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.