anyone been to Napa Valley?

[tenthumbs]

Visit Vitto Sattui Winery. It's an excellent smaller winery :thumbsup:

Do the opposite. This place is always crowded and, in my opinion, highly overrated. It's a frickin traffic jam with a winery in the middle. I can't think of a worse place to go if you've never been to Napa. If you want to picnic, you're better off going to Dean and Deluca for deli food and then going to any winery off the beaten path to eat. Of course if you like dogs, kids, strollers and traffic while you take in the "scenery" during your visit to Napa, V. Sattui is your place.

If you don't have any local knowledge of Napa Valley, do a wine tour. It will save you a ton of frustration and you'll learn something. The Wine Train has it's purpose but I would never suggest that to someone new to Napa. Silverado Trail side of the valley tends to be a bit less crowded but it's beautiful.

If you want scenery, and charm, go to Sonoma County and head north as suggested earlier. Dry Creek or Alexander Valley all have excellent wineries. Everyone has their favorites so take those suggestions with a grain of salt.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Scenery?

And you're not into wine?

:hmm:


SONOMA.

This x9000.


Preston is maybe one of my favorites in Sonoma. Frick is good. Pedroncelli is a pretty good place to visit. Everyone needs to visit Ferrari-Carano at least once regardless of what you think of their wine, just to see the estate. Trentadue is really good. Twomey, Hopkiln are both great.

 

[JJ650]

This is a great lunch time destination in NAPA. They have a deli with tons of cheeses, breads and soups that go perfect with their wine.

Yes they do! My dad is a member and we head to the cellar for the member's wine tasting. Upstairs it can be quite crowded...down there 4 or 5 people max.
After about 2 bottles of wines tasted, the deli hits the spot well!

Speaking of their wine, it's time to order more!

 

[JJ650]

Do the opposite. This place is always crowded and, in my opinion, highly overrated. It's a frickin traffic jam with a winery in the middle. I can't think of a worse place to go if you've never been to Napa. If you want to picnic, you're better off going to Dean and Deluca for deli food and then going to any winery off the beaten path to eat. Of course if you like dogs, kids, strollers and traffic while you take in the "scenery" during your visit to Napa, V. Sattui is your place.

If you don't have any local knowledge of Napa Valley, do a wine tour. It will save you a ton of frustration and you'll learn something. The Wine Train has it's purpose but I would never suggest that to someone new to Napa. Silverado Trail side of the valley tends to be a bit less crowded but it's beautiful.

If you want scenery, and charm, go to Sonoma County and head north as suggested earlier. Dry Creek or Alexander Valley all have excellent wineries. Everyone has their favorites so take those suggestions with a grain of salt.

I haven't been in a while. It's a shame if that is what is becoming.

 

[zoiks]

I don't drink alcohol so the allure of Napa is minimal to me. I do like fine dining but I could have that here in San Francisco. Many of my friends like the wine tours, mud baths etc. Not my cup of tea however. I love the outdoors and instead of Napa, I usually head west for Mendocino.

 

[thegimp03]

If you're headed up to the Healdsburg and Dry Creek Valley areas, I'd hit Dry Creek Deli for food. For wine, Rodney Strong is good, as are Jordan and Ferrari-Carano (also the scenery at both of these wineries is phenomenal).

If you're headed to Napa Valley, Bistro Don Giovanni is good for food. I like the wine at Groth, Trefethen, Clos du Val, Silver Oak and Joseph Phelps. If you want expensive and snobby, Far Niente, Opus One, and Cardinale have excellent wines, but you'll need to set reservations ahead of time which will cost you $50-75 per person.

For Sonoma area, Cline/Jacuzzi has great wine for the price, as does Gundlach Bundschu. Kunde is good, Kenwood is hit or miss.

 

[AreaCode707]

For Sonoma area, Cline/Jacuzzi has great wine for the price, as does Gundlach Bundschu. Kunde is good, Kenwood is hit or miss.

I REALLY want a copy of that poster with a sepia shot of a old timey car and old timey cop leaning in the window, with the caption "If you can't pronounce Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer, you shouldn't be driving."

 

[zinfamous]

This is a great lunch time destination in NAPA. They have a deli with tons of cheeses, breads and soups that go perfect with their wine.

they try to enforce you to buy wine or stuff from the market now (which isn't tough to do).

The wine is so-so there, so most people would bring their own lunch and wines and just crash the nice picnic area that they have.

My favorite wineries: Darioush (Siraz--found along Silverado trail, which is the other, parallel strip in Napa), Alpha & Omega, and Elyse (requires a free reservation for tasting, only because the tasting room is tiny and can only fit about 15 people at most. it's basically like walking into someone's house.)

 

[Imported]

I loved Alpha & Omega when I went there last time. They even gave us a tour of the place while we were tasting. Ended up picking a bottle of the chard.. mm!

 

[Sid59]

Is it necessary to make reservations for lunch or can we just walk in?

yes necessary for lunch. My co-worker was up there and called to check for late cancellations and got in for lunch but that's extremely rare.

Calling them is your best bet.

 

[thegimp03]

I REALLY want a copy of that poster with a sepia shot of a old timey car and old timey cop leaning in the window, with the caption "If you can't pronounce Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer, you shouldn't be driving."

Hah, looks like it shows up in their online store - for $10.

 

[JDawg1536]

Best tour - Mondavi

Best places to eat - Taylor's Automatic Refresher, Oakville Grocer, and Giugni & Son Grocery

 

[AreaCode707]

Hah, looks like it shows up in their online store - for $10.

Just gotta finish my house so I have a place to put it.