Arrive To: Registration opens at 4 PM. Due to turn over between groups, rooms will not be ready before that time.

Afternoon: Come get to know your on-site coordinators and fellow Road Scholars over hors d'oeuvres and a glass of wine, beer or sparkling beverage.

Dinner: Your first of many great meals in the dining hall of The Bishop's Ranch. All our meals are prepared fresh by talented cooks in our kitchen. Most of our food is sourced locally. All meals are served buffet style.

Evening: Gather for a brief orientation to the Ranch and to the program. We won't keep you up late so you can be well rested for Monday's Program.

Lodging: The Bishop's Ranch

Meals Included: Dinner

The theme of the week is set this morning by our talented chef/lecturer. Be ready to taste some fabulous food. Later, begin your journey to greater wine expertise.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in Ranch dining hall.

Morning: "A Taste of Provence" - Chef Gloria Bowers will take you on a culinary journey in this double session, that will demonstrate to you through lecture, demonstration and tasting why Sonoma County is the sister region to Provence.

Lunch: Buffet lunch in Ranch dining hall.

Afternoon: 1) Elissa Rubin-Mahon, will open your eyes to a new world that many of us overlook, the world of mushrooms. Elissa will talk about different mushroom varieties and their uses. She will share with you some of her favorite recipes. 2) Later in the afternoon, you will begin a three session program on wine. Learn the history of grape growing and wine making in Sonoma County. Discover the differences between different varietals. Taste to learn through wines selected by a local wine instructor.

Dinner: Buffet dinner in Ranch dining hall.

Evening: Your fellow Road Scholars bring a wealth of experience about other programs available. Gather for an informal sharing of these Road Scholar adventures.

Lodging: The Bishop's Ranch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your culinary journey continues with bread baking and healthier ways of cooking vegetables. Enjoy a free afternoon and wine class.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in Ranch dining hall.

Morning: 1) Come to the Ranch kitchen and learn from our kitchen manager, Robin Miller the art of baking bread. Then, advance your knowledge through a hands on experience with the dough. This is strictly "knead to know". 2) For some, vegetables can be the least favorite part of the meal, but "Veggie Queen", Jill Nussinow teaches how vegetables can be a delicious path to a healthier diet.

Lunch: Lunch buffet in Ranch dining hall.

Afternoon: 1) You have a few hours this afternoon to explore the area. We will have maps and materials to help you decide where you want to go, even if it just to one of our Adirondack chairs overlooking the panoramic Russian River Valley. 2) Your wine instructor will take you deeper into the world of oenology in this second of three classes.

Dinner: Buffet dinner in Ranch dining hall.

Evening: Showing of film "Chocolat" in Ranch meeting room.

Lodging: The Bishop's Ranch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A continuation of the exploration of the Sonoma-Provence link, and the culmination of the wine instruction.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in Ranch dining hall.

Morning: 1) Sonoma County has a rich natural and cultural history. A local instructor will illuminate that richness for you. 2) It could be said that the glue that holds the two regions, Sonoma and Provence, together is garlic. Learn all about this wonderful herbs history and uses by expert, Chester Aaron.

Lunch: Buffet lunch in Ranch dining hall.

Afternoon: 1) Another opportunity to explore the richness of Sonoma County. Take a quick trip to an ancient redwood grove, check out some local wineries or just take a walk through our nature preserve. 2) Your wine instruction culminates in the final wine class. All your questions should be answered and your palette should be pleased with the samples offered by the instructor.

Dinner: Buffet dinner in Ranch dining hall.

Evening: Free evening.

Lodging: The Bishop's Ranch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A Grand Day Out - Assimilate what you have been learning earlier in the week by touring through the Sonoma County countryside accompanied by local on-board instructor

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in Ranch dining hall.

Morning: Discover the richness of Sonoma Counts as you travel to the town of Healdsburg and its surrounding environs. First stop is a visit to Costeaux French Bakery, where since 1923 they have been making award winning breads and desserts. Then discover why Raymond Burr was much more than an actor by visiting the winery he started. Learn about their wines as well as their orchid garden.

Lunch: There are a great variety of dining possibilities on and around the Healdsburg Town Plaza. You can choose simple picnic fare from places like the Oakville Grocery or sit down to a meal at one of Healdsburg's highly rated restaurants. There are lots of choices in between.

Afternoon: After you have had your fill enjoy some free time to explore Healdsburg Square with its interesting shops, book stores and tasting rooms. You may want to learn more about this town by visiting the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society. The field trip continues with a visit to world renowned Korbel Champagne Cellars. A tour of the facility will uncover the mysteries of how sparkling wine is made. Before getting back on the bus, sample some of their products.

Dinner: Buffet dinner in Ranch dining hall.

Evening: What better way to end the week than to relax with your new friends and enjoy musical entertainment provided by local musicians.

Lodging: The Bishop's Ranch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Food is the theme this last morning with a light breakfast, a cinematic food experience and a farewell brunch.

Breakfast: Breakfast snack.

Morning: The preparation and enjoyment of food has been a theme in many films over the years. Film expert Jim Devine takes you on a tour of some of his favorites.

Brunch: Farewell brunch and wrap up session.

Afternoon: Depart from Ranch by noon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch