Wine Country Trip Reviews...
 

A couple people had emailed me wanting to know how certain hotels/restaurnats/wineries after my trip, since I did post my itinerary earlier! However, I lost all those emails, so I hope those people just read this! This was my first time to Wine Country, and we cannot wait to go back. It was an amazing honeymoon! I hope this info helps, this board was really helpful for my planning!

Lodging: We stayed at the Villagio in Yountville for a couple nights. It was great, nicely located, the staff is friendly and the breakfast buffet is awesome! We were supposed to stay the next couple nights at The Lodge at Sonoma, and I was SO disapointed! I was under the impression it was on the plaza, but it is not! It was next to some power plant facility and across the street from a middle school. The rooms were so-so, and the location sucked. We left! We went back to Napa and ended up getting a fabulous last minute special at the Milliken Creek Inn. It was breathtaking, and we stayed in the least expensive room there. I think it is my favorite hotel/inn EVER. The rooms have such amazing little touches, the most comfortable beds, the bring in cookies and a fresh orchid for turndown service! The breakfast in bed and afternoon wine and cheese were delightful. The staff was also so friendly and wonderful. I could go on forever. Unfortunately, without the last minute special, it would have broke the bank. Next time I just have to save $$ for awhile, I guess! We are so lucky we left the Lodge at Sonoma!

Restaurants: We ate at Bistro Jeanty, Brix, and Celedon, and they were all great. The best meal we had during our stay was at a place called Postcino (I think that is how it is spelled). It just opened a couple weeks ago in downtown Napa. Best Italian EVER! Definately check it out! We also had made picnics from Oakville Grocery and Palasades Market, yummy sandwiches and stuff!

Wineries: We LOVED touring Cakebread and Jarvis, they were amazing. Other tours/tastings we liked were Del Dotto, Sterling and Pride. Did the Mondavi tour but honestly it was a bit boring.

Other: We also went to Copia, and it was very cool. Had a mud bath in Calistoga, and it was kinda weird. Went to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfeild, definately worth seeing if you are a jelly head.

Lara

Brava! Brava! Lara! Great report!

Thanks so much for adding to the lore and the knowledge of California wine regions!

Will be adding Millikin Creedk Inn and Postcino to my lists.

Thanks again!

Excellent!
Cakebread and Rombauer is about the only Charddys I like. Very friendly people at both wineries.

Man! With the weather we're having here and after a few convos w/ FFF Marilyn, I'm ready to throw the bikes in the truck right now!

Milliken Creek Inn sounds very nice! Is it located right in Napa? We're headed over to the Napa Valley sometime in May.

If you ever get a chance to get to Healdsburg, you will also LOVE the Hotel Healdsburg.

I don't care for the location of the Lodge, either. The Sonoma Mission Inn is very nice and will be even nicer when their renovations are compelted in July. Another possible lodging choice for you in the Sonoma area. ***kim*** :)

Yes, Milliken Creek is located on the Silverado Trail in Napa. Not quite walking distance to downtown shop etc, but maybe a 3 minute drive.

Avoid using California Wine Tours is the best advice I can give. We did a limo tour. They hide charges, don't make clear what is or is not included, and the driver was a bore giving us no information whatsoever - he was just always in a hurry.