Places to See, Wineries, Restaurants
SUGARLOAF RIDGE STATE PARK
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park contains the headwaters of Sonoma Creek. It runs through gorge and canyon, across the meadow floor, beneath scenic rock outcroppings, and is surrounded at times by
redwoods and ferns.
A 25-foot waterfall flows after the winter rains. There is a self-guided nature trail along Sonoma Creek that starts near the picnic area.
With 2700 acres of oak woodland and chaparral, the park has 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Deer, gray foxes, the occasional bobcat and coyote can be seen in the park. In spring, wildflowers provide a colorful palette across the green hills.
On a clear day, visitors can see views of the Sierra Nevada and the Golden Gate bridge from the 2729-foot summit of Bald Mountain.
The park also houses one of the largest public viewing telescopes; a 40-inch telescope at the Ferguson Observatory. It can be rented with the group campsite for private parties.
The park is less than 5 minutes from the Kenwood Cottage!
Address
2605 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452
Website: www.parks.ca.gov
SELECTED KENWOOD WINERIES
Landmark Vineyards
101 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452
Telephone: (707) 833-0053
Web site: www.landmarkwine.com
Another favorite for chardonnay and pinot noir and about 1 minute drive from La Rochelle. Friendly tasting room staff, indoor/outdoor tasting, great picnic area (currently due to covid, no outside food allowed but they do sell picnic items) and beautiful grounds; a Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) favorite!
VJB Vineyards and Cellars
60 Shaw Ave
Kenwood, CA 95452
Telephone: (707) 833-2300
Web site: www.vjbcellars.com
This place transports you back to Italy and is just 5 min from the cottage. On weekends from April-October, strolling tenors serenade you (1-1:30) while you enjoy the wine and lunch on their umbrella lined patio. This is a fun place to eat and relax with wood fired pizzas, a gelataria, chocolate truffle bar, a great deli, and estate grown and bottled Italian varietals. They have great pasta and sauces to pickup to enjoy for dinner, later at the Kenwood Cottage. They also make great Illy coffee if you want to start your day here. Best kept secret: homemade pizza and jug wine special.
Kenwood Vineyards
9592 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12)
Kenwood, CA 95452
Telephone: (707) 833-5891
Web site: www.kenwoodvineyards.com
An amazing selection of wines to choose from (often 30+!). They have a very friendly staff. There is a picnic table here also. These are all great everyday (inexpensive) wines but they also have some high end cabs.
St. Francis Winery
100 Pythian Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Telephone: (800) 543-7713 x 242
Web site: www.stfranciswine.com
Lovely tasting room with friendly staff and a food & wine or wine and cheese pairing available (for a fee). Events monthly so check out their website.
Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards
10155 Sonoma Hwy.
Kenwood, CA. 95452
Telephone: (707) 833-5501
Web site: www.kunde.com
Kunde is one of two wineries in the area that has cave tours. They have a small picnic area under umbrellas near a pond on property which is very relaxing. They also do wine tours up on their hill that has great vistas and is under big oak trees. This tour is highly recommended and should be reserved in advance.
Chateau St. Jean Winery
8555 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12)
PO Box 293, Kenwood, CA 95452
Telephone: (707) 833-4134
Web site: www.chateaustjean.com
Beautiful grounds, fun place to go and probably the most familiar winery outside of the area. They have two tasting options: a reserve and general wine tasting. Both are fun and the people are very friendly. They do have a small picnic ground overlooking the vineyards and lovely gardens.
OTHER LOCAL WINERIES
B.R. Cohn - previously owned by the former manager of the Doobie Brothers. Great olive oil tasting also.
Imagery Estate Winery - Where's Waldo? This will be clear once you visit.
Deerfield Ranch Winery - great cave tasting. They make biodynamic "clean wines;" ask them to tell you more.
Ledson- beautiful grounds, impressive house with a large deli and picnic area and numerous tasting rooms
Benziger Family Winery - one of the best tours for first timers and even the experienced
Arrowood Vineyards and Winery - a Robert Parker favorite in Sonoma. Cabernet, Syrah, Chardonnay
RESTAURANTS IN AND AROUND KENWOOD
We provide a fully equipped kitchen, gas BBQ and directions to a number of fabulous grocery stores near the Kenwood Cottage. But sometimes, letting someone else do the cooking sounds better.
Kenwood is close to a number of fabulous restaurants just 5 to 15 minutes away. Here are some of our favorites.
- Palooza - Excellent comfort food and great staff. When we heard they were going to specialize in craft beers on tap, we were surprised, but it works! Turns out it is a great restaurant (don't miss the deviled eggs) that serves casual food like burgers and dogs and now wood fired pizza! Service is always excellent and they do have a nice wine list. We seem to be going here a lot when we stay at the cottage. Nice outdoor area to eat. Ping Pong, Pool, comedy acts, this is a fun place. Full bar.
- Salt and Stone - 1.5 miles from the Kenwood Cottage. Excellent menu, reasonable prices, good wine list and full bar. Reservations required. Check out their happy hour.
- Golden Bear Station - closest (and newest) serving casual food at the end of the road. A little pricey but the food is amazing here! Reservations a must (OpenTable).
- Glen Ellen Star - hip place that recently expanded about 15 min away. Reservations required. Wood fired oven and a limited but excellent menu. Do not miss the wood roasted vegetables. You won't believe how awesome these are. Nice wine list. Small and can be noisy, but it is a "happening" place. Reservations required.
WHY KENWOOD COTTAGE?
Nearly all the wineries, tasting rooms and restaurants above are all a short distance (1 mile) from the cottage.
Sonoma has a lot to offer for the wine enthusiast, nature and outdoor types, and for those who just want a peaceful atmosphere with the wine country backdrop. The Kenwood Cottage allows you to explore it all, yet enjoy the seclusion of the cottage nestled in a canyon, creek-side setting.
We recommend visiting Sonomavalley.com (the visitors bureau) for the location of additional places to visit and things to do here in Kenwood and the rest of Sonoma County.
And once you book, we have a number of guides (listed under "Documents for guests after final payment" on the left) that you will have access to including restaurant recommendations, where to stop on your way to the cottage from the airport for great wineries and restaurants along the way and even a Kenwood Cottage "Perfect day" which includes where to picnic, local wineries, and even where to get delicious picnic supplies.