HELP with plans
 

We want to go to the wine country for a week and I have so much info I am overwhelmed. We will be flying into San Francisco so we'll probably stay there the first night. We will be going in September sometime. We would love to stay somewhere in Napa, Sonoma or anywhere central to wineries. It would be nice if it was in a quaint town that we could walk around but it does not have to be. We love bed and breakfasts or nice resorts. We also love fine dining.IF anyone could give me a great itinerary including where to stay, eat and wineries to go to,I would greatly appreciate it!!!

I was in the same boat as you a month ago. After reading through all the great recommendations and information on this forum I was able to make some decisions. We are staying at the Villagio Inn in Yountville- seems like Yountville is very centrally located. I have reservations at the Cakebread Winery for a tour- dinner at Bouchons and Auberge Du Soleil - SO FAR.
We will be leaving on Saturday July 12th and returning on the 15th- I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks so much for the info! I'd really appreciate an update when you return.

www.sonomahotel.com

The friendly staff at this small hotel will point you in all the right directions.

katyhtr-
Well- just as I promised- heres a rundown on our journey to Napa.
We stayed at Villagio- wonderful place- nice staff and pretty central location for visiting most of the wineries in Napa. We rented bikes and took an 18 mile ride....hot and exhausting... stopped at 3 wineries along the way.
Cakebread was really disappointing. We talked to some other folks who thought the same thing about them. Their wine use to be really good- but that was the only winery we visited that we did not make a purchase. The most fun and not too well known- Del Dotto- !!! OMG- we had a private tour- went into the caves and actually tasted out of the barrels- (probably 15-20 varieties) Then had wine with cheese afterwards and also wine with Chocolate----to die for!!! Our tour guide was named Chris- and he was "tasting" right along with us. It was the MOST fun. You need to call them to arrange a tour- and they are really hard to find (no signage) so- our cell phone was our gps system.
We liked JP Sinskey, Domaine Chandon, Opus One (was excellent, although a little pricey---$25- tastes.......but we were there at the end of the day and the only ones there so- the "bartender" gave us another sample of "96---FAB)
Coppola was another great one.
Dinner at Bouchons was really nice- although crowded and noisy (we lucked out with the only corner table- away from the mob). The next day we had a late lunch at Hurleys- (great chicken crepes) so didnt do dinner just cocktails on the patio at Auberge de Soleil---the view is fabulous- just make sure you get there early enough for a table. Mustards was a nice change for dinner dining our last night- (we actually got tired of the whole french menu thing).
So- hope this helps---you will have a blast whatever you decide. Any other questions- let me know.