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Posted

The wife and myself are heading to the Napa this summer and we are seeking advise from those who have traveled or live in the region. My experience with Napa/Sonoma wines is very limited.

What wineries are a must see in the Napa/Sonoma valleys? We will have a car. We have been been to many wineries around the world and have done many tours. We are not looking for a "how wine is made" tour but rather are looking for tours that concentrate on the history, grounds, cellars and of course tastings. The quality of the wine is very important. We love full bodied red wine if that helps. I mainly drink Bordeaux, Cab Sav, Meritage, Brunello, Super Tuscans to name a few. Hope I have given enough info to get some solid recommendations. Thanks!

Posted

I'll be very curiously watching this thread, thanks for posting this Tarks. The wife and I should be in the Napa/Sonoma area the third week in April. I'll try to at least post details of our experience. We're currently touring NZ and I was going to post a thread of our experience through the country regarding the wine.

Posted
I'll be very curiously watching this thread, thanks for posting this Tarks. The wife and I should be in the Napa/Sonoma area the third week in April. I'll try to at least post details of our experience. We're currently touring NZ and I was going to post a thread of our experience through the country regarding the wine.

Excellent! I look forward to your trip report! Have fun!

Posted

The wifee and I went a couple years ago for our Anniv.

Stayed at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena. Very nice place, IMO. Centrally located in the valley. Room overlooking the vineyards out back. Nice deck to enjoy a couple cigars in the afternoon sun. I forget the room number, but it was right above the breakfast room.

It was our first time out there. Did a couple food pairings, one at the Castello di Amorosa and one at Silver Oak. I would do them both again. The castle was pretty amazing. I'm a sucker for that type of architecture, tho. Cakebread had a really nice tour and our guide (James, who owned his own winery in Orgeon) was a wealth of information. Didn't get a chance to visit any caves, but someone we spoke with said that Quintessa was a good place for that. YMMV

Posted

I found a couple pictures from my phone.

Deck view:

2ir801j.jpg

From the top of the castle:

wcmg5v.jpg

If you go to the castle, the food pairing will get to in to any room, I think. Don't forget to take notes as you pass through the torture chamber ;)

Posted

Tarks, my wife and I went to the region two years ago. Our trip was more of a food related purpose, but we did manage to visit a few wineries while we were there. Some of the more traditional wineries we hit were Darioush, Clos Du Val, Robert Sinskey, Trefethen and Mumm for some bubbly. All were good and were ones we happened to be driving by and decided to pull in and visit. IMO, you can’t go wrong if you take Silverado Trail as your route through the region instead of St. Helena Hwy for both scenery and selection. The highlights for us though, were the non-winery wineries (weird, but true). The region has a slew of wineries that are too small/craft to have their own tasting room and tours. Some of these producers don’t even have wineries, but instead buy grapes from other wineries or farmers. You’ll find these hidden gems in art galleries, antique shops and specialty retailers and are unique pieces to add to your collection. Btw, we stayed at a great place in Yountville if you’re looking for a recommendation. Enjoy your trip!

Posted

This is a great question to ask of the sommelier when having dinner at some of the better restaurants in Napa/Sonoma. One of the friendliest and most interesting wineries we visted was Pride Mountain which has vineyards on top of Spring mountain which covers both Napa and Sonoma. They invited us in and made us feel like old friends and the view from the top was fantastic. They also encouraged us to walk around the vineyards and we really liked their wines. Joseph Phelps was very nice and worth seeing, but we just didn't care enough for their wines to pay what they wanted for them. Bennett Lane was another little gem that we liked up by Calistoga where we stayed and we wished we had bought more of their wines. Up in Healdsburg we liked Mauritson for their Zinfandels, but it was long drive with not much else around. I have Merry Edwards in the Russian River Valley on my list for our next visit.

You do have to plan ahead for the better places to get a reservation and to see what days they are open. The time of year and what they have in stock/current releases can be a problem at the smaller vineyards. One of the places we went to looking for Pinot Noir only had a Rosé available. The next time we go back we will want to do some guided tastings or take advantage of some of the educational tastings and pairings at the CIA in Napa.

