I mean, obvs I love a little wine, but this trip would be about so much more than just that ... lush, green rolling hills, curvy roads in a convertible, crisp air, dinners consisting solely of cheese and fig preserves. At least, that's how I picture it in my head.
Want to help me plan out this fun adventure?
I don't know when in the world it may happen -- definitely not in the immediate future. But just to get my gears turning, please share your experiences with me. What places and vineyards are a must-visit?
And if you know of any other great wineries outside of Napa, please do share!
Must eat at The Girl and the Fig in Sonoma. Pride and Artesa were our favorite wineries. If you go to Artesa do the cheese and wine pairing.
ReplyDeletelove napa - we went for part of our honeymoon! we stayed at the napa valley cottages and they were amazing! we adored yountville..i would recommend duckhorn and paraduxx for tastings, dinner at bouchon and mustard grill...but you really cant go wrong there.
ReplyDeleteI just got back from Sonoma and loved it. It's a very cute little town. We stayed at an awesome hotel right in "downtown" Sonoma. Ledson Hotel. They only have 6 rooms and each room has a jacuzzi tub and fireplace. I'd definitely recommend it! We only drove out to Napa and it's also beautiful!
ReplyDeleteNapa and Sonoma are amazing! My husband and I just returned from there last week! A few FYIs, make sure you make reservations well in advance for specific wineries you may want to visit because they do book up! Also, depending on if you go with a group or just the two of you definitely get transportation so you don't have to worry about driving. There is everything from limos & buses to drivers that will come pick you up from your hotel and drive your car/rental car for you! As far as food, a few musts are the Freemont Diner in Sonoma -- go early for breakfast, they have about 6 tables inside and get the biscuits! The fluffiest, softest biscuits I think I've ever had! Oakville Grocery is an upscale, boutique, speciality grocery that's perfect for a quick lunch in between tastings. They have fabulous salads, sandwiches, etc. The Farm and Morimoto are fabulous for dinner. Favorite wineries are Domaine Carneros (sparkling wine, beautiful amazing views & patio, no reservation needed), Mumm (also sparkling), Far Niente (amazing classic car collection for the men, call well in advance!), and Nickel & Nickel. We plan to go again, next time with friends.
ReplyDeleteI don't guess my comment I left before took?
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you do go. I have a good friend who lives/works there.
Here are my posts on our two trips we've taken together.
http://deewallaceadventures.blogspot.com/2009/06/napa-days.html
The full pictures from that trip are here:
http://deewallace.shutterfly.com/5971
Then our honeymoon..
http://deewallaceadventures.blogspot.com/2010/06/honeymoon-in-wine-country.html
I like to stay in Healdsburg in Sonoma county. which is an adorable town abt 20 minutes north of Napa, right in the heart of the Russian River Valley/ Dry Creek wine region. There are a ton of tasting rooms around a town square, lots of good restaurants (including Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen)and it's just really quaint. My favorite towns in Napa Valley are St Helena & of course Yountville (you have to walk by the French Laundry and their incredible gardens). You MUST eat at Mustards Grill in Yountville, best pork chop ever (and I don't even like pork chops!) and for a quick meal get a burger (and onion rings) at Gott's Roadside next to Oxbow Public Market (the market itself is amazing too). I recommend visiting a few of the better known wineries that have beautiful grounds (Castello di Amorosa) and some smaller boutiques that you can't find at home. Goose Cross has amazing wine and the friendliest tasting room, V Sattui (great Italian deli for lunch), Peju, Arista, Ferrari-Carano. I could keep going, so email me if you are planning a trip. September is the absolute best time, as it's right before the harvest, but you really can't go wrong any time of year. Now I'm ready to go back!!!
ReplyDeleteI do not even drink and neither does my husband but we love the area. I went quite a bit to the area as a child as my mother is From the Northern Ca area. But I grew up and still live in the MidWest. If you do get the chance to go, I know you will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI commented on your instagram but we were just there last month and blogged about it! I def say MAKE RESERVATIONS, research wineries, and I agree with the Headlesburg suggestion!! DEF go there. V.SATTUI and Sterling were our favorites in Napa along with the Castle right across from Sterling (you'll see it and you don't need reservations there)
ReplyDeletePS-Sterling is only winery with a gondola ride so that makes it kinda cool!
ReplyDeletePPS- BEST deli sandwiches you'll ever have at V.Sattui! do it!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was in Napa right now! Thank you again for the giveaway you sponsored through the Queen City Style. I am beyond excited about those earrings and can't wait to blog all about it. Such a nice little treat after the week I've been through. Feels good to be back in blog world today!!
ReplyDeleteNapa is amazing! My husband and I went there last summer. I would say make at least 1 reservation per day - not so much that you are rushed, but some of them book up fast! One of our favorites, our last stop of the day was at Chandon with champagne. A little different, and they have a beautiful park with a gorgeous view, perfect ending to our stay. There are a few grocery stores in between the wineries, we got some meats and cheeses and enjoyed a picnic with a bottle of wine we bought at one of the wineries. I also highly recommend dinner at Morimoto - well worth the money! If you are going to several wineries, you may want to look into a limo/driver service - one of our friends got pregnant right before the trip so we had a DD :) No matter what you will enjoy Napa!! And now I want to go back...
ReplyDelete