Tasting Res Needed in Napa this April?
 

Hi Fodorites!

I needed to use a SW ticket credit before May so decided to go to wine country (not my first visit) since it's an easy non-stop from SLC. I've got reservations at The Oleander House in Calistoga, got a good weekend rate for the car through Hertz (amazing they were the lowest).

My big question is, do I really need to make tasting reservations? All the lodging options I checked out were nearly wide open, yet only a couple were willing to deal. I guess they aren't huring that bad! Anyway, I haven't been to Napa in many years and I hear that tastings are pricey and crowded, needing advance reservations. Would this still be the case in today's economy?

I haven't decided which wineries I want to visit yet, so do I need to hurry and make reservations? Has the valley been busy lately? I'm going April 10 - 13.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Topping for some of our NV "tasters".

Dayle, you can do plenty of tasting without making a reservation. Reservations imho are usually for the small boutique wineries or high end wineries.

If you are interested in seeing the Castle generally, I would say you will need a reservation:

http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/

The following web site has lists of some wineries with hours and fees and whether or not a reservation is needed:

http://www.winecountry.com/wineries/

They also have a printable map.

My favorite Napa (magazine) guide is the Preiser Key, unfortunately, they are not online but here is their web address with a list of where you can pick it up:

http://www.preiserkey.com/where.html

They are more comprehensive than the Wine Country listing.

The maps are great- clear, large, detailed for each area. Also has a list of restaurants.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful so you couldn't have picked a better time.

((Y))

Except for Easter week, April is not that busy a month in the wine country. Most wineries don't take reservations for tastings but some of the more exclusive and expensive wineries do require an appointment to visit them. If you have a particular winery in mind, it would be best to contact them directly and inquire about their visiting policy. Usually, a glance at their website will tell you.

Here's an article in today's SF Chronicle that describes their favorite tasting rooms in the Bay Area. Most don't require reservations:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...TRVL16BUSQ.DTL

And they have a map of the region too that's helpful:

http://www.sfgate.com/maps/tastingrooms/

Ronda,

The wine guides look great! I'll be sure to pick one up on my way up from Oakland. I'm also going to stop for a little cooler to take my picnics in.

I'm leaning toward the little boutique wineries. I tend to really enjoy those. Plus, I'll get a chance to taste wines I usually can't get here in UT. Then, I may ship some home to myself.

Due to the weird liquor laws, wines cannot be shipped to individuals in the state. The state only buys wines that are produced in enough quantity to provide for all the state liquor stores, so if a winery is really small, you can't get their wines here.

I've seen Raumbauer and Hall mentioned as very good in some other threads and I haven't seen these in UT at all. Personally, every time I've tried a Rosenblum, I've been extremely disappointed. It is their Zin that is supposed to be outstanding?

Thank God the legislature just did away with the stupid "private club" laws! That, at least, was a MAJOR step forward.

Grazie for the excellent links!

Are you sure Oleander House is in Calistoga and not Yountville? http://www.oleander.com/ Could be two.

Otis P, Thank you too. The article was very helpful. I only have 2 full days, so probably will be limited to 4-5 wineries. What would be your favorites?

Rosenblum's tasting room is not in Napa but Alameda. My husband had a membership and but I never really enjoyed their Zins. I say that and then last night Dan opened up an Annette's reserve that was really delicious. I also like their meritage (Bordeaux blend). I do not like any of their wines you can buy in the grocery or liquor store, but from the winery. Many of them have a high alcohol content.

My fav's (at the moment - it changes) are Whitehall Lane, Peju, and Rutherford Grove. My 'kids' love Turnbull and they are pretty good. None require reservations. Nickel and Nickel are quite good - believe you need a reservation.

Com'on Kal, fess up.

There is a show here in the Bay Area called In Wine Country. Kind of fun. You might like to view some of the clips that interest you:

www.inwinecountry.com

I take it back. Rosenblum does have a tasting room in Alameda, but it also has a tasting room in Healdsburg. Sorry.

Ronda,

Well now I don't feel so bad about not caring for their wines. I'll probably take a pass on Rosenblum, but Hall and Reju will make my short list....so far! A friend from CA brought up a Turnbull Cab when she came for Sundance one year and we all thought it was excellent! Where is their winery?

"Fess up"?

#-O What I do now????

All I know is I'm dying for a glass o' red!

I'm just back from Napa/Sonoma. It wasn't crowded and we didn't need reservations anywhere. Tastings were pricey, ranging from $5-$25. They do allow you to share. Also, in my research, I learned that with a Visa Signature Card you can get 2-for-1 tastings at many places and that you can get coupons on the web (wineroad.com ?)

