Cheryllap

Hi, I'm traveling to Napa in May with five friends (girlfriend getaway)

We will be staying at the Elm House Inn four nights.

Saturday

Arrive SFO - get rental car

Drive to Napa - stop for lunch in Berkley (my friend wants to say she's been there)

Domaine Carneros

Napa visitors center for info coupons etc.

Check in hotel

Hess collection

Back to hotel and dinner

Sunday

Oxbow market

Soda Canyon Store for lunch supplies

Dariuosh (to see architecture ) no tasting

Clos Du Val tasting and lunch at res. picnic table

Stag's Leap tour

Mumm Napa

Hotel and dinner

Monday

Clos Pegase - cave tour and tasting

Lunch - Busters BBQ Calistoga

Sterling - tram and tasting

(Open for rec. from hotel)

Or -- Beringer

Peju

Hotel and dinner

Tuesday

Napa farmers market

Open

Wed

Pack check out go to airport for 1PM flight

Any suggestions, help etc. wanted.Thanks in advance

MichelleY

Your trip sounds like you have it under control. Have fun!

rjw_lgb_ca

Looks good. You're already going to Mumm, but if you haven't been to the Domaine Chandon facility, it's worth it for the wonderful champagnes they make (my favorite brand of the American producers of sparkling wines). Maybe on your open Tuesday...? I went there on a wine shuttle, so I don't know what the tasting fees are there. But on a Tuesday I would think you'd get some nice, individualized service from the pourers.

Have a good time, and don't forget-- hydrate whenever possible!!

NewbE

I agree that Chandon is well worth a visit, but then again, there are so many great producers in the Napa Valley, anyone could make you a very long list; your list looks good.

When we visit tasting rooms, we often ask the people behind the counter where they would suggest we go next--we've found amazing producers we'd never have heard of otherwise this way. So I recommend this strategy, and I think it's good to leave some time unplanned at this point so you can fill in that Tuesday as you go.

Enjoy!

Cheryllap

Thanks for the responses.
I think the idea of leaving Tuesday open is good advise. And I have read about asking at wineries for recommendations and that sometimes they come with coupons to encourage visits.
I think I've decided to skip the Napa visitors center.
I am a little worried about the time frame for visiting The Hess on Sat. But since no res. are required I guess we'll play it by ear.
I've also read that The Elm house innkeepers are full of good advise. May I'll email a it gets closer to the trip.

JBass1

Visit the town of St. Helena - nice boutique shops; as well as olive oil companies -- it's my new favorite gift - Blood Orange Olive Oil.

Just south of St. Helena is the wonderful Dean and DeLuca store -- fun just to browse in -- you could also pick up picnic supplies here.

In Yountville -- Bouchon Bakery for a macaron.
In Yountville -- take out lunch at Ad Hoc Addendum -- you can eat Thomas Keller food for @ $16.00 -- but you have to like buttermilk chicken.

There are a couple of Napa wine apps you can download to your iPhone instead of printing coupons. wine country.com is one.

One of the greatest foods I had in Napa was the FRESH mozzarella at Tra Vigne -- they make it to order -- have it for an appetizer in the bar -- enough for 5 people.

Have fun.

Cheryllap

I'm trying to fit St. Helena in sounds really lovely.
Unfortunately Ad Hoc Addendum is not open the days we are there.
Blood orange olive oil...wow
Will put the mozzarella on my list
Thanks

nanabee

I loved St. Helena and Yountville as JBass has mentioned. We actually like those two places better than Napa.

nanabee

http://www.ciachef.edu/california/

The famous Culinary Institute of America has a school in St. Helena and they do tours. Even if you don't do the tour you can do a food tasting & they have a great gift shop.

Both cities are just a very quick and short drive north of Napa.

Cheryllap

Napa Valley Itinerary

Saturday 5/17

11:00 Arrive SFO

12:00 Get rental car

12:45-1:45 Lunch @Skates on the Bay

2:45 Domaine Carnreos ($20-30 ~3-4 pours~ or by the glass)

3:30 Artesa $12-20(optional) *NRR

Check in to Hotel

Check out downtown Napa (buy bottles water for the car & snacks)

Go back to the hotel

7:00 Dinner ZUZU

Sunday 5/18

8:00 Breakfast at hotel

9:00 Oxbow Market (walk around market and pick up lunch for picnic)

10:00 Darioush (for architecture only)

11:00 Hagafen , complimentary tour, Tasting ($10-30) picnic on their grounds (reserved)

-open- (ZD, Pina or The Terraces )

3:00 Mumm Napa **Tour/ $25.00 includes tasting and flute. Also includes tour of Fine Art Gallery.

Monday 5/19

Breakfast at hotel

11:00 Clos Pegase **Connoisseur Cave Tour & Tasting $50.00 (reserved)

LUNCH - Buster's BBQ Calistoga

Sterling ** Tram ride and tasting $38.00 -$5.00 off w/ app. *NRR

Chateau Montelena $20.00 *NRR

Peju Provance $20.00 or Prager Port *NRR

7:15 Dinner Mustards Grill

Tuesday 5/20

Breakfast at hotel

Napa Downtown Farmer's Market

Hess Collection $15 The Hess Collection Contemporary Art Museum FREE **Tasting and art gallery *NRR

LUNCH

Visit St. Helena

Sutter Home Winery FREE TASTING & walk thru rose garden*NRR

3:00 Long Meadows Ranch - Wine & Olive Oil Tasting $10.00 *NRR

4-6PM Happy Hour at Long Meadow * Drinks and food

Wednesday 5/20

Breakfast

Pack

Leave for Airport or SF

*NRR No Reservation Required

newtome

Assuming you only have carry on luggage - you may get the to the rental car center and be able ot leave by noon assuming you are a premier member of one of the rent a car companies. Otherwise there's often lines.
Then get seated, order and gobble lunch?
Then spending $20-30 at domain carneros (TAITTINGER, right?) and rushing it? Sat traffic from Berkeley to Napa may well take longer than an hour.
45 minutes for 3-4 pours - what if you want to buy a glass or just admire the view? It's a lovely property.
Then jump in the car for a 5 min drive ?

NewbE

That arrival day is tight timing for sure, but it could all slide because they just have to check in and pick up some room snacks before dinner at 7. And it will slide--getting out of the airport, eating lunch, lingering over wine tasting, all take more time than you think.

Underhill

You can actually have an excellent lunch at the Culinary Institute, not just food tastings.