I've read lots of advice on here about the wineries. We are nondrinkers, but since everyone says that touring a winery is a "must do", we thought we'd do it. (We are both very interested in learning new things, and the wine making process will interest us.)

I've read that Beringer is good for first time visitors. This will be a day trip for us out of San Fran. Do you think Beringer will be our best bet, or is there another tour we should take instead?

I actually preferred the Mondavi Tour. But you should be able to do both since you won't be spending a lot of time tasting the wine.

If you are planning a day trip, you should have time to hit a couple of the wineries. Mondavi is definitely good for first timers. I also like Francis Coppola's winery, lots of film memorabrias. There are also tons of nice restaurants there. Plan for a nice lunch as well. Check out http://bayarea.citysearch.com/feature/5681/ I think you can rank various wineries by different criteria, such as view, education, etc.

Another vote for Mondavi! Even the kids enjoyed this tour. At the end of the tour, they offer wine tasting. Not all vineyards do.

If you are doing more than one tour, consider a champagne tour. They are very different than still wine tours. We loved the tour at Schramsburg (you have to make a reservation). The caves are historic, the wine is hand-riddled and was used at many state dinners at the White House -- they have the menus and photos in the lobby and are very interesting to see. It was also the champagne used to toast when Nixon visited China.

It's been several years -- so things may have changed -- but we really liked the Moet Chandon winery.

Trish,

There are some great wineries in the San Jose/Silicon Valley area that would make a great day trip. Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards (www.cgv.com) Picchetti Winery (www.picchetti.com) and Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards (www.savannahchanelle.com)
These wineries are just west of San Jose (about 25 miles)with Cooper-Garrod and Savannah-Chanelle having great views of the city. From San Francisco the driving time would be about 1 1/2 - 2 hours depending on the traffic. Avoid leaving San Francisco goining toward the city during the morning commute hours (7-9 AM). There are some other wineries in the area as well. You can check out www.sanjose.org for more information.

Hi All -

Since everyone seems to be talking about Napa and SJ wineries, I thought I'd put in a little (OK, it's long) plug for Sonoma.

We live close to the wine country -- so I've pottered around extensively in Napa, Sonoma, the mountain wineries of Santa Cruz and SJ, and I can't get enough of Sonoma...

The pace and scenery are more appealing on the Sonoma side than the Napa side. And, the crowds, tour buses and traffic are not as bad on the Sonoma side.

Re: the tours: Are you more interested in the process of growing the grapes (viticulture) or making the wine (enology). Each tour leans one way or the other...

If you're interested in viticulture, the Benziger Family winery is awesome, awesome, awesome. You ride through the vineyard pulled by a tractor while a staffer explains how great grapes are grown. There's a little section on enology, too.

If you're interested in wine making (enology), I'd recommend Gloria Ferrer.

You could certainly do both tours in one day. Plus, you could take in Sonoma Plaza, which includes the Sonoma mission, the site of the Bear Flag Revolt, and the Blue Wing Inn (where US Grant and Kit Carson are rumored to have stayed).

Sonoma is incredibly rich in history and natural beauty. Flags of seven nations have flown over Sonoma: Sir Francis Drake landed in Sonoma and planted England's flag for Elizabeth I, the Russians built Fort Ross (Rossiya) in Sonoma as part of the Russian-American Company, the Spanish built a mission there, the Mexican Republic and Empire controlled the region at one point, and the Bear Flag Revolt happened in Sonoma Plaza. Needless to say, the US flag is the seventh.

Jack London also lived in Sonoma -- and the ruins of his mansion are accessible via a nice hike through the hills in Glen Ellen.

The food is amazing, too. Grab a picnic lunch from one of the deli's on Sonoma Plaza and eat among thouands of roses at Cline Cellars.

Or, stop by Viansa (another Sebastiani family winery) and get AMAZING foccacia sandwiches from their deli -- eat overlooking the wetlands that Sam and Vicki are carefully preserving.

Shopping in Sonoma Plaza (also home to the big Sebastiani winery) is a treat.

Sonoma is also home to Ravenswood, which (if you're a gardener) has one of the neatest compact xeriscape gardens I've ever seen. And, they have a killer BBQ lunch on the weekends.

If you'd like more info on Sonoma, don't hesitate to write...

Kate

PS: No, I don't work for the Sonoma Tourism Board...

THis is a bit like asking which is your favorite child! But, for tours only Beringer and Mondavi are good. Domaine Chandon is also good for a champagne tour and the restaurant there is wonderful. It's a shame that you won't taste the wine though.

Hi Trish and the other FODORITES
I wonder what it would be to go on a
wine tasting tour in CA.
Have been "only" at the Mosel river valley(germany) and in Oporto(portugal)
for some wine cellars and tasting.
But I am afraid, that it is too commercialized, too busy, to crowded and
to general.(so like standing in line for the UNIVERSAL studios)
I thought of something within a grou of 6-8 pers. including dinner with winetastings and eralier or later run wlk to the cellars, mountains the whole
resort.
Any comments to that ?
Any experience?
Shain/eu/de/düsseldorf
I tho

I recommend going to Cline, because the wine is good, the flowers are beautiful, and the staff is incredibly nice. It just happens to be located next to Gloria Ferrer sparkling winery, which is also very beautiful with a nice tasting veranda. These two will get you a great taste of the area without a lot of driving around.

Kate the Somonaite -

Can you recommend places to stay? We are visiting this fall for four days and can't decide to stay in Sonoma or upper Sonoma or split the time...what to you recommend. We would like to limit "wine tasting" and driving as much as possible!
THanks

I vote for Sterling Vinyard-the tram ride to the top was beautiful and the tour was good.

I second the recommendations for Cline and Gloria Ferrer. Bob at Cline gave the best winery tour of the many wineries we visited in two days. The grounds are beautiful, too, with all of the rose bushes.

Hi All -

I'd stay right in the town of Sonoma, on the historic Plaza.

You'll be close to many wonderful restaurants (Cafe La Haye, etc) and there's a wonderful cafe called the Basque Bistro which has yummy warm cinnamon raisin bread for breakfast.

You'll also be close by to excellent sights, like the Sonoma Mission, and shopping.

There are a bunch of places right on the plaza:

Hotel ElDorado
http://www.hoteleldorado.com/

Sonoma Hotel
http://www.sonomahotel.com/

Andrea's Hidden Cottage
http://www.andreashiddencottage.com/

And... Swiss Hotel
http://www.sterba.com/sonoma/swiss/

We wandered through a bunch of hotels, just to check 'em out. And, I liked the ElDorado and Sonoma Hotel best. I've heard the Swiss Hotel rooms can be quite noisy -- since the Swiss Hotel also hosts a popular bar on the first floor.

If you're looking for a really upscale place, within easy walking distance of Sonoma Plaza, check out MacArthur Place
http://www.macarthurplace.com/

Kate