Our second day in Sonoma started very early – East Coast time early. So we went running. We covered about 4 miles all around the town. The houses in Sonoma are just stunning. Cute, perfectly manicured cottages! I want to retire there!
After showers, we made a fancy breakfast to fuel us through the day. Eggs, toast, fruit, coffee and OJ.
Our first stop of the day was to Sonoma Cheese Factory where we picked up picnic supplies.
And then we traveled to Santa Rosa for another treat for Matt!
He lives and breathes Russian River Brewing.
This was quite the tasting – shared 3 ways!
He left with a few goodies that we shipped home.
We then meandered up to Chalk Hill Vineyard – which ended up being one of my favorites of the whole trip.
The views were spectacular and the wines were so complex. Layer upon layer of tasting secrets.
Right across the street was Roth, another of the Foley Family wineries where we enjoyed a free tasting.
We bought a bottle of their Red Heritage blend – but they were all good!
The best part was the staff was so accommodating. We were able to taste outside at a table while we enjoyed our picnic and were given a cutting board, plate and extra knife.
#eatallthecheese
They boys got lucky with a corn hole set as well!
We continued our trip up to the Alexander Valley and went back to one of our favorites from our honeymoon – Tretadue!
Our final winery of the day was Lambert Bridge, a new find in Dry Creek.
The grounds here were gorgeous – a great spot for a picnic or proposal!
We had some time to kill before dinner, so we walked all around the Healdsburg Square. Always in search of dessert, we couldn’t help but pick out treats from Moustache and Noble Fork to have after dinner!
We popped in to say hi to La Crema – smooooooth!
And then stumbled upon Shed.
What a COOL SPOT!
Part bar, part coffee house, part café, part gourmet food, part housewares, part garden shop.
And finally, dinner took us to Chalkboard.
Matt and I shed a tear when we heard that Cyrus had closed, but Chalkboard was pretty darn delicious!
As the DD for the evening I ordered a mocktail. I asked our server for something lemony and she brought an herby lemonade drink. I didn’t miss the alcohol!
The small plate courses that followed were outstanding. We enjoyed everything and loved the pace of the evening.
A tuna special –
The pork belly biscuits with maple glaze and chipotle mayo – loved these!!
Enjoyed with the Dungeness crab tater tots
We had two veggie dishes – a grilled chipotle corn and grilled padron peppers. Both served with awesome fresh cheeses.
Next up was a pasta dish – smoked paprika strozzapreti with pork shoulder “carnitas”
And this squid ink gigli pasta with crab and black truffle was to die for!
This fried quail was one of my favorite quail dishes I’ve ever had.
And finally, we ended with the three beef sliders served with beef short ribs, bacon aioli and blue cheese. Omg – incredible!
If it looked like a lot of food, IT WAS! But keep in mind we shared everything as well.
We had a long, winding drive home that was not very pleasant, but an hour later we were back in Sonoma and eating our cupcake and pie.
And that’s when my camera lens fell apart in my hands. I seriously have no idea what happened, but I think this is a lesson that I really need to be using a real camera bag and not just my purse. This was totally sad and inconvenient, but thankfully I was able to take the remaining trip photos on my phone.
But FYI, that chocolate hazelnut pie was out of this world!
To be continued!
Katie says
Bummer about the camera! I can’t remember the camera bag that Pioneer Woman always gives away, but that might be a good fit. Its cute but can be used many ways!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Love the baguette ripping picture! Reminds me of my weekly shifts at Panera!
Simple Green Moms says
This looks like such a beautiful trip! Would love to visit and taste test ALL of the above =)
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I’m sorry, I kind of blacked out after the phrase “crab tater tots.”
YUM!
Maureen says
It all sounds so good! Love the photos you captured of this fun trip!
Amanda says
I just made the Pilgramage to Russian River while visiting San Francisco. We brought back some Pliny as well! What a fun place. We also had that sampler (split between two people) and the food was pretty good too. Looks like you had a fantastic trip and I’ve really enjoyed the recaps.
Hope says
That striped dress is perfect for you! So cute.
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
What a great little getaway…I’m jealous! I don’t get a chance to travel as often as I would like within North America…although I am VERY lucky that I spend my summers in Italy!
Rachel says
Lagunitas AND Russian River?! So jealous! Looks like a great trip.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Oh my lord that food looks heavenly!!! Dying to try pork belly!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
That vineyard looks amazing! I definitely would have preferred that over the brewery, although I bet tasting all those different beers and comparing them was pretty interesting.
