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  • ร—
    Urban Bliss Life ยป Wine Tips ยป California Wine ยป Wine Travel: Rodney Strong Vineyards

    Published: April 13, 2016 / Updated: June 3, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

    Wine Travel: Rodney Strong Vineyards

    1 shares

    The Rodney Strong Vineyards Master Blender Sweepstakes includes wine, fine dining, and luxury accommodations. Take a look at a sneak peek at the winners' experience.

    Rodney Strong vineyards

    Oh, Sonoma County. How I love thee. (You can read all about my previous Sonoma Wine Country travels).

    Sonoma County Wine Country is such a special place. With hundreds of wineries, incredible restaurants, and beautiful vineyard views for miles it is an amazing place for a wine getaway.

    And now, you have the chance to win a dream wine country long weekend getaway thanks to Rodney Strong Vineyards!

    Jump to:
    • Master blender sweepstakes
    • Travel to Sonoma County
    • Where to stay
    • Where to eat in Sonoma County
    • Rodney Strong wines
    • VIP vineyard and winery tour
    • The main Rodney Strong Vineyards
    • Winery tour
    • The Master Blender experience
    • The art of blending wine
    • Final gourmet meal at Rodney Strong Vineyards

    Master blender sweepstakes

    Rodney Strong Vineyards

    A leader in the California wine industry since 1959, Rodney Strong Vineyards is dedicated to crafting world-class wines that capture the true essence of Sonoma County.

    This month, the wine powerhouse is hosting the Master Blender Sweepstakes. Three grand prize winners will be selected to enjoy the ultimate Sonoma County vacation!

    I was invited to get a sneak peek of the grand prizes in this sweepstakes. And I am thrilled to be able to share with you what you could win!

    Travel to Sonoma County

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Each winner will receive round trip air transportation to Sonoma County.

    I took a direct flight on Alaska Air from Portland International Airport to the Charles Schultz Santa Rosa Airport. It was a quick hour and 40-minute flight. I love that those flights include complimentary northwest wine or beer.

    Also: when you fly out of the Santa Rosa Airport, you're allowed to check a case of wine home for free!

    Where to stay

    Vintners Inn Healdsburg, California

    We stayed at the Vintner's Inn, a four-diamond luxury hotel located in the heart of Sonoma County, just a few miles away from Rodney Strong Vineyards winery. You can read all about this beautiful, peaceful retreat in this full hotel review.

    Each winner and his/her guest will also stay in this gorgeous wine country inn. Trust me: you will LOVE it! And, if you aren't feeling pampered enough by the setting and relaxing rooms, in addition to your three night's stay, you and your guest will also receive complimentary spa treatments at the hotel. A great way to unwind after being wined and dined all day!

    Where to eat in Sonoma County

    plate of Italian pasta dish with red sauce.

    During our stay, we were treated to incredible gourmet meals. We ate at local hotspots such as Catelli's, Jackson's, John Ash & Co. restaurant, and the Vintner's Inn Cafe (amazing breakfast!).

    We also enjoyed meals prepared exclusively for us by Rodney Strong Vineyards Chef Tara Watchel.

    In the spirit of the wine weekend getaway, we also enjoyed a variety of wines from the vast Rodney Strong Vineyards portfolio at each meal.

    Rodney Strong wines

    bottle of white wine pouring into a glass with people in the background.
    bottle of Davis Bynum wine with wine glass on a wood table.

    Pictured here are two of my favorites that we enjoyed over lunch at Catelli's: the 2013 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Vineyards Chardonnay and the Davis Bynum Jane's Vineyard Pinot Noir.

    glass of red wine with Rodney Strong bottle of wine on white tablecloth.

    I also found myself enamored with the 2012 Rodney Strong Symmetry wine. We enjoyed this wine over our first night's dinner at John Ash & Co. This is the wine we would later try to emulate during our wine blending session.

    chocolate fancy dessert on a white plate with white cup of coffee in background.

    Winners of the sweepstakes will also be treated to gourmet meals at local hot spots, as well as by Chef Watchel. Watchel is a talented chef. She does a lovely job of incorporating fresh, local, seasonal ingredients – many from the winery's own garden – into her delicious dishes.

    VIP vineyard and winery tour

    Rodney Strong vineyards sign and vineyards in background.

    In between meals, we were whisked away to VIP vineyard and winery tours... and, of course, more wine.

    If you win the sweepstakes, your weekend will kick off with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the key Rodney Strong Vineyards. The Rodney Strong team will share their expertly crafted, lovely wines with you at each vineyard stop.

