My fiance and I are planning to go to the Napa Valley on our honeymoon in November. Any recommendations for great wineries we should not miss or great restaurants? Thanks!!!!

We enjoyed the Beringer Winery very much. The guide that led us on a tour of the winery was absolutely histerical and entertaining. We sampled endless wine (be careful!) and had a great time. You didn't say you needed a place to stay - but would more than highly recommend the Vintage Inn in Yountville - one of the most gorgeous small inns I have ever seen - includes a full breakfast. The rooms and grounds are gorgeous, includes a pool, cute town.

Try to book a trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train while you are there. My husband and I took the dinner trip (they also have lunch and brunch) last year and it was one of the highlights of our SF trip. The food was wonderful and the staff was very attentive. You can't see the scenery at night, but we had driven through the wine country that day and were more interested in the dining and wine selections. We had the "late seating" so we had appetizers in a beautiful club car with brass and wood trimmings, we stopped off in the tasting car where the server was friendly and very knowledgable and then we were escorted to the dining car where the remaining three courses were served. Outstanding food and service and convenient to most places in Napa.

Instead of Napa which is quite commercial, consider the Sonoma Valley next door. If you want the ultimately romantic hotel, stay at the Madrona Manor in Healdsburg. It's a beautiful Victorian with great food, breakfast included and the nicest staff anyone could ever wish for. We just returned and noticed a "Just Married" painted car in the driveway as we left------they hadnit made it down for breakfast, however!!! It's a real treat--but, book now!

I used to live about an hour outside of Napa and one of our favorite places was V. Sattui winery. It's very low key, no tour, but it is one of the FEW wineries where you can buy meats, cheeses, sweets, and of course wine and just relax on their grounds. This is nice if you dont want to spend the whole day rushing to get to the next winery for the next tour.

Book two meals right now: Lunch at the Auberge du Soleil, on the terrace (!) looking out over the valley; and dinner at the French Laundry. Both are outstanding.

Just returned from a week in wine country. Here are my recommendations. Stay at Auberge du Soleil...book room #1 or #2 in the main house. These rooms are $350 compared to the other rooms which are about $525+. They have the best view as they are situated above the main house. Wineries we liked include Silver Oak Cellars, Clos Pegase, Grgich Hills, Rutherford Hill & Stag's Leap. Don't go to Sterling...it's crowded and has a Disneyish feeling. Heard wine at Opus One is fabulous. Restaurants we liked include Bistro Don Giovanni, Tra Vigne, Auberge and French Laundry. We didn't eat many meals at the hotel. Instead we opted for Dean & Deluca (Breakfast) and the Oakville Grocery Store for lunch. If it's warm enough, I strongly recommend a convertible. I recommend staying in St. Helena, Oakville or Rutherford instead of Napa. Enjoy!

I guess we should explain to those of you from outside of CA that Napa Valley refers to the valley of the Napa River and the end of that river is in Napa. One would never want to stay in Napa!! The tourist towns are Yountville, St. Helena, Rutherford and Calistoga. Our favorite restaurant is Mustard's Grill in Yountville or the restaurant at Domaine Chandon winery. The French Laundry has one sitting and will request your credit card when you book. If you fail to show up they will charge the card anyway. I feel that in the Napa Valley with all the tourists calling for reservations, they really don't need to do this. It certainly can be argued otherwise, but we choose not to participate. Other good ones are Tra Vigne and Cahoola's (sp???) in Calistoga. It's just so crowded in the Napa Valley that I would wonder whether you want it for a honeymoon. It's a great trip, but rather labor intensive.

I second the vote for V. Sattui winery. We visit there each time we're in Napa. It never fails to be one of the most romantic afternoons we spend in CA. Their wines are award-winning and reasonably priced.. Choose your favorite -- then purchase cheese and French bread from their gourmet shop. Choose a shady spot on their lawn with the winery's castle in view, and enjoy a lovely afternoon -- sounds like something out of a movie, doesn't it? We just stumbled onto this winery years ago, and now we feel like it's one of our own special places.

Concur with the above: Mustard's Grill is excellent and the tour at Domaine Chandon is very interesting. Stag's Leap is famous for their Cabernet. Don't know if they do regular tours, call for an appointment.

Congrats on your upcoming nupitals!

My Husband & I spent a gloriously romantic 10 day honeymoon in Napa this past October.

Our honeymoon "wed"site is loaded with top recommendations and tons of links.

Check it out at http://www.sarong.com/honeymoon.htm

Our faves for dining: Don Giovanni's Bistro, CIA (for lunch), Auberge du Soleil (the views are a honeymooner's dream)

Our faves for wineries: Chateau Potelle, Clos Pegase Tour, Rutherford Hill (picnic here under olive trees overlooking the valley)

Any further questions, just email back,

Bon Apetit!

Congrats...we also spent some honeymoon time in Napa. Couple of thoughts from us...we have been there about 10 times in the past 10 years.

Auberge: It has a beautiful view. Great food.

B&B: Stayed at the Country Garden Inn on our honeymoon (years ago). Had a great time, great service, treated royally by the innkeeper. In fact, stopped by to say hi on our last visit! The B&B overlooks the river, and some of the rooms come with a patio, jacuzzi tub, and fireplace. They left us a nice bottle in our room to celebrate our honeymoon. When we were there, they served afternoon appetizers, after dinner desserts and drinks, and an incredible breakfast.

Wineries: I agree with V. Sattui - been there, are members, done picnics. Never charged to taste (used to be the way it was for most "way back when"!).

Other must see wineries: Joseph Phelps (by appoinment, worth it!), Folie A Deux - very fun place, Chateau Montelegna - beautiful grounds, Cordinui Napa - sparkling wine.

We have driven to Sonoma - nice drive, beautiful side roads with wineries...might be a nice side trip.

Have a great time...let us know if you need any more ideas!

You must have lunch on the terrrace at Auberge du Soleil. The view is absolutely gorgeous. I also recommend hot-air ballooning in the morning. It is beautiful. We used Balloons over the Valley, but it is a very early morning.

attending a wedding in theSt. HElena/Rutherford area on labor day weekend and cannot get a lodging reservation. Surrounding towns which have availability are Santa rosa,Fairfield and Vallejo. Any recommendations?

For the person looking for a reservation on Labor Day Weekend, Fairfield and Vallejo have my vote. You will be about an hour away. Also Novato is pretty close.

I love V. Sattui, they have some of my favorite wines (the Gamay Rouge is unique--a great picnic wine. And the Madeira is the perfect cure for a sore throat). It should be mentioned, however, that this place has become a zoo on the weekends and even some weekdays. Sometimes you can't even get in the door! So be prepared--it's worth a stop regardless, but it's certainly not the quietest/ quaintest of wineries.

Monica