Kristin says
Ahhhh, we love Pliny the Elder! My husband just came back from a work trip in Oakland and he did a side trip to pick up some beers for us. He brought back a delicious Sour called Temptation. Did you guys try that one? So good! Would love to do this trip someday when our babies are older and we can leave them behind. One question for you, would you reccomend hiring a driver, or did you guys just designate a DD between the 4 of you to drive after your tastings?
KathEats says
Yes to a driver! See tomorrow’s post 🙂
Matt says
I actually only bought one bottle of Pliny – the rest of the case was full of the belgians, sours, etc. My favorite of their beers is Supplication and Damnation. Pliny is a great DIPA and there was a time when it was so revolutionary, but now there are so many breweries making great DIPAs that Pliny’s mystique is a little reduced.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Another awesome day in the wine country!! RRBC makes me sad, because every single time I’ve tried to go there they are ridiculously packed. I’ve gone in at 11:30 for lunch and they will tell me over an hour wait. I do love their beer, but I can’t stand their pub. It’s ridiculous that locals have such a hard time getting in. I’ve officially stopped going there. There is one restaurant in Kenwood called Cafe Citi that has their beer on tap, so I try to get it there.
I’ve been to most of the places you went to in this post except for Tretadue and Lambert Bridge. They look gorgeous!
Leah (goodnight cheese) says
Looks so fun! Surprised though, that you didn’t want your first trip away after baby to be just the two of you.
KathEats says
Why would that matter? We did one night away to Alexandria in June!
Leah (goodnight cheese) says
Definitely do what makes you happy! I guess I was just thinking that if it was me taking my first real trip since having a baby, I’d want to be alone with my husband since we probably don’t get much of that, if any, at home.
Seriously beautiful scenery, btw. Can’t even tell if it’s a proper camera or a smart phone!
Jeanette says
Hu? This is a strange comment.
Emily says
I can’t get over these wine country posts! Such beautiful photos. The food/wine couldn’t be more mouthwatering! You’ve inspired me to make a similar trip as soon as possible 🙂
Alex @ True Femme says
I love the name “Pliny the Elder” 🙂 It’s all those years I spent studying Latin! Your picnic food reminds me of this breakfast I had one summer in France–the program I was studying in invited us to this provencal festival on the 4th of July and for breakfast (at 8 am) they set us down at these huge tables and served us wine, fresh baguettes, bowls of olives, chunks of brie, and sausages (which I traded for more cheese since I don’t eat meat). It was the European version of a breakfast of champions 😉
Britlyn says
Pliny the Elder is the best beer!
laura says
Will you share where you found that super cute gray striped dress? My husband and I are planning at 10th anniversary trip… I think you’ve sold us on Sonoma!
KathEats says
It’s a Stitch Fix score!
Emily @ Life on Food says
You need a good, BIG meal after all of the tastings. Sounds like a fabulous day to me!
Cheryl says
Love the photo of you and Laura! I think it’s great that the 4 of you got to spend some time together
Sarah says
We are fortunate to live just 15 minutes from Sonoma, and a short trip north to Healdsburg. We LOVE the Shed and go there about once a month! Glad you guys found some great spots. I hope you are doing some of the Sonoma wineries and have a chance to try our favorites….Ram’s Gate, and Schug. We are members at both so we are up there almost every weekend! Let me know if you need any recommendations, but it looks like you guys have covered some great spots!
Amy says
Did anyone else notice that Kath’s sister has different shoes on in the dessert shop photo vs. the dinner photo (looks like the same outfit otherwise)? Was she carrying a spare pair in her purse all day? 🙂 Regardless, cute shoes on both accounts!
KathEats says
Ha that’s some attention to detail! Shoes were in the trunk of our car!
Anonymous says
I’m a girl that always notices the shoes! 🙂
Katie says
Lovely photos! I love Sonoma, but since it’s near my neck of the woods, I’d be just as excited to check out Charlottesville! I think that part of the country is so beautiful 🙂
Have you checked out Peak Design? They make great camera clips, straps, etc. I heard about them on Kickstarter. Might be helpful since you carry yours around so much!
KathEats says
Cool I havent!
Michelle says
I’m not brave enough to leave my lil tater tot yet but I <3 Sonoma so much you might have just given me the courage!