Peju, Turnbull, Rutherford Grove, Whitehall, Nickel & Nickel are all very close to each other.

Peju has a beautiful winery with some art, and worth seeing even if you don't taste. We like their Cabernet.

http://www.peju.com/

Turnbull has two tasting rooms - regular and reserve. My 'kids' (I say kids but they are late 20's) like the Old Bull Red but I'd skip it. We like their Cabernet S. and Merlot. One of their Black Labels came in our December shipment and it was wonderful. If you join their wine club, tasting in both rooms is free (as with any winery).

www.turnbullwines.com

Rutherford Grove has a nice little tasting room with a fireplace. Like their Cabernet S. (do you see a theme emerging here? - cabs from Rutherford). They also have a large picnic ground out back.

www.rutherfordgrove.com

Whithall Lane has some nice cabs, too.

www.whitehalllane.com

Nickel and Nickel - need and appointment.

www.nickelandnickel.com

Dan said to be sure to tell you not to miss William Harrison over on the Silverado Trail. Small, excellent wines.

www.whwines.com

Darioush is south from William Harrison, has a beautiful facility. We did not taste. We have had their 'off label' wine - Caravan - which was very nice but I see they are sold out of it.

http://www.darioush.com/winery.html

This is just a handful of wineries I am familiar with. There are so so many. Hopefully tomorrow some others with more information will be along to give you ideas.

Thanks Ronda! There really are so many producers now that it's hard to keep track. Unfortunately, I can't join any wine clubs because UT is one of the states that doesn't permit shipping. Had to give up my 2 wine clubs when I moved here. Bummer.

These wineries are close to Yountville. If you are staying in Calistoga, you may want to head over to Healdsburg. Stu Dudley always has great recommendations for Healdsburg/Sonoma area.

Kal has been to Napa a time or two so perhaps when you are ready for restaurant recs he will chime in.

On our trip to Napa Valley last month, my family's favorites were Peju and Hess Collection, neither of which required reservations. Hess Collection is up a bit in the hills over Napa and in addition to the winery, there is a gallery of contemporary art from the owner's extensive collection. www.hesscollection.com

Hess is definitely worth a visit.

I talked to my BF this morning who goes to Napa quite often. She recommends that you go to Napa Wine Company in Oakville. They have a tasting room not only for their own wines but many others and some who don't have their own tasting rooms:

http://www.napawineco.com/
some wines you can taste there:
http://www.cultwinecentral.com/

The tasting room is on the same side of the road as Oakville Grocery (great sandwiches) and is easy to miss.

It can be a little overwhelming so talk to the server and let him guide you. Advantage is that you can taste many wines in one place.

A winery our husbands have been wanting to go to is Neal which does require an appointment.

http://www.nealvineyards.com/

Thanks so much everyone. So many wines, so little time....

What would be a good, mid-priced restaurant for a dinner out? I don't want a super fancy place where I would feel odd solo dining. I solo dine frequently, but not at snobby places.

Dayle - Are you staying in Calistoga or Yountville? If Yountville, I like both Bouchon and Hurleys. Both these places serve late and I'll often dine at the bar if I was working late. Both have good food and good vibes.

For wineries to visit, Napa is Cab Country. Mondavi, BV, Inglenook (now Rubicon) and Heitz helped put the Napa Valley on the world's wine map. Others now include Silver Oak, Clos du Val, Stag's Leap, Opus One, Groth, and Caymus. There are others that are famous too but you can't visit them.

For sparkling wine, go to Schramsberg. You will need to make a reservation there. Chandon and Mumm are good too and you can just show up at those places.

If you like art, go to Hess and the DiRosa Preserve (no wine but a great museum surrounded by vineyards).

You should take a tour somewhere. Both Mondavi and Groth give good tours about cabernet production.

Thanks so, so much everyone! All excellent suggestions. Honestly, I've done this trip so quickly and so unlike me. I'm overloaded with all kinds of things at home and work and didn't really have time for a trip right now. I contacted so many places, I lost track. Yes, I'm staying in Yountville!

Long time Stag's Leap fan here. They make a Sav Blanc that I love and it's very reasonable. I like Hess too. Opus One is completely out of my budget so I'll just skip them and go for reality!

Otis thanks for the dining recommendations. For sure I'll try one of them. I love sparking wine - does Schramsberg make a natural? I hope? I've done the Chandon tour and found it very interesting, but don't need to repeat.

You all are just the best! Salute!

