Can anyone share their opinion on some of the best winery tours in the Napa/Sonoma area. I am more interested in touring some of the smaller wineries. I know Mondavi is suppose to have a good one, but this time we are hoping to visit smaller wineries. How is the tour at Cakebread or Schramsberg? Thanks for your thoughts.

I don't remember the name, but the winery was in Sonoma, just off the plaza. They offer free tours of the cellars, the wine is aging in barrels, and what I remember the most is how much it stinks! The aging wine smell is unbearable. If you have any breathing problems like asthma or allergy-related like migraine you may be forced to cut the tour short. Get a gas mask.

My favorite winery is Buena Vista, California's oldest premium winery. The setting is beautiful and everything you could hope for in a winery visit.

http://www.buenavistawinery.com/

The other small wineries I enjoy are along the Russian River. http://www.russianriver.com/

Here is a helpful site for your planning: http://www.winecountry.com/plan_visit.html

I highly recommend Schramsberg's tour. You will need to make a reservation, but you can usually do that only a day or so in advance (i.e. when you're already in the Napa valley and have a better idea of your itinerary). Stay for the optional tasting, it's something like 10.00 but so classy and worth it!

I liked the atmosphere of the Sonoma wineries better overall, but the Cakebread tour in Napa was FABULOUS! Brady (ask for when he'll be there) is a Napa native who has worked in the industry all his life and now is "retired" to do tours. The man is amazing- he is wise as well as hysterically funny- one gag after another!There is no question he can't answer or fact he doesn't know.You need to make an appt- we did it the day before. After the free tour, you go to a private tasting room for a free tasting. If you don't take the tour, you pay for the tasting.Go figure! I highly recommend this tour!