Wine Country Trip Report May 2007
May 13th, 2007, 07:42 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wine Country Trip Report May 2007
We came from Southern CA to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary. We stayed at The Chanric Inn in Calistoga, which recently opened in the last year (building used to be some other B&B). Ric and Channing (the Innkeepers) were very friendly and make great hosts. Ric makes excellent breakfasts every morning!! We would definitely go back.
In 4 days, we visited the following wineries:
Mondavi--$25 per person for tour and tasting—went here first to get an overview of winemaking and the Napa Valley. Great learning experience, although our wine educator was a little testy and didn’t like to answer questions. Kind of strange, but glad we did this as our first stop.
Schramsberg--$25 per person for tour and tasting—awesome experience as many have mentioned here. Really enjoyed their somewhat spooky caves and learning how to make/riddle sparkling wines. Bought a couple bottles of the Brut Rose, which incidentally was what Bush served to Queen Elizabeth at the Whited House last week.
Frank Family—free tasting—great small winery. Usually they don’t pour their reserve wines for tasting, but when we were there they were pouring all of their reserves. We got to taste over 10 wines! It was great! We really enjoyed their reserve Chardonnay so we purchased one to take home.
Frog’s Leap—free tour and tasting—awesome environmentally “green” winery. The grounds are lovely, the new building just beautiful. We got there a little early and they poured their new release Pink for us while we waited and we enjoyed it on their nice porch in rocking chairs. Very nice experience, great tour guide. I really like the “farm” feel and how “homey” they are.
Jarvis--$30 per person tour and tasting—awesome winery built entirely into a mountainside (except for growing the grapes). The tasting is done in a beautiful dining room and served with cheese and crackers which was very nice. Again, loved their Chardonnay (can you tell I like white wines) so we bought the reserve to take home.
Hess Collections--$10 tasting for 4 wines (can share)—Beautiful building and a nice drive up the mountain. Very interesting art collection here! Wasn’t too found of their wines, but I loved their Sirah Rose (served completely chilled), great for the summer. It’s from the Hess Small Block collection that is not distributed.
Vincent Arroyo—free tasting—great small winery! Cute labs JJ and Bodgea!! Usually Vincent is sold out of their wine for sale since it’s a “futures” winery, but they had just released a few wines last week so they had plenty for sale. We really liked the Bodega blend (named after the chocolate lab) and the Sangiovese.
Bennett Lane--$10 tasting for four wines (can share)—Absolutely loved their wine. They just released a white wine Maximus for the first time and it was fantastic (they still have the red Maximus which is very popular). Small production, usually sell out. They have plans to expand their property. We’re thinking about joining their wine club since we liked them so much.
Clos Pergase--$10 tasting for four wines or $15 for three reserve wines (can share). Didn’t care for their wines too much, but by now my palate may have been shot. The art was very interesting though and worth a stop.
Twomney--$5 tasting plus get to keep glass (can share)—Enjoyed their 2001 Merlot but thought it was overpriced. Nice tasting room and grounds!
Dinners:
Cindy’s BackStreet Kitchen—LOVED this place. We had a great waitress and the food was excellent. I had a fish special and my husband had the Mustard BBQ Pork chop which was fantastic. My favorite part was the Pineapple Upside Down Cake for dessert—so good. The waitress said she enjoyed us so much that she comped both of our desserts. I thought that was SO nice!!!!!
Market—Pretty good food, I had the lobster pasta and my husband had the fried chicken. Yummy desserts and casual atmosphere.
Celedon—Really liked this restaurant. I thought the menu was outstanding and very varied. We had scallops and the filet—great appetizers and salads too. We sat on the patio which was closed in since it was chilly and I pretty much froze the entire time even with the heaters. It was chilly!! It would be really nice in warmer weather!
Taylor’s Refresher—had lunch here, great food at good prices, loved their milkshakes. It wasn’t very busy mid-week.
Oakville Grocery—also had lunch here and it was so crowded! The sandwiches were very good and there are a few picnic tables out back for you to enjoy your food.
Had a great time and plan to go back soon!!! Easy trip from Southern California!
In 4 days, we visited the following wineries:
Mondavi--$25 per person for tour and tasting—went here first to get an overview of winemaking and the Napa Valley. Great learning experience, although our wine educator was a little testy and didn’t like to answer questions. Kind of strange, but glad we did this as our first stop.
