Beauty Along the Wine Road

If beauty feeds your soul, the valleys along the Wine Road — Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River — offer up a feast. Vineyards by themselves are lovely. When you add in the magnificent surroundings of the undulating landscape, terraced hillsides, majestic redwoods, mighty oaks, mountain ranges, rivers and creeks, the landscape along the Wine Road is breathtaking, mile after mile.

As you meander through the backroads of Northern Sonoma County, you’ll experience landscapes that will have you stopping the car to capture the moment to memory, as a photo never does justice to the splendor experienced by seeing it in person.

While Wine Road travelers visit many exceptional wineries, a side benefit is natural beauty all around. Each of the valleys along the Wine Road has its own distinctive visual feel.

Alexander Valley

As you leave Healdsburg and head east on Alexander Valley Road, the scenic beauty is immediate, and it just gets better and better. As you cross the Jimtown Bridge, also known as Alexander Valley Road Bridge, the valley’s expanse opens up and you can see mile and after mile of breathtaking views.

Now you might wonder what you might have discovered if you’d driven down West Soda Rock Lane a few miles back. If you’re not in a hurry, every backroad is worth the time to travel down it and enjoy the scenery.

Whether you continue straight ahead or turn left at the Hwy 128 intersection, the beauty of Alexander Valley is all around you. And, there are more backroads to explore, like Red Winery Road where you can stop at Robert Young Winery, or Chianti Road that will lead you to J. Rickards Winery with more stunning views of Alexander Valley.

A fall-colored vineyard and background trees. — The view from Chianti Road as you drive to J. Rickards Winery.

Dry Creek Valley

Sixteen miles long and only two miles wide, Dry Creek Valley packs a visual punch from the moment you enter it. The valley is framed by Lake Sonoma at the top, the beginnings of the Coastal Mountain Range to the west and the valley’s benchland to the east. The Dry Creek, which actually has plenty of water, flows from Lake Sonoma through the center of the valley. If you’re longing to sit by the creek, book a creekside tasting or picnic reservation at aesthete winery and farms. It will be an experience you’ll savor, and long to repeat.

An aerial view of a lake with a bridge over it. the land the around the lake is tree-covered hillsides. — Lake Sonoma is at the northern end of Dry Creek Valley.

Dry Creek Road offers plenty of visual pleasure, but I recommend also exploring the backroads. Along West Dry Creek Road you’ll find plenty of scenic beauty, along with many spectacular wineries. One of my favorite spots to drink in the beauty is off Wine Creek Road at Mounts Family Winery. The wine is worth seeking out, and the panoramic views and Lana Mounts’s hospitality never disappoints.

Aerial view of undulating vineyards, building, some trees and hillsides in the distance. — The vineyard property of Mounts Family Winery.

Should you find yourself staying on Dry Creek Road, be sure to experience the exceptional view from the Trattore Farms and Winery deck, and also try the delicious wines and olive oils.

Deck rails look down on winter scene with a road, vineyards and trees. The sky is gray and overcast. — The view of Dry Creek Valley from the Trattore Farms tasting room deck.

Russian River Valley

This valley is closer to the coast, so it receives the coastal fog first and retains it longer than the other two valleys. This additional moisture creates a lush landscape, with numerous redwood trees and other types of flora and fauna that grow in a moister climate. The undulating countryside offers beauty all around, with the Russian River flowing through the upper portion of the region.

Backroad options in the Russian River Valley seem rather endless, and it’s tough to even pick a few favorites, as each road leads to another view worth experiencing. Let’s start along River Road where the scenic vistas are terrific. If you want to get an elevated view of some of Russian River Valley, stop at Woodenhead Vintners. Sip their delicious wines on the deck while enjoying a panoramic view of the vineyard-covered Santa Rosa plain with the Mayacamas Mountains in the background.

a deck with chairs and tables, with one orange colored umbrella. The expansive view is of vineyards, trees and distant mountains. — The view from Woodenhead’s deck.

Now let’s veer off River Road, wending our way to Porter Creek Vineyards via Wohler Road and crossing Wohler Bridge. Turn right on to Westside Road after you cross the bridge to end up at the Porter Creek tasting room. But should you turn left, enjoy a visit to Moshin Vineyards and Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery. No matter where you go, the scenery in the Russian River Valley is always worthy of a second look.

Aerial view of a bridge over a wide river that is lined by trees. Beyond the trees are miles of vineyards. — The landscape surrounding Wohler Bridge in the Russian River Valley.

One of my favorite drives in Russian River Valley is Hwy 116 between Forestville and Guerneville. This winding, redwood-lined road allows you to causally meander along. It’s the kind of environment where you expect a hobbit to pop out from behind a tree at any moment.

Redwood tree lined road with a beam of sun shining through the heavy tree growth. — The magical redwood-lined section of Highway 116.

Perfect Sunset Vista

Experiencing a sunset from anywhere in the Russian River Valley is the perfect way to end an ideal day along the Wine Road.

Love Being Along the Wine Road?

Photos don’t capture the endless stunning landscape in each valley along the Wine Road, but I hope this glimpse will entice you to visit, or visit again, and discover the natural beauty of this special place.

If you’re already a fan of the Wine Road, you might consider becoming a Wine Road Ambassador and help us spread the word about this extraordinary place. A previous blog helped launch the then-new Wine Road Ambassadors program, and offers a comprehensive overview of how the program works. Becoming an ambassador gives you the opportunity to learn more about the Wine Road. Then once you’re an official ambassador, with authority, you can share your in-depth knowledge of this incredibly special piece of Wine Country paradise. Join us is spreading the word and…

Happy Sipping!

A scenic valley of vineyards, trees, and houses. In the background are mountains dotted with more houses and lots of trees. — Dry Creek Valley

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Posted by Rebecca Germolus

Rebecca Germolus, co-owner of Maximum Value Marketing, loves Sonoma County and playing along the Wine Road. Rebecca daily immerses herself in wine country by providing cost-effective marketing and writing solutions to wineries and restaurants.

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