Julia’s guidebook to Cazadero

Julia
Julia’s guidebook to Cazadero

Hikes

Pomo Canyon is an easy to medium hike in neighboring village Duncans Mills. Views of the bay mixed with towering redwoods all blend to make a wonderful hike that reflects California's rich coastline. Can get windy so bring a windbreaker!
Pomo Canyon Campground sits on the alluvial flats above broad Willow Creek canyon in a beautiful redwood grove. The Pomo Canyon Trail begins at the campground and winds across the rolling coastal hills, skirting the north slope of Red Hill. The trail follows an ancient trading route of the Pomo and Miwok people. The path weaves through lush redwood forests, oak woodlands and open grasslands, crossing seasonal streams en route to the ocean at Shell Beach. From the trail are panoramic vistas of the lower Russian River, Willow Creek, the town of Jenner and the serrated coastline. From Highway 1 and Highway 116 (just south of Jenner) cross the south side of the Russian River bridge on Highway 1. Immediately turn left (inland) on Willow Creek Road at mile marker 19.79. Drive 2.6 miles on the narrow road to the Pomo Canyon Campground turnoff. Park near the gated road (but not in front of it). The campground is open from April through November. During that time, drive a half mile up the campground road and park by the kiosk. From Bodega Bay, drive 9 miles north on Highway 1 to Willow Creek Road at mile marker 19.79. The road is just before the Russian River bridge. Turn right (inland) and follow the directions above to the Pomo Canyon Campground. Shuttle car 8901 Hwy 1 • Jenner 38.418837, -123.101977 Leave the shuttle car at the Shell Beach parking lot. The turnoff is located at mile marker 18.22 along Highway 1. The Hike: From Willow Creek Road, walk past the gate and follow the unpaved campground access road. Stroll a half mile through a grassy valley between forested hills to the campground entrance. Head into the campground on the right as the road veers off to the left. Go 15 yards and bear right on the posted Dr. David Joseph Memorial Pomo Canyon Trail. Enter the gorgeous redwood forest and stay to the right, passing two paths on the left and the campsites on each side of the main trail. Climb up the ridge through tanbark oak, bay laurel, Douglas fir, circular stands of redwoods, sword ferns, and trillium. Emerge from the forest to a Y-fork at 0.8 miles, located in a clearing with views of Jenner and the mouth of the Russian River. The left fork leads to the 1,062-foot summit of Red Hill and forms a loop with this trail — an optional return route. Stay to the right towards Shell Beach, and traverse the hill. Cross a bridge over a seasonal creek and curve right, skirting a rock outcrop. Descend through brush to the open, rolling slopes with ocean views. Cross a small stream and reenter a fir and redwood forest. Cross a third stream and gradually descend through the thick brush. Curve left into the gulch, cross the creek, and head down the draw. Ascend the hill to a knoll with a picnic area and vista point on the right. The main trail continues straight, with a view of the serpentine Russian River. Head up another hill on the wide, grassy path to a knoll atop the 500-foot oceanfront ridge and a junction with the west end of the Red Hill Trail. Pass a trail on the right leading to Lookout Hill, then descend the slope, with views of Point Reyes, Bodega Head, Gull Rock, and Goat Rock. Drop down a partially paved utility road to the trailhead gate, across the road from the Shell Beach parking lot. Pomo Canyon Trail Pomo Canyon Campground to Shell Beach Sonoma Coast State Park Hiking distance: 6.6 miles round trip 3.3-mile one-way shuttle to Shell Beach Hiking time: 3.5 hours Configuration: out-and-back Elevation gain: 650 feet Difficulty: moderate Exposure: a mix of forest and open hillsides Maps: USGS Duncan Mills • Sonoma Coast State Beach map To the trailhead Willow Creek Rd. • Jenner 38.430110, -123.070255 Source: “Day Trips Around Sonoma County” by Robert Stone (Dayhike Books, 2016)