Kelly says
Your sister is pregnant, right?:)) I will wait for tomorrows post, ha!
KathEats says
Nope! She’s definitely not.
Kelly says
aww…well, you two are so pretty!
Jules says
Your sister doesn’t look pregnant to me at all! You both look like Barbie dolls, but not creepy. ????
Candice says
I thought the same thing as well, but not because of looks. It seemed like she wasn’t drinking 🙂
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
That food! Looks like a delicious day 🙂
Jeanie says
Beautiful country in spite of California’s drought. The food looks fabulous!
Liz says
The trip looks amazing!! I wondered about your sister being pregnant as well, ha! 🙂 How did you guys decide who was DD? Just take turns?
KathEats says
We each picked a shift based on personal request. For example, Matt wanted to drink at the breweries and I wanted to drink in the Russian River and Dry Creek but didn’t care about the breweries. We all got to partake on driver day (which you’ll see tomorrow)
Sam says
Have you ever looked into getting a camera sleeve? I got one a few months ago and it has been great. Your camera is protected and you can still put it in your regular bag.
KathEats says
That would be a good solution. I have 3 different camera bags, but when I want to use a real purse I always end up tossing it in. Thanks!
ali says
I always kind of wonder what it is like to feel like you have to drag your big DSLR with you everywhere for your blog. I would get so sick of trying to take a picture of everything (and I have previously worked as a photographer and still love photography). Do you ever just want to say, “I need a day without taking a picture of everything for the blog”? I think I would end up feeling like I lived my life behind a lens (which is why I left the photography field in the first place). Perhaps you have been doing this long enough that it’s second nature though. BTW, I bought a small camera case that easily lets my DSLR drop into – screen down (I place a lens cloth down juuuuust in case there is dirt or something on the padding) and lens up. It’s super compact and has a few pockets on the side for extra batteries and memory cards. I can fit my point and shoot in the front pocket if I really try as well. It’s really worth it to protect your camera!
KathEats says
I truly love taking pictures but do dislike lugging around a big camera so that’s how better cell phone cameras have saved my life. At home I just use that while I’m oUT now but for vacations and events I think it’s worth it to lug the quality camera. The photos just have so much more depth.
Sam says
This is the one I have and I have been happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037TENMC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sarah says
I am seriously living vicariously through your posts!! Wine Country is my happy place. I have a 6 week old and a 21 month old, so I won’t be heading there for a while, but thanks to your blog I have taken two mental trips there in the last 24 hours 🙂 Your photos are beautiful. Can’t wait for post 3!
Tammy says
Kath…looks like you are having a great trip! You gotta do me one favor though. Could you see if you can find a name/tag on those dining room chairs in your first picture? I love them!!!
KathEats says
I’m back at home!
Sandra says
Looks like a wonderful trip and you all look so happy. No wonder though with all that amazing wine/beer/food/scenery.
Aine @ AwksIrishGirl says
I can’t believe there’s going to be more!
Looks like an amazing trip, not least because of all the wine! 😉
Alissa says
Your photos are gorgeous as always…I’ve gotta visit Sonoma! I love your striped dress, btw!
Tina says
I grew up in Santa Rosa, got married in Sonoma and the pictures of your trip are amazing! I live on the East Coast now and seriously appreciate the beauty of Sonoma County and wine country SO much more now than when I lived there. I’ve been to many of the restaurants and wineries in your post. So fun to follow along thinking “I know exactly where she is!”. I just have to say, all of your dresses are SO cute. Stitch Fix knows your style! Great pictures!
Have you been to J Winery in Healdsburg? You might like the food tasting/wine pairing in The Bubble Room for your next visit if you haven’t been there. It’s a fun experience!
Robin says
Was your camera lens the original one that came with the camera? I had the same thing happen to my Canon lens.
KathEats says
No it was my 50mm 1.8.
tara says
I have just recently found your blog. Sorry it has taken me so long! You do a fantastic job of photography and I really want to take a similar trip to Sonoma soon! I will be sure to reference your posts again for the lay of the land. I’m envious you have been more than once! I look forward to reading more of your blog.
KathEats says
Welcome!
Jennie G says
Oh how I miss wine country. Chalk Hill was my favorite too and we made a stop at RRB. My husband didn’t get a case full but we still have a bottle of Salvation from our trip. He put it in the frig this past weekend.