Napa Valley
Apr 7th, 2013, 12:10 PM
#1
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Napa Valley
Going to Napa for two nites, July 4th and 5th on motorcycles and staying at the Marriot Resort and Spa. Recomendations for "must see" wineries. St. Helena, Oxbow Market and Calistoga for restaurants coupled with scenic roads? Heading to Jedidiah campground to see Redwoods on the 6th.
Apr 7th, 2013, 03:48 PM
#2
http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/
Head up Hwy 128 thrum the Alexander Valley. Lots of choices. Try Fieldstone. Then cut over to Geyserville or Cloverdale then the coast.
Head up Hwy 128 thrum the Alexander Valley. Lots of choices. Try Fieldstone. Then cut over to Geyserville or Cloverdale then the coast.
Apr 7th, 2013, 08:45 PM
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The estimate is that there are about 5000 grape growers in California and about 3,500 wineries producing about 90% of the wines in the US.
About 500 of these wineries are in Napa County.
So, please help us narrow things down a bit.
What are you interested in? A particular kind of wine? A beautiful winery? Somewhere that you can picnic?
About 500 of these wineries are in Napa County.
So, please help us narrow things down a bit.
What are you interested in? A particular kind of wine? A beautiful winery? Somewhere that you can picnic?
Apr 7th, 2013, 09:27 PM
#6
You are going on July 4 . . . The hwy through Napa/St Helena/ Calistoga will be SLAMMED. Like bumper to bumper, crawling. Don't plan on being able to pop into any old winery. And don't count on too much lane splitting to make better time, cars will be darting in/out of traffic at every winery, market, parking lot.
MichelleY's suggestions are good, they are quite far from Napa/Sonoma and while popular, don't get nearly as crowded as the Napa Valley.
MichelleY's suggestions are good, they are quite far from Napa/Sonoma and while popular, don't get nearly as crowded as the Napa Valley.
Apr 8th, 2013, 10:21 AM
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Calistoga is the place to be on the 4th. It's the County Fair and a big fireworks show. There's a shuttle that can take you to the wineries so you don't have to drive. It will be crowded but not Sturgis crowded.
Apr 8th, 2013, 10:39 AM
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Thank you, although we will be on motorcycles we are not at all looking for a Sturgis crowd. In our early fifties however want to ride on the scenic roads of course and would never dodge in and out of traffic. Love Stags Leap and Cake Bread. Because we will be on motor bikes, will not be able to keep things cold for a picnic so suggestions for lunch and dinner along the way would be awesome. Just made a reservation for BRIX on the evening of July 5th. So if the highway is probably going to be slammed on the 4th through NAPA...where should we tour? Keep in mind we will be traveling to Jedidiah campground on the 6th. Thanks you guys ae awesome!
Apr 8th, 2013, 10:39 AM
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Thank you, although we will be on motorcycles we are not at all looking for a Sturgis crowd. In our early fifties however want to ride on the scenic roads of course and would never dodge in and out of traffic. Love Stags Leap and Cake Bread. Because we will be on motor bikes, will not be able to keep things cold for a picnic so suggestions for lunch and dinner along the way would be awesome. Just made a reservation for BRIX on the evening of July 5th. So if the highway is probably going to be slammed on the 4th through NAPA...where should we tour? Keep in mind we will be traveling to Jedidiah campground on the 6th. Thanks you guys ae awesome!
Apr 8th, 2013, 10:39 AM
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We just got back from Napa and, in particular order, these were the wineries we liked, bearing in mind that we liked the wine, not necessarily the "experience" of tasting:
Miner
James Cole
Hall
Chimney Rock
Pride Mountain
Pride Mountain was the one "experience" winery, with a tour of the caves and a more rehearsed experience. The others are "find a spot at the counter and chat with the guy doing the pouring" places.
Other wineries we have enjoyed in Napa in the past have been:
Parraduxx
Plumpjack
Pine Ridge
Robert Sinskey
Cakebread (only for their Rubyiat)
Trefethen
Mondavi used to have excellent educational offerings, but I haven't been there in years.
Traffic will be an issue. As a general rule, Silverado Trail moves a lot faster than 29 does, so if you are trying to make your way North-South, it is sometimes handy to jump over there to cover ground. Traffic is especially bad on 29 through St Helena.
For restaurants, I like Redd, French Laundry, Meadowood (the Restaurant), Gott's (formerly Taylor's Refresher), and Market. At least those are the ones that come to mind.
Miner
James Cole
Hall
Chimney Rock
Pride Mountain
Pride Mountain was the one "experience" winery, with a tour of the caves and a more rehearsed experience. The others are "find a spot at the counter and chat with the guy doing the pouring" places.
Other wineries we have enjoyed in Napa in the past have been:
Parraduxx
Plumpjack
Pine Ridge
Robert Sinskey
Cakebread (only for their Rubyiat)
Trefethen
Mondavi used to have excellent educational offerings, but I haven't been there in years.
Traffic will be an issue. As a general rule, Silverado Trail moves a lot faster than 29 does, so if you are trying to make your way North-South, it is sometimes handy to jump over there to cover ground. Traffic is especially bad on 29 through St Helena.
For restaurants, I like Redd, French Laundry, Meadowood (the Restaurant), Gott's (formerly Taylor's Refresher), and Market. At least those are the ones that come to mind.