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pomo Canyon Trail
Pomo Canyon Trail
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pomo Canyon Campground sits on the alluvial flats above broad Willow Creek canyon in a beautiful redwood grove. The Pomo Canyon Trail begins at the campground and winds across the rolling coastal hills, skirting the north slope of Red Hill. The trail follows an ancient trading route of the Pomo and Miwok people. The path weaves through lush redwood forests, oak woodlands and open grasslands, crossing seasonal streams en route to the ocean at Shell Beach. From the trail are panoramic vistas of the lower Russian River, Willow Creek, the town of Jenner and the serrated coastline. From Highway 1 and Highway 116 (just south of Jenner) cross the south side of the Russian River bridge on Highway 1. Immediately turn left (inland) on Willow Creek Road at mile marker 19.79. Drive 2.6 miles on the narrow road to the Pomo Canyon Campground turnoff. Park near the gated road (but not in front of it). The campground is open from April through November. During that time, drive a half mile up the campground road and park by the kiosk. From Bodega Bay, drive 9 miles north on Highway 1 to Willow Creek Road at mile marker 19.79. The road is just before the Russian River bridge. Turn right (inland) and follow the directions above to the Pomo Canyon Campground. Shuttle car 8901 Hwy 1 • Jenner 38.418837, -123.101977 Leave the shuttle car at the Shell Beach parking lot. The turnoff is located at mile marker 18.22 along Highway 1. The Hike: From Willow Creek Road, walk past the gate and follow the unpaved campground access road. Stroll a half mile through a grassy valley between forested hills to the campground entrance. Head into the campground on the right as the road veers off to the left. Go 15 yards and bear right on the posted Dr. David Joseph Memorial Pomo Canyon Trail. Enter the gorgeous redwood forest and stay to the right, passing two paths on the left and the campsites on each side of the main trail. Climb up the ridge through tanbark oak, bay laurel, Douglas fir, circular stands of redwoods, sword ferns, and trillium. Emerge from the forest to a Y-fork at 0.8 miles, located in a clearing with views of Jenner and the mouth of the Russian River. The left fork leads to the 1,062-foot summit of Red Hill and forms a loop with this trail — an optional return route. Stay to the right towards Shell Beach, and traverse the hill. Cross a bridge over a seasonal creek and curve right, skirting a rock outcrop. Descend through brush to the open, rolling slopes with ocean views. Cross a small stream and reenter a fir and redwood forest. Cross a third stream and gradually descend through the thick brush. Curve left into the gulch, cross the creek, and head down the draw. Ascend the hill to a knoll with a picnic area and vista point on the right. The main trail continues straight, with a view of the serpentine Russian River. Head up another hill on the wide, grassy path to a knoll atop the 500-foot oceanfront ridge and a junction with the west end of the Red Hill Trail. Pass a trail on the right leading to Lookout Hill, then descend the slope, with views of Point Reyes, Bodega Head, Gull Rock, and Goat Rock. Drop down a partially paved utility road to the trailhead gate, across the road from the Shell Beach parking lot. Pomo Canyon Trail Pomo Canyon Campground to Shell Beach Sonoma Coast State Park Hiking distance: 6.6 miles round trip 3.3-mile one-way shuttle to Shell Beach Hiking time: 3.5 hours Configuration: out-and-back Elevation gain: 650 feet Difficulty: moderate Exposure: a mix of forest and open hillsides Maps: USGS Duncan Mills • Sonoma Coast State Beach map To the trailhead Willow Creek Rd. • Jenner 38.430110, -123.070255 Source: “Day Trips Around Sonoma County” by Robert Stone (Dayhike Books, 2016)

Wine tasting tours

Fun scenic driving tours to choose from in Sonoma county If you can, enjoy them during February and March to catch all the bright cheerful colors of Spring!
