Hi everyone. I read up a bit on the forums here, but I still need some help. Hubby and I going to wine country for 6 nights, then 3 in San Francisco. Thinking of 3 nights in Healdsburg OR Guerneville and 3 nights in Sonoma or Yountville. We want to see all of the beautiful ones we’ve heard of but can’t think of their names, (a castle and one that has a ride up to it). So, should we do all 6 nights in a homebase like Yountville, or split it up? Definitely want to see Russian River area and definitely want mud baths in Calistoga and the beautiful wineries. What do you suggest to fit this bill? Thanks so much!
Need itinerary help on 6 nights in Wine Country
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It sounds like the 2 wineries you're referring to are: Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Vineyards, both of which are in Calistoga. Sterling has the gondola/tram, depending on weather, and Castello is likely the "castle" you're referring to.
I would certainly split it up into 3 nights in St Helena area, & 3 in Healdsburg. That's a LOT of time in the wine country, so I would head to the coast from Healdsburg for at least 1 day - maybe 2.
Stu Dudley
I would definitely do 3 nights in Healdsburg and 3 in St. Helena/Yountville/Calistoga area. Napa county wineries are pretty much all located either on Hwy 29 or Silverado Trail, which are relatively close together so you can hit all the ones you have heard about during your three days. Sonoma County wineries are more spread out, but from Healdsburg you can easily do one or two days in the Dry Creek/Russian River area, and take a day trip over to Sonoma, which is a darling little town, and hit some fabulous wineries out Hwy 12 on the way there/back. You could also do one day out to the coast as Stu suggested.
In Napa's Carneros region check out Artesa and Domaine Carneros for both excellent wines and fantistic views.
Sterling's tram ride and the resulting view is better, IMO, than their wines.
Domaine Chandon is in a nice wooded setting and has an outstanding restaurant. If you like sparkling wines and can get a reservation, Shramsberg near Calistoga includes a neat tour of their ageing caves.
North of Healdsburg, highly recomend Ferrari-Carano for their gardens and the tasting room. Go downstairs for the best reds.
By all means split your nights between Napa Valley and somewhere near Healdsburg, otherwise you'll spend way too much time driving back and forth.
If you do a sidetrip to the coast look at Highway 116 along the Russian River to Guerneville, spend some time there and continue tothe Coast at Jenner. You can take the Westside Road out of Healdsburg past dozens of wineries ranging from Arista Winery to Twomey Cellars en route to Guerneville.