In Yountville there is a new restaurant called Bottega by Michael Chiarello. It has gotten lots of good reviews. Bet you could eat in the bar http://www.botteganapavalley.com/

It is in the Marketplace along with a Napa Style store and cafe, and a few other businesses. Napa Style and the cafe are also Michael Chiarello inspired businesses. www.napastyle.com

We had lunch at Bottega in Feb. Very good and "Chef" Chiarello walked around talking with all of the customers.

If the weather is good, sit out on the beautiful patio and dine. ((Y))

Bouchon's oyster bar is very good.
Bouchon's Bakery is a good way to start the day.
Hurley's bar is nice, too.

There are some good ones where you will need a reservation no matter what the time of year. Generally, in Napa-Sonoma you will not need an appointment at the bigger houses.

My one recommendation for a "by appointment only" tasting room is Failla on the Silverado Trail. Very good chards and exceptionally good Reds.

In Yountville~ I agree about Bouchon or even Jeanty. Bouchon really does feel like a Parisian Bistro including the shellfish bar.

If you are willing to drive I also recommend Celadon in Napa(just behind the Napa River Inn). I just ate there the other night and it was very good. The price point is reasonable.

OK~I just checked out Oleander House and you will be immediately N of Yountville. You will need to drive everywhere. Check out the menu at Cook (for lunch) in St Helena where you can sit at the counter and have very good food.

Grazie! Grazie! Now I'm really getting excited about this impromptu trip. If I can just last until then.

I have found Bistro Jeanty is very comfortable for female solo dining. And the food is delicious! Also, Many of the restaurants have a bar menu. Brix (near where you are staying) is a friendly place for eating at the bar. In fact, most restaurants in the Napa Valley will make solo diners feel comfortable.

Did you check Tripadvisor for your lodging? (Friends of mine stayed there and hated it - but this was a number of years ago). Oleander House is right on the Highway - I think it is next door to Mustard's Restaurant. If you find a place right in the little town of Yountville or in St. Helena or in Calistoga, you might enjoy it more. Your lodging might be just fine, though - I'm sure you will have a great time!

By the way, some of the wineries (including Peju) will waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle of wine. For a bit of wacky fun, ask to tast with the "yodelmeister" at Peju.
www.peju.com

Hi elnap,

Yes, I read some reviews on trip advisor, but there weren't many recent ones. In speaking with the owner, I had a good impression. Friendly helpful. She has done extensive remodeling in the last couple years and directed me to the web site BedandBreakfast, where more recent photos are posted.

I checked a lot of B&Bs and Inns, but the prices are ridiculous at most and not suitable for a UT income! I took a 35% cut in pay when I moved here from CA. I'm very fortunate to have a good job in a very healthy industry, but still I was looking for a place that was offering specials or willing to deal. Otherwise, I just don't need to go there that badly. I was surprised that most of the places I contacted by phone (and which showed NO BOOKINGS 2 weeks out) were unwilling to offer any incentives. Good luck to them.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be fine!

Stag's Leap takes reservations:

http://www.stagsleap.com/pages/visit/

And if you haven't been, you might want to read their directions say there is not sign. Maybe you have been there before?

Cost: $35 per person

We were supposed to meet friends in Napa tomorrow but they came down with the flu :(

Ronda,

I'm sorry your friends got the flu! I may just go to Stag's Leap. Thanks for letting me know they do reservations!

Do taste the library wines at Stag's Leap.

I'm glad you reminded me Pammer...I have an overdue bottle.

Kal~

ssssshhhhh:)

Do they refill overdue library wines Kal? I am assuming the bottle is EMPTY.

The tasting fee was $20/pp at Chateau Montelena in Calistoga and they do not waive it if you purchase a bottle of wine. We had very nice meals at The Grill @ Meadowood in St. Helena, Willi's Seafood and Wine Bar, Cyrus (Healdsburg) and Bottega in Yountville. Foodie's heaven! ***kim*** ((*))

What an exciting trip, Dayle! I'll miss you again unfortunately, I am in utah just at that time. :(

I've heard nice things about Jeanty, Brix, and Cyrus. Wow, I can't believe how much wine tastings are!!! In days of yore, they were free; and then came the $5 wine tastings....and I thought THAT was tough back then.

have a great time!

Dayle, I hesitated to mention it because you are coming on Easter weekend, but we may be able to come to Napa on the Saturday you are there. Perhaps we could do a couple of wineries and a picnic. If you are interested, e-mail me at rronda at yahoo dot com.

noounty,

I was going to e mail you and see when your next UT stay was. We really need to get together with Barbara. I'm dying to hear all about her Oz trip. When will your next visit be after Easter?

Ronda, that would be so much fun! I'll e mail you. I have a friend visiting this weekend, so it might not be until Monday.