Auberge du Soleil is actually in Rutherford. www.aubergedusoleil.com We have had nice lunches out on the patio there. It's a very nice place. ***kim*** ((f))

"""""The wineries in Sonoma generally don't charge you to taste whereas most in Napa do. For that reason, we spend most of our time in Sonoma.

Dave"""""

Reflects the fact that Napa wines are better than Sonoma.

<i>Reflects the fact that Napa wines are better than Sonoma.</i>

Or, reflects the fact that Napa is far more crowded and vinters are tired of all the looky loos who don't buy!

My vote is Sonoma.

beenderdundat2

What a joke !!

jtrandolph,

I'm not joking.

While Napa may have had a reputation for the best wines in CA, that is supposedly changing, and Sonoma is now being seen as the place to find the better wines. Most artlicles and comparisons I've read (even my text book for my Wine class) now say that Sonoma overall has better wines, especially Pinot Noir, Zins, Merlots.

But it all comes down to personal taste. If you don't have a preference, why not try Sonoma and the Russian River area and avoid the crowds?

jt-Just remember,school is still out...
:S-
R5

Stop in at the No-Tell Motel and order a bottle of Sonoma Coma.

That's right, razzledale, when you learn a thing or 2 about wine, then you can butt in.

beenderdundat2

Hi R5, sooner of later the &quot;know it all&quot; tourist will go home, LOL!! Hope you have had a good weekend. Take care.

Triple LOL.
So will the self-absorbed wannabe-local-authority-on-bad-advice who's being trumped by the non-local.

The reason that many Napa wineries charge to taste is/was to discourage day-tripping kids from coming in &amp; 'sampling' on tours,etc. when you know they aren't going to buy anything (this omes from several of the vintners). Napa is much more compact &amp; you can hit many wineries in a short period of time. Not to mention, the wineries in Napa do think very highly of themselves &amp; do believe they make the best wines in the world. &amp; some of them do. However, for the money &amp; atmosphere I'll choose Sonoma over Napa all day. I would suggest the wine &amp; food pairings @ J, &amp; perhaps lunch &amp; a private tasting @ Ledson. Rodney Strong is right next door to J &amp; St. Francis is right down the street from Ledson. Quivera is also a personal favorite for reds (although quite off the beaten path) &amp; Preston is wonderfully unique &amp; has quite a nice bakery.