Tomsd

Ahh yes - just googled and the Rombaeur family (who also make good wine) bought the Hans Kornell estate. Usually don't pitchot other websites but check out/google Trip Advisor for some good feedback on the still running winery.

And if I didn't say so - loved your report. In the "old days" - I would definitely been toasting with ye at one of the wineries if you lovlies had stopped by. A bevy of happy blonds can really liven up a place.

Und mein gott: It's properly spelled Sehr Trocken - and back in our day - it was our favorite. But now there are other good champagnes/sparkling wine also.

Tomsd

Just remembered - Gloria Ferrer also makes some good Champagne/wine and has a pretty setting. She was one of the earlier ones when the Carneros area became a hotspot for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.

LCBoniti

That sounds like a great idea, Blondie. Not too much, and food.

I have heard very good reviews of Gloria Ferrer from friends - just not made it there myself.

Bostonblondie226

@Tomsd - Thanks so much for all the info! I've heard of Montelena and when I looked it up, it looks lovely. I'm thinking maybe we'll bike there on Sunday, as it doesn't look so far from Solage. I didn't know there was a Rombauer vineyard, but The Joy of Cooking was always on the bookshelf when were growing up! Maybe we'll go there on Sunday as well, depending on our plans. We had a great time last year - people watching, people meeting, good wine and lovely surroundings - and I can't wait for October. If we see you in a tasting room, we'll cheers!

Have any of you heard anything about / been to Domaine Chandon? I've heard good things from friends.

Also, does anyone have a preference between Gott's Roadside and the Oxbow Market? I'm thinking about lunch already! (And it's 5 months early!!!!)

LCBoniti

Well, of course I've been to Domaine Chandon!! I still have the champagne glass.

It's a beautiful place as well. You will have a hard time narrowing down your choices. It's the problem I always have in Napa.

Bostonblondie226

Has anyone been to DiRosa Art - http://www.dirosaart.org during a visit to Napa Valley? A work colleague gave it rave reviews, but said the tour is kind of long. I've also heard that there is a smaller area you can visit without doing the full tour. Is that the better option? Thanks!

kendracb

We loved DiRosa . . . but I can confirm tour is long . . . unnecessarily so, we felt. Problem is, there's not a lot to see in the front house / studio area you can walk around for a few dollars . . . depending on the rest of your plans, I might skip it. Kind of an all or nothing proposition . . .

How is planning coming for the big 50 . . . the fall is just around the corner . . . but don't rush summer!

charsuzan

I am so glad this report found its way out again because I had missed it and it is too good to miss!

wekewoody

We have a Gott's here and a we are underwhelmed by the burgers and the service. They effed up our orders both times we tried it. The one where you will be going has got to be better, isn't it the original one?

Have fun with the planning.

Tomsd

Yo BB: Missed one of your last posts. Domaine Carneros is great - as are many of the sparklin wine vintners around the area. The bigger ones make different offerings - and you can usually find something you like.

Don't know if I relayed this story - but I/we wer very fortunate some years ago when you brother in law had a small country housse/spread - above Sonoma, and we were there during the grape harvest.

After visiting the outlet for Gundlach Bundschu - we went further into Carneros - and the daughter of the Acacia family was pouring their tastings/samples at the end of a long day.

She poured the stock one she had - which was not shabby at all - and after we chatted a bit (she was a 2nd year law student and I had gone to law school years before) - she pulled out a primo Chard from below the bar and said - what the hey - let's celebrate.

Sometimes it pays to be lucky.

JanetKMR

I am so glad this report found its way out again because I had missed it and it is too good to miss!
---
It is my favorite trip report.

LCBoniti

Tomsd, it also pays to talk to the winemaker.

Tomsd

Amen LC - and we have - many times. Actually - we also went into the original Zellerbach winery (which had been sold to a English Dame?) - by appointment - and they were also picking/crushing the grapes at that time. (Wonderful time to visit Napa/Sonoma area if you can time it right)

The very nice wife of the vintner entertained us for a while - pouring a fine glass of Chardonnay -(and then topping it off) as we watched the harvesting going on thru the upstairs/lodge window. Later the vintner/winemaker himself came in and explained how he was dealing with their present crop of grapes.

They were able to find the last of six bottles of the 74? was it/vintage - which we scooped up - and it was as good as any Chard I have had the privilege to taste.

Bostonblondie226

Thanks everyone for your very helpful thoughts & comments!

@Kendra - Thanks for your comments re DiRosa. I'd also heard it was great but time consuming. Maybe we'll see the just front house area or maybe not. But the tour may be a little more than we want to bite off this time around. But there's always next time! (Or 40 years from now when I retire to Napa)

@Charsuzan - Thanks for the compliments! Maybe one day I will indulge the inner dream of becoming a writer (of more than trip reports and corporate memos)!

@Weke - The Gott's I had in mind was the one down in Napa, near the Oxbow market. Not sure if that's the original. Certainly not married to that as our lunch time stop - just the subject of much local lore and I welcome any other tasty suggestions!

@Janet - Thanks for that compliment - it was such a fun day, so I'm glad you liked the report as well! How is your own birthday planning coming? You're inside of two months now, I think!

The itinerary is gradually coming into greater focus. Current thinking:

Thursday: Fly out - find somewhere nice in SF for dinner. Any Chinese food suggestions?

Friday: Leisurely drive up the coast, shuck some oysters and then arrive in Napa Valley area.

Saturday: Sparkling wine tour with designated driver. Amanda is moving so we need a fun-loving, camera-toting replacement!! Right now I'm thinking we'll do a tour of Schramsberg and work our way down the valley with another sparkling wine stop before finishing up at Domaine Carneros. Mostly I'm trying to decide between Domaine Chandon and Mumm as stop number 2... Probably Oxbow Market or somewhere in Napa (Gott's) for lunch.

Sunday: Designated driving day of abstention for yours truly. Cycle to Chateau Montelena. Check-out and stop at Sinksy and maybe Artesa on way home before late flight.

Now we just have to pray for good weather

Tomsd

For Chinese food in SF - when we go back to visit - I still like going to Chinatown - walking around and finding a place you like (or one we used to frequent) - but there are good places out on the Avenues (Clement St), etc.

So much depends on what you want - Mandarin, Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan, even Dim Sum etc - and how formal, or good yet inexpensive, etc.

Bostonblondie226

Thanks, Tom! Change of heart - we're thinking a good steak & potatoes meal instead. Any favorites in SF anyone?

Kal

Harris' and House of Prime Rib are still on my To Do list for meat and taters in SF. Alfred's too.

Had a few good pieces of meat at Epic Roasthouse on Embarcadero. And the view is awesome.

Bostonblondie226

That's a great thought - we're all suckers for good food and good views! I'm putting Epic in the maybe pile.

Any thoughts anyone on Delfina or Aziza? Recommended by colleagues . . .

Kal

They always seem to score high in any SF resto ratings.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/top-100-restaurants/

Bostonblondie226

OMG! Kal, this list is fabulous! Thanks for sending!!