just a few stops...

[VouvrayHead]

Ok, you experts.
I know there are a few threads out there dealing with this, but I'll ask anew anyway!

I'm honeymooning in Stinson Beach, just North of San Francisco this summer from July 11-18th.
We'll have a car, and I think I can get ONE day to go winery-hopping.

I want a few wineries, pretty close together, with a wide-range of interesting wines, nothing too fancy or expensive, and a laid-back atmosphere for me and my honey to wander about! Where to?

I know I'm going to do Easton/Terre Rouge when we visit Sacramento for a day, but other than that I'm open to any and all!

Also, what is the best way to ship wine back and what is proper etiquette ata winery as far as buying (is it expected that we take home at least a bottle or two)?


I've only been to wineries in Missouri and Wisconsin!

Thanks (i.e., Tankee dere!)

[TheEngineer]

COOL!!! Okay for the shipping, I use Buffalo's shipping all the time.

Buffalo's Shipping Post
2471 Solano Ave. Napa, CA 94558
707.226.7942

They are just off I-29 when it becomes a highway. They sell the shipping units as well so no need to buy any from the winery (unless you need one to drive around with).

As for wineries that are a bit lower key, V. Sattui would fit the bill, also lunch at Taylor's Refreshers. Rutherford's grill restaurant also does not charge corkage.

Mike

[Innkeeper]

If you do get to Easton/Terre Rouge please say hello to Bill and the gang for us.

[wondersofwine]

Congratulations on the impending nuptials and honeymoon.

Sterling Vineyard is fun to visit for the cable car ride and view from the hill. Probably a pretty good range of wines.
See the below website for a review of the Sterling visit experience:
http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/napasonoma/a/canapasterling.htm

also the winery website:

http://www.sterlingvineyards.com/en-row/home/

You may have to go to http://www.sterlingvineyards.com first and enter your date of birth and view privacy statement etc. before you can enter the actual website.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 05-16-2008).]

[VouvrayHead]

Thank you all!
Let me know if any other good ideas pop into your minds!

[Pixie1016]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Here is a small winery in the Pope Valley near Napa. We stopped there on our honeymoon and had a great time. It is small and out of the way. The name is Pope Valley Winery. Here is the link: http://www.popevalleywinery.com/

We toured the winery and tasted several wines. We even brought a special bottle home with us and were told to drink it on our fifth wedding anniversary. Enjoy yourselves!

[Jackie]

Viansa is a great place to make a stop & shop and eat. It is one of the closest wineries to the city. You can be there in about 30 minutes from San Francisco. Just take the 101 north to Marin County, cut over onto the 37 east, then take the 121 north. It's not just a tasting room -- it's also an Italian market with lots of specialty food items. There's a deli to order coffees and lunch -- hot or cold. The outdoor tables overlook vineyards. The wine is nice. Viansa was built by one of the Sebastiani brothers. I recently took some friends from Australia there and it was their favorite stop of our two-day trip. (See their website at www.Viansa.com)

We also really enjoyed visiting the new Gary Farrell Wines in the Russian River Valley -- nearer to Healdsburg. We made reservations for a tour and it was definitely a highlight. We were served local cheeses to taste with the wines, all of which are gorgeous, especially the Pinots. This is a beautiful, new winery with wonderful views, great wine and an ambiance you will long remember. (See garyfarrellwines.com)

We stayed in Healdsburg overnight and had dinner at ZIN, a restaurant where all the menu items are keyed to pair with Zinfandel wines. Very nice food and fun atmosphere.

If you like Zin, I would also recommend a stop at Limerick Lane Winery in Healdsburg.

Have a great trip. Let us know where you go.

Cheers!

Jackie

[VouvrayHead]

Thanks! I'll make sure to post about our little trip!