Travel can bring unexpected surprises. On a recent trip to the Sonoma Wine Country, I was fortunate to talk with Bruce Cohn – legendary winery owner, philanthropist and music promoter – about his success and what inspires him. Most people would be content with one successful career, and in Bruce’s case, it was in the music business. He garnered numerous gold records while managing and promoting the Doobie Brothers. He went on to open a winery that produces award-winning wines and was one of the first wineries to produce their own olive oils. And he has raised lots of money for charity.

Located two hours east of San Francisco, the Lodi Wine Region is in California’s primary agricultural area. While many of these wineries have been growing grapes for decades, most have only been producing their own wines for a short time. This is a relaxed place where they consider themselves farmers first and winemakers second.

Amador County is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills in California’s Gold Country – made famous by the Gold Rush of the 1850s. Fortunately for us, the prospectors planted vineyards to produce wines reminiscent of those from Europe. Today, this thriving wine region is home to35 wineries known for fantastic Zinfandels and other bold, fruity wines. Many of the wineries along these winding roads are small family operations where you will receive a hearty welcome when you visit.

The Russian River Valley is an AVA in Sonoma County that receives less press and tourists than other winemaking regions, making it a perfect destination for those in the know. There are 70 wineries and more than 15,000 vineyard acres planted in the Russian River Valley.