Am going to be in Napa for 2 days and wanted to make sure I get the most out of those 2 days. We are dying to do a balloon ride, but it's SOOOO expensive. So, touring the wineries is our best bet. What else to do???????

Wineries we most definately want to visit are:
-Cakebread
-Niebaum-Coppola
-Sterling

This won't take 2 days worth, so any suggestions on what else we can do? or not to miss wineries?

Also, is French Laundry really worth the expensive price tag associated with it? I've heard and read rave reviews, but not sure on this one......

TIA!

Spend a couple of hours one morning getting pampered in one of the many spas. We did the mud bath/massage in Calistoga in August.

Hokiegirl:

You have selected some very nice wineries...all with expensive cost to taste. Select a few smaller wineries. Do a mental/verbal tour of what wines you or your friends like that are from Napa and build that list.

Relaxing is always one of our favorite wine region activities. Spas and the like while nice take a chunk of our time on two day treks...your call.

You can not "go" to The French Laundry. You must call two months in advance to get in. This is not rumor it is fact. Visit their website and call them to hear it straight.

On TFL, if you love food and seek out the "best" then this is one destination that is on your short list. If you are not really "into" food, restaurants, chefs and all then go to the thousands of other wonderful, fabulous, special and fantastic resturants on our planet.

On the price tag of TFL it's all about what you choose to spend your money on.
I thought it worth every red cent...every time. That we could have travelled to serveral places with the money spent matters not to me and my husband. Everyone is different. Our brother-in-law felt TFL to be much ado about nothing. Another family member has her TFL jar where she puts any and all of her spare change and her husband jokingly puts his pay check stubs in...

Have fun!

When are you going to be in the Napa Valley (I assume you don't mean the town of Napa, which is a bit south of where most of the wineries are located)?

Other things to do: shop! Visit the Heard Candle Factory, just outside St. Helene; the town itself is worth driving around to see the interesting architecture of the older houses.

Visit the Culinary Institute of America for a tapas-style lunch and watch the chefs at work.

Take the aerial tram up to Sterling Vineyards for a good view of the valley.

As for the French Laundry, you'll be lucky to get a reservation--it's very, very difficult to get through. IMO it's not worth the price; there are quite a few other excellent restaurants in Yountville and St. Helena.

Domaine Chandon has beautiful grounds and a very nice tasting room, located in Yountville. Have lunch at Bistro Jeanty.

In Calistoga, check out the Indian Springs Resort, www.indianspringsresort.com for their mud baths, and complimentary use of the Olympic pool. You will feel like Gumby when you leave here!

In Calistoga, have lunch or dinner at Wappo Bar & Bistro, very yummy. We like to sit outside under the wisteria vines.

We enjoyed the reserve tasting at Stag's Leap, the Yountville Inn gave us two complimentary passes when we stayed there. Uneventful winery, but very good wine!

In St Helena, check out the Freemark Abby, the make a really nice Riesling there. Very small, boutique-type winery.

You should also visit Auberge du Soleil, it's a beatuiful place. Have lunch on the outside terrace and take in the gorgeous views of the vineyards below. Excellent food and pampering service here. Enjoy! ***kim***

A sparkling winery worth a visit is
www.schramsberg.com

Dinner at Terra was very good! I would highly recommend the restaurant. Also Mustard's Grill was very good for lunch (or dinner).

www.terrarestaurant.com It is excellent, we had a birthday dinner there last year. This is a place where you can really dress up! I chose a long dress with lots of lace and strappy sandals. Very nice place! ***kim***