Plan 1-day winery tour. Best suggestions? Better to rent car, or take a tour from S.F.?

Well, this depends on how much you intend to drink! The trip from San Fran to Napa is about an hour, and it is nice to rent a car to view the beautiful countryside. It is nice to visit the wineries at your leisure, but if you plan to drink heavily, I suggest taking the bus, because you might be to "tired" at the end of the day.

I think the major question to answer is whether your primary interest is in touring wineries or tasting wine. Many wineries have tours and all of the tours involve the opportunity to taste some wine. One winery pretty much looks like another, though, and for the real wine hobbyist, touring wineries simply cuts into time that could be better spent tasting. Also, many of the more interesting wineries have only tastings - no tours except by special arrangement.

If you're interested in tours, I would recommend Robert Mondavi and Beaulieu as two good ones that will teach you about grapes and winemaking. Domaine Chandon, because they specialize solely in sparkling wine, shows a different process and is also worth a visit. Sterling is a self-guided tour that is noted for great views down the valley from the Spanish hacienda-style winery on a hilltop.

If you're into wine enough to fall into the serious "tasting" category you've probably already got your favorites, so visit those. And, as you probably already know, spitting (and pouring out anything beyond that necessary to evaluate the wine) is not only acceptable it's pretty much necessary if you're going to be serious about things and live to tell the tale. My choice would be to opt for the freedom of having your own transportation but to be very selective in your swallowing.

We just got back from SF and Napa/Sonoma Valleys last week. The Robert Mondavi tour was very educational as was the one for Cakebread cellars. You'll need to call Cakebread and get a reservation (no cost), but it was well woth it. I would also suggest Niebaum Coppola because of the memorabilia (hollywood stuff) and Iunderstand the tour is great. There is a cost depending on which tour you take, and reservations are suggested. E-mail me if I can be of any further help.

I agree that spitting is the way to go, but a lot of wineries we visited didn't make any sort of provision for the non-swallowers, and one place got very bent out of shape when we asked where we should spit. If you'll be doing serious tasting, bring a few of those big plastic cups that are white inside and colored outside (like for beer at college parties)--that way no one has to see the results of your cracher-ing.

I've done the Mondavi tour two years. I just returned from the wine country and was really impressed with Beringer. The tour was outstanding. I would also opt for renting your own car. One day won't allow for too many wineries unless they in the same general area. Plan to have them mapped out before you go.

Re: Napa V. Wineries

Many thanks to Jo, Dick, Rob, Martha and Debbie! Your input has been invaluable--just what I needed to know. Can't wait for my tour now.
Pat

Hi,
Visited Napa Valley in July. We liked the Niebaum Coppola and the Hess Collection the most. Take a look at the past hosted forums, Wine country. John Doerper gives a lot of good suggestions on where to go.
Kaja

Thanks Kaja, I will check out those sites!

Pat

You can take a virtual tour of Michel-Schlumberger in Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma) at www.michelschlumberger.com We were there last Spring and it was wonderful. Extremely personal and we learned a lot. They don't sell glasses or t-shirts, and you need to call ahead for the tour. But it is more than worth it! We bought several bottles there. I'm glad we did, because we won't make it to Lutece or 21 in New York to taste it elsewhere! If you do that area in liew of Napa, you will want a car. As a matter of fact, try to spend a night in Healdsburg if you can swing it. A restauranteur-friend of mine from D.C. says there's more good wine and food per square foot in that little town than anywhere in the world.

Has anyone hired a car and driver to take them through the area? What kind of rates do they charge for a day (or afternoon)?