AnneMench

My husband and I want go to the wine country in October, this will be the first time. We are thinking on spending 4 nights or a week. Any suggestions on itinerary? Are there shuttles to winearies or do you have to drive? What would a good base be? Restaurants? Places to stay?

NewbE

My standard "first time to wine country" answer, assuming you mean California, is 3 nights in Napa (St. Helena makes a good base) and 2 nights in Sonoma (Healdsburg is my favorite town in that valley). Avoid Napa Valley on a weekend!

There are no shuttles between wineries. You have to drive, or hire a driver/tour company. Driving is not a problem if you two share tastings between you and the driver starts spitting before he reaches his limit.

I can recommend hotels and restaurants, too, but not without some idea of your budget.

AnneMench

We like nice not budget hotels, prefer something with character not a chain. We are foodies so would love recommendations.

sf7307

Do you prefer hotels or motels or bed & breakfasts/inns? What is your budget (October in the wine country is high season, so high $$$$ - for example, the Villagio in Yountville is $257 per night tonight, and $609 per night the week of October 7th and according to the website, there are only 2 rooms left).

NewbE

Well, we recently stayed at the El Bonita Motel in St. Helena--definitely a budget place, but it was quite nice for the price. Room had a tiny kitchenette and was clean and spacious. If you ask for a room at the back of the property, it's well off the road and totally quiet. I think we paid $110 before tax on a weekday in December. In the past we've stayed at various B&B's that cost more but were not memorably better.

In Healdsburg I love the Healdsburg Hotel, which is pricy and posh, but we recently stayed at the H2, its sister property, and it was great for much less. Both include an enormous fancy breakfast.

Restaurants! In Napa we went to Sol bar, which was excellent, Market, which was very good, and Goose and Gander, which was good (but has a fun cocktail program). I recommend stops at Model bakery (everything is good) and Bouchon Bakery (in Yountville, everything is great).

In Healdsburg we love Scopa but couldn't get in so went to its sister restaurant, Campo Fina, and it was great. Had a lovely dinner at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen--you can't go wrong there. And a good dinner at Zazu in the new Barlow complex in Sebastopol: food was very good, but noise and chaos level was high, as it's the kind of casual place people bring their kids to. I always love Diavola in Geyserville.

What kind of wine do you like? Do you already have wineries you know you'd like to visit?

Underhill

Our favorite restaurant in the Napa Valley is Mustards Grill. For something special, consider the restaurant at the Auberge du Soleil and ask for a table outside--fine views. Nice place to stay as well, but quite pricey. The Vintage Inn and Hotel Fleurie are both good.

sf7307

For great Mexican on the cheap (it's a local dive, with really good food), check out El Molino Central in Boyes Hot Springs.

travelgourmet

We are foodies so would love recommendations.

If money is no object... Restaurant at Meadowood.

Had a lovely dinner at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen--you can't go wrong there.

My recent visit was underwhelming. My wife's entree was a definite miss. Service was super friendly, but we very well might have been the first table the server had ever waited on. The sommelier was exceptional. It wasn't a terrible meal, but it wasn't a real high point.

Are there shuttles to winearies or do you have to drive?

No shuttles. Driver or driver yourself (and spit). Uber does run in Napa now and might be an option.

AnneMench

We like Chardonnay, Pino Grigio, Cab's, Red Zin, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Champagne. Suggestions on wineries would be great. Don't mind a B&B as long as I have a private bath.

travelgourmet

Suggestions on wineries would be great.

Napa favorites: Miner, James Cole, Robert Sinskey, Hall, Cakebread (some wines only), Cade, Chimney Rock, Alpha Omega

Sonoma favorites: Mazzocco, Rafanelli, Papapietro Perry, Williams Selyem (not sure it is open to the public), Pride Mountain, Kosta Browne

In general, Sonoma is better for Pinot & Zin, Napa is better for Cab & Merlot. That being said, I like the Pinots from Sinskey and Miner (they don't necessarily source the fruit from Napa growers - Miner primarily/exclusively? sources Pinot from the Santa Lucia Highlands). Cakebread also has some decent Pinots, getting most of their fruit from the Anderson Valley. Hall also sells Pinot from their sister winery (Walt) that is located in Sonoma (and I assume vice versa).