallery & Studio, Farmer’s Exchange of Earthly Delights, Ben Kinmont Bookseller, La Follette Wines, Tamarind, Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery, SubZero Ice Cream and Yogurt, and the Juicery.

The Barlow also features a bocce court, restaurants, and fire pits, all of which fulfills the promise of a new destination in which the community and visitors can conduct business, share food and enjoy art, wine and time together.

Sounds pretty idyllic does it not? And just think…it’s the best of Sonoma all under one roof.  How’s that for a new must-visit destination? Is your credit card finger itching yet?

Find out more about The Barlow at www.thebarlow.net.

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More than two decades ago, John Lasseter, the movie mogul behind Pixar, and his formidable wife Nancy, moved to Sonoma County and in short order found themselves enthralled with the art of winemaking…as one does. After a brief stint as amateurs, the Lasseters took the leap and went full bore into the wine business in 2002 with the purchase of a historic Sonoma winery that is today the site of the very state-of-the-art Lasseter Family Winery.

The Lasseters’ penchant for all things French is evident in the wines that have become their signature. Crafted in Old World-style, using Bordeaux and Rhône varietals to create unique blends that are distinctly their own, Lasseter’s offerings include the 2011 Enjoué Rosé Blend, which recalls warm summer days in Provence, the ‘beloved’ 2010 Amoreux Malbec Red Blend, and the celebrated 2010 Chemin De Fer Rhone Style Blend, a singular wine that blends Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes.

That said, though their wines may nod heavily in the direction of France, the winery itself finds its sense of place in its surroundings on a picturesque 95-acre ranch in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. Refreshingly modern and exceptionally inviting, Lasseter Family Winery is pure Northern California chic seamlessly blending into the landscape of Sonoma while simultaneously standing out as one of its most dazzling new stars. It’s quite an accomplishment for a new kid on a block full of heavyweights, but this is no ordinary new kid…this is one to watch.

At the moment, Lasseter only offers tastings by appointment at a cost of $25 per person, but it is $25 well spent, if not for the beautiful way in which the wines are paired with a selection of local cheeses and other fare, then for the fact that one suspects that it won’t be long before the demand for these tastings will soon make them one of the hottest tickets in Sonoma County. After all when the buzz matches the quality of the product, the only way is up n’est ce pas?

To preview a visit to Lasseter Family Winery, go behind-the-scenes of their 2011 opening with the video below:

Find out more about Lasseter Winery at www.lasseterfamilywinery.com. To join a Lasseter Family Winery Winemaker Dinner on Novembe3 13, 2013 click here.

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The wickedly eclectic menu at Plan B is anything but random. In fact, finds its inspiration can be found in the division of cattle that was the order of the day in ancient Rome. While the nobles ate the choicer cuts from the cow, the proletariat could afford only what remained, inner organs, hooves, heads, tails, glands, brains, sweetbreads, even testicles and that was called the fifth quarter; hence the “fifth,” meaning useless or worthless, as in “the economy’s fifth wheel.”  In a story that history has dictated over and over again with the passage time, it wasn’t long before the “inferior” cooking of the people became renowned citywide and evolved into dishes for connoisseurs. Once considered meat of poor quality, these cuts are now considered delicacies that restaurants and their patrons eagerly enjoy. Et voila Plan B is born.

When I arrived at the eatery, I discovered a dimly lit restaurant brimming with eccentric touches that combined to create a surreal atmosphere that was more than the queerily quirky equal of Plan B’s “creatively twisted” menu.  Custom-made tables rested on concrete floors as 20-foot ceilings with skylights soared above and Gaudi-inspired iron window panels added to the sense of whimsy in the space. Jutting out into the center of the room is a bar created out of lava rock from which a menu of hand-crafted cocktails and an impressive selection of sherries, vermouths, Port, Spanish and French wines and craft beers from Spain and Corsica are poured. It is at once a thoroughly downtown setting that is equally evocative of urban Bilbao or a Barcelona streetscape.