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    You'll also have the pleasure of meeting Viticulturist Manager Ryan Decker, who is a wealth of wine knowledge. Rodney Strong Vineyards is one of the first vineyards in Sonoma County to have a sustainability program. And Ryan does an outstanding job of managing the vineyards in ways that allow each site to flourish in the most sustainable way possible while yielding the best grapes possible.

    The main Rodney Strong Vineyards

    yellow flowers with vineyards in the background.

    We toured Rodney Strong's Chalk Hill Vineyard and the picturesque Alexander's Crown.

    Then we drove to my favorite vineyard: Rockaway.

    picnic tables with lights strung on trees in fenced in picnic setting.

    Here, in this gorgeous setting, we enjoyed the latest Rodney Strong Rosé Malbec. We admired the beautiful outdoor space with benches and bocci ball courts while enjoying this summery wine.

    glass of rose wine with bottle of rose wine.

    Then we walked up to the top of the hill. There, we enjoyed the Rockaway Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon while soaking up the breathtaking views of the valley, including the vineyard's olive trees.

    bottle of rockaway wine with beautiful green vineyard views in background.

    Winery tour

    In addition to the vineyard tours, we were also treated to an exclusive, in-depth winery tour.

    black and white photo of barrels stacked in wine barrel room.
    rows of stainless steel vats in winery.

    Winemaker Justin Siedenfeld shared how the winery secured these imposing 20,000-pound square steel tanks from Canada. These tanks are able to store more wine than the traditional round tanks used in most wineries.

    It took about two years to design the tanks and properly fit the space. That included securing appropriate flooring and ensuring proper drainage.

    The tanks are not only more efficient, they are also super high tech. Winemakers can easily manage the tank controls remotely, whether they are out at one of the vineyards or on a beach vacation.

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    During our tour, we did some barrel samples of the 2014 Symmetry and the 2014 Rockaway.

    Then we returned to the wine tasting room, where we proceeded to sip our way through about 50 wines.

    Just kidding! Although it might have felt like that many at the time, I believe we tasted about 10 wines in total.

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Remember: when wine tasting, the spit/pour bucket is your friend. It's not rude to pour out wine from your glass before trying a new wine.

    When you're tasting out in the vineyards, it's perfectly acceptable to spit out your wine on the ground. More than likely, your vineyard tour guide will be doing so. If you're uncomfortable being the first person in your group to spit out wine, take your cue from the guide.

    The Master Blender experience

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    At last, we come to the main event of the wine country weekend: the custom blending session.

    You will have the opportunity to create your own custom blends using a variety of Rodney Strong Vineyards wines.

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Our goal was to try to create a Meritage red wine blend. We were to use the five varietals that make up Rodney Strong's Symmetry wine. These are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

    Meritage wines are red or white wine blends crafted solely from these specific Bordeaux grape varietals. Plus the rarer varietals of Saint-Macaire, Gros Verdot, and Carménère.

    Symmetry wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven Meritage wine. It's artfully blended to capture the essence of the Alexander Valley AVA.

    Marlynn Schotland blending wine at Rodney Strong vineyard.

    Now, I had never done a custom blending session in my life before. So I was basically along for the ride on this one.

    I blended what I thought might be a tasty red blend... But in the end, I think mine turned out to be one of the worst of the bunch!

    The art of blending wine

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Head Winemaker Rick Sayre donned his official lab coat and taste-tested each of our final blends. Too much Petite Verdot in my blend, was the verdict. Luckily for everyone, I do not have any plans to make my own wine anytime soon.

    This blending seminar experience was absolutely the highlight of my experience. I relished the opportunity to learn more about how winemakers create their blends. It was an incredible education to experience and taste for myself what each varietal brings to blends. And to learn how just a teeny tiny amount of a varietal can completely change a wine.

    This was an experience I will never forget. And, if you win the sweepstakes, I am betting you will not forget it too quickly either.

    Final gourmet meal at Rodney Strong Vineyards

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Coming off of our wine blending seminar high, we were treated to one final gourmet send-off. Winery Chef Tara Wachtel prepared a meal for us in the beautiful private room above the wine tasting room.

    Rodney Strong Sonoma Counry Master Blender Sweepstakes on UrbanBlissLife.com

    She prepared an exquisite sous vide beef dish. It was served with a cauliflower steak. Then, we each received a decadent dessert to send us all home smiling.

    To experience a wine country weekend with friends is one thing. But to experience the Master Blender sweepstakes prizes is truly an elevated, dreamy experience for wine lovers.

