RIDING ON THE WILD SIDE (CAR) OF SONOMA’S WINE COUNTRY
By Jo Clark
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Travel writer and photographer Jo Clark talks about her adventures in Sonoma, California with Rides by Me Classic Sidecar Tours. Watch here in the YouTube player. You can also download the episode on Podbean.
Jérôme Ribeiro, tour guide extraordinaire, encourages you to “Take a ride on the wild side(car)!” That ride will be with him at Rides by Me. He is a transplanted Frenchman, living in San Francisco for more than 20 years now. Rides by Me is his brainchild, and he had a great idea. I watched his face often during our day together, and the line that kept popping into my head was, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I speak from the heart when I give this compliment: Jérôme is NOT working. That “boy” is having a ball!
He is also a trained chef. Jérôme loves food and it shows. At lunchtime, the touring stops, and the devouring of a fresh, handmade lunch begins. This guy even made the French Macarons. Color me “spoiled.”
Time in Sonoma on the Sidecar!
Jérôme picked us up at our hotel, the El Pueblo Inn. Those not staying locally in Sonoma meet their tour in the historic downtown plaza.
Jérôme says he especially likes motorcycle sidecar tours because people have to put down their phones and enjoy the natural beauty around them. If two people are on the tour, you will take turns in the sidecar. When you have to give up your prime sidecar spot, you’ll ride behind the driver. Cool mornings are the norm in the area, so a lap blanket tucked in around you will keep you toasty.
Winery Visits
Jérôme knows everybody. He also has good relationships with wineries in the areas where his tours go. For instance, we visited Landmark Winery and Gundlach Bundschu (GB) Winery in Sonoma. These are two of the oldest wineries in Sonoma County. At both wineries, they were set up and eagerly waiting for us. I don’t know about you, but I could get used to being treated like a celebrity!
Landmark makes outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines and added a Pinot Gris to the list. They own vineyards in several AVAs (American Viticultural Area). Hence, they can produce wines with complex but different tastes due to the terroir. Terroir (the soil, climate, and topography) affects the grapes’ flavor, aroma, and texture and, therefore, the wine. These qualities make wines unique and identifiable. And the winery has a stunning garden patio where guests can enjoy wine and light snacks.
Another stop on the sidecar tour was Gundlach Bundschu (GB) Winery, the oldest winery in Sonoma. Family-owned and operated since 1858, the winery was named one of the best in Sonoma by Travel + Leisure.
Some wineries were closed on the day of our tour, but Jérôme circled properties that he wanted us to see. We picnicked at one and enjoyed a queenly lunch, which he spread across the picnic table (covered by a tablecloth, of course.)
For our last stop, we visited a cider shop. A tasting at Pomme Cider Shop & Tap Room was a refreshing end to a day of wines and cleared our palates for dinner. Pomme is French for apple, so our French tour guide ends up at a French cider shop. Hum…I’m thoroughly enjoying the French Connection here.
Have Fun in San Francisco
Rides by Me San Francisco can take you down the iconic winding streets for a new perspective if you visit San Francisco. You’ll visit San Francisco’s landmarks or take a different tour and see the city by the Bay from 12 hilltops! Jérôme offers four tours in San Francisco and the surrounding area, including one nighttime tour to enjoy the beautiful lights sparkling in reflections.
Rides by Me also has food tours, wine and brewery tours, and even a cheese country tour. Jérôme loves having fun with guests and seems to find it wherever he goes.
Have Fun in Other Spots in California
There are tours to Napa, the Russian River, Monterey, and Carmel. He runs special food and drink tours, too. He is a chef, after all, and naturally, that passion for food and wine shines through. *smile.*
If you have a special request, speak up. Custom tours are possible, too. Jérôme is like me (Jo Goes Everywhere)…Jérôme goes anywhere nearby.
Where to Eat in Sonoma
Sonoma is a walkable town, and you will pass by many restaurants as you walk. The city has more than 100 restaurants to pick from. We didn’t have that much time, but we managed to find two spots with our hearty eater’s recommendation.
One, Los Molcajetes, a Mexican restaurant, was conveniently located near our hotel. Tortilla chips are served with three different dipping options. The shrimp and fish tacos were both made to order and perfectly grilled. The Chile Relleno is filled with meat topped with gooey cheese. And that mango salsa was delicious.
The Girl and The Fig restaurant is a little bit country, a little bit French, and a whole lot of delicious. The menu, even the bar menu, is unique, creative, and filled with figs. Try the Fig Kiss cocktail before dinner. The yummy drink contains vodka, St. Germain, lemon, mint, and caramelized fig syrup. We had tomato and watermelon salad for a dinner starter. We enjoyed fig tartine, wild flounder meuniere, duck confit, and Syrah for our entrees. Although stuffed, we did squeeze in a yummy Fall Spice Crème Brûlée with a cookie on the side) with a dry white wine.
Where to Stay in Sonoma
The El Pueblo Inn is in the heart of downtown; you can be anywhere in minutes, even on foot. Manager Aranda Burtson provides a welcoming hotel, surrounded by an immaculately kept garden, and breakfast for guests. The hot tub is the perfect temperature for unwinding the kinks acquired in a busy day of touring.
Other Fun Things to Do Near Sonoma
There are many exciting things to do in Sonoma, like the Sonoma State Historic Park, Sonoma Botanical Garden, the Jack London State Historic Park, and learning to make cheese and butter at the Epicurean Connection. Plan a week in Sonoma soon, or heck, plan two weeks.
Plan Your Sonoma Adventure with these Links:
Rides by Me
The Most Exciting Time In Sonoma (With Your Clothes On!)
Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! She does her very best to live up to her podcast title and Instagram handle, “Jo Goes Everywhere!” Follow her there and on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/HaveGlassWillTravel/. She is the editor of http://www.RecipesTravelCulture.com