Posted

Here would be my suggestions. Book a tasting at Shafer. They have renovated and you get to taste he whole portfolio. across the street is cliff lede, amazing wines and great prices.

Spend a day onto of Howell Mountain and visit outpost, viader and neal.

On the valley floor, I would recommend stopping in at mondavi as it is a beautiful winery as well as beringer in st helena.

I would also consider visiting etude, karl lawrence (tremendous wines and the price is reasonable), larkmead, spottswoode, chateau montelena in calistoga.

try to get reservations at the french laundry. you can also go to bouchon for lunch.

If you want to see a circus, go to silver oak or darioush.

Have a great time. Napa is awesome!!!!!

Posted

Don't overlook Sonoma. My wife and I love Healdsburg, which has Ridge, Seghesio and Ramey within a very short drive. Also really love Siduri and Merry Edwards, which are a short drive from Healdsburg.

If you can't get into French Laundry, and maybe even if you can, try Cyrus in Healdsburg. Three of the best meals of my life.

Maverickdrinker's recos for Napa are all spot on. The only one I'd add is Spottswoode, if you're able to get in, and try Ad Hoc for dinner in Yountville.

Posted

Lot's of great wineries mentioned here. I guess if you are going to be there for a few days you can hit a wide variety of places. Some of my personal favorites are Grgich Hills, Cakebread Cellars, Chateau Montelena, Chandon, Silver Oak and for cave tours you can't beat Quintessa. Have fun...

Posted

Switch your plans and do the Central Coast.

Joking.... but I strongly prefer Santa Barbara County. Relaxed. Very beautiful.

I prefer Sonoma to Napa.

Go down to Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains.....now that is a good day trip. Ridge has a more pedestrian tasting room in Sonoma but personally I like the wineries off of the beaten track.....

Posted

Thanks for the recommendations guys. This gives us a good starting point.

Posted
Don't overlook Sonoma. My wife and I love Healdsburg, which has Ridge, Seghesio and Ramey within a very short drive. Also really love Siduri and Merry Edwards, which are a short drive from Healdsburg.

If you can't get into French Laundry, and maybe even if you can, try Cyrus in Healdsburg. Three of the best meals of my life.

Maverickdrinker's recos for Napa are all spot on. The only one I'd add is Spottswoode, if you're able to get in, and try Ad Hoc for dinner in Yountville.

Some great reccomendations. Some other wineries worth checking out in the dry creek valley would be Sbragia(great cabs), Bella, Quivira, Dutcher Crossing, Mauritson. etc. Honestly any where you stop in Dry Creek will have good wines. And dont miss Unti especially since you like the Italian varietals. Russian River is right there too but unless you like Pinots you may not be interested. Theres some nice tasting rooms in downtown Healdsburg too like Down Town tasting room.

Im not too familiar with Napa. I like the feel of Sonoma so i always just go to that region.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Can't go wrong with any of the above mentioned wineries. Pride Mountain, Shafer, Chandon(get their crackers), Neal, Opus one, Keever. If you want to see some neat wineries hit Sterling and Coppola. While the wines are nothing special the wineries are very nice...Some of the wineries in Napa can be a little stuffy, the Wineries in Sonoma are definatley not. Sonoma wineries are less travelled and more friendly. I would hit Arrowwood, Kenwood, Imagery and Benzinger...

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

I'm happy to give you the benefit of my working the better part of the last 20 years working in the Napa Valley.

First you should know that our wines are horribly over priced and you get no deals at the winery, your better off buying wine at wine shops in Napa or St Helena where you will get a discount. Price has no bearing on quality, wineries charge whatever they think they can get or whatever the bank says they need to charge. You can bring wine into restaurants and pay a corkage fee and save yourself a fortune.

After giving slightly over a million tours I rarely go on one so I'm no expert as to great tours. Make appointments for tours.

