Request Info: 1st time visit to CA wine country

[cpurvis]

Well, you asked about a whole book's worth of questions there! Here's the short of it:
1)Napa v. Sonoma: Napa is more commercialized & tour-crowded. Silverado Trail in Napa isn't as bad as the main highway. Plus, April should be a good time to go. Napa would be better for cab. sav.

However, IMHO, buy Napa wines in a store & tour Sonoma. I prefer Sonoma for a more relaxed tour, plus the towns of Sonoma, Healdsburg & Geyserville are very nice.
Northern Sonoma is packed w/ wineries, so you won't be driving far.

IMO, if you have 3 days, then do Day 1 in Napa & Days 2&3 in Sonoma..you will go home more relaxed.

2)There are several books on touring, but you can probably plan your vacation from one website alone: http://www.winecountry.com/
It includes maps, descriptions, wines, lodging, etc.

3)Re: how many wineries in a day? Depends on whether you are truly tasting (e.g. taste & spit) or tasting/drinking. If the former, then do as many as comfortable. If the latter, then limit yourself & see sites in between.

Have a great trip! cp


[This message has been edited by cpurvis (edited 01-04-2001).]