With our wine ordered, our adventure into Plan B’s wild world of Northern Spanish Tapas began with Marinated Olives and Shrimp Heads sautéed with spicy chilis. While the olives recalled the brininess of the Mediterranean, the Shrimp Heads delivered a delightfully spicy punch to the start of the meal that helped me finally understand why my family down South has always preached the flavorful value of the delicacy. Dunking bread into the rich shrimp  broth was an added bonus.

Next up was a hearty portion of airy Rabbit Meatballs in a demiglace topped with grated Manchego cheese and a serving of perfect pillows of brioche stuffed with roast pork, Serrano ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and lemon aioli otherwise known as the Pork and Serrano sandwiches.

Artfully presented Duck Neck on Tostadas and Paella Shooters of mussels, shrimp, clam, chorizo, white wine and shellfish broth followed.  As did Squid Ink Paella filled with scallops, sepia, shrimp, fish stock, wine and garlic that recalled the best I ever sampled in Spain and the Quail which was perfectly balanced with a Pomagrante molasses laquer and frisee.

Since they were out of the Python Sausage on that night, I opted to try the Bull Testicles which are simply marinated and seared and served sauteed watercress. The description might deflate the squeamish but the flavor defies the expectation sort of like Plan B. No this ain’t your run of the mill of tapas joint…it’s so much better. Bring your imagination and your appetite and prepare to be wowed on every level.

Plan B: Creatively Twisted Tapas is located at 244 Mulberry Street Nolita, New York City. For reservations call: +1 212.775.0111. For more information visit www.planbtapas.com.

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One of the best times to experience everything that this stunning slice of Northern California has to offer takes place at an annual event that is simply and honestly called “Savor Sonoma Valley”.  Here are some of my favorite snaps from one of my favorite wine-soaked weekends of the year:

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I just touched down back in Los Angeles early last week after a whirlwind weekend in Colorado, where I attended the third installment of the Beaver Creek Food and Wine event, which annually draws scores of food and wine aficionados from around the country, along with a more than a fair amount of celebrity chefs.

Shortly after checking in at the Park Hyatt, I made a quick change and then took a dash around the property and the heated sidewalks of Beaver Creek, where I was greeted by live entertainment in the lobby (Antler Hall, as it is called), warm chocolate chip cookies and the aroma of S’mores being freshly made with Lindt chocolate and marshmallows of all varieties. (In fact, I saw a lavender-flavored marshmallow that looked rather intriguing.) I also noted the Veuve Clicquot tent at the bottom of the mountain as well. But, as delightful as it seemed outside, I decided that I would rather enjoy my champers inside in the warmth of the Hyatt’s 8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill with a colleague. One glass of Veuve Clicquot Rosé down and it was time to be off to the weekend’s kick-off event, a Meet the Chefs Reception at the Black Diamond Bistro in the Charter Hotel.

More Veuve followed at the reception as guests sampled a variety of Colorado hors d’oeuvres prepared by Beaver Creek’s host chefs. Topping my list of favorites was a deliciously hearty lamb stew (very Colorado), Hot Smoked Char, Foie Gras-Stuffed Twinkies, Colorado Striped Bass Carpaccio and Buffalo Tartar in Wonton Cups. As the nibbles wafted out of the kitchen on trays attached to waiters all dressed in black and wine from a battalion of winemaker sponsor, I had a chance to have a quick chat with Top Chef Season 2 finalist Chef Sam Talbot and Chef Alex Seidel, one of Food and Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2010.

In between chatter about farms and such, I learned that Talbot is opening a new restaurant in Montauk soon. No name yet for Talbot’s latest venture, but expect it to be a small and intimate eatery where the food will be the star and the scene much more mellow than his previous endeavors at Imperial No. 9 at the Mondrian in NYC and Surf Lodge, which was also located in Montauk. As for Seidel, his Fruition restaurant continues to be a major hit in Denver, as does his 10-acre farm, which supplies not just his own restaurants but dozens of others in Colorado. A big ‘hoorah’ for the farm-to-table movement.

