A WORTHY STOP: DRY CREEK GENERAL STORE
‘Tis the season for work travel for me (hence the lack of posts and lack of personal Sonoma County time period), but a little later this week you will find me back in one of my favorite parts of Sonoma County: Dry Creek Valley.
Only 16 miles long and 2 miles wide, Dry Creek Valley is quite small for having its own AVA distinction. But take the Dry Creek Road exit off of Highway 101 and you’ll quickly see why, although small, Dry Creek Valley has all you’ll need for a full day of wine country rapture: acres of rolling vineyards, small and large wineries, gorgeous blue-gray mountains that hug the valley floor and a plethora of Sonoma County backroad lanes on which to get lost. Dry Creek’s wine reputation corners the market on California’s own, bold and spicy Zinfandel, but be sure to take time to explore their equally good Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
I particularly enjoy visiting Dry Creek Valley throughout the seasons because the enclosed valley floor can give you a distinct sense of the changing seasons – something we don’t always get here in Nor Cal: rolling fields of bright yellow mustard in the spring, vistas of green vines bursting with juicy black fruit in the summer, white fog tendrils over autumnal-colored vines in the fall and slumbering, quiet vines in the winter.
About 1/2 way down the valley strip, you’ll find one of my favorite stops: the Dry Creek General Store. Built in 1881, this quintessential general store has all your needs for lunch, a picnic to go, refreshments on the patio and even a locals-favorite dive bar for refreshing your wined-out palate with some cold cerveza.
Schedule some time here so you’re not rushed. Believe me, it’s time well spent.
A gourmet deli dominates the main portion of the store, whipping up made-to-order sandwiches, deviled eggs and more. Refrigerators are full of vintage sodas, shelves are stacked with Kettle chips and the cash register is surrounded by irresistible post-lunch treats (Chocolate covered grahams and freshly-made rice krispy treats to name a few. Yum!). You won’t leave hungry, to say the least.
Take some time to browse the rest of the store and you’ll find all things wine country affiliated: books, local wines, gourmet cheese, picnic essentials, local artisan housewares and even some tasteful chotchke souvenirs. If you’re camping in the area for the evening (Lake Sonoma has some great sites), you’ll also find everything you need for your night of campfire living.
But, attached to the General Store and just past the vintage leather seats (perfect for perusing your newly purchased wine books), you’ll find my favorite reason for stopping at the General Store: the dive bar whose name I do not know. In fact, I’m not even sure it has a name. It’s just…the bar. Attached to the DCGS. That one. Everyone will know which one you’re talking about when you ask.
With even creakier wooden floors, a country music-laden jukebox and so many dust covered bar ‘artifacts’ your eyes won’t be able to take it all in on one visit, this is a definite locals-favorite bar where you can refresh your palate with a Corona and meet some of the local winemaking talent. Or take your frosty brew outside to the sunshine-covered Adirondack chairs and rub elbows with the bike crowd, both leather-clad and spandex-clad. Sip your frosty brew, watch the valley’s traffic pass by and contemplate your next viniferous stop.
Just be sure to allot your self time for another beer – you’ll probably be in no rush to leave.
Dry Creek General Store: Intersection of Dry Creek Road & Lambert Bridge Rd. Mon-Sat 6am – 6:30pm; Sun 7am – 6:30 pm. Bar hours: Mon-Thur open at 3pm; Fri-Sun open at noon.
eve