Dry Creek Valley Wine Tour (Please call ahead to confirm hours of operation) Dry Creek Valley, the land of old-vine zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, Rhone-style reds and grassy sauvignon blancs, has more than 9,000 acres of vineyards. One particular driving route covers all the bases: spring flowers, a leisurely pace and unpretentious wineries. From Highway 101 in northern Healdsburg, exit west onto Dry Creek Road. Take Dry Creek Road northwest to Yoakim Bridge Road, turn left there and then head south on West Dry Creek Road. The loop ends at Westside Road, a couple of miles west of the Healdsburg city limits and with easy access back to Highway 101. The drive is a gold mine of mustard glory, with patches of sweet alyssum, buttercups and poppies adding contrast. The former Timber Crest Farms (4791 Dry Creek Road) is a great first stop, where Amphora, Kokomo, Papapietro Perry and Peterson wineries have their tasting rooms and winemaking facilities. Also on the site is The Pour House, a tasting room featuring the wines of Goldschmidt Vineyards and Optima Winery. At Dry Creek Peach & Produce (2179 Yoakim Bridge), the farmstand is closed until summer, yet the orchard-fruit blossoms and mustard on the property are photo-worthy. From there, turn south onto West Dry Creek Road to Martorana Family Winery (5956 West Dry Creek Road). The certified organically farmed vineyards surround the driveway that leads to the tasting area (for now) outside the cave. Martorana’s wines — among them chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite sirah and zinfandel — come from the estate vineyards, farmed without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Quivira Vineyards (4900 West Dry Creek Road), a few miles south of Martorana on West Dry Creek Road, is of similar farming mind, taking things a step deeper with biodynamic viticultural practices. Winemaker Hugh Chappelle is a master of sauvignon blanc, zinfandel and Rhone-style wines, and the estate vibrates with life: organic vegetable gardens, chickens, a 140-year-old fig tree for preserves and olive trees for the production of oil. Amphora Wines, 707-431-7767, amphorawines.com Kokomo Winery, 707-433-0200, kokomowines.com Martorana Family Winery, 707-433-1909, martoranafamilywinery.com Papapietro Perry Winery, 707-433-0422, papapietro-perry.com Peterson Winery, 707-431-7568, petersonwinery.com Quivira Vineyards, 707-431-8333, quivirawine.com The Pour House, 707-433-0100, thepourhouse707.com Olivet Road, Russian River Valley For a promenade of pinot noir producers, drive no farther than Olivet Road in western Santa Rosa. A dozen wineries are strewn along the road, between Guerneville and River roads. While pinot noir and chardonnay are the primary grape varieties grown, cabernet, syrah and zinfandel also shine, the last of which is made from some of the oldest vines in the county. The contrast of canary-yellow mustard and the dark, knotty vine trunks and limbs is striking. Many of the wineries belong to the Olivet District association, and its website (olivetroad.com) profiles the region, commonly referred to as the Santa Rosa Plains. DeLoach Vineyards: DeLoach produces a dizzying array of wines, from large-volume, attractively priced regional blends of chardonnay and pinot noir to small-lot single-vineyard bottles and even tinier vineyard-block selections. The zinfandels can be exceptional, and don’t miss the sparkling wines made in the Champagne style, with a second fermentation occurring in the bottle. The 20-acre DeLoach estate is farmed using organic and biodynamic practices, including site-specific cover crops, to keep the soils and vines healthy and thriving. Founders Cecil and Christine DeLoach sold the property to Frenchman Jean-Charles Boisset in 2003. Since then, the Burgundy native has combined estate-grown grapes and those purchased from other farmers to create a line of wines that offers something for everyone. 1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-755-3300, deloachvineyards.com Hook & Ladder Vineyard & Winery: The DeLoaches San Francisco firefighter Cecil De Loach and his wife, Christine, purchased the Barbieri Ranch and its vineyards in the Olivet District in 1970. After selling their DeLoach Vineyards to Jean-Charles Boisset in 2003, they moved their winery operations to the Barbieri site (planted in 1905) and named it Hook & Ladder. Their grandson, Jason DeLoach, is the winemaker. A benefit to visiting Hook & Ladder is that Jason produces merlot, cabernet sauvignon and red blends from the family’s Chalk Hill vineyard, Los Amigos. In the tasting room, they join pinot noir, old-vine zinfandel and chardonnay as options to try and buy. The firefighting theme (Cecil DeLoach was a San Francisco firefighter) is particularly poignant, honoring those who have battled wildfires in recent years. 