Please Help! This is our first vist to the area and we would like to make the most of it. We will be driving from SF early Thursday morning and will spend the night in wine country, then on to Monterrey the next afternoon. Can anyone help with an itenerary that will give us a good taste for both Napa and Sonoma? I've looked at the hosted forum on Wine Country and have just gotten more confused. Thanks!

MK, you are aware that Napa/Sonoma and Monterrey are in opposite directions from SF? Assuming yes, you would only have time for wine tasting in the morning and most tasting rooms don't open until 10 am. There are many, many in both areas. Sonoma is a little less touristy. How many days to you have and are you starting and ending in SF? People can give you better suggestions if you can provide a few details.

Thanks Dayle. We will be driving to wine country from SF early on a Thursday morning after three days in SF. We will spend all day Thursday and Thursday night in wine country. We will then head back south to Monterrey Friday around noon. We will spend two nights in Monterrey. Would love any suggestions for making our limited time in wine country memorable. Maybe would like to try to visit 4 - 5 wineries. Thanks.

Since your timme is short, I recommend just visiting Sonoma, staying overnight in town. The downtown plaza is interesting. Wineries you should visit include Buena Vista, Ravenswood, and Gloria Ferrar champagne caves, all close to the city of Sonoma. Jack London State park is also quite interesting. Numerous restarants..... Swiss Hotel and restarant has nice area for outdoor dining.

If you decide to do Napa, here's a couple of suggestions. Domaine Chandon (champagne) does a very interesting tour that explains method of champagne production. Mustard's Grill is one of the best restaurants in the US, get reservations -- you'll need them. You can stay in the town of Napa, but further up in the valley is a lot nicer. Try Yountville, Calistoga, St. Helena. If you actually taste at 4 - 5 wineries in one day, you'll need a designated driver for sure!

Hi MK -

I'm no expert and don't even drink. However, I was in Wine Country this past February and stopped at Beringer and another winery I can't remember the name (it was very small). So, I only have 2 places to go by but Beringer was memorable. On the property is an old house designed after one like it in Germany (I think its Germany, check www.beringer.com for accurate details). The architecture is really nice and they have some incredible old trees around the house. Particularly the one behind the house is extraordinary with its bent and twisted, green-moss-covered branches. It lends a bit of mystique to the whole experience.

Sorry I don't know much else. Good Luck