On day two, as Food and Wine‘s Gail Simmons hosted a cooking demonstration, I hit the slopes for a ski lesson, which is terribly convenient at Beaver Creek, because the slopes and gondolas are literally at the doorstep of the Park Hyatt. Hours later, I popped into the cozy Golden Eagle Inn Restaurant in the Village for a steaming bowl of Elk Chili before heading off to the Aprés Ski Beer and Burgers event where Top Chef Season 4 contestant and GoodStuffEaterymastermind Spike Mendelsohn, along with his crew, turned out a Wild Boar Burger that explained with each flavorful bite why the Obamas are such a fan of his Washington, D.C., burger joint.

Right next door, Ft. Worth’s Chef Tim Love of the Love Shack left tongues wagging with his skirt burger topped with lamb bacon and dressed with roasted red pepper hollandaise. Meanwhile, Stella Artois, Hooegaarden and Leffe were on tap to wash down the burgers, a band played and the chefs mingled. A lovely casual afternoon was enjoyed by all.

Later that evening, there was a fundraising dinner for the Bright Future Foundation at Splendido Restaurant, where Chefs Sam Talbot and David Walford took the reins in the kitchen as the winemakers behind Layer Cake and Cherry Pie poured the wines. While Walford delivered a Parsley Root Soup with just-smoked trout, guanciale, leeks and fried bread that started the meal off on a high note, Chef Sam Talbot brought the whole menu home with a rich pairing of Braised Clams and an 18-hour Pork Shoulder, served with white beans, white sesame and pink grapefruit caviar. It was spectacular, as were the wines paired with each course. I sat with the winemakers that night and was blown away by their product. Word to the wise—If you haven’t tried the Hundred Acre 2007 “Ancient Way” Shiraz or the If You See Kay 2010 Rosso, then you’re in for a real treat. I would categorize both as “highly recommended.” You read it here, maybe not first but most certainly with emphasis.
On the final full day of Food & Wine weekend, I attended a “Ski.Eat.Ski.” luncheon with the amiable John Besh, a James Beard award-winning chef who was named one of Food and Wine magazine’s top new chefs early on his career and whose flagship restaurant August was featured on the late great Gourmet magazine’s “Guide to America’s Best Restaurants” and “America’s Top 50 Restaurants.”  As Besh meandered around from table to table talking and laughing with guests at the luncheon, a silky Cauliflower and Lobster Bisque with shaved white truffle was served as the first course. That course was followed by a Chestnut Cavatelli with a ragout of elk shoulder and wild mushrooms that had just the right kind of warmth and robustness that a day of skiing requires. The meal closed with a Warm Gateau Basque that cemented Chef Besh’s reputation as one of the most visionary chefs working in the Southeast and indeed in America.

Later that evening, after a quick steam and soak at the Park Hyatt’s massive, 30,000-square-footAllegria Spa, it was time for the premiere event of the weekend—The Grand Tasting, where all of the chefs put out brilliant bites for the capacity crowd as a live band played jazz and R&B classics. Again, Chef Tim Love was a standout with a layered Smoked Lamb Posole Stew possessed of that rare quality that makes each bite better than the last. Another standout was Chef Daniel Joly of Mirabelle Restaurant with a cheesy, gooey Lamb Bacon Tarte “Sifflette” that was just perfectly decadent. Ditto for Chef Alex Seidel with a tender Braised Short Rib and Chef David Gutowski of Grouse Mountain Grille, who prepared a deconstructed Bologna Sandwich with housemade bologna, rye bread and ramp slaw that added more depth than you can imagine to a familiar favorite. Alongside the bites, Beluga Vodka, Capture Wines, Schweiger Vineyards, Veuve Clicquot and The Hess Collection poured as the band played on and on into the night.