2134 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-526-2255, hookandladderwinery.com Pellegrini-Olivet Lane: Alexia Pellegrini is the fourth generation of her family to manage this vineyard and winery. Its Olivet Lane Chardonnay has been, for years, one of the finest from Sonoma, and the grapes also are sold to such producers as Gary Farrell Winery & Vineyards and Ramey Wine Cellars. Pellegrini produces pinot noirs from some of the oldest existing pinot vines in Russian River Valley. In 1973, Alexia’s family purchased a 70-acre apple and plum orchard on Olivet Road and converted it to vineyards in 1975. Her father, Bob Pellegrini, was the winemaker and face of the brand — named for the olive trees that lined the lane to the winery — until turning over operations to Alexia in 2017. Also produced are a rosé of pinot noir and vineyard-designated pinots from the Hallberg and Toboni vineyards. 4055 W. Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-545-8680, pellegrinisonoma.com Kenwood-Glen Ellen corridor Kunde Family Winery, Ledson Winery & Vineyards and BR Cohn wineries are known for the fields of mustard that bloom around their wineries and throughout their vineyards. A drive through the Kenwood-Glen Ellen corridor of Highway 12 allows for March flashes of vast mustard fields and colorful cover crops near other wineries and in pastures, fallow plots and along the roadside. Tastings at Kunde, Ledson and BR Cohn offer deep menus of wines to try, including sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, barbera, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Rhone varietals and zinfandel, with an occasional splash of pinot noir. Here are three other wineries to consider visiting; be sure to take a Sunday-drive attitude on Highway 12, which can be a slow go. Take in the view, and the vino, too. Chateau St. Jean: The marvelous Margo Van Staaveren has made wine at Chateau St. Jean since 1980, working her way from laboratory technician to winemaker and general manager. Vineyard-designated and Reserve wines have long been Chateau St. Jean’s raison d’être, yet the range is broad and includes regional and appellational blends. Cinq Cepage is Van Staaveren’s flagship, produced from the five classic Bordeaux red grapes (cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot). Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir are also staples. The large lawn in front of the chateau makes for easy physical distancing for visitors, and there are options for cheese and charcuterie plates. 8555 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-257-5784, chateaust.jean.com Imagery Estate Winery: Winery founder Joe Benziger turned over winemaking to his daughter, Jamie Benziger, in 2017, and she’s charged with continuing to produce arguably the most interesting lineup of wines in Sonoma. Little-known varieties such as lagrein, teroldego and aleatico are bottling alongside tempranillos, malbecs and tannats. There is a muscat canelli and the rare (for Sonoma) riesling, as well as the more traditional wines such as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, zinfandel, petite sirah and red blends. All the bottles are dressed with eye-catching labels commissioned by artists. When indoor tastings are allowed to return, visitors will see many of the paintings and drawings that have become Imagery labels. Come for the mustard, stay for the excellent wines and sense of adventure. 14335 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, 877-550-4278, imagerywinery.com Mayo Family Winery Reserve Room: President Jeff Mayo and his team produce and pour some 20 different single-vineyard wines from Sonoma Valley grapes. There are two tasting rooms, one in Glen Ellen and the Reserve Room in Kenwood. The focus of the latter is in pairing Mayo wines to specific foods, typically seven courses of small bites. A visit here eliminates the need for lunch, and there are myriad wine styles served. Don’t miss the brut sparkling wines and the boldly flavored red Reserve bottlings. 9200 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-833-5504, mayofamilywinery.com Also: BR Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, 707-938-4064, brcohn.com Kunde Family Winery, 9828 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-833-5505, kunde.com Ledson Winery & Vineyards, 7335 Hwy 12, Kenwood, 707-537-3810, ledson.com
Dry Creek Road
