October 17: Arrive in San Francisco
Make your way north to Wine Country.
Consider making a few stops along the cheese trail on your way to Sonoma.
My favorites stops are:
Dinner Recommendation: Enjoy dinner at The Girl and the Fig tonight. Please let me know if you'd like me to make reservations on your behalf.
October 18: Hike Jack London State Park
Your hotel is close to one of the most popular places to hike in the area – Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen. No need to pre-pay anything, just pay for parking when you get there.
Spend the morning hiking. Pick up snacks at Glen Ellen Grocery about 10 minutes from the park. When you get to the park after paying the parking fee, first do the walk to the lake (it’s to the right). Then come back and go the other way (to the left) and do the easy hike to the Wolf House. The walk to the lake and to the wolf house is easy going and not a strenuous hike either way. There are places to sit down and take in the surroundings. Glen Ellen is on the Sonoma side of the valley so after Jack London, drive down to Sonoma Square to wander the square and pick a place to have lunch. Then, walk over to Basque Boulangerie in the square and select some pastries before heading to St. Helena. Feel free to stop at any wineries along the way that look interesting.
If you like chocolate, consider scheduling a tasting and tour of Volo Chocolate in Healdsburg which is located in Sonoma Valley.
Dinner Recommendation: Consider dining at one of Yountville's many Michelin rated restaurants. Let me know if you'd like me to make reservations on your behalf.
October 19: Wine tasting (popular vineyards)
For breakfast stop by Model Bakery for their famous English muffins. Consider a morning bike ride through the valley before wine tasting in the afternoon.
Castle Winery: The most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley simply must start with the most epic Castello Di Amorosa, the only authentic medieval (13th-century) Italian Tuscan castle and winery built in America, officially lowered its drawbridge for business in April 2007. Castello di Amorosa is nestled in the western hills on 171 acres just minutes south of The Napa Valley town of Calistoga.
The Castello has evolved to include over 136,000 square feet, including 107 rooms (90 of which are devoted to winemaking and wine storage); an enormous Great Hall with 2-story replica Tuscan frescoes painted by Italian artists and a 500-year old fireplace; 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled stones; 8 levels (4 above ground and 4 below); a drawbridge, dungeon and torture chamber; medieval church; and arguably the single most impressive wine barrel room in the U.S., with ancient Roman cross-vaulted ceilings.
Ruthorford Hill: Rutherford Hill is a larger winery featuring cave tours. They store their wine in a cave for fermenting so it was really fun to visit. The tasting hosts were friendly and talkative and poured a good glass of wine. Public cave tours are available daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm Monday to Friday and 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The exterior of the winery includes a number of shady picnic areas in groves of trees and a large shaded courtyard. With typical Napa temperatures - this is one comfortable place to visit.
Alpha Omega: Established in 2006, Alpha Omega’s mission is to create artisanal wines drawing on Old World vineyard handcrafted practices and emphasis on unique terroir driven characteristics that reveal a sense of place combined with New World technology.
Dinner Recommendation: Dine at Brasswood this evening. Ask for their fresh pulled mozzarella. It's not on the menu. You have to ask for it.
Make your way north to Wine Country.
Consider making a few stops along the cheese trail on your way to Sonoma.
My favorites stops are:
- Marin French Cheese - My favorite cheese is their Petit Breakfast, but don't be shy. Try them all and take your favorite back to your hotel room and enjoy with a nice glass of wine.
- Achadinha Cheese Co. - Be sure to make reservations in advance. The owner will give you a tour of the cheese making process and let you try cheeses at various stages in their aging process. She also has butter which is amazing and her Bavarian cream is to die for. Let me know if this interests you and I'll make reservations on your behalf.
- Petaluma Creamery - This is the perfect lunch stop set in old downtown Petaluma. They have a self serve cheese tasting experience with many different kinds of cheeses to try. They offer tasty sandwiches, but be sure to save some room for the homemade ice cream.
Dinner Recommendation: Enjoy dinner at The Girl and the Fig tonight. Please let me know if you'd like me to make reservations on your behalf.
October 18: Hike Jack London State Park
Your hotel is close to one of the most popular places to hike in the area – Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen. No need to pre-pay anything, just pay for parking when you get there.
Spend the morning hiking. Pick up snacks at Glen Ellen Grocery about 10 minutes from the park. When you get to the park after paying the parking fee, first do the walk to the lake (it’s to the right). Then come back and go the other way (to the left) and do the easy hike to the Wolf House. The walk to the lake and to the wolf house is easy going and not a strenuous hike either way. There are places to sit down and take in the surroundings. Glen Ellen is on the Sonoma side of the valley so after Jack London, drive down to Sonoma Square to wander the square and pick a place to have lunch. Then, walk over to Basque Boulangerie in the square and select some pastries before heading to St. Helena. Feel free to stop at any wineries along the way that look interesting.
If you like chocolate, consider scheduling a tasting and tour of Volo Chocolate in Healdsburg which is located in Sonoma Valley.
Dinner Recommendation: Consider dining at one of Yountville's many Michelin rated restaurants. Let me know if you'd like me to make reservations on your behalf.
October 19: Wine tasting (popular vineyards)
For breakfast stop by Model Bakery for their famous English muffins. Consider a morning bike ride through the valley before wine tasting in the afternoon.
Castle Winery: The most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley simply must start with the most epic Castello Di Amorosa, the only authentic medieval (13th-century) Italian Tuscan castle and winery built in America, officially lowered its drawbridge for business in April 2007. Castello di Amorosa is nestled in the western hills on 171 acres just minutes south of The Napa Valley town of Calistoga.
The Castello has evolved to include over 136,000 square feet, including 107 rooms (90 of which are devoted to winemaking and wine storage); an enormous Great Hall with 2-story replica Tuscan frescoes painted by Italian artists and a 500-year old fireplace; 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled stones; 8 levels (4 above ground and 4 below); a drawbridge, dungeon and torture chamber; medieval church; and arguably the single most impressive wine barrel room in the U.S., with ancient Roman cross-vaulted ceilings.
Ruthorford Hill: Rutherford Hill is a larger winery featuring cave tours. They store their wine in a cave for fermenting so it was really fun to visit. The tasting hosts were friendly and talkative and poured a good glass of wine. Public cave tours are available daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm Monday to Friday and 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The exterior of the winery includes a number of shady picnic areas in groves of trees and a large shaded courtyard. With typical Napa temperatures - this is one comfortable place to visit.
Alpha Omega: Established in 2006, Alpