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< The WineGeese Society

Thursday, 6 April
6:00 pm reception and dinner, Pacific Union Club, San Francisco – survivor of the 1886 quake and fire and former home of Irish-American James Flood, bonanza king of the Comstock Lode.

Overnight at the historic Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, the granddaddy of Nob Hill’s elite cadre of ritzy hotels.

Friday, 7 April
9:30 am departure for historic Healdsburg where three of the great Sonoma County appellation converge.

10:30 am tour and tasting at Roche Estate Winery, Carneros, in the southern Sonoma Valley. The Roche family has extensive Irish connections. Joseph and Genevieve Roche’s dream of producing limited quantity, ultra-premium wines in their own winery became a reality when they opened Roche Carneros Estate Winery in 1989. They now produce more than ten varieties of wine, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Muscat Canelli.

Tour and lunch at Limerick Lane Cellars, Russian River Valley with our host Michael Collins, owner. Located on the eastern edge of the Russian River Valley, the vineyard dates back to 1910; some vines from that period are still in production. Michael Collins’s Irish roots link him to Co Limerick and Co Cork.

Limerick Lane is a small, exclusively estate producer specializing in Zinfandel and Syrah made from old vines.

3:30 pm tour and tasting at Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery, Russian River Valley, Healdsburg, voted “Artisan Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits 2004 buying guide.

Drive on to Healdsburg and check in to Hotel Healdsburg. Remainder of afternoon at leisure.

7:30 pm dinner catered by nationally acclaimed Chef Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen at the Hotel Healdsburg.

Overnight Hotel Healdsburg, Healdsburg, at this luxury hotel and spa, located on the western edge of the historic town plaza.

Saturday, 8 April
10:00 am tour and tasting at Murphy-Goode Estate Winery, Alexander Valley, Healdsburg (Dennis Murphy will be joining us). The Murphy family trace their roots to Galway. With his partner, Dale Goode, they became pioneers in winegrowing in the area. Founder Tim Murphy’s sons – Dennis, Jim, and TJ – are involved in running the company today.

The focus is on estate varietals including Reserve Fumé, and Reserve Chardonnay plus Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from steep hillside vineyards.

Lunch on own in Healdsburg – choosing from some of the finest restaurants in California (as reviewed in the New York Times, 3 Aug 2005). A list of restaurants will be provided.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the spa services at Hotel Healdsburg or golf at the Mayacama Club.

6:00 pm tasting of DuMOL Wines followed by dinner at the Mayacama Club. DuMOL Winery is owned by Kerry Murphy, who traces his Irish roots to Co Cork and Co Limerick. These extraordinary fine wines from the Russian River Valley appellation are crafted in the traditional Burgundian and Rhone styles and sell out at or prior to release.

Our tasting and reception will be in the Wine Vaults of the exclusive Mayacama Club located in the heart of the Sonoma wine country combining the luxuries of a wine country retreat and a world-class private golf club. Members pursue their combined passions for wine and golf amidst the camaraderie and fellowship of Sonoma and Napa’s premier winemakers.

Overnight Hotel Healdsburg, Healdsburg.

Sunday, 9 April
8:30 am breakfast at Hotel Healdsburg before 10:00 am departure for San Francisco Int’l Airport.