Hi!!

I will be be spending 1 1/2 days in Napa in late May and needed some thoughts on which to visit. I'm new to "wine" and have gone on a few tours on Long Island, NY. I like white wine, Chardonney to be more specific, but maybe I just don't know enough about reds to really appreciate them!!

So, can anyone recommend really great tasting places for white and 1 place for red (after all I am an equal opportunity wine drinker!!)? I was thinking about visiting Schramsberg for Champagne and maybe up to Sterling since the view and gondola ride sound nice, but nothing set in stone. My hotel is in Yountville and was planning on staying in Napa (vs. Sonoma) at least for this trip. Thanks!

Cakebread Cellars is a good choice for chardonnay. You may want to go on their website for info on tours.

Another good winery is William Hill. I am not too familiar with their reds but can tell you that the Pinot Blancs are very, very good. A perfect springtime/summer wine. Most "new" people to wine that I have introduced this white to have enjoyed it very much.

Merryvale is a good choice but really for reds. They produce a chardonnay which, IMO, is so-so. However, I have had some incredible Cab reserves there that just about brought me to my knees.
Also, the staff are very helpful and incredibly friendly (especially if you bring in something from the Oakville Grocery store to share!).

Cakebread is a good choice to tour for white. They have some nice wines, it is easy to get to and they do a good tour. Check with your hotel to see if they have any recommendations or can get you into one of the wineries that need reservations.

Also, I recommend lunch at Greystone.

Enjoy your trip.

I buy and drink little CA Chardonnay, but the 2nd floor "upscale" tasting room at Beringer's pours some good stuff.
M

Freemark Abbey in St. Helena has amazing Rieslings and Viognier. They recently were recognized in Wine Enthusiast as producing the best Viogner in the world. It was the only place on their list for Viogner. Cheers! ***kim***

Cakebread's, Rombauer's regular Chardys and probably Miner's Wild Yeast Chards are our faves.

Rombauer also makes so excellent reds. Good tasting room if you can find it!

Since you're staying in Y'ville, drop by Groezinger's Wine Shop across from the Villagio.
Rick and Justin are two sweet goof balls who will talk your ears off regarding wines and will make some excellent suggestions even if you don't buy a bottle there.

You can also get a tasting at Y'ville's Vintage 1870 Shopping area at the good wine store in the back.

There is a newer wine shoppe, Jessup Cellars, that looked good but we haven't been in yet. It's up by Pere Jeanty.

Man! It's time to plan another Napa/Sonoma trip.

Too bad Calif wines are just so pedestrian!

Not if your wife is nice to you

Thanks everyone!!

Do any of the places mentioned need a reservation or are the tasting rooms always open?

Kal - thanks for the tip about Rick and Justin, I will def. stop in!!

Artesa in the Caneros region is a must
for new wine-o's: unique architecture,
beautiful terrace to sip some of their Reserve Chardonnay.
Now, one of my new Chardonnay finds from last week was Frank Family Vineyards, in between St. Helena and Calistoga.
No appoint. on those two.
You might also consider booking a tour at Jarvis,really neat cave and tasting!
Agree with Kal on Rombauer and a stop by Groezinger's.
Ask lots of questions at your tastings,
the pourers love to share info.
R5

If you want to taste really interesting white wines, skip the chardonnay, which becomes boring. Try things like pinot blanc and viognier and reisling.

Also, it is easy to arrange private tastings in advance at places not ordinarily open to the public. All it takes is a phone call or two.

My recommendations for you come from my trip last May and years of wine drinking. For the trip report, you can click my name and look for the coastal wine and food trip report.

Recommendations:

Arrowood (Sonoma Valley) Their whites were fantastic. They have great Pinot Blanc and Viognier and Gewurztraminer. You need to call in advance and arrange an appointment.

For reds, extremely off the beaten path but just outside of Napa city limits there is a very small winery (no sign, no tasting room), Tulocay Winery, where Bill Cadman, who also has worked at Mondavi, has been making exceptional wines for 20-plus years. You must arrange in advance and get directions to the place so you can sit on his back porch and and taste phenoninal red wines, including a perfect Pinot Noir and a world class Cabernet.

Robert Sinskey Vineyards (Napa Valley)is said to make the best Pinot Blanc. This place had the best nibbles (olives and herb toasted almonds) and really good wines. If you want to try some excellent wines with individual character. This is a place you can walk into and do almost as well as at a private tasting.

Be sure to grab cards and tear out ads from free maps and shopping throwaways at your hotel, and you can avoid tasting fees in many places. Taste anything new and skip the ordinary and have a great time!

CAKEBREAD, CAKEBREAD, CAKEBREAD

Another vote for Rombauer. They are on the Silverado Trail which is a preferable road to travel vs Hwy 29. BYW~that's the same Rombauer Family of Joy of Cooking(Mrs. Rombauer).

If you drink some Rombauer Carneros Chard, please don't drive - those are a stunning as the great ZH Pinot Gris from Alsace.
M

try heitz cellars; small but cherce.