On the final day of the weekend—”Sunday Funday” as it was called—the celebrity chefs and Beaver Creek favorites competed in a downhill ski race to raise money for their favorite charities. Four spots were allotted to each chef’s team, and each was auctioned off to the highest bidder. Following the race, the winner was announced at a Champagne Brunch at Beaver Creek Chophouse, where good-byes were said over bottomless mimosas, omelets stuffed with prime rib and cheese, steak and egg wraps, pancakes fruit, pastries and all sorts of other delicious breakfast treats. It was a fitting end to a weekend that had lived up to its purpose of showcasing Beaver Creek as a true food and wine destination. Bravo, Food and Wine. Bravo Beaver Creek!

For more information about Beaver Creek, go to beavercreek.com.

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Pulling into the driveway of the Hotel del Coronado (more familiarly known simply as “The Del”), I was at first torn. As a swarm of tourists set upon the busy entrance to the legendary property, intermingling with a veritable army of valets darting hither and thither as the hotel’s trademark red turrets loomed above, my immediate reaction was that I had arrived at something more akin to the Magic Castle at Disney World than to the award-winning hotel frequented by presidents, starlets and royalty I had been predisposed to fall in love with. Oh, yes, I had done my research. I had heard about and seen The Del for years, but I had never found the right chance to visit. Still, sight unseen, I already knew that there was nothing quite ordinary about The Del. In fact, I had already categorized it as downright iconic.

For more than a century (120 years to be exact), The Del has been one of Southern California’s buzziest destinations. It has played host to 11 presidents—starting with Benjamin Harrison in 1891—entertained Hollywood’s biggest names—ranging from Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin to Brad Pitt and Madonna—rolled out the red carpet for royals like King Edward VIII (pre-abdication) and provided the backdrop for Tinseltown classics like Some Like It Hot, among others. So, understandably, with that kind of history, hopes for my stay at The Del were high to say the least. And, to be honest, at first blush, I wasn’t exactly sure those hopes were justified. That feeling of uncertainty, however, lasted all of a whopping 10 minutes.

Once past the fray in the lobby of the hotel and checked into my oceanfront room in the Victorian builiding, I glimpsed the magic of The Del. I quickly realized that my initial reaction had not really been that off at all. The Del is indeed like a Magic Castle, but unlike the one at Disney, it is the real deal—a place charmed by the ages and blessed to be surrounded by pure, awe-inspiring natural beauty. The spacious, comfortably appointed King Room had a full balcony that ran the expanse of the entire room, serving up a bird’s eye view of not only the extensive grounds that make up The Del but also of the magnificent sunsets that have become part and parcel of the Coronado experience.

Sitting on that balcony, lounging in the sun as the cool ocean breeze enveloped us, was intoxicating to be sure, but the call of the beach itself was too strong to resist. However, the urge wasn’t so strong that it prevented us from stopping off at the Eno Wine Bar to sample its international selection of cheeses and chocolates along with a few glasses of Puligny-Montrachet before sunset.

Eno is a real treat. Sophisticated but relaxed, the Eno Wine Bar makes the wine-tasting experience suitably casual for its seaside location. I dare say it’s practically Mediterranean in feel. The selection of wines, cheese and chocolates is quite considerable, and the servers are well-versed in the varying characteristics of the menu selections. Best of all, throughout the week, Eno Wine Bar offers a number of opportunities for the everyday oenophile to get better acquainted with wine and cheese that won’t break the bank. There’s “Tasting Tuesday,” where guests get to sample 10 wines for $12, “Say Cheese Wednesday,” where cheese flights are offered at half-price, “1/2 Off Thursday,” where bottles of wine are offered at half their normal price and “$5 Friday,” where you can enjoy a glass of wine for $5. Think of it as a more upscale happy hour. Now how bad can that be?

