A No-Brainer: Moshin Winery

A "working weekend" is so much more "productive" when it involves a great winery discovery like the one we made with Dave and Daniele last weekend.

moshin winery (http://www.moshinvineyards.com/) is a pinot lover's paradise. And, it's now home of Mark's FIRST WINE CLUB membership! Only 10 miles from Monte Rio, it's a no-brainer of an excursion and Rick Moshin, the owner, will likely be on hand to show you around.

If you pick your wines by the label, Moshin's hummingbird logo won't disappoint!

As for the "working " part of our weekend...? We revisited our sites, spoke with our vendors, and imagined endless possibilities - our excitement is renewed...HURRY AUGUST 22!

Things to Do: WINERIES

We've poached our dear friend's "can't-go-wrong" list of in-the-area wineries...and her commentary too! Since "swirling and sipping" is part of the general weekend plan, we encourage you to check these places out. And, if you have a personal favorite (or two or three) let us know the details in a "comment" below and we'll update the list.

rochioli winery (http://www.rochioliwinery.com/)
we had the best chardonnay of our lives here. great pinot noir, too. bring a little picnic + sit out front with a bottle of chilled chard over-looking their vineyards and petting their sweet buddha cat whose name i'm forgetting.

de la montoya (http://www.dlmwine.com/)
we're members here because they're so cool + down to earth, and they've got a very fun back area with bocce. their summer white is crisp, cool + perfect for sipping on a hot day.

lambert bridge (http://www.lambertbridge.com/)
best wine (esp. food wine), best tasting room, best picnic grounds. gus the dog has special sniffing talents.

Wedding-Weekend Events

Time well spent is time spent on a RIVER...right?
Here's a rough idea of our plans thus far. Please join us as early as you can - there are a ton of places to stay and we'd love to see you because...time spent on a RIVER is even better when spent with FRIENDS. (seriously.)

Thursday, August 20 l early afternoon
Mark and Rebecca head up to the River.

Friday, August 21 l pretty much all day
Wading and floating, bobbing and skipping, snoozing and feasting, swirling and sipping, and...TOOBING!

Friday August 21 l 7:00 pm
Welcome Dinner

Saturday, August 22 l 4:00 pm
Ceremony & Reception

Where to Stay

There are inns, private homes to rent, upper-scale hotels and camping all within walking or short driving distance of the festivities.

Inns within walking distance of wedding
Highland Dell (http://www.highlanddell.com/pages/main.html)
* there are no longer any rooms available.
Location of our reception; we have blocked all 13 rooms for guests.
5 of the rooms can sleep 4 people for $179-229/night; remaining rooms have queen beds for $129-179/night. There is a two-night minimum stay for the weekend and rate includes continental breakfast.

Rio Villa (http://www.riovilla.com/)
* there are no longer any rooms available.
The location of the ceremony; has private beach and gorgeous lawn. We have blocked all 11 rooms for guests. There are 4 rooms with 2 queen beds for $150-180; other rooms have queen or king beds and can sleep 2 for $130-180 (two of these have kitchens). There is a two-night minimum stay for the weekend.Wedding guests will receive a 10% discount and rate includes continental breakfast.

Village Inn (http://www.villageinn-ca.com/)
* requires 3-night stay though call closer to the date and they may allow a 2-night stay.
Five doors down from the reception
10 rooms ranging from $135 to $225/night
overlooks the River, restaurant, small dogs allowed

Homes for rent within walking distance of wedding
August is still considered "peak season" on the River and most home rentals require a one-week minimum stay -- rates quoted are for 7-day rentals.

Big Yellow House (http://www.spindlerrentals.com/russian_river.html)
Two doors down from reception
5 bedrooms, and can sleep 16 people
$3900 plus 10% tax, cleaning fee and deposit
sunny deck overlooking the River

Russian River Getaways (http://www.rrgetaways.com/)
Rentals close to the wedding are:
Artisan (5+ BR, $3210 – within a half mile of Reception
Eye Candy (2 BR, $1450) – within a half mile of Reception
Jujube (2 BR, $1200) – less than a mile upriver
Harmony (3 BR, $1470) – less than a mile upriver
Como Estate (5 BR, $3210) – 1 mile upriver
Sundancing River Lodge (5 BR, $3180) – a short walk from Ceremony
Moondance (3 BR, $2220) – a short walk from Ceremony

Inns/hotels a short drive away
Boon (http://www.boonhotels.com/)
4 ½ miles upriver in Guerneville on road to Armstrong Woods
$185-250/night
modern-luxe boutique hotel with a pool, spa

Fern Grove Cottages (http://www.ferngrove.com/)
4 miles upriver in Guerneville
$99-259 per night

Applewood Inn (http://www.applewoodinn.com/lodging.html)
5 ½ miles upriver just outside of Guerneville
$195-275/night
full-service, spa, fine dining

Farmhouse Inn (http://www.farmhouseinn.com/inn.html)
11 miles upriver near Forestville
$295-650/night
pool, spa, fabulous restaurant

Camping
Casini Ranch (http://www.casiniranch.com/)
2 ½ miles downriver from the reception, many campsites on the river starting at $26 per night. Full hook-ups are available for RVs too. Some camp sites are better than others so take a look at the site map and select carefully.

Hotels further out
Hilton, Hyatt, Courtyard, and Holiday Inn
21 miles away in Santa Rosa

Fairfield Inn by Marriot
19 miles away in Sebastopol

Bodega Bay Lodge, Inn at the Tides, Bodega Coast Inn, Bodega Harbor Inn
17 miles away in Bodega Bay