Dry Creek Road
Dry Creek Valley Wine Tour (Please call ahead to confirm hours of operation) Dry Creek Valley, the land of old-vine zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, Rhone-style reds and grassy sauvignon blancs, has more than 9,000 acres of vineyards. One particular driving route covers all the bases: spring flowers, a leisurely pace and unpretentious wineries. From Highway 101 in northern Healdsburg, exit west onto Dry Creek Road. Take Dry Creek Road northwest to Yoakim Bridge Road, turn left there and then head south on West Dry Creek Road. The loop ends at Westside Road, a couple of miles west of the Healdsburg city limits and with easy access back to Highway 101. The drive is a gold mine of mustard glory, with patches of sweet alyssum, buttercups and poppies adding contrast. The former Timber Crest Farms (4791 Dry Creek Road) is a great first stop, where Amphora, Kokomo, Papapietro Perry and Peterson wineries have their tasting rooms and winemaking facilities. Also on the site is The Pour House, a tasting room featuring the wines of Goldschmidt Vineyards and Optima Winery. At Dry Creek Peach & Produce (2179 Yoakim Bridge), the farmstand is closed until summer, yet the orchard-fruit blossoms and mustard on the property are photo-worthy. From there, turn south onto West Dry Creek Road to Martorana Family Winery (5956 West Dry Creek Road). The certified organically farmed vineyards surround the driveway that leads to the tasting area (for now) outside the cave. Martorana’s wines — among them chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite sirah and zinfandel — come from the estate vineyards, farmed without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Quivira Vineyards (4900 West Dry Creek Road), a few miles south of Martorana on West Dry Creek Road, is of similar farming mind, taking things a step deeper with biodynamic viticultural practices. Winemaker Hugh Chappelle is a master of sauvignon blanc, zinfandel and Rhone-style wines, and the estate vibrates with life: organic vegetable gardens, chickens, a 140-year-old fig tree for preserves and olive trees for the production of oil. Amphora Wines, 707-431-7767, amphorawines.com Kokomo Winery, 707-433-0200, kokomowines.com Martorana Family Winery, 707-433-1909, martoranafamilywinery.com Papapietro Perry Winery, 707-433-0422, papapietro-perry.com Peterson Winery, 707-431-7568, petersonwinery.com Quivira Vineyards, 707-431-8333, quivirawine.com The Pour House, 707-433-0100, thepourhouse707.com Olivet Road, Russian River Valley For a promenade of pinot noir producers, drive no farther than Olivet Road in western Santa Rosa. A dozen wineries are strewn along the road, between Guerneville and River roads. While pinot noir and chardonnay are the primary grape varieties grown, cabernet, syrah and zinfandel also shine, the last of which is made from some of the oldest vines in the county. The contrast of canary-yellow mustard and the dark, knotty vine trunks and limbs is striking. Many of the wineries belong to the Olivet District association, and its website (olivetroad.com) profiles the region, commonly referred to as the Santa Rosa Plains. DeLoach Vineyards: DeLoach produces a dizzying array of wines, from large-volume, attractively priced regional blends of chardonnay and pinot noir to small-lot single-vineyard bottles and even tinier vineyard-block selections. The zinfandels can be exceptional, and don’t miss the sparkling wines made in the Champagne style, with a second fermentation occurring in the bottle. The 20-acre DeLoach estate is farmed using organic and biodynamic practices, including site-specific cover crops, to keep the soils and vines healthy and thriving. Founders Cecil and Christine DeLoach sold the property to Frenchman Jean-Charles Boisset in 2003. Since then, the Burgundy native has combined estate-grown grapes and those purchased from other farmers to create a line of wines that offers something for everyone. 1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-755-3300, deloachvineyards.com Hook & Ladder Vineyard & Winery: The DeLoaches San Francisco firefighter Cecil De Loach and his wife, Christine, purchased the Barbieri Ranch and its vineyards in the Olivet District in 1970. After selling their DeLoach Vineyards to Jean-Charles Boisset in 2003, they moved their winery operations to the Barbieri site (planted in 1905) and named it Hook & Ladder. Their grandson, Jason DeLoach, is the winemaker. A benefit to visiting Hook & Ladder is that Jason produces merlot, cabernet sauvignon and red blends from the family’s Chalk Hill vineyard, Los Amigos. In the tasting room, they join pinot noir, old-vine zinfandel and chardonnay as options to try and buy. The firefighting theme (Cecil DeLoach was a San Francisco firefighter) is particularly poignant, honoring those who have battled wildfires in recent years. 