I have a confession to make: California Sonoma County, and more specifically, Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley, was my first love on the West Coast. No, not Napa, or California’s coastal cities of San Diego, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Rather it was the town of Healdsburg and Sonoma’s off-the-beaten-path wine appellation of Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg.
And what’s not to love? It’s got wineries (obviously), it’s got first-class breweries, it has a lake, and it’s a stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean! If it’s good enough for Francis Coppola (who has a winery just north in Geyserville, and has wine featuring Dry Creek Valley grapes), then it’s good enough for me.
And over the years I’ve shared photos and stories about visiting Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. But rather than merely show you more photos that I’ve captured from the Dry Creek Valley, today I want to share photos from locals themselves. I recently teamed up with the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley to organize an Instagram vineyard walk at the very photogenic Amista Vineyards with a number of local Dry Creek wineries. The evening really highlighted the uniqueness of the region, the uniqueness of Dry Creek’s wines, and the uniqueness of local photographers. More than 40 people showed up, naturally, on Wine Wednesday for a sunset vineyard walk. There are worse ways to spend a weekday evening.
So today I’m coming to you with photos of Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley from locals themselves and DCV’s first Instameet.
Sonoma Dry Creek Valley Instameet
Sonoma or bust! Stoked to be back in Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley for the DCV's first Instameet wine walk tomorrow at @amistavineyards. Link in profile to RSVP (required). #drycreekinstameet #drycreekvalley #drycreek
A photo posted by Spencer Spellman (@spencerspellman) on
Jul 5, 2016 at 6:28pm PDT
Here is the official vlog (video blog) from today's fab #drycreekinstameet presented by @drycreekvalleywines Enjoyed tastings from @amistavineyards @ruedwines @fritzundergroundwinery @dutchercrossing @geyserpeakwines @frickwinery @selbywinery @sonomacountywinegrowers
A video posted by @sonomawinelife on
Jul 6, 2016 at 10:07pm PDT
Every 'hike' should start with sparkling. #drycreekinstameet #sonomacounty #sonomavalley #healdsburg #sonomachat #winecountry
A photo posted by @sonomawinelife on
Jul 6, 2016 at 8:43pm PDT
#DryCreekInstaMeet was killer. #TODAYIMET Bill Frick, winemaker and owner of Frick Winery. This guy made me quite happy, along with introducing me to a grape varietal I had never heard of or tasted wine produced from, Counoise….that doesn't happen FYI, not in years. On top of that I met winemakers and team members from @ruedwines @fritzundergroundwinery and @geyserpeakwines all at the beautiful @amistavineyards property. As a fisherman, it was awesome seeing the entire estate including the Dry Creek renovation project they are working on to restore the habitat of the creek for Salmon and Steelhead. Thanks again to everyone who put this event together @drycreekvalleywines @spencerspellman @estarla – NOTE: if you attended the event, check the LINK IN THE BIO LINE for the entire ALBUM for the event. Cheers! #winemaker #sonomacounty #drycreekvalley #nikonnofilter
A photo posted by Adam Decker – Sonoma/Napa (@adamdecker) on
Jul 6, 2016 at 11:55pm PDT
What a fun concept for local photographers, and ones who just happen to be in the area, to meet and share their photos. Last night at @amistavineyards we tasted our way through the vinyard while tasting 12 different wines. The event was hoasted by @drycreekvalleywines and the wineries involved where, @frickwinebaumdd @ruedwines , @dutchercrossing, @selbywinery, and Geyser Peak Winery. Check it out #DryCreekInstaMeet. FOR ALL MY PICS go to – www.healdsburgsocial.org/#!DryCreekInstaMeet . . . #drycreekvalley #wine #winetasting #instameet #flossyonawhim #healdsburg #healdsburgsocial #winecountry #grapes #sonomacounty #winecountryliving #photography #charcuterie
A photo posted by Healdsburg Social (@healdsburgsocial) on
Jul 7, 2016 at 10:23am PDT
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