A few miles outside the city of Sonoma, up in the Bennett Valley Hills, be on the lookout for Matanzas Creek Winery. Following the road through vineyards you'll end at the lovely tree-house-looking winery complex. Surrounding the hillside buildings are fields of lavender; lavender of all varieties. I found the experience calming, even spiritual. As I drove away I realized breathing-in this gentle herb changed my mood from stressed to contented.....like living the the Sonoma Valley can ever be termed "stressful"!
