Head NORTH over the Golden Gate Bridge on HIGHWAY 101. At about 70 miles, take the Healdsburg Avenue Exit, then turn LEFT onto the OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY, going back under 101. Within half a mile on your RIGHT, you'll see the rather unassuming sign for Foppiano Vineyards.
 **FOPPIANO VINEYARDS
12707 Old Redwood Highway
(707) 433-7272
The tasting room is rather unassuming, too, but consider it a sign of authenticity. Founded in 1896, Foppiano’s is a genuine California treasure. Especially noted for Petite Sirah. DO NOT MISS the Petite Sirah!!
 RODNEY STRONG VINEYARDS
11455 Old Redwood Highway
(800) 678-4763
Turn RIGHT out of the parking lot, heading SOUTH again on OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY. Rodney Strong is within a mile or 2 on your RIGHT. Estate-grown varietals.
Note the striking, domed Tasting Room/Operation Building, designed by Craig Roland, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The building resembles nothing so much as a hillock set amidst the vinerows. At the highest level is the Tasting Room, surrounded by a walkway/balcony from which to view the winery operations below.
LUNCH PLANS, Healdsburg Plaza. From Foppiano’s (or Rodney Strong’s if you're including it), turn LEFT back onto OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY, heading NORTH. Cross back under 101, pick up HEALDSBURG AVENUE at the juncture and head up to HEALDSBURG PLAZA. Eat lunch at one of the many eateries around the Plaza. Or, if you want to enjoy Armida’s truly delightful picnic area, buy deli sandwiches at the Oakville Grocery, the Plaza Street Café, the Center Street Deli, or elsewhere, ....
Now, head SOUTH on HEALDSBURG AVENUE. Turn RIGHT onto WESTSIDE ROAD, which, as your map will show you, roughly follows the west bank of the Russian River.
 ALDERBROOK WINERY
2306 Magnolia Drive
(707) 433-9154
Immediately after you've crossed under 101, take a LEFT on MAGNOLIA DRIVE. You'll see Alderbrook Winery just ahead on your RIGHT. Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc make up the majority of their production
 **ARMIDA WINERY
2201 Westside Road
(707) 433-2222
Continue on WESTSIDE ROAD. After the bend to the LEFT that gets you heading SOUTH along the Russian River, on WESTSIDE ROAD, look for Armida on your RIGHT(!). Enjoy tastes of Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir in Armida’s geodesic dome Tasting Room. Armida has a lovely picnic area under the oaks. If you've read this through a few days before your trip and would like a no-hassles lunch, call ahead to the amiable John Fisher at Armida (707-433-2222). Discuss your preferences and price range, and John will have the Oakville Grocery deliver your lunch to Armida, free of delivery charges and also no charge by Armida. Bocce Ball players will enjoy taking in a game at Amida’s court after lunch; others will enjoy the spectacular view of the Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.
 Rabbit Ridge
3291 Westside Road
(707) 431-1385
Head SOUTH again on Westside Road; in a little more than a mile, Rabbit Ridge will be on your RIGHT.
Estate and Sonoma County Wines. Exceptional Zinfandels and Italian and Rhone style wines.
BELVEDERE WINERY
4035 Westside Road
(707) 433-8239, ext. 40
Belevedere Specialties are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel.
**HOP KILN WINERY
6050 Westside Road
(707) 433-6491
We’d stop by anyway just to savor the historic tasting room, located in an actual stone Hop Kiln from Sonoma’s hops grower days. The wines themselves are worth your time, too. Seven varietals in all. Special emphasis on Zinfandel.
The Itinerary above consists of personal favorites; we have neither solicited nor received any consideration from any of the listed establishments. We gratefully acknowledge AAA’s California Wine Tours book, the Russian River Wine Road map/brochure, and the photographs above, which are from the individual winery websites, and link directly to their sites.
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