Schramsberg--$25 per person for tour and tasting—awesome experience as many have mentioned here. Really enjoyed their somewhat spooky caves and learning how to make/riddle sparkling wines. Bought a couple bottles of the Brut Rose, which incidentally was what Bush served to Queen Elizabeth at the Whited House last week.
Frank Family—free tasting—great small winery. Usually they don’t pour their reserve wines for tasting, but when we were there they were pouring all of their reserves. We got to taste over 10 wines! It was great! We really enjoyed their reserve Chardonnay so we purchased one to take home.
Frog’s Leap—free tour and tasting—awesome environmentally “green” winery. The grounds are lovely, the new building just beautiful. We got there a little early and they poured their new release Pink for us while we waited and we enjoyed it on their nice porch in rocking chairs. Very nice experience, great tour guide. I really like the “farm” feel and how “homey” they are.
Jarvis--$30 per person tour and tasting—awesome winery built entirely into a mountainside (except for growing the grapes). The tasting is done in a beautiful dining room and served with cheese and crackers which was very nice. Again, loved their Chardonnay (can you tell I like white wines) so we bought the reserve to take home.
Hess Collections--$10 tasting for 4 wines (can share)—Beautiful building and a nice drive up the mountain. Very interesting art collection here! Wasn’t too found of their wines, but I loved their Sirah Rose (served completely chilled), great for the summer. It’s from the Hess Small Block collection that is not distributed.
Vincent Arroyo—free tasting—great small winery! Cute labs JJ and Bodgea!! Usually Vincent is sold out of their wine for sale since it’s a “futures” winery, but they had just released a few wines last week so they had plenty for sale. We really liked the Bodega blend (named after the chocolate lab) and the Sangiovese.
Bennett Lane--$10 tasting for four wines (can share)—Absolutely loved their wine. They just released a white wine Maximus for the first time and it was fantastic (they still have the red Maximus which is very popular). Small production, usually sell out. They have plans to expand their property. We’re thinking about joining their wine club since we liked them so much.
Clos Pergase--$10 tasting for four wines or $15 for three reserve wines (can share). Didn’t care for their wines too much, but by now my palate may have been shot. The art was very interesting though and worth a stop.
Twomney--$5 tasting plus get to keep glass (can share)—Enjoyed their 2001 Merlot but thought it was overpriced. Nice tasting room and grounds!
Dinners:
Cindy’s BackStreet Kitchen—LOVED this place. We had a great waitress and the food was excellent. I had a fish special and my husband had the Mustard BBQ Pork chop which was fantastic. My favorite part was the Pineapple Upside Down Cake for dessert—so good. The waitress said she enjoyed us so much that she comped both of our desserts. I thought that was SO nice!!!!!
Market—Pretty good food, I had the lobster pasta and my husband had the fried chicken. Yummy desserts and casual atmosphere.
Celedon—Really liked this restaurant. I thought the menu was outstanding and very varied. We had scallops and the filet—great appetizers and salads too. We sat on the patio which was closed in since it was chilly and I pretty much froze the entire time even with the heaters. It was chilly!! It would be really nice in warmer weather!
Taylor’s Refresher—had lunch here, great food at good prices, loved their milkshakes. It wasn’t very busy mid-week.
Oakville Grocery—also had lunch here and it was so crowded! The sandwiches were very good and there are a few picnic tables out back for you to enjoy your food.
Had a great time and plan to go back soon!!! Easy trip from Southern California!
Theresa in Detroit.
May 13th, 2007, 01:41 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice report. Sorry you didn't get to Sonoma as well- save that for another trip. Lots cheaper on the tasting and lots less traffic. Don't you love the Arroyo pups? The Dutch Henry dogs are a riot, too. I'm dying to try the Maximus white, though I prefer reds. The red is an A-Kicker. I bet ther white isn't a light fruity little number, is it? probably something big and bold...SO glad you saw Hess. There's no earthly way to describe that place!
May 13th, 2007, 02:48 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Linda--didn't go to Sonoma on purpose...my parents live in Sebastopol and I grew up in Windsor....too close to home!! Also I have relatives in Glen Ellen....was trying to get away from the family! Next time we'll have to hit up Sonoma but not tell anyone where we're going. 
Yes, the white Maximus is very cool and fruity! I just love it! I loved the red too and wish I had bought some of it. Guess I'll have to order some!
Yes, the white Maximus is very cool and fruity! I just love it! I loved the red too and wish I had bought some of it. Guess I'll have to order some!
