City: Guerneville, CA

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (707) 824-7000, (800) 656-7235

Address: 13250 River Road

Description: When the three Czech Korbel brothers emigrated from Bohemia, they settled in a redwood forest along the Russian River, tried several different enterprises—including cigar-box manufacture—and finally resolved to become winemakers. They built their handsome brick winery in 1886, including a quaint turreted tower at the south end. The story behind this tower is interesting. Before leaving Prague, the youngest Korbel inadvertently fired his pistola in the midst of the townfolk, who had gathered to hear the news called out by the town crier. He was jailed briefly, and upon his release the three brothers fled the country. The tower of the winery is a sentimental duplicate of the jail where young Joseph spent his last days in his home country. Korbel has an excellent tour of both the champagne cellars and the antique rose garden that surrounds the old summer house. The sparkling wine is produced in the méthode champenoise, the traditional French method in which the second fermentation takes place in the same bottle. If you’re hungry, there’s a good deli on-site. Be aware that this is a popular spot and it can be jam-packed with visitors on weekends.