Soon the empty roadsides were filled with fields of grapes, then the vineyards with their imposing estate homes, and it became such a frenzy of where to look or even which way to go, that this sign was a perfect example of the anxiety that any oenophile must feel as they drive through this region.

Our first stop was Cornerstone Sonoma, a really interesting shopping experience that housed some of the coolest retailers in the region.

The project is located on a corner (true to its name), on Highway 121 outside of downtown Sonoma.

The project is distinguished by a “Flying Fence”, a white painted picket fence that, well, literally flies.

It’s where I saw my first Sonoma Grapes up close and personal. Actually, there is a vineyard painted at the back of the dirt parking lot, where we had been directed by the valet parker’s, because the paved lot was full of attendees at a benefit garden festival.

Notice the leaves turning a fall color. That’s right, the harvest is upon us and will occur anytime between now and the next ten days.

The Corner Stone development is a very interesting mix of retailers. First of all it fronts a two lane highway close to nothing other than a corner filling station.
The tenet mix was varied, with a couple of garden stores, offices of a landscaped architect, an Asian antique store, an architectural salvage store, a Zen fashion store, a kitschy design store, an outdoor furniture designer and importer, several interesting restaurants and even a party facility that you can rent for events. They host corporate events and wedding’s on the property in their adjacent vineyard.