Hi!! I will be in Napa early august. Any suggestions on which wineries may have nice activities along with the tastings? ie.. Wine making/ harvest activities? And has anyone ever taken the napa wine shuttle? Thanks!

Hi LKravitzDO, are you talking about the wine train? Most people, residents here in the area, feel it is overpriced and would not do it again.

I just read an article in the SF Chronical (www.sfgate.com) about a winery, Clines, that beginning in a few weeks will have a mission museum with models of all the CA missions. Know this is not exactly what you are asking about but thought you might be interested. It is on Hwy 121, Sonoma.

August is a bit early for harvest activities I believe. To my knowledge that is later in the season.

If you go to the SF Chronical's website, on the left hand side scroll down until you get to the title "regional" and then click on "wine country". That should give you a lot of information. Best wishes.

We're not far from Napa (we're north of Sacramento) and usually go several times a year.

Some of our favorite wineries are:

*V.Sattui, which is one of the rare wineries that still has free tastings. They have a great deli and sometimes BBQ...good place to relax and get in the Napa groove.

*Sterling is a beautiful winery; you take the arial tram up the hill...tour the winery, and go outside to taste on their deck.

*Niebaum-Coppola's. Beautiful grounds ~ great place to explore. You can even see a "real live Oscar".

*Mondavi ~ I've heard their tour is very good.

If you go over to the Sonoma side (which is less crowded and has so much charm), don't miss Chateau Ste. Jean...the gardens are beautiful, and it's a sight to behold, especially if it's overcast.

We took the wine train last time we were in Napa (in May). It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't do it again.

The Napa and Sonoma valleys are a great place... Calistoga is also a great place to visit if you are in the area...with little shops, mud baths, massages, etc (it's up beyond Sterling).

Cheers!

We really enjoyed Domaine Chandon, Opus One, and the tour at Schramsberg (you must book ahead for this).

Schramsberg was our favorite - the caves are very interesting.

You have to have breakfast at Auberge de Soleil. Wonderful setting.

sorry, I meant early OCTOBER- as far as any nice harvest events?!! My bad, i suppose early august has passed!! Also, I was referring to the "napa winery shuttle" a shuttle for ~ 8-10 people, will take me to wineries for the day.. (www.wineshuttle.com) anyone heard of this? and thanks for the great reccomendations so far!!

The "wine shuttle"is great..
Very convenient--no worries about DUIs !!! No parking problems,,
Often people pick out a winery they want to go back to or for next visit..
We were picked-up at our hotel in Napa.--Vehicle very comfortable.
Note: I do not like Sterling's wines and resent paying for tram ride..I do agree with most of the other comments..
October is great month to visit. The weather has been "cool" last 1-2 weeks, maybe you will be lucky to be around for the"crush" . Some wineries have the "blessing" of the grapes--Mondavi for one..
good luck..

I'm thinking of doing the wine shuttle (St. Helena highway) one day, and the next touring ourselves along silverado. Any recs on great winery I can picnic at (would pick up food from oakville grocery), beautiful vistas etc.? Thanks!

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Today's (9-9-05) Wall Street Journal has a good article on interesting wineries in both Napa and Sonoma. It's in the Weekend Journal section. They don't list all the usual suspects, so you might get some different ideas.

Sorry, i missed it, does anyone have a link to that page (i have no login), thanks and keep those ideas coming!

Unfortunately they don't have a "free look" online, but I will email it to you if you like.

thanks!! [email protected]

Would one of you guys email it to me, too? Thanks!
[email protected]

topping

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I'm so sorry-- I was off-line on the weekend, and forgot! It's on its way.

Peju, Coppola, V. Sattui is great for lunch break, Chandon operating under LouisVuittonMoetHermes LVMH, and anyplace that serves beer. After all that wine and sparkling wine, you'll certainly want a beer chaser!!!

diamond oaks which is very near the oakville grocery has nice picnic grounds. take a left out of the grocery and the first right onto oakville grade rd (i think). diamond oaks is up the hill about a mile. overlooks the valley. they have a great reserve chardonnay and a decent pinot noir.