Thirty-two brave souls hopped on the bus that beautiful morning, buzzing with excitement for a wine-filled adventure. And, were they in for a treat!
First Stop: Stuhlmuller Vineyards
Our first stop was Stuhlmuller Vineyards, tucked away on a country road in the rolling hills of Alexander Valley. Vineyards stretched out as far as you could see, and there was this old wooden house that Carsten apparently helped build 40 years ago and still can’t stop talking about.
It was a fantastic spot with great wines, and most importantly, super friendly staff who weren’t shy about pouring generous refills. After two amazing whites, three reds, and plenty of snacks, we piled back onto the bus and headed to Leo Steen’s tasting room in Healdsburg.
A Bit of a Bummer at Leo Steen’s
Now, previous visits here had always been a hit with their delicious Chenin Blanc, a lovely Rosé, some pretty good reds, and, most importantly for the ladies (and some of the guys), a sighting of Leo in his bicycle shorts.
Sadly, this time around, no Leo and no bicycle shorts. The Chenin was off, and so were the reds. If it weren’t for the Rosé and a brewery right next door, things could have gone south fast. But we bounced back!
Dinner at Stockhome
Back on the bus for our final stop of the day and some much-needed food: Stockhome in Petaluma. For those who aren’t super adventurous eaters, there’s always the banana and curry pizza. But for those of us with actual taste buds, Roberth and Andrea Sundell serve up an amazing blend of Scandinavian and Mediterranean food. That kebab was absolutely top-notch.
So, finally, tired but happy (and maybe a little lighter in the wallet), we were back on the bus for the last stretch home to the city.
It was a fantastic day out, and we’re already looking forward to the next one!
