Inn at a Glance: Auberge on the Vineyard

Nestled in a premier grape-growing region in the Alexander Valley, Auberge on the Vineyard is a Queen Anne–style inn with gingerbread trim and wraparound verandas. The seven-room bed and breakfast—which has been featured on the Today show—dates back to 1910. Inside, you’ll find a cast-iron wood stove, clawfoot tubs, and antique chaises.

• Where you’ll stay: Housed in the main inn, the Margaux, Lorraine, and Hermitage rooms feature Victorian touches such as high ceilings, bay windows, and clawfoot tubs. The recently renovated Sancerre room is in the adjacent carriage house, which has access to a common area and western-facing deck overlooking more than 100 acres of Alexander Valley vineyards.
• Start the day right with a three-course breakfast that includes fresh fruit, meats, and a hot entree such as quiche lorraine or pain perdu.
• Explore wine country: This Groupon comes with winery passes for tastings and up to 20% discounts at a variety of spots throughout Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.
• Watch the skies from the comfort of the covered verandah.

Cloverdale, California: Charming City in Sonoma Wine Country

Cloverdale was voted one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America” by readers of Budget Travel in 2010, thanks in part to a location known as “ground zero for Sonoma County’s highly regarded zinfandels.” Most of the wineries in this town, situated about 90 miles north of San Francisco, are family-run and refreshingly unpretentious. The award-winning J. Rickards Winery offers wine-and-cheese pairings and events such as barbecues and tours of the vineyard, which overlooks the scenic Alexander Valley. To travel to wineries in the surrounding valleys, rent bikes from Cloverdale Cyclery. Cloverdale is also a choice destination for other outdoor activities. The Russian River is great for canoeing and kayaking, and Lake Sonoma offers opportunities for sailing and fishing.

Some of the world’s tallest trees stand about 35 miles south of Cloverdale. It’s worth taking a drive to marvel at the ancient old-growth forest in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, where sequoia trees, which can live for up to 1,000 years, reach heights rivaling the skyscrapers in San Francisco.

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