Sated with wine and cheese, we ambled down to the beach to get a closer look at the intricate sandcastles that had been built during the day and to take in the sunset before ending the night with dinner at The Del’s signature beachfront restaurant, 1500 Ocean. Perhaps the most formal of the property’s restaurants, 1500 Ocean delivers a rotating farm-to-table menu inspired by the sea. Halibut Fritters, Pacific Oysters and the Hiramaso Crudo Duo make great starters, while the Wild Striped Bass, Local Golden Grouper and the Braised Lamb Shank make for great mains.

During our meal, fireworks were shot off in the courtyard outside of the restaurant. It seems there was a mini-convention in-house on that evening, the organizers of which had ordered the sky above The Del lit up for the evening. No matter the reason or who was responsible for it, as we stood there, wine in hand, staring at the fireworks lighting up the starlit sky while the waves lapped up on the nearby shore, I was more convinced than ever that this was a magical place—The Del … Coronado, that is.

Until next time, cheers!

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He has likewise bottled magic in the form of the more than 40 wines produced at his state-of-the-art winemaking facility in Sonoma County.So is it a shocker that a visit to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in the heart of the Alexander Valley is a little … well … magical? Hardly.

A far cry in many ways from the smaller, more intimate wineries for which Sonoma County is known, the Francis Ford Coppola winery is a more sprawling, splashy affair. I dare say there is something almost Hollywood-esque in the majesty of the winery’s impressive entrance and perfectly manicured acres of vineyards (all of which are sustainably farmed for the record). That said, despite its size, the character of Coppola is very much in keeping with the more organic, unpretentious spirit of Sonoma Wine Country.

A veritable stable of friendly greeters welcome guests to the estate and direct to them to the experiences that best suit their interests.

Want a tasting? Pop over to the Tasting Room and choose a sampling of Coppola’s best.

Want a tour? Call ahead and make a reservation and experience that state-of-the-art winemaking facility I referenced above.

A fan of Coppola’s body of work? Visit the movie gallery and see a collection of Coppola’s awards and memorabilia from some of his most famous movies.

Want a relaxing day by the pool in a park-like setting? Book a cabine at Coppola’s pool and sunbathing terrace and while away a fabulous afternoon in wine country – sampling great wines and noshing on nibbles from the Pool Café.

This latter experience is something that particularly sets the Francis Ford Coppola Winery apart from the rest. With two massive swimming pools surrounded by chaise lounge chairs and 28 European-style personal changing rooms (referred to as cabines), each equipped with a private shower and available to rent for the day, the pool and sunbathing terrace give Coppola the easy feeling of a resort.

And it is that feeling that inspires visitors to linger at the property. You see, Coppola is more than just a place to taste wine, it is a full-bodied getaway inspired by wine. Sip, dip, nosh, tour and sip again … how fabulous is that?

Equally perfect for gay families or a gay gaggle of friends celebrating a special occasion, the pool and terrace at Coppola is – in a word – winning!

Better still, it’s a bargain, particularly for a group. A 2012 Cabine Package costs just $125 and includes: Four pool passes, up to four lounge chairs, use of four towels, two wine tasting flights plus two “surprise” tastes of exclusive wines, and two souvenir water bottles. (And sometimes there are specials … just FYI).

Then, if a day of lolling about and sipping wine in the sun isn’t enough fabulous for you and you want to keep the fun going well into the evening, cap the day with dinner under the stars at Rustic, the winery’s full-service restaurant, where Francis Ford Coppola shares his personal pantheon of recipes which emphasize family-style cooking and fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the property’s organic herb and produce garden.

Sounds like a perfect day in the Alexander Valley does it not?

Find out more about Francis Ford Coppola Winery at FrancisFordCoppolaWinery.com.

Note: Every Sunday through Oct. 14, experience the 2012 harvest with the special Italian Harvest Tour. Begin the day with a rustic breakfast overlooking Alexander Valley. Afterwards, you’ll pick grapes as the morning mist rises over the vineyard for brix sampling, test barrel and tank samples, punch down grapes in open-top fermentors, and sample fermenting juice. Complete your day with winemaker Q&A and an exclusive, five-course family-style lunch. Cost is $199 per person and reservations are required.

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