Visitors to the Alderbrook Winery tasting room are always high in their praise of the idyllic winery with its traditional rural farmhouse standing on the edge of a luxuriant vineyard. They always appreciate the warm hospitality of the staff, but they have one small question. What they find surprising is that as nearly perfect as they consider the tasting room visit to be, the staff is routinely coming up with more amenities, and designing new programs to broaden their club members' knowledge about their wines and the grapes from which they are made and the rich, fertile soil in which they stretch out their roots.

Long range plans call for a series of exciting educational tours of the vineyards and winemaking facilities designed with the help of winemaker Bryan Parker. Along the way visitors will be treated to a sampling of  the Terlato Pinot Grigio and the Alderbrook Pinot Noir. The tour  concludes with a tasting of Alderbrook's collection of limited production, specialty Dry Creek Zinfandels.

Those not members of the Alderbrook wine club are invited to sign up at any time to enjoy the benefits and privileges of wine club membership. There are three levels of membership: Cellar Key Club, Club Zinfandel and Confluence Club, each tailored to please the personal tastes of each member. Each of the clubs receive excellent discounts on both Terlato and Alderbrook wines, and invitations to exclusive wine club events.

Now is the time to mark your club calendar with a reminder that this year's Harvest BBQ, deliciously prepared by Ken Rochioli at the grill, is scheduled for the 12th of September from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be barrel tasting and vineyard walks, a special grape-tasting and music. Seating is limited so call now 1-800-805-5987, ext. 2.  Club member reservations are $60, non-club, $70.

Open hours in the tasting room at 2306 Magnolia Dr., Healdsburg, are 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., and there is a modest $5 fee for tasting.  In the future, there will be a new wine to taste from Alderbrook's Dry Creek Vineyard Estate: 2006 Syrah Block 9

As the visitor strolls along the wide porches, the idea of a picnic lunch may come to mind, and thanks to the food offerings and sodas for the younger set, a picnic is  easy to arrange; simply spread a cloth, set out the snacks and enjoy. There is no charge and space is usually available either on the porch or the lawn.

The tasting room has always featured a dazzling selection of gift items. Now visitors will notice all the items are wine related, from the sparkling women's tee shirts to the brilliant pottery terrines. Of increasing interest is the growing library of food and wine books highlighting unusual cuisines and food and wine pairings that are delightful to try with your favorite Alderbrook/Terlato wines..