    Winners receive:

    • complimentary airfare
    • a weekend itinerary filled with delicious gourmet meals
    • exclusive tours and private time chatting with the key players in one of California's most distinguished wineries
    • accommodations at a four diamond luxury hotel.

    Many thanks to the incredible team at Rodney Strong Vineyards for sponsoring my visit. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Pune says

        July 17, 2018 at 4:01 am

        Wow, its looks like an exciting drink for the tourist. Want to try at least one time.

        Reply
      2. Wine Clubs - Sarah Dukes says

        March 16, 2017 at 11:07 pm

        I absolutely love the Rodney Strong vineyard! I first went to it back in 1996 and try to go back at least every couple of years. Great pictures. Thanks for tanking me back there :-)

        Reply
      3. James says

        December 06, 2016 at 3:06 am

        Hi Marlynn, Sonoma County is a wonderful place to be. Their Pinot Noir is beautiful. Their 20,000 pound square steel tanks are incredible, are they? You tested 10 wines and which one is your favourite? Thanks

        Reply
      4. Erin says

        April 15, 2016 at 4:14 pm

        How fun! Pretty sure I'd enjoy ALL of that! I mean, what's not to love? Wine? Check. Beautiful scenery? Check. Good food? Check. Count me in! And by that, I mean, please let me win ;) And wine blending? How cool!!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          April 19, 2016 at 7:25 pm

          Right? This is an amazing package deal for whomever wins!!

      5. Mary @ Vindulge says

        April 14, 2016 at 8:29 pm

        How cool. What a great experience for whoever wins this! I love it out there, and they have a great team over at Rodney Strong. And hooray for Santa Rosa Airport (it's one of my favs! love that it's so small and convenient to wine country). :)

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          April 19, 2016 at 7:27 pm

          The Santa Rosa airport is one of my faves too! Rodney Strong really does have an amazing team. It's such a great experience that they have planned for the winners!

      6. Brettni Brumfield says

        April 14, 2016 at 3:26 pm

        Headed their way to enter to win. Wish me luck! =)

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          April 19, 2016 at 7:28 pm

          Good luck, Brettni!! :)

      7. Chris says

        April 14, 2016 at 12:02 pm

        What a beautiful trip! We went to wine country for our honeymoon and it's an amazing place. I can't wait to go back! Thanks for sharing this amazing opportunity!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          April 19, 2016 at 7:29 pm

          A wine country honeymoon does sound amazing!! You could consider this a second honeymoon if you win ;) Good luck, Chris!

      8. jenni says

        April 14, 2016 at 10:57 am

        So Exciting! ENTERED! I would love all the amazing food. Or hey, just a vacation with my husband away from the kiddos. We haven't done that since the kiddos came into the picture.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          April 19, 2016 at 7:30 pm

          So glad you entered!! Good luck, Jenni! :)

      9. Chelsea says

        April 13, 2016 at 10:56 pm

        What an amazing experience and giveaway! I live pretty close to Sonoma, so I find myself there a lot. Definitely want to visit Rodney Strong sometime soon!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          April 19, 2016 at 8:06 pm

          How lucky that you live so close! I really loved visiting Rodney Strong and hope you get to visit and enjoy the experience there someday!

      10. Leah says

        April 13, 2016 at 4:48 pm

        This is an amazing giveaway!! I would love to win this, we are wanting to go back to the Napa Valley so badly! So fun!

        Reply
      11. Catherine says

        April 13, 2016 at 3:36 pm

        Oh my wow. This looks like an INCREDIBLE package. I absolutely love Sonoma County and all the wine country around there. I'm definitely stopping by to enter the sweepstakes. It'd be an incredible getaway with my hubs!

        Reply
      12. Danielle says

        April 13, 2016 at 3:07 pm

        This looks amazing! I am going on a wine tour to Sonoma in a few weeks!!! I wonder if we are stopping here! YUMMMM I'm so excited for the wine and food :)
        Danielle | AccordingtoD.com

        Reply
      13. Ashley says

        April 13, 2016 at 2:04 pm

        Looks like such a retreat! The pictures are so inviting.

        Reply
      14. Mary Burris says

        April 13, 2016 at 12:54 pm

        This looks like a lot of fun. The wine country is very beautiful area, and the wine, I'm sure, quite tasty!

        Reply
      15. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says

        April 13, 2016 at 12:16 pm

        What an exciting giveway! I've never been to Sonoma, but would love to, especially for this extra special tour! Love that Alaska flies wine for free! Huge bonus in my book!

        Reply

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      Hi! If you're looking for easy, fast, delicious family-friendly recipes, wine pairings, and travel tips, you've come to the right place! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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