Planning to be in San Ffrancisco next March and would like to visit the wine country. Since I have just two days to do this, how can I make the most of it? Would love for someone to give me an ideal itinerary...where is the best place to stay, to eat, wineries to visit. I'm splurging so what are the top spots. Thanks. Jude.

I am going to Napa for a weekend also (Nov 13 to 15th) We are staying at Vineyard Inn. We stayed there before in a beautiful suite overlooking a winery. We plan on visiting wineries on Sat and going to a spa in Calistoga. Sunday we are going on a tour at the Culinary Institute and having lunch there. When I return I will let you know how the restaurants we dined at were and how our spa day turned out. You should check out the napavalley.com web site as well.

Definitely try the big wineries first. Robert Mondavi, Beringer, Opus One. Most of them may require reservation, so call ahead. Do the spa thing too. It only takes about 2 hours for the mud bath, but you will sure enjoy it.
Then reserve dinner. We ate in Terra, which is the best meal I ever have.

Have fun.

Another vote for Terra -- marvelous! Wineries I have enjoyed again and again: Merryvale and Clos Pegase. A champagne-making tour is a treat: try Domain Chandon which has an excellent tour. Something very special to do: drop by Auberge du Soleil (on the outskirts of Rutherford) at sunset for a drink on the balcony terrace . . . oh, wonderful and romantic!

We had lunch at the Culinary Institute this spring. The building is quite interesting, but I would NOT recommend it for dining. Huge room, noisy and our particular server had a real attitude problem. Unless you're a foodie of the highest order, I'd suggest you skip it.

Definately make time to go to V.Sattui Winery. No tour is given, but tastings are (their wines are outstanding). Preferrably go around lunch time. They have a wonderful gourmet deli and you can picnic among the vines. Beautiful setting.

I recommend that you check out www.napavalley.com and pick out one of the smaller Bed and Breakfasts in St. Helena or Calistoga. The Vineyard Inn is kind of far from most of the wineries. I second the nomination of V. Sattui--they have very distinctive, yet still affordable wines and also a large selection of picnic items. The place can be a zoo on the weekends, so if you have the opportunity to go during the week definitely do that. I also highly recommend touring Schramsburg Champagne Cellars. They are located just outside Calistoga, and they have the BEST champagne (they even serve it at Presidential dinners). You have to make a reservation at least the day before for a tour, but the tour is free. The tasting is around $7 but you get three full glasses of champagne and get to sit in this elegant mahogany room and it's really classy. I can't say enough good things about the place.

I think you should go to one or two large wineries, and then concentrate on the smaller, lesser known ones. They will be more relaxed, you will get more individual attention while tasting and after all, you are probably going to wine country to taste wine you otherwise wouldn't after all. I have the most fun just driving along, stopping at whatever winery suits my fancy.

Have you considered going to Sonoma? It's less crowded than Napa, and the wineries still don't charge for a tasting. If you are looking for a more relaxing time, this would be a good thing to do.

You could have a nice visit to the wine country in two days- I agree with another poster who said to try to go during the week. The Vintage Inn in Yountville is a nice place to stay. I heartily agree with those who reccomended Terra- it is one of the finest places I've ever eaten. I also recommend a visit to Domaine Chandon- interesting champagne- making and also a wonderful restaurant. A good guidebook is Wine Country Access.

i've only been to sonoma county but here is what i found.
friend and i stayed at fort ross lodge-located north of jenner (quite a ways) on hwy 1. it's a bit old but has refrig., microwave, fireplace. 4 have semi-private patios facing the coast with full size bq's and jacuzzi's. the place is a bit rustic but we enjoyed it especially with the patios and there are footpaths down to the water. their number is707-847-3333. since it was off season we asked for a discount and they agreed. the only problem, a little far to restaurants, my friend and i were on a budget so we hit the local farmers market during the day and grilled our meals.
as far as the wine, we stayed around healdsburg.small, curving roads with small wineries that were so personable. all the ones we visited, no tasting fees, we were usually the only two in there. the guide we used "fearn's traveler info sonoma county wine country 1995". sonoma valley visitors bureau 707/996-1090. whichever county you decide to visit, you will enjoy

WE were recently in Napa (May) and stayed in the most wonderful B&B. The Oak KNoll Inn in Napa is by the far the best place and the food is tops. It overlooks chardonnay vineyards. The owner, Barbara, will create breakfasts that rival the best in New York and wonderful food for the late afternoon wine tastings. Don't miss this gem. Terra is great, French Laundry over rated and expensive.

