Sonoma man survives another week on 'The Bachelorette'

Sonoma's hometown heartthrob Ben Flajnik survived another rose ceremony on Monday night's episode of "The Bachelorette," and gave viewers across the country a glimpse of the rolling vineyards and small-town charm that characterize the valley where he makes wine.

Flajnik, co-owner of Evolve Wines, was one of 25 contestants competing for a chance to marry Ashley Hebert, and he has made it to the final three.

Emotions and tension levels ran high as Hebert met the families of four finalists, before she sent home Ames Brown, a New York portfolio manager.

"It was exciting and nerve wracking," Flajnik said in an interview. "It's not every day that you bring someone home to meet the family, but I felt confident, and my mom and sister were very understanding."

As Flajnik and Hebert shared a rainy picnic on the grounds of Benziger Family Winery, Flajnik let Hebert know that getting along with his family is incredibly important to him. He told Hebert that he's brought only one other girlfriend home to meet the family before.

Flajnik's father, Joe, coached soccer in Sonoma and passed away in 2006. The community created a memorial scholarship fund in his name.

"My Dad was like a gentle giant ... super happy about life, jovial," Flajnik told Hebert on the episode broadcast Monday night. "He would have liked ya."

Flajnik said he brought Hebert to the Vella Cheese Co. and Basque Boulangerie Caf?on the Sonoma town square to pick up goods for their picnic, and said she liked what she saw.

"Of course she loved Sonoma, everybody loves Sonoma," Flajnik said in an interview. "It's a special place."

"It's just a little taste, a little sample," Flajnik said to Hebert during the broadcast. "There's a lot more to this town."

Two weeks remain before the final episode where Hebert is set to choose her fiance, but she made it clear Monday night that Flajnik is close to her heart. The Sonoma winemaker was the first of the three finalists to receive a rose, a token that is presented to the men she wants to continue seeing.

"There are so many great things I see with Ben, and I know his family sees the same things in him," Hebert said to the camera. "I can see myself spending the rest of my life with him."