California Wine Country
 

We are interested in getting information re: <BR>winery tours and tastings, winery-associated <BR>restaurants and bed-and-breakfast inns.

We stayed at a charming inn in Yountville, CA - Napa Valley called the Vintage Inn. The rooms are gorgeous, has a pool, beautiful gardens and complimentary champagne breakfast buffet. I would highly recommend it. It's listed in Worlds Best Hotels at www.worldsbest.com. We went to Robert Mondavi and Berringer wineries. Both were good tours, if you could only do one I would say definitely don't miss Berringer. Wish we could go again!

Hi George- <BR>As you probably know, there are more wineries in Northern California than you can shake a stick at. I'm assuming you're talking about the Napa Valley area. I obtained a great winery map from the local AAA (auto club)office. If you're a member I suggest picking one up, and if you're not a member you might think of calling and asking if one is available for purchase. <BR> <BR>For friendly wineries I'd suggest staying on the beaten path (ie the main road through Napa and Calistoga). If you're a wine aficionado you may enjoy the out of the way wineries...all of which are on this map. <BR> <BR>

Domaine Chandon has, as I recall, a very well known and highly regarded restaurant. They also have a very nice tour. Its fun to see at least one of the sparkling wine producing wineries since the process is a little different. <BR> <BR>If you are interested in restaurants that are not necessarily associated with wineries, I can recommend Mustard's Grill. And the French Laundry is one of the best, with a fabulous wine list besides. Both require reservations well in advance. <BR> <BR>You might want to pick up a copy of the "Wine Spectator Guide to California Wine Country", they do a good job of covering the wineries and where are the good places to tour, taste, picnic, etc. If you go to their website (www.winespectator.com) they have a travel section with quite a few articles about traveling in Napa. <BR>

You must go to the Auberge du Soleil--dinner is wonderful but expensive--one of the most romantic restaurants I've ever been to--beautiful view of the valley and surrounding hills. Eat outside on the balcony if possible. If you don't want to spend the $$$ on dinner, at least go and have a drink in their bar, which is also beautiful and romantic. If you really want to spend the bucks, stay at the Inn--we didn't stay there, but it looked wonderful and was featured on the TV show "Great Country Inns". Auberge du Soleil is in Rutherford.

I have also stayed at the Vintage Inn and second the reccomendation. The restaurant at Domaine Chandon is very excellent. We enjoyed seeing the Hess Winery which has a phenomenal art collection on display as well as a lovely setting. The town of St Helena is charming and dinner at Terra was absolutely superb. <BR>

<BR>Agree the Hess Collection is a great stop on the winery tour. They have a great art collection on premises and the wine is tasty. Also, suggest Pine Ridge Winery for a tour (call in advance). Some of my favorite wineries to hit include Groth, Silver Oak, Mumm, Clos du Val, Whitehall Lane, Merryvale and St. Clement. Suggest considering Calistoga (Silver Rose) for hotel and restaurant. Lots to chose from up there. Also, don't miss the Culinary Institutes West Coast restaurant - Greystone. Have fun! <BR> <BR>

You might want to check out this website: www.napavalley.com as it has lots of info. Also, Domaine Chandon's longtime chef--who was brought over from France to open the restaurant in the 70s--left last year to open his own restaurant in Yountville. It's called Bistro Jeanty and is outstanding!! You'll think you've been instantly transported to France! Make reservations well in advance--or another option is to eat at an offbeat hour (they don't close in the afternoon) or at the bar or the one "shared" table they hold for people who don't have reservations.

You are going to have a blast.. the California wine country is one of my favorite vacations. My only suggestion is to second the previusly mentioned culinary institute, Greystone. It is an experience.. Have fun.. Jill

You people who responded are crazy. You forgot Sonoma County. Sonoma County produces wines equal to those that come out of Napa and they actually produce more of them. And Sonoma County has a different feel than Napa and one that I prefer. It is less pretensious, the wineries are almost always free (no tasting fee), and you are more likely to meet the wine maker. That said, Sonoma county also has amazing food. Besides wine, Sonoma county is famous (locally) for its organic and specialty produce which is used in the local cooking. In Glen Elen, I can recommend A Girl and A Fig. In Kenwood, The Kenwood. In Sonoma, Dueces. And there are so many more. One of the best winery tours around is uncrowded Benzinger Family Winery outside of Glen Elen. Kunde near there is also enjoyable with a cave tour. Healdsburg's Dry Creek Valley is beautiful as well, the grand Ferari-Carona Winery is a tourist favorite with beautiful grounds. At the end of Dry Creek Road, Lake Sonoma Winery has a beautiful view. Goodness, I could go on and on. As for a place to stay, I would recommend the town of Sonoma or of Healdsburg. You will have a lovely time. Lucky for you Sonoma and Napa Counties are very close to each other and you can do both. Just don't forget Sonoma County!