My girlfriend and I are visiting Napa Valley in 2 weeks. We are staying at the Swiss Hotel in Sonoma and would like to know which wineries are the best to visit(we'll be there for 3 days)only.

AR, fyi, Sonoma is in Sonoma valley, which is just to the west of Napa valley. You will want to hit wineries in both areas. A great introduction to wine tasting is a visit to the Robert Mondavi winery in Napa valley. In Sonoma we've enjoyed Viansa, Domaine Carneros and Gundlach-Bundschu (man, I always have to look up how to spell that one). My fave restaurant in Sonoma is Cafe La Haye. Enjoy!

I agree that Mondavi is a great "first winery" to visit---great tour. Also, Cakebread (in Oakville, I think?) is wonderful. Sterling has a gondola that takes you to the top of the nearby mountain that's alot of fun w/great views. And finally, call ahead and schedule a visit to Toad Hollow---laid back and semi-private wine tasting that's alot of fun and different from the others. Have fun!

Robert Mondavi and Beringer both have well organized and informative tours. Be sure to allow enough time, since you're likely to have to wait for an assigned time for the actual tours. Cakebread is less commercialized and is the producer of one of my favorite chardoneys.

Mmmmmmmm..... Cakebread chardonnay....

Frogs Leap
Newton
Joseph Phelps
ZD
Mumm
Robert Sinskey

The above posts make me want to pack my bags for a return visit! One winery that wasn't mentioned is Matanzas Creek (near Glen Ellen). I loved it for not only the wines; but their lavender (fields of it when in bloom!)as well. I always stock up on their soaps. Hope you have a wonderful time!

Arrowwood, Domiane Carneros, Valley of the Moon, Benzinger, Newton,

Is the late great Raymond Burr's winery still open? I thought the story of the cancer-ridden Ray Burr fighting death so he could experience one last season of the grapes was heart-wrenching.

For some reason most people don't talk about this winery, but it became my favorite on my last trip out - Artesa.
Also enjoyed Folie A Deux, Clos Pegase, Mumm and Simi. Also, go to La Famiglia di Mondavi, buy a bottle of wine and have lunch in their picnic area. Great views and very relaxing.

Durn it! So the Cakebread secret is out in the open, eh?
Just pounded down our last bottles of Chard and Pinot at the ciopinno feed Sat night. ROAD TRIP this weekend?!

Got a bottle of '97 3 Sisters aging in the "wine closet".
In addition to the mentioned wineries, we still get a kick out of Coppola-Niebaum's spread. Great old building and grounds. A small snack and a few glasses of wine is a good pick-me-up on a Napa/Sonoma tour.
Kal

Benziger in Sonoma is great. If you want to drink wine, spend more time in Sonoma. No crowds, wineries far more friendly, free tastings.

If there's a heaven, I hope it is the Valley of the Moon winery!!!!!!

Just visited Sonoma in Feb. Went to Ravenswood which was great. They had many wines to taste and a very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Was $4 to taste but they pour many wines and fee is applied fully to any purchase. Went to Benzinger which was beautiful. They have their system down with one door in and another out plus they have a great shop too. Reserve wine tasting is available for a small fee as is a tram tour of the grounds.

Kenwood was very fun and they have lots of wines to taste and a great staff.

Went to Chateau St Jean. Beautiful grounds and lovel buildings. $5 to taste 5 mediocre wines fee also applied to any purchase. No thanks. Reserve tasting for $10.

In Napa though others may say it's too busy I've always had a great time at V Sattui. I also like the wines of Rutherford.

Enjoy and Cheers!!!

ttt

In Napa, my 3 favorite are Robert Mondavi, Beringer, and V. Sattui. each offers something different. Mondavi has (or had) a great tour to show the process of making wine. Beringer's tour spends (spent) a lot of time discussing hte history of Napa Valley. V. Sattui is a small, beautiful winery. Tastings are free and the staff is very friendly. At some other wineries I've been to, the staff could be somewhat snobbish. V. Sattui has a great goumrmet deli inside. You can pickout some fruit, bread cheese, meats, some wine, and have a picnic on their grounds.

sounds great!
any restaurant suggestions?
thanks polly