Just booked flight and hotel for Napa, CA...

[hammondc]

Sept 29- Oct 3. Any advice?

[jovenhut]

You gotta see the castle! www.castellodiamorosa.com/

[bobarian]

Wine, Food, scenic? Hard to give advice unless you specify your likes/dislikes. Traveling with family? Wife? Kids?

I'll assume your flying in to San Francisco and then driving to Napa? Where are you staying? Access to a car?

Most wineries will be in harvest that time of year depending on the type of grape and the weather. Most require appointments as well.

[hammondc]

It is on the list.

[hammondc]

Wine, Food, scenic? Hard to give advice unless you specify your likes/dislikes. Traveling with family? Wife? Kids?

I'll assume your flying in to San Francisco and then driving to Napa? Where are you staying? Access to a car?

Most wineries will be in harvest that time of year depending on the type of grape and the weather. Most require appointments as well.

Good idea..

My wife and I are going with another couple who have been a couple times.
We are flying into Oakland and renting a car to drive over
Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Napa on Solano Ave.
Looking for food and winery advice also. Food as far as good stuff that is not very expensive and winery advice as some off the beaten path or unknown wineries that are suggested. I know there are more wineries than you could visit in a lifetime, nevermind one trip.

[Parshooter]

We went a number of years ago. Had a great time, visited about 30 wineries in 3 days. Best thing we did was rent a limo for a day. The driver was very knowledgable and he showed us some of lesser known wineries. Try to get into The French Laundry for dinner. It'll cost you a small fortune, but you'll never forget it.

[Blak Smyth]

Oh god, I lived in California most of my life. I never did the "Wine country" thing and have always regreted it. Enjoy. I don't know if you are planning on visiting any state parks, the redwoods are awesome!

[hammondc]

Thanks guys. I read about the redwoods. The four of us are thinking of trying to grab a very nice bottle of something from one of the wineries and try to go have a picnic of sorts in the park. I am sure alcohol is prohibited, but we are hoping we can work it out somehow.

[hammondc]

Try to get into The French Laundry for dinner. It'll cost you a small fortune, but you'll never forget it.


Jesus Christ on Rollerblades! It is like $270 a person. That would buy a helluva lot of very good wine.

[docfitch]

If you are in St. Helena around lunchtime and you want to try some great burgerstand food, try Gott's Roadside (it used to be Taylor's Refresher). The name and food has changed some over the years, but it is a great place to eat.

[GWN]

We loved Rubicon. The Captain's Reserve was delicious.

[Tredegar]

Get a map of the wineries before you go. It makes selecting one easier. Plus many are not open to the public so you will know ahead of time where to go. There are literally hundreds in the area. Napa, Sonoma, Russian River, blah, blah, blah all excellent places for wine tasting.

[Parshooter]

If you like port, you gotta go to Prager. That's all they make and it's really good.

[hammondc]

Leaving tomorrow. Coppola, Rubicon, Sterling, Peju, Sobahn, Darioush, MAYBE Silver Oak are all on the list. Any suggestions for some smaller, lesser know wineries that are worth visiting?

TIA....

[bobarian]

http://www.cliffledevineyards.com/
http://www.spottswoode.com/content/home.html

For Sparkling wine try Gloria Ferrer or http://www.schramsberg.com/visit.html

Have a great time!

[hammondc]

Thanks bud. I'll put those on the list!

[bobarian]

If you have some time Saturday, we will be herfing about 20-30 minutes away at Ratter's place near Fairfield. :banger

[hammondc]

If you have some time Saturday, we will be herfing about 20-30 minutes away at Ratter's place near Fairfield. :banger

I wish like hell I could make it. I thought they outlawed smoking in Kalifornia. I am taking a couple just in case it is allowed at the hotel.

[RWhisenand]

Hey if you get a chance get to Downtown Joes, a cool little brew pub in historic Napa CA!

[hammondc]

-Cliff Lede was AMAZING! Best winery of the day great wine and super nice folks. We bought a case between our group.
-Derioush - The place was very nice. The wine was just OK and we felt like we were being herded like cattle in there.
-Sterling - Great time. One of my favorite wines even before we went.
-Silver Oak - Always fantastic. Staff at the winery seemed very impersonal
-Silverado - Spent a few hours here. Gorgeous winery. Had our tasting with a fantastic sommolier. Super folks here. Our neighbor even joined the wine club

[bobarian]

Glad you are enjoying your trip! Lede is one of the many hidden gems in the valley.

I hope you'll have a chance to visit here. http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/

[montecristo#2]

Not sure if you are in town for a couple of more days, but I would definitely drive up to Yountville and try Bouchon if you are looking for a good place to eat.

I would also drive up to St. Helena and stop in at the Dean and Deluca - great sandwiches and pastries. . .

[hammondc]

I would also drive up to St. Helena and stop in at the Dean and Deluca - great sandwiches and pastries. . .

We ate there twice.

Fantastic time in the area. Not nearly enough time, but after 3 days of tasting, we were worn out. This is where we went...

Peju
Silver Oak
Silverado
Sterling
Biale
Cliff Lede
Salvestri
MerryVale
V Satori
Robert Sinskey
Del Dotto
Rombauer
Trefethen

We never did make it to the castle, even though it was on our list.

I also found a few bottles of Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing. I do not get the appeal. I know of at least 3 Pales/IPAs I would put in front of it.

[bobarian]

Glad you enjoyed your visit! :banger