Napa Valley Itinerary - Thoughts?
Jun 18th, 2008, 07:13 AM
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Napa Valley Itinerary - Thoughts?
After a long and exhausting and somewhat frustrating process, my boyfriend and I have decided to visit San Francisco and Napa Valley this summer, and we can't wait!
So far, I have planned the Napa portion of our trip. Please let me know your thoughts:
We have reservations at Vintage Inn in Yountville and Chateau de Vie in Calistoga. I am torn between the two, as I feel staying in Yountville is a more central location but the Chateau de Vie has terrific reviews and looks beautiful (and is a little less expensive and includes breakfast!).
Sunday - drive from San Fran to Schramsberg Winery for a 2:30 tour. If time allows head to Frank Family afterwards. Dinner at Redd.
Monday - we would like to hire a driver this day - any recommendations on companies?
We have reservations for the following:
10am Joseph Phelps
11am Honig
12:30pm Frog's Leap
Lunch at v. sattui
3pm Cakebread
If time: Grgich Hills or Chimney Rock
Dinner- thinking we'll be exhausted and have a more casual dinner in St. Helena - recommendations?
Tuesday - we will be driving this day so wanted to limit the wineries.
10am - Quintessa
3pm - Rudd
Looking for a good recommendation on lunch this day, possibly Bouchon?
We have a 2pm flight on Wednesday and are thinking of doing a Hot Air Balloon ride in the morning, is it worth it? I've heard mixed reviews.
Thanks for your help!
So far, I have planned the Napa portion of our trip. Please let me know your thoughts:
We have reservations at Vintage Inn in Yountville and Chateau de Vie in Calistoga. I am torn between the two, as I feel staying in Yountville is a more central location but the Chateau de Vie has terrific reviews and looks beautiful (and is a little less expensive and includes breakfast!).
Sunday - drive from San Fran to Schramsberg Winery for a 2:30 tour. If time allows head to Frank Family afterwards. Dinner at Redd.
Monday - we would like to hire a driver this day - any recommendations on companies?
We have reservations for the following:
10am Joseph Phelps
11am Honig
12:30pm Frog's Leap
Lunch at v. sattui
3pm Cakebread
If time: Grgich Hills or Chimney Rock
Dinner- thinking we'll be exhausted and have a more casual dinner in St. Helena - recommendations?
Tuesday - we will be driving this day so wanted to limit the wineries.
10am - Quintessa
3pm - Rudd
Looking for a good recommendation on lunch this day, possibly Bouchon?
We have a 2pm flight on Wednesday and are thinking of doing a Hot Air Balloon ride in the morning, is it worth it? I've heard mixed reviews.
Thanks for your help!
Jun 18th, 2008, 07:37 AM
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Can't go wrong w/ either location, IMHO.
St. Helena, Martini Housee, Go Fish, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen are all pretty good. Go and Cindy's a bit more casual than MH.
Very casual and out door dining: Taylor's Refersher. http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/
Lunch-Bouchon good choice esp if you like oysters.
We still like Hurley's and their patio.
St. Helena, Martini Housee, Go Fish, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen are all pretty good. Go and Cindy's a bit more casual than MH.
Very casual and out door dining: Taylor's Refersher. http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/
Lunch-Bouchon good choice esp if you like oysters.
We still like Hurley's and their patio.
HEY ***K*** Yah missed one.
Jun 19th, 2008, 08:37 AM
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Calistoga has an 'old west' kind of vibe and is at the northern most part of Napa. Yountville is more restauranty....
I've stayed in both and think I preferred Calistoga because the restaurants and bars were a bit more laid back than those in Yountville.
I would also try to go to Hess if you can. Lovely place, good wines. Try Market in St. Helena for dinner or lunch and don't forget Taylor's Refresher (mmmmm fish tacos)
I've stayed in both and think I preferred Calistoga because the restaurants and bars were a bit more laid back than those in Yountville.
I would also try to go to Hess if you can. Lovely place, good wines. Try Market in St. Helena for dinner or lunch and don't forget Taylor's Refresher (mmmmm fish tacos)
Jun 19th, 2008, 08:40 AM
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My husband and I have done Napa for a few days and so have myself and my sister-in-law at another time. We stayed in the Villagio Inn and Spa in Yountville both times, and found it to be extremely convenient. If you are in the northern portion of Napa, it still only takes about 20 minutes or so to work your way back...maybe shorter if you take the Silverado Trail southward and cut over on a side road (much less traffic).
