Wine Country
 

I am going to be in Sonoma and Napa over Thanksgiving. Any suggestions of wineries to tour or tastings to go to? I have been to many of the larger "popular" vineyards, but enjoy the smaller vineyards that often need appointments and are often more friendly and interesting. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

My favorites were Robert Mondavi and Beringer vineyards in Napa and the Oakville Grocery Store is worth a stop for gourmet picnic supplies.

Michel Schlumberger -- you need to call to let them know you are coming, but they do a lovely tour and their wines are wonderful.

Pine Ridge

Fodorites are having a Get Together on Friday in Yountville. Maybe you will run into them.

Also recommend Pine Ridge.

MY

Forget Napa and stick to Sonoma. Schug and Nicholson Ranch are great, and don't miss the Domaine Carneros chateau.

Del Dotto, Far Niente, Quintessa and Venge Vineyards, off the beaten path but oh-so-worth it. You MUST call for tours and tastings.

Benziger winery has a great tram tour and is family owned.

Well, I lived in San Francisco for 15 years and I must say, I'm a Napa fan, not really a Sonoma fan.

Robert Sinsky,known for Zinfadel. Check their website; at times they have guest chefs from across the country hold cooking classes (small audience of 10 to 12); you sip wine and watch, then you all sit down and eat the meal with RS wines.

Have lunch at Auberge du Soleil. The food is very, very good and the view breathtaking. If your pockets are deep, stay at the hotel/spa a night or two.

Domaine Chandon has one of the most beautiful winery buildings and tasting rooms in the valley. Known for its sparkling wines; the pink is my favorite. This is the American sister of the French centuries-old winemaker.

Trefethan has fabulous, high quality reds. The vintners go here for tastings.

Clos Pegas has a modern art gallery in its winery. And very good wines, albeit pricey.

Sterling Winery is known for its whites, which are mediocre in my opinon, but to get to the tasting room you must take a gondola, offering a beautiful view.

For good wine value, Cline is exceptional. While the tasting room is pleasant, its not fancy but wines are priced well.

If you have time, go as far north as Alexader Valley. AV gives you the old fashioned tasting experience; tourists rarely travel this far. Most don't charge fees and its a very casual atmosphere.

Other eating spots: Tra Vigne in St. Helena. (St. Helena's also a beautfil place to stay and/or vist in Napa). Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. Oakville Grocery is good for casual dining take out.

Get a map and have fun!

We like the small, often overlooked but prime wines at the tasting room at Heitz Cellars. No appointment necessary as of our last visit.

Also good: Carneros Creek (fine pinot noirs).

Easytraveler just took me to Napa and Sonoma. I thought the gardens are Ferrari-Carano were spectacular as well as the grounds at Artesa, and yes, Chateau Souverain was lovely as well.

Peju.

sasstraveler,
may I ask why Napa over Sonoma for you? I've never been to either, but have chosen the Gaige House in Glen Ellen in the Sonoma area over the Napa area, and am hoping I haven't made a mistake.!

We are not wine connoisseurs in any sense of the term, but my husband and I really enjoyed Peju Provence winery in Rutherford. Of the wineries we visited, it was our favorite. The stained glass alone was worth the visit, but they also had some great wines. We bought 3 bottles of the Carnival wine.

Tracy

Frankie,
Like wines, some people prefer chards over reds and v'versa.
You're fine where you are...
Sonoma is a grapes throw from Napa so you can do both valleys and decide for yourself.

I like them both...go figger'.

...oh.....the wines AND the Valleys!

I like wines from both Napa and Sonoma, but I tend to enjoy visiting the Sonoma Valley more because it's usually less crowded, and in many cases more scenic.

As for the wines, if you're a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon, it's hard to top the Napa Valley. From Rutherford to Oakville, Howell Mountain to Stag's Leap, there are so many amazing Cabs. Unfortunately, they're often priced very high.

In the Sonoma Valley, I've enjoyed Pinot Noir from the Russian River, Zinfandels and Syrahs from Dry Creek, lots of Cal-Ital varietals like Sangiovese and Barbera. To me, that's more interesting, and a great wine here is $40-50 instead of $80-$100. That's a generalization, but speaks to how I contrast the two areas.

Fortunately, I'm close enough that I can visit both, since variety is the spice of life!

Frankie, don't worry. I've been there 4 times and much prefer Sonoma. I hate traffic, crowds and commercialism. Though there are some wonderful wineries in Napa, Sonoma Valley has beautiful roads with no traffic, wineries where you meet the owners and breathtaking scenery. Yes, there are parts of Napa Valley that I liked. But overall, it feels like a Disneyland for oenophiles. Overpriced, overhyped and overcrowded.

thanks, I feel better! Can't wait til January, and we'll try to see a little of Napa, too. Cabernets are my favorite!