Jude, Since you're staying in Yountville be SURE and go to Bistro Jeanty!! It's absolutely wonderful, and will make you think you've made a quick journey to France in the space of going down the block and across the street! Just got back from a two-day stay including a dinner at Mustard's Grill (for old times sake), lunch at Auberge (highly recommended for the views alone plus food was great--as a previous post suggests, at least go for a drink) and a dinner AND lunch at Jeanty (we liked it so much!). Re: wineries....also try Beringer for the history of its caves and the beauty of the mansion (not to mention the Knights Valley Cab!). Niebaum-Coppola (the old Inglenook facility) is also very atmospheric and, in good weather, has a very French-feeling outdoor cafe for snacks/wine/coffee.

Spent 4 days in Wine Country in October. Recommend highly Access Wine Country. Wine Spectator also has a guidebook that is very informative. We spent 2 days at the Madrona Manor in Healdsburg in northern Sonoma. The pace is slower, the scenery is beautiful and the wineries less crowded. Simi is a great tour to start with and there are lots of small wineries on less traveled roads. Your second day you can travel to Calistoga (northern Napa; it's about a 30-40 minute drive from Healsdburg. This is the "spa" town. You can then drive down to rt 29 in Napa to more wineries like Sterling, Clos Pegase, and Freemark Abbey and then CIA. If you are travelling during the week, stay in Yountville (the Vintage Inn is very nice). Here you are close to Mondavi, Beringer, Domain Chandon. Do not try to visit on the weekend....Rt 29 was bumper to bumper on a Sunday afternoon. I can also recommend Bistro Jeanty...try the beef stew. Tra Vigne was also very nice. You are also close enough to the town of Sonoma to visit there and stop at some wineries on the way. I cannot wait to visit again!!!

I'd have to second Monica Richards response. My parents live up near Santa Rosa and every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Summertime we go visit the wine country and find it more relaxing to stay towards Sonoma wineries especially along Hwy 12. My favorite is St. Francis winery and I've noticed a lot of new ones have established within the last two years. (most don't charge for tasting) Napa is fun as many wineries known are there, but to me its too crowded. Once you get in Sonoma or Napa, purchase a map of where the wineries are located.

Just adding my vote for V. Sattui for casual picnic and bottle of great wine. Mondavi is also excellent for education on history/wines. Enjoy!

When a I read a recommendation over and over again on these boards I tend to believe them....so....believe this one: Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. THE most romantic setting--if you can't do dinner on the balcony, at least have a drink in their bar. Beautiful tile floors, balcony wrapped with grape vines, food oh so delicious. Stay at the inn if you can afford it (we couldn't, but may at a later date). Mustards was also very good--noisy, boisterous, fun. We enjoyed the Hess winery (up in the hills in Napa--I think it's on Mt. Veeder.) The owner has a huge collection of modern art if you're into that sort of thing. We also took a hot-air balloon ride over the valley--lovely lovely lovely. But definitely remember the words, Auberge du Soleil. Have a great trip.

I must add my vote for Aubege de Soleil as being one of the most beautiful spots there is. We stayed for three nights last year and had the most fabulous and romantic time.I wasn't that impressed with Terra restaurant. Try Brix,in St. Helena, for something different. Casual, great food!

I must add my vote for Aubege de Soleil as being one of the most beautiful spots there is. We stayed for three nights last year and had the most fabulous and romantic time.I wasn't that impressed with Terra restaurant. Try Brix,in St. Helena, for something different. Casual, great food!

V. Sattui holds such wonderful romantic memories for my husband and I. Wine, bread, and cheese for lunch while sitting on the lawn with their stone "castle" in the background......

We loved Glen Elly Inn in Glen Ellen. Run by a mother and daughter duo from Norway. Scrumptious breakfasts and oh-so-soft feather beds on top of the mattresses!!!