SONOMA COUNTY

Sonoma County is not just a special place to grow world-class grapes and make great wines: It’s one of the most beautiful and resource-rich places on earth! Sonoma County is a million acres of small towns, back roads, pastures and vineyards, major highways, rustic wonders are only the beginning of the story. With more than 50 miles of dramatic Pacific coastline, Sonoma County beckons those who love nature, outdoor activities and a love for the fresh salty air. Sonoma County is conveniently located 30 miles north of San Francisco. With over 200 award-winning wineries, scenic coastline and beaches, the mystical Russian River, majestic redwoods, 21 challenging golf courses, a thrilling road course and drag strip, more than 40 spas, fascinating museums, shopping, galleries, diverse festivals, farm markets and a variety of incredible eateries, why wouldn’t you choose to live in Sonoma County?

NAPA COUNTY

America’s legendary wine, food and wellness destination. The Napa Valley is home to the founders of America’s wine industry - legendary entrepreneurs who showed the world that the high art of winemaking had crossed continents. The very word Napa stands for ‘Land of Plenty,’ the original meaning given to the region by its first inhabitants, the Wappo Indians. The Valley itself is one of the most rare and precious agricultural preserves on earth - a place that moves in perfect synchrony with the seasons. In addition to being recognized as one of the “Great Wine Capitals of the World,” The Napa Valley is prized for its natural beauty, phenomenal culinary scene, world-class accommodations, and one- of-a-kind spa experiences including the region’s famed mud baths and mineral hot springs.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Mendocino County, where rugged coastline, breathtaking beaches, picturesque villages, majestic redwood forests and America’s Greenest Wine Region beckon you to escape to a slower pace. Combing the best of the outdoors with the finest aspects of living well, Mendocino County embodies the very best that California and Mother Nature has to offer. Come sit by the fire, savor a delicious Mendocino vintage, stare up into a mighty redwood tree or watch migrating whales from the porch of one of our unique inns. Serenity and wilderness plus indulgence and enjoyment all await you, just a couple hours north of the San Francisco Bay Area where you’ll feel so far away from it all.

LAKE COUNTY

With pine-covered mountain forests, California’s largest natural freshwater lake teeming with fish and fowl, spring wildflower-covered fields, country back-roads with farm stands offering locally grown produce; Lake County is a wonderland of natural and rural beauty. Dotted with vineyards, orchards, and charming small towns, stunning vistas and spectacular scenery greet you at every turn in Lake County. A destination for the outdoor enthusiast with a wide range of trails for hiking, biking, and off-road adventures and many lakes for fishing, kayaking, bird watching, wakeboarding; for the nature lover with parks, preserves, and open space for viewing and photographing many types of birds, animals, and native plants; for the history buff with numerous museums, landmarks, pioneer towns, and Pomo culture; photographic moments are just a click away.

USEFUL LINKS ABOUT SONOMA COUNTY WINERIES AND SONOMA COUNTY GRAPEGROWING

County of Sonoma www.sonoma-county.org
Sonoma County Vintners www.sonomawine.com
Sonoma County Wine Grape Commission www.sonomawinegrape.org
Alexander Valley Winegrowers www.Alexandervalley.org
Russian River Valley Winegrowers www.rrvw.org
Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers www.sonomavalleywine.com
Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley www.wdcv.com
Appellation America www.AppellationAmerica.com
Sonoma County Wine Library www.sonomalibrary.org/wine/
Wine Institute www.wineinstitute.org
University Of California, Davis - Viticulture & Enology wineserver.ucdavis.edu
Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) www.Zinfandel.org

Sonoma County Tax Collector:
The Sonoma Tax Collector has a website where you can view a tax bill for any property in Sonoma County.  You can search by assessment number, property address, or APN number.  The nice thing is that the online bill will allow you to view any bonds or assessments that are part of the taxes.   The link to the tax collector website is:
www.sonoma-county.org/tax/proptax_pay.htm

Proposition 60:
Proposition 60 allows for a homeowner over age 55 to transfer their property tax basis to another property when selling and buying their replacement residence (of equal or lesser value) in Sonoma County.  The link to the form that the homeowner has to complete can be found at the following website:
www.sonoma-county.org/Assessor/HTML_Documents/Forms/PDFs/060ah_Prop60.pdf

Proposition 90:
Proposition 90 was established to allow a person over age 55 to transfer their tax basis from one county in California to another when selling and buying their replacement residence.  As the following website will show you, there are currently only 8 counties in California that participate in this program.  The link to the website that has more information about Proposition 90 is: www.car.org/governmentaffairs/localgovernmentaffairs/prop90/

Sonoma County Airport:
Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport
Neightborhood Guide to Airport Operations and Activities
www.sonomacountyairport.org/neighborhood-guide

For more information

www.californiawineryadvisor.com/regions/view/Sonoma_County winery directory www.californiawineryadvisor.com/regions/view/Napa_Valley winery directory www.californiawineryadvisor.com/regions/view/Mendocino_County winery directory www.californiawineryadvisor.com/regions/view/Lake_County winery directory