A Midwestern Gal in Sonoma Wine Country

Continuing a year of mini-adventures to celebrate a “certain birthday”, Melanie Morgan Dunajeski joined a law school classmate and two other Hoosier friends for a week of wine experiences in and along the Sonoma Coast areas of California wine country. The group concentrated their attention to the wineries and vineyards of the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley, with one short foray into the Sonoma Valley.

Highlights of the trip included the opportunity to taste more than 70 wines, including a cellar barrel tasting at Frei Ranch, bubbly at the champagne caves of Gloria Ferrar, and tasting the marvelous wines of the Mac Murray Ranch in their vineyard overlooking the Russian River Valley. The group also had an opportunities to add to their store of wine knowledge with private tastings led by Jerry Padilla, Assistant to the Winemaker at Ledson Wineries (thanks Jerry!), and with Jennifer Wall, Winemaker for the popularly priced “Barefoot” wines (look for Jen’s Pinot Grigio Champagne—outstanding!).

Melanie does not claim ANY of the credit for arranging this wonderful outing. “My law school room mate found a great house to rent that was an ideal stepping off place,” she advises. “Other friends and friends of friends –including one traveler who was unable to make the trip due to illness—arranged the tastings and tours.”

Are they inspired to do it again? “Absolutely, but we’ll probably wait a few years, then attack a new area, possibly into some of the Napa Valley regions.”

Fruit ripening on the vine at Frei Ranch, Dry Creek Valley

Al Fresco tasting at MacMurray Ranch, overlooking Russian River