As far as your itinerary goes, do you have tours planned at all of those "scheduled" wineries? If so, I would recommend only doing maybe one tour a day...they tend to become a bit repetitive.
I also think that you can manage more wineries on the day(s) you don't have a driver. My husband and I have conquered 12 in one day before...remember, you can spit at some wineries, share tastes at some and simply make the decision not to taste at some if you start to feel woozy. I'm only 110 lbs. too, so I'm drunk after 2 glasses of wine. You just have to be smart, organize your day and be sure to eat food and drink water in the mix.
My dinner recommendation for Night #2 would be Tra Vigne (i think it's between Oakville and St. Helena). I don't remember the pricing being too extravagant, and I'm sure they have a website. Good Italian food and wine, of course.
Finally, I would definitely recommend the Hot Air Balloon excursion if you've never done it before. It's very exciting to see the Valley from that angle, and it's so extremely peaceful in the morning as the fog begins to lift out of the valley. I can probably find who my husband and I used, if you like. And the other great thing?? The office is located right in Yountville, so we literally drove half a mile to report for duty the morning of the balloon ride.
As far as your itinerary goes, do you have tours planned at all of those "scheduled" wineries? If so, I would recommend only doing maybe one tour a day...they tend to become a bit repetitive.
I also think that you can manage more wineries on the day(s) you don't have a driver. My husband and I have conquered 12 in one day before...remember, you can spit at some wineries, share tastes at some and simply make the decision not to taste at some if you start to feel woozy. I'm only 110 lbs. too, so I'm drunk after 2 glasses of wine. You just have to be smart, organize your day and be sure to eat food and drink water in the mix.
My dinner recommendation for Night #2 would be Tra Vigne (i think it's between Oakville and St. Helena). I don't remember the pricing being too extravagant, and I'm sure they have a website. Good Italian food and wine, of course.
Finally, I would definitely recommend the Hot Air Balloon excursion if you've never done it before. It's very exciting to see the Valley from that angle, and it's so extremely peaceful in the morning as the fog begins to lift out of the valley. I can probably find who my husband and I used, if you like. And the other great thing?? The office is located right in Yountville, so we literally drove half a mile to report for duty the morning of the balloon ride.
Jun 19th, 2008, 11:34 AM
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I'm not familiar with Chateau de Vie, but it looks great. To me, it looks like it would provide that "magical" wine country experience. The location is more rural and is in the vineyards. It looks romantic and restful.
Yountville is convenient because you can walk to many restaurants. It has become a tourist's town, so the atmosphere will be different.
If you decide on the Calistoga place, you will have to drive to any restaurants because you will be north of town, but it's not far. The drive through Napa Valley is pleasant. Check out Wappo Bistro in Calistoga. Their courtyard patio is rustic and divine, the agua fresca is delicious, and food is inventive. You might like it for your "casual" dinner, or try Market in St. Helena. Taylor's Refresher in St Helena is the ultimate casual spot with picnic tables on the grass under the oak trees.
Yountville is convenient because you can walk to many restaurants. It has become a tourist's town, so the atmosphere will be different.
If you decide on the Calistoga place, you will have to drive to any restaurants because you will be north of town, but it's not far. The drive through Napa Valley is pleasant. Check out Wappo Bistro in Calistoga. Their courtyard patio is rustic and divine, the agua fresca is delicious, and food is inventive. You might like it for your "casual" dinner, or try Market in St. Helena. Taylor's Refresher in St Helena is the ultimate casual spot with picnic tables on the grass under the oak trees.
Jun 20th, 2008, 08:53 AM
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I think we are going to stay in Calistoga for the more romantic wine country experience. Not a big deal to drive 20 minutes for dinner.
Palmies - If you could let me know the name of the hot air balloon company, that would be great. I think we want to fit it in Tuesday morning. And how did you do 12 wineries in one day?? All of the places I've called say to schedule at least 45 minutes for the tasting.
We only have tours at Quintessa and Rudd, which happen to be on the same day. Perhaps we'll add one more winery in on that day.
Has anyone heard of Prestige limo? I just booked a car with them for one day.
Palmies - If you could let me know the name of the hot air balloon company, that would be great. I think we want to fit it in Tuesday morning. And how did you do 12 wineries in one day?? All of the places I've called say to schedule at least 45 minutes for the tasting.
We only have tours at Quintessa and Rudd, which happen to be on the same day. Perhaps we'll add one more winery in on that day.
