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Best Places Off The Beaten Path In Wine Country

eighthundredgrapes
Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Laura Dave is the international bestselling author of four novels, including the recently released Eight Hundred Grapes, available now from sister company Simon & Schuster, which takes place in Sonoma County Wine Country. She is a resident of Santa Monica, California.

If you love wine, you've probably imagined taking a trip to wine country. Who hasn't imagined it? With the delicious food, fabulous wine, vineyards as far as the eye can see—it's a great weekend escape. And while you could probably head there with no guidance and have a pretty great time, so much of what makes wine country truly special is nearly impossible to stumble upon.

So before you pull over at the first sign for a tasting room, I wanted to introduce you to five off the beaten path destinations that you won't find looking out the window on highway 12.

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Glen Ellen Star
13648 Arnold Dr
Glen Ellen, California 95442
(707) 343-1384
www.glenellenstar.com

While some of wine country's most famous restaurants are found in Yountville, home to Ad Hoc, Bouchon, and the famed French Laundry, the charming town of Glen Ellen is also worth a visit. Chef Ari Weiswasser (who cut his teeth at New York City's inventive restaurant Daniel) whips up farm-to-table goodness with a wine list to match. It's great for sharing, great for groups, and great for a romantic dinner at the bar. A must-try: the brick turned pizzas and every garden-culled vegetable.

vineyard11
Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Littorai Wines
788 Gold Ridge Rd
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 823-9586
www.littorai.com

You'll be hard-pressed to find a biodynamic vineyard quite as beautiful as Littorai. Head to their Gold Ridge Estate and take the property tour. Feast your eyes on their beautiful gardens and farm—and then savor winemaker Ted Lemon's special wines. A legend in Sonoma County, Lemon makes pinot noirs and chardonnays with the type of care you can taste in the glass.

Copperfield's Books
throughout Sonoma County and Napa Valley
www.copperfieldsbooks.com

Bel Aire Plaza, 3740 Bel Aire Plaza
Napa, CA
(707) 252-8002

1330 Lincoln St
Calistoga, CA
(707) 942-1616

Montgomery Village Shopping Center
775 Village Ct
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 578-8938

With charming locations throughout wine country, this chainlet of well-curated stores peppers Napa Valley and Sonoma County from Calistoga to Petaluma. Stop in to chat with the knowledgeable staff and pick up great wine country reads, stunning photography books, or a perfect novel to enjoy vineyardside. The booksellers recommendations are usually so great that you'll leave with something unplanned and perfect for you.

coffee1
Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Ritual Coffee
Oxbow Public Market
610 First Street
Napa, California 94559
(707) 253-1190
www.ritualroasters.com

All the wine tasting requires some extra pep. The rich and luscious coffee at Ritual will do the trick. Their Napa location is tucked into the back of the famed Oxbow Market a little outside of downtown Napa—and it's worth the drive. The artisanal coffee deserves it's own pairing menu. A good thing their pastry bar is stocked with delicious treats. Every man has to choose his coffee for himself. Though my ritual drink of choice is their latte. It's yet to let me down.

Lynmar Estate Winery
3909 Frei Rd
Sebastopol, California 95472
www.lynmarestate.com

Lynmar Estate Winery is always my first stop in Sonoma County. With their fantastic wine and breathtaking scenery, you'll want to leave ample time to take in the beauty and enjoy the wine pairings, cheese plates, and truffle popcorn either in the tasting room or on the outside patio. While winemaker Shane Finley produces astounding wines in several varietals, his Quail Hill Pinot Noir is the most luscious wine ever to be poured into a glass. Cheers!

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Laura Dave is the international bestselling author of four novels, including the recently released Eight Hundred Grapes, available now from sister company Simon & Schuster, which takes place in Sonoma County Wine Country. She is a resident of Santa Monica, California.
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