KTSF "Bay Area Wonders" Secret Getaway Presents an Unforgettable Sonoma Day Tour!
Tour Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
KTSF program host Jia-Yu Jeng, through exclusive channels, will take you on a special journey to hidden gems, exploring the filming locations of "Bay Area Wonders" and sharing a media-exclusive, VIP experience with you.
In the warm and welcoming month of May, hop aboard a comfortable and spacious tour bus, enjoy a delicate breakfast, and watch special feature films and scenic highlights along the way. Relax and take in California’s breathtaking landscapes as you embark on an extraordinary journey to Sonoma, a charming slow-living town and a renowned wine country.
Your VIP experience includes a warm welcome from Sonoma's first Chinese-American mayor and city council member, a visit to California’s first commercial winery, an exclusive guided tour of Sonoma City Hall, a leisurely stroll through Sonoma Plaza, an exploration of California State Historic Park, and a special visit to the historic home of California’s first governor, Vallejo.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Sonoma like never before!
KTSF "Bay Area Wonders" Secret Getaway Presents
an Exclusive Sonoma Day Tour!
Tour Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Itinerary:
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Buena Vista Winery
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Welcome by Sonoma’s first Chinese-American mayor/city council member Jack Ding and winery representatives
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Enjoy a welcome champagne toast and a wine tasting session featuring a glass of select premium wine
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Exclusive guided tour of the winery, featuring historical insights on early Chinese laborers and their contributions
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Special discounts on fine wines available for purchase
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1:00 PM 🍽 Lunch at Mary’s Pizza Shack
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Enjoy a meal at Mary’s Pizza Shack, a classic Sonoma restaurant with 66 years of history, known for its fresh, handcrafted dishes made daily.
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1:30 PM - 3:00 PM 🏛 Sonoma Plaza & Historic Landmarks
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· Exclusive tour of Sonoma City Hall led by Mayor/Council Member Jack Ding
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· Visit Sonoma Plaza’s historic monuments and park
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· Explore surrounding historical sites in California State Historic Park
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3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Vallejo Home
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· Explore the historic residence of California’s founding figure, General Vallejo
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· Learn about early California statehood and Sonoma’s role in its development
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· Discover artifacts and historical relics from the mid-19th century
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4:00 PM Receive a special souvenir gift bag and depart for the Bay Area
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6:00 PM Return to the Bay Area
Pick-up Locations & Times:
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8:00 AM – Cupertino Marina Food (10122 Bandley Dr, Cupertino, CA 95014)
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8:30 AM – Fremont Osaka Marketplace (46881 Warm Springs Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539)
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9:30 AM – Richmond 99 Ranch Market （3288 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804）
Tour Highlights:
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Exclusive Wine Tasting at Buena Vista Winery
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Experience an extraordinary wine-tasting journey at California’s oldest premium winery. A professional guide will take you on a deep dive into the winery’s rich history and the significant contributions of early Chinese laborers to its development. Enjoy a selection of fine wines in this unique setting.
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🏛 Private Guided Tour of Sonoma City Hall
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Led by Sonoma's first and only Chinese-American mayor & city council member – Jack Ding, this exclusive tour will introduce you to Sonoma City Hall, a landmark built in the early 1900s, allowing you to immerse yourself in its historical charm.
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Leisurely Stroll Through Sonoma Plaza
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Take a relaxing walk around Sonoma Plaza, visit the California Republic Monument, learn about the early history of California, admire 19th-century architecture, explore local boutique shops, and experience the tranquil charm of Sonoma, the first and only U.S. city designated as a "Slow City" by the Cittaslow International Network.
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California State Historic Park Exploration
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Discover well-preserved historic sites that reveal California’s early history and Sonoma’s pivotal role as a key historical landmark.
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Visit the Vallejo Home
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Explore the historic home of California’s first governor, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, and gain insight into California’s early statehood and historical heritage. This estate was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Pricing:
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, welcome champagne, wine tasting, exclusive winery tour and wine tool museum visit, Vallejo home entry, and luxury coach transportation
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Early Bird Special: $188 (Regular Price: $208 after April 15)
Limited spots available! Secure your reservation now and embark on a journey filled with fine wine, history, and cultural exploration in California’s beautiful wine country, Sonoma!
1 Secret Experience
Wine Tasting at Buena Vista Winery
Discover California’s oldest premium winery, learn about its rich history and early Chinese laborers' contributions, and enjoy a fine wine-tasting experience.
2 Secret Experience
Private Tour of Sonoma City Hall
Get an exclusive guided tour led by Sonoma’s first Chinese-American mayor & city council member – Jack Ding, and learn about this historic building from the early 1900s.
3 Secret Experience
Visit to Vallejo Home
Step into the home of California’s first governor, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, and explore California’s early statehood history and historical artifacts.
Introduction to Buena Vista Winery
Buena Vista Winery, located in Sonoma, California, is one of the oldest and most historically significant wineries in the state. It was founded in 1857 by Agoston Haraszthy, who is widely regarded as the "Father of California Wine," laying the foundation for the state's wine industry.
This winery combines European winemaking techniques with Sonoma's unique terroir, cultivating classic grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.
Buena Vista Winery also bears witness to the significant contributions of Chinese laborers to California's wine industry. In the 1860s, the winery expanded its facilities and built one of California's earliest stone wine cellars. These sturdy cellars, excavated and constructed by Chinese workers, showcase their exceptional stonemasonry skills, ensuring optimal temperature and humidity for wine storage. Today, these cellars remain one of the winery's most iconic structures.
Visitors to Buena Vista Winery can enjoy an immersive wine-tasting experience, where staff dressed in 19th-century attire guide them through the winery’s rich history. The winery also houses The Wine Tool Museum, which features a collection of over 1,000 historical winemaking tools. With sound, light effects, and interactive exhibits, the museum offers a captivating journey through Western winemaking history.
This unique and scenic winery is undoubtedly worth a visit!
Jack Ding: Sonoma City Council Member, Tax Expert, and Community Leader
Jack Ding is a dedicated public servant and trailblazer, becoming the first Chinese American Mayor of Sonoma, California. Born in Jiangsu, China, Jack immigrated to the United States in 1993 to pursue higher education. Working tirelessly to support himself, he earned an MBA from Dominican University in 1995 and launched a successful career in Silicon Valley.
As a federally authorized Enrolled Agent with the IRS and a fellow of the National Tax Practice Institute, Jack is a recognized tax expert. He founded Unicom Tax Services in Sonoma, where he specializes in tax compliance and representation for individuals and small businesses. Jack has also served as an expert witness in tax appeals, demonstrating his deep knowledge and advocacy for taxpayers.
Jack’s contributions to the Sonoma community are both impactful and enduring. Elected to the City Council in 2020, he served as Mayor and Finance Director during the pandemic year of 2022, successfully increasing the city’s reserve fund by $3 million.
In addition to his governmental achievements, Jack has been a steadfast advocate for the community. He has served as a board member for nonprofits including Sonoma Overnight Support, Sister Cities, and Sonoma’s Radio/TV Station. Jack is a delegate and the Central Committee of for the California Democratic Party. He also serves as a commissioner on the League of California Cities’ Policy Committee of Revenue and Taxation.
Jack’s dedication has earned widespread recognition. In July 2023, he was honored with the U.S. Congress “American Dream Award” by Congressman Mike Thompson. Re-elected unopposed in November 2024, Jack will continue serving Sonoma with vision and dedication through 2028.
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