Has anyone heard of Prestige limo? I just booked a car with them for one day.
Jun 20th, 2008, 10:54 AM
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I would not do V Sattui for lunch. It's like Disney...swarming with kids, lots of traffic, etc. Do a picnic somewhere or splurge and do lunch on Auberge du Soleil's porch. You won't crave a big dinner then.
Also, I would not do two tours in one day. It will basically be all the sameinfo. Sparkling tours are different, so pick just one regular and don't be afraid to visit a couple more. You don''t have to drink at wineries, just taste. Spit if you must. We found that selecting a few which interested us, then splitting a tasting was the best route. I also love William Harrison winery...try to get there. Very cool, old with rich tradition.
I like Calistoga too, (though I much prefer Sonoma Valley), it has leff traffic congestion and is quieter overall.
Also, I would not do two tours in one day. It will basically be all the sameinfo. Sparkling tours are different, so pick just one regular and don't be afraid to visit a couple more. You don''t have to drink at wineries, just taste. Spit if you must. We found that selecting a few which interested us, then splitting a tasting was the best route. I also love William Harrison winery...try to get there. Very cool, old with rich tradition.
I like Calistoga too, (though I much prefer Sonoma Valley), it has leff traffic congestion and is quieter overall.
Jun 20th, 2008, 03:06 PM
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I'm in for a GTG.
Re: splitting the tasting. The wineries charge you for tasting. You can share the tasting with your partner & just pay the one fee. Instead of lunch at Sattui you could go across the street to Dean & Delucca.
Re: splitting the tasting. The wineries charge you for tasting. You can share the tasting with your partner & just pay the one fee. Instead of lunch at Sattui you could go across the street to Dean & Delucca.
Jun 20th, 2008, 03:14 PM
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hey Kal...our Oct plans with family fell through...keep talking..
Split a tasting....you might be offered a page of many whites, reds, etc. I am not much of a white wine enthusiast, though after a recent trip to Burgundy I'm changed forever!
Here's how I would handle it...if you like both white and red, and are given a number you can choose from, ask the server to help you pick, then order one tasting. You and your partner each taste from the same glass. No prob! Besides, you really should only be tasting. Save your guzzling for when you are home or in your room!
I know you have some of the 'biggies" on there, but if you would skip Grgich and Cakebread and focus on some on the tiny wineries along Silverado, you'll have more of an intimate experience. Take Zahtila...a small winery owned by Laura Zahtila, but close to all the others. When we visited, we were met by her and her dog..very funny. We talked at length about the business then had a great tasting. Then she gave us a list of smaller and quieter places to visit which was delightful. No lines, often meeting the owners and/or winemakers. It's worth it to take a full day exploring the "little known" places which are so charming.
Split a tasting....you might be offered a page of many whites, reds, etc. I am not much of a white wine enthusiast, though after a recent trip to Burgundy I'm changed forever!
Here's how I would handle it...if you like both white and red, and are given a number you can choose from, ask the server to help you pick, then order one tasting. You and your partner each taste from the same glass. No prob! Besides, you really should only be tasting. Save your guzzling for when you are home or in your room!
I know you have some of the 'biggies" on there, but if you would skip Grgich and Cakebread and focus on some on the tiny wineries along Silverado, you'll have more of an intimate experience. Take Zahtila...a small winery owned by Laura Zahtila, but close to all the others. When we visited, we were met by her and her dog..very funny. We talked at length about the business then had a great tasting. Then she gave us a list of smaller and quieter places to visit which was delightful. No lines, often meeting the owners and/or winemakers. It's worth it to take a full day exploring the "little known" places which are so charming.
Jun 21st, 2008, 05:21 AM
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ha, we went through the same thing! months of deciding where to go, when to go, etc...we bit the bullet, and booked napa, sonoma, and san fran in april. it was incredible. i would only add chalk hill, and chateau montelana vineyards to visit. cakebread, grgich, and chimney rock were all great. also for lunc, consider auberge du soleil. enjoy!!
Jun 25th, 2008, 08:17 AM
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The balloon company is simply called: Napa Valley Balloons, Inc. (website: www.napavalleyballoons.com/ )
Again, their offices are right in Yountville. The price is going to run $240 per person, but if you book online or call and mention the internet rate, it's $220 per person.
Again, good luck!
Again, their offices are right in Yountville. The price is going to run $240 per person, but if you book online or call and mention the internet rate, it's $220 per person.
Again, good luck!
