Page 703 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

THE WINE C OUNTR Y  701

for its spa treatments and good remaining old-growth redwood
Wine Country cuisine, prepared forests in California. Among its
with the freshest ingredients. redwoods is a 308-ft (94-m)
A few miles north of Calistoga, giant – a 1,400-year-old tree
the Old Faithful Geyser spouts named Colonel Armstrong.
jets of boiling mineral water
60 ft (18 m) into the sky, once Y Armstrong Redwoods State
every 40 minutes. To the west Natural Reserve
lies the Petrified Forest, home 17020 Armstrong Woods Rd,
of the largest petrified trees in Guerneville. Tel (707) 869-2015.
the world – huge redwoods Open daily. ∑ parks.ca.gov
which were turned to stone by
a volcanic eruption that took
place more than three million g Fort Ross State The town of Mendocino perched on its
years ago. Historic Park rocky headlands
} Petrified Forest Tel (707) 847-3286. @ from Point h Mendocino
4100 Petrified Forest Rd. Tel (707) 942- Arena. n 19005 Coast Hwy, Jenner. * 1,200. @ n 217 S Main St,
6667. Open daily. Closed Thanks- Open 10am–4:30pm Fri–Sun & hols. Fort Bragg, (707) 961-6300.
giving, Dec 25. & 7 limited. Closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25. & 7
∑ fortross.org ∑ mendocinocoast.com
On a windswept headland The founders of this fishing
north of Jenner stands this well- village came to California from
restored Russian trading outpost, New England in 1852, building
founded in 1812 (the name “Ross” their new homes to resemble
is a derivative of the Russian word those they had left behind. The
Rossyia, meaning “Russia”). The Mendocino coastline is thus
Russians were the first Europeans often referred to as “California’s
The Clos Pegase winery designed by to visit the region, serving as New England Coast.” Perched on
Michael Graves, Napa Valley representatives of a Russian- a rocky promontory above the
American Company, established Pacific Ocean, Mendocino
in 1799. They never tried to retains the picturesque charm
f Russian River expand their territory in California of its days as a fishing center.
Valley and abandoned the fort after Its heather-covered bluffs,
30 years of peaceful trading. migrating gray whales, and
@ from Healdsburg. n 16209 1st St, Built in 1836, the house of the stunning ocean vistas make it a
Guerneville, (707) 869-9000, (877) 644- fort’s last manager, Alexander popular tourist center, yet the
9001. ∑ russianriver.com
Rotchev, is still intact. Within the town seems untarnished by
Bisected by the Russian River and wooden palisade are several commercialism. It is a thriving
its tributaries, this valley contains other reconstructed buildings. arts center with a large number
many smaller valleys, dotted The most impressive is the 1824 of resident artists and writers.
with vineyards, apple orchards, Russian Orthodox chapel. Every Visitors can stroll around the
redwood groves, family farms, July, a living history day is held many exclusive boutiques, art
and sandy river beaches. At its with costumed actors. galleries, bookshops, and cafés.
hub is the town of Healdsburg,
with a splendid Spanish-style California Wines
town square lined with shops,
restaurants, and cafés. With over 327,000 acres (132,000 ha) of land under
Southwest of Healdsburg viticulture, California produces 90 percent of the nation’s
lies Guerneville, a summer wine. Its latitude, proximity to the ocean, and
haven for San Francisco’s gay sheltered valleys create a mild climate, ideal for
population. Every September, growing grapes. Half the grapes grown here are
the town hosts the famous harvested from the fertile stretch of land
Russian River Jazz Festival at bordered by the Sacramento Valley to the north
Johnson’s Beach, where visitors and San Joaquin Valley to the south. The north
can take a canoe or raft down coast, home to most of the state’s 800 wineries,
the gentle Russian River. Otters accounts for less than a quarter of California’s
and blue herons can often be wine-growing acreage, but produces many of Sparkling cuvée
seen here. the country’s best Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Napa by Mumm
Hikers and equestrians also Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay grapes.
flock to Guerneville to visit the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are the mainstays of the central
805-acre (330-ha) Armstrong coast region, which extends from the San Francisco Bay Area to
Redwoods State Natural Santa Barbara.
Reserve, one of the few

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