Rosso & Bianco" title="Vineyards at Rosso & Bianco" align="left" /> 

I confess:  I am an exuberant fan of Francis Ford Coppola. I love his movies, I love his willingness to take creative risks, I love his love of the pleasures of the table, I love his love of life. When he purchased Chateau Souverain in Geyserville in 2005, I was thrilled.
Yesterday, I visited what is now Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso & Bianco.  I had seen the plans for an extensive remodel but this was my first visit since construction began.  I was stunned by the progress they have made in just four months or so.
For now, here’s what you need to know.  The temporary quarters for the tasting room, open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, is one of the most pleasant places to visit in all of Alexander Valley. Nestled beneath a cool canopy of tall trees, a patio remains pleasant even during a heat wave. Tables and chairs allow you to linger, soaking up the gorgeous eastern view.
Inside, there are two long tasting bars and a small retail area. This temporary space is more than a lot of wineries have as their permanent quarters.
There are complimentary tastings of Rosso & Bianco wines. For $8, you can taste the gorgeous Francis Coppola 2007 Reserve Russian River Valley Viognier, one of the best I’ve seen from California, the FC 2006 Reserve RRV Chardonnay, the Director’s Cut 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and the 2005 FC Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Five dollars gets you tastes of Diamond Claret, Diamond Pinot Grigio, Diamond Alicante Bouschet and Sofia Blanc de Blanc.
The restaurant is closed during the remodel but food is still available, including nearly a dozen pizzas, a sandwich of the day, salumi, cheeses, olives, almonds, dried pears and fire-roasted bell peppers. Yesterday I had the pizza funghi e salsicce ($14); it was oh-so-very yummy.
To me, this is Sonoma County at its best, relaxed, informal, friendly and delicious.
Thank you, Francis, for choosing Sonoma County!
Phase 1 of the remodel, which will include the restaurant, the tasting room and the museum for Coppola’s extensive collection of movie memorabilia  will be completed sometime early next summer.
Phase 2, which will focus on the grounds and include a swimming pool with cabanas, an outdoor restaurant, a small band shell with seating for about 150 and bocce courts will open the following summer.

 Michele Anna Jordan