The best places to stay are Yountville and Calistoga unless your a mi$$ionare then why not the Auberge du Soleil. Calistoga is a small 3 block town at the top of the valley with hot springs and mud bath places. Yountville is just north of Napa, aka restaurant row: The French Laundry...$400+ for dinner for two, otherwise Bouchon, Ad Hoc, Bistro Jeanty, Redd, Bottega and etoile at Domain Chandon will feed you well and you won't have to leave your first born. Plenty of nice places to eat in St Helena too, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, Go Fish, Terra, Tra Vigne, all there is to do is eat and drink!

For me the most beautiful winery is Rubicon Estates...the old Ingelnook, what a hunk of history....can't say much for the wine, I'd look and leave.

Beringer is also beautiful but if you taste go to the Founders Room where they pour the good wine.

Most winery's will let you picnic on there grounds and some are set up for that, Spring Mountain is where I'd go, good wine, beautiful place and grounds tucked up above St Helena...where they filmed Falcon Crest, hard to leave once your there it's so gorgeous.

If you want to see caves and history it's Schramsberg, the best sparkling wine made in the US and caves dug by the Chinese not the man made ones everybody has.

If you like art with your wine Hess Collection and Clos Pegase have good wine and big modern art collections.

Far Niente has good wine and a great car collection and beautiful old winey.

Mumm has a great patio with a beautiful view of the middle of the valley if you want to end you day with a little bubbly.

Places that have good Cab and don't screw you, Saddleback Cellars, Conn Creek, St Clement and Vincent Arroyo. I really like Plumpjack and Hartwell but $$.

You can pick up a nice picnic at the Oakville Grocery, Dean & Deluca and Sunshine Market. Cuvaison has good wine and picnic grounds and Rutherford Hill has picnic grounds with a view, right by the Auberge which is another nice place to end the day on their balcony with a drink.

Stay away from Sattui and the castle, biggest tourist traps in the valley.

Forget Chateau Montelena...tight pours, Shafer..funk in their wine and Silver Joke...you to can pay $100 for a $30 wine.

Have a great trip!

Pride and Spottswoode are great.

Posted

Wow! Some more great information that keeps rolling in! Thanks guys. I really, really appreciate the feedback.

  • 1 month later...
Posted
Wow! Some more great information that keeps rolling in! Thanks guys. I really, really appreciate the feedback.

Went to Napa last August.

Quick review.

Coolest Winery - Rubicon - didn't drink the wine though .... if you look in back of the staircase there is a humidor with a lot of CC's. Pretty cool.

Best Tasting - Clos Du Val - My parents have been members for years so the tasting was pretty crazy.

Best Cabernet - Clos Du Val / Conn Creek

Best White Wine- Schweiger Vineyards on Spring Mountain

Good but not great tastings- Duckhorn (fun though) and Summers Winery

Stayed at the Marriott in Napa. Clean/Decent Pool/Comfy Beds ( Raiders were there for training camp so that was cool - even though I am a Pats fan)

Ate at:

Morimoto - Phenomenal!

Bottega - Very Good. Cool atmosphere.

Lunch at Auberge du Soleil - Great view but Meh food and service.

Some Mexican restaurant near the Napa Marriott - Awful / Margaritas sucked too. Thank God this was night one because nights 2 and 3 made up for it.

Hope this helps!

Eric

  • 2 months later...
Posted

I figured I would update this thread with some pics and a brief trip report. My wife and myself had an awesome time in Napa, thanks to the many recommendations from the FOH brothers. We spent 3 nights at a Napa B&B (Arbor Guest House). I would highly recommend this B&B and we will return without doubt.

The food. We were treated to some great meals at restaurants that included Ad Hoc, Redd, Mustards Grill, Bistro Jeanty and Bounty Hunter. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a reservation at the French Laundry despite trying to reserve months in advance. I can't believe that there is such a waiting list to spend in excess of $600 for dinner. Craziness!!!

The wine. For the most part, superb! We visited several wineries for tours and tastings that included:

1) Del Dotto - Beautiful grounds, neat barrel tasting/cave experience but the wines were nothing to write home about.

2) Castello de Amorosa - Beautiful castle that is worth a visit for pictures but the wines were average at best.

3) Shafer - Beautiful grounds, great staff and awesome wine! I picked up a bottle of the " 08 one point five".

4) Cliff Lede - Beautiful grounds, great staff and excellent wine. I picked up a bottle of "08 Lonely Wizard".

5) Opus - Beautiful grounds, stuffy atmosphere and the wines are way over-rated for the asking price.

6) Hall Rutherford - Amazing grounds, awesome view, and an amazing cave and tasting room. The wine was one of the best I had on this trip. I picked up a bottle of the "07 Bergfeld".

7) Frank's Family Vineyard - Ranch style winery, laid back easy going staff and great wine. I purchased 2 bottles of the "07 Reserve Cab Sauv".

8) Alpha Omega - Beautiful grounds, great staff and great wine. I picked up a bottle of the "08 Cab Sauv".

All in all a great trip. I would have loved to bring back more than 6 bottles but didn't want to get stung too hard on duties upon our arrival to Canada.

If your interested in pictures, here is the link.

Posted

Great trip and really nice pix! What kind of camera did you use?

I have a old Canon Xti. All of the pictures were taken with a Tamron 10 - 24mm.

Posted

I figured I would update this thread with some pics and a brief trip report. My wife and myself had an awesome time in Napa, thanks to the many recommendations from the FOH brothers. We spent 3 nights at a Napa B&B (Arbor Guest House). I would highly recommend this B&B and we will return without doubt.

The food. We were treated to some great meals at restaurants that included Ad Hoc, Redd, Mustards Grill, Bistro Jeanty and Bounty Hunter. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a reservation at the French Laundry despite trying to reserve months in advance. I can't believe that there is such a waiting list to spend in excess of $600 for dinner. Craziness!!!

The wine. For the most part, superb! We visited several wineries for tours and tastings that included:

1) Del Dotto - Beautiful grounds, neat barrel tasting/cave experience but the wines were nothing to write home about.

2) Castello de Amorosa - Beautiful castle that is worth a visit for pictures but the wines were average at best.

3) Shafer - Beautiful grounds, great staff and awesome wine! I picked up a bottle of the " 08 one point five".

4) Cliff Lede - Beautiful grounds, great staff and excellent wine. I picked up a bottle of "08 Lonely Wizard".

5) Opus - Beautiful grounds, stuffy atmosphere and the wines are way over-rated for the asking price.

6) Hall Rutherford - Amazing grounds, awesome view, and an amazing cave and tasting room. The wine was one of the best I had on this trip. I picked up a bottle of the "07 Bergfeld".

7) Frank's Family Vineyard - Ranch style winery, laid back easy going staff and great wine. I purchased 2 bottles of the "07 Reserve Cab Sauv".

8) Alpha Omega - Beautiful grounds, great staff and great wine. I picked up a bottle of the "08 Cab Sauv".

All in all a great trip. I would have loved to bring back more than 6 bottles but didn't want to get stung too hard on duties upon our arrival to Canada.

If your interested in pictures, here is the link.

http://www.flickr.co...57627419600196/

Did you try the Zinfandel @ The Frank Family Vineyard? An absolutely fantastic wine. One of my favorite Zinfandels.

Posted

Tarks, great to hear that you and the Mrs had such a good time. Napa is a wonderful place and it stays in your system for a very long time. Sorry to hear you didn't get a seat at TFL, but you did quite well with the other restaurants you visited. Did you have any special smokes on your vacation?

Posted

Did you try the Zinfandel @ The Frank Family Vineyard? An absolutely fantastic wine. One of my favorite Zinfandels.

I did try the Zin and it was very, very good. Zin is my "new" varietal!

Posted

Tarks, great to hear that you and the Mrs had such a good time. Napa is a wonderful place and it stays in your system for a very long time. Sorry to hear you didn't get a seat at TFL, but you did quite well with the other restaurants you visited. Did you have any special smokes on your vacation?

I brought my 40ct travel humi with me and did smoke everyday so I had a great variety to choose from. I spent lots of time in the "Occidental Cigar Club" in SF while the wife would shop during the day. Great, small Irish pub that allowed smoking inside. It was a great find for me.

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