Just as a lot of Wine Country towns fall asleep with their vines after the crush, Sonoma rruns right into a second harvest.
After the grapes come the olives and this year is delivering a bumper crop –more than double the stingy harvest of 2011.
The olive harvest, like the wine crush, is celebrated for several months, building up to a crescendo in February. It makes Sonoma a nice destination for North Coasters looking for a good one-tank trip to a destination that also promises things to do.
Special tastings about in Sonoma Valley throughout the month, and peaking with the Season Finale during President’s Day Weekend Feb. 15-18 with pecial olive themed events, cooking classes, seminars and artisan markets, not to mention olive infused spa treatments and lodging packages.
One of the best values we’ve seen is The Inn at Sonoma, whic is offering an Olive Season special starting at $135 a night. This little find is tucked off the road on Broadway literally steps from The Plaza. Its low profile belies the quality. The Inn at Sonoma is part of the Four Sisters Inns, a boutique chain of scrupulously maintained hotels and inns.
TripAdvisor ranks this off-the-radar inn No. 3 in popularity in Sonoma, proof that value is valued as much — or more — than luxury in these tight economic times.
Valid through Feb. 13, the special, good for mid week, includes breakfast for two and wine and hors d’oeuvres in the afternoon. Like all Four Sisters Inns, the 19-room Sonoma hotel offers comforts like fresh backed cookies and a fulll breakfast buffet. It’s located at 630 Broadway. Innatsonoma.com or 888-568-9818.
If you’re in search of more luxury, the Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Report and Spa at Broadway and Leveroni Road is offering one night Olives &Vines packages that include a menu of extras, incuding a room upgrade, $100 spa credit, wine tasting for two at Bean & Bottle at the inn and two olive oil tastings, one with Exexutive Chef Andrew Wilson at the lodge’s own Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar. There’s also a welcome gift. Rates start at $334 weekdays and $364 weekends. The package is good through Feb. 28. 888-614-1750.
