a Day with the Neighbors Delicious day tripping in Sonoma County Soon after relocating to Northern California, I made my first circuitous drive around Napa Valley’s vast neighbor to the west, Sonoma County. The wineries on my route were far-flung and off the main roads. What I found gave the term “wine country” special meaning. Since then I’ve tried to wrap my head around a California county larger than Rhode Island with 450 wineries. Tim Carl, owner of Knight’s Bridge Winery in eastern Sonoma County, offered some perspective on the region while I tasted his Cabernet Sauvignon at a winemaker dinner. “Sonoma reminds me of Tuscany, a big, approachable place with many grape varieties, dairy and produce farms, the ocean, and a great culinary tradition.” When I read that Trip Advisor named Sonoma the top U.S. wine county destination for 2012, I knew it was time to reconnect with the region. I challenged one of Sonoma’s top wine experts to illustrate Sonoma’s gastronomic diversity. Chris Sawyer is sommelier at the Carneros Bistro at The Lodge of Sonoma. Born and raised in the Santa Rosa area, Sawyer knows the nooks and crannies where the best wineries and restaurants reside. We start our tour at Carneros Bistro. A decade before “farm to table” became an everyday term, the Bistro’s menu featured produce from the adjacent kitchen garden. After two years at Carneros Bistro, Chef Andrew Wilson still marvels at his larder. “I put Sonoma into everything I cook, literally, from fruits and vegetables to cheese, meats, and wine.” I order the Sonoma Liberty duck two ways with house-made apricotcherry mostarda. Sawyer pairs the classic dish with MacLaren 2009 Drouthy Neebors Sonoma County Syrah, which he says is an excellent example of cool climate Syrah. 54 www.nAPAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine.com Carneros Bistro mussels and scallops Three Squares Cafe front door at night Photo: Deborah Grossman Chef Mateo Granados Zazu on the River at Davis Family Vineyards Photo: Rebecca Davis by Deborah Grossman o n t h e r o a d
NVLife_NovDec_2013
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