2134 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-526-2255, hookandladderwinery.com Pellegrini-Olivet Lane: Alexia Pellegrini is the fourth generation of her family to manage this vineyard and winery. Its Olivet Lane Chardonnay has been, for years, one of the finest from Sonoma, and the grapes also are sold to such producers as Gary Farrell Winery & Vineyards and Ramey Wine Cellars. Pellegrini produces pinot noirs from some of the oldest existing pinot vines in Russian River Valley. In 1973, Alexia’s family purchased a 70-acre apple and plum orchard on Olivet Road and converted it to vineyards in 1975. Her father, Bob Pellegrini, was the winemaker and face of the brand — named for the olive trees that lined the lane to the winery — until turning over operations to Alexia in 2017. Also produced are a rosé of pinot noir and vineyard-designated pinots from the Hallberg and Toboni vineyards. 4055 W. Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-545-8680, pellegrinisonoma.com Kenwood-Glen Ellen corridor Kunde Family Winery, Ledson Winery & Vineyards and BR Cohn wineries are known for the fields of mustard that bloom around their wineries and throughout their vineyards. A drive through the Kenwood-Glen Ellen corridor of Highway 12 allows for March flashes of vast mustard fields and colorful cover crops near other wineries and in pastures, fallow plots and along the roadside. Tastings at Kunde, Ledson and BR Cohn offer deep menus of wines to try, including sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, barbera, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Rhone varietals and zinfandel, with an occasional splash of pinot noir. Here are three other wineries to consider visiting; be sure to take a Sunday-drive attitude on Highway 12, which can be a slow go. Take in the view, and the vino, too. Chateau St. Jean: The marvelous Margo Van Staaveren has made wine at Chateau St. Jean since 1980, working her way from laboratory technician to winemaker and general manager. Vineyard-designated and Reserve wines have long been Chateau St. Jean’s raison d’être, yet the range is broad and includes regional and appellational blends. Cinq Cepage is Van Staaveren’s flagship, produced from the five classic Bordeaux red grapes (cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot). Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir are also staples. The large lawn in front of the chateau makes for easy physical distancing for visitors, and there are options for cheese and charcuterie plates. 8555 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-257-5784, chateaust.jean.com Imagery Estate Winery: Winery founder Joe Benziger turned over winemaking to his daughter, Jamie Benziger, in 2017, and she’s charged with continuing to produce arguably the most interesting lineup of wines in Sonoma. Little-known varieties such as lagrein, teroldego and aleatico are bottling alongside tempranillos, malbecs and tannats. There is a muscat canelli and the rare (for Sonoma) riesling, as well as the more traditional wines such as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, zinfandel, petite sirah and red blends. All the bottles are dressed with eye-catching labels commissioned by artists. When indoor tastings are allowed to return, visitors will see many of the paintings and drawings that have become Imagery labels. Come for the mustard, stay for the excellent wines and sense of adventure. 14335 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, 877-550-4278, imagerywinery.com Mayo Family Winery Reserve Room: President Jeff Mayo and his team produce and pour some 20 different single-vineyard wines from Sonoma Valley grapes. There are two tasting rooms, one in Glen Ellen and the Reserve Room in Kenwood. The focus of the latter is in pairing Mayo wines to specific foods, typically seven courses of small bites. A visit here eliminates the need for lunch, and there are myriad wine styles served. Don’t miss the brut sparkling wines and the boldly flavored red Reserve bottlings. 9200 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-833-5504, mayofamilywinery.com Also: BR Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, 707-938-4064, brcohn.com Kunde Family Winery, 9828 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-833-5505, kunde.com Ledson Winery & Vineyards, 7335 Hwy 12, Kenwood, 707-537-3810, ledson.com