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+--- Thread: Wine Country (/thread-16952.html)
- as2324 - 06-13-2006
My wife and I are going to Sonoma and Napa in a couple of weeks, for 4 nights. I was looking for any helpful information on where to go, what to do?
So far, we have dinner at Cyrus and French Laundry. Also, a hot air balloon ride, and a couple of wineries I know I want to go to, i.e. Sebastiani.
Any ideas?
- winoweenie - 06-13-2006
Hi Sebastian. If you go back on the Travel Wine Country thread for a year you'll find many suggestions. You seem to have a couple of dynamite dinners already on the books. If nothing strikes your fancy come back and I'll give you some of my favorite jernts. WW
- corkpopper - 06-22-2006
In Napa try Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and Phelps. In Sonoma how about Dry Creek and (not too far away) Silver Oak. There are others in the area also.
For some bubbly - Domaine Carneros who also produces a great Pinot Noir.
You will probably find the Sonoma side to be less expensive for accomodations.
Enjoy
- cellophane flowers - 06-23-2006
Great trip! Since you will be in town a few days I recommend Napa on the weekdays and Sonoma if Sat or Sun. Napa gets pretty crowded and the tasting bars are elbow to elbow.
In Napa Cakebread, Peju and Beaulieu are fairly close together on hwy 29 and worth a visit. Beringer further up the road has great grounds and tours (all at a cost). Personally I like to take some of the roads east to the Silverado Trail where Dutch Henry is a favorite. If you bring a picnic lunch they have a table for you!
Sonoma is where I spend more time. Along hwy 12 is Sebastiani, Arrowood and St Francis. Russian River is just a bit north, a must if you have the time. I usually start at Korbel, beautiful grounds, and then take the Westside Rd turnoff. Porter Creek and Belvedere have some tasty wines and very intimate. Drive slow along this road cause the wineries pop out of the vineyards!
Always ask the tasting room folks where to eat. After a day of tasting in Russian River I stop in Healdsburg for lunch or dinner. Pick up the local maps and wear your sunscreen!
- KevinVogt - 06-27-2006
Sterling Vineyards in the Northern part of Napa is rather fun. The winery is on top of a hill in the middle of the valey with 360 degree views, a tasting room, retail etc.
Try it.
Kevin
- amw5g - 06-28-2006
We've literally got 19 typed pages of recaps from our trip to Sonomoa & Napa a few years back. I'll spare you the full details, but here's where we hit, and bear in mind we were (and still really are) neophytes so there's little rhyme or reasoning to our wandering
SONOMA
Valley of the Moon
Buena Vista (reserve tasting room)
Sebastiani
Benziger
Kunde
Ch. St. Jean
Mayo
Kenwood
Iron Horse
Ravenswood
Gloria Ferrer
Castle Vinyards (out of a garage)
NAPA
Beringer
St. Clements
Krug
V. Sattui
Sterling
Opus
Mondavi
Niebaum Coppola
Beaulieu (reserve tasting room)
ZD
Hakusan (Sake)
Copia- not a winery, but still wine-related
St. Supery
Dutch Henry (where we were given a stern lesson in how to pronounce Meritage)
Frank Family
Memorables either for wine, atmosphere, or service include BV, Kunde, Ch St. Jean, Opus, St Supery, V. Sattui (picnicking), Castle, & Hakusan
As for the food...well that was a completely different adventure in itself but I'd recommend the calimari @ Deuce in Sonoma. The chef has changed, but I hope they kept that dish the same.
-Amw 5G
- cellophane flowers - 06-30-2006
Here's a good link for Sonoma
http://www.visitwineroad.com/index.htm
or
http://www.wineroad.com/