For Steve Berberich, Wine Road fan and frequent visitor, a perfect day begins with a yummy breakfast at Costeaux Bakery in Healdsburg where he is a fan of the great coffee and bakery treats as well as the many options on the menu.
After breakfast Steve’s Perfect Day would involve bubbles! Of course! So he heads off to J Vineyards & Winery for some sparkling wine to kick off a day of wine tasting. Steve enjoys the friendly tasting room at J and the great variety of wines including wonderful Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Once his palette is primed at J, Steve walks across the parking lot to Rodney Strong. “They have everything you can ask for there—tasty Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and magnificent Cabernet and blends. Make sure to try the Gentleman’s Port at the end. It is delectable!” notes Steve.
After hitting his two favorite wineries for tasting, it’s time to refuel with a little lunch, so the next stop is the Dry Creek General Store on Dry Creek Road, to select from the great meats, and cheeses or a freshly made sandwich. From there he heads across the street to Dry Creek Vineyard picnic area surrounded by gorgeous gardens featuring some incredible roses. At Dry Creek Vineyard, Steve grabs a bottle of their chilled Fume Blanc to pair with the picnic goodies and enjoys the splendor of the gardens.
After the picnic, the next stop is Ferrari-Carano where in addition to great wines, they have one of the most beautiful and interesting gardens in Dry Creek Valley.
The final winery stop of the day is Trattore Farms to enjoy some of the most magnificent views of Dry Creek Valley and taste little Dry Creek Olive Oil and some Trattore wine. Steve recommends the “Get Your Boots Dirty” tour. “They take you into the cellar, through the vineyards and through the olive oil processing facility.”
It’s time for dinner and if it’s Tuesday, Steve goes to Rustic, Francis’s Favorites at Coppola Winery. Every Tuesday, they have A Tavola dining. “The staff dress in period costumes and it is like you are in a Francis Ford Coppola film. They each have roles and play them well while bringing you a bit of everything they are creating in the kitchen that night. They offer samples of each dish and it is all you can eat! It’s Great food, great wine and a great experience that you will want to experience over and over again. They even have an accordion player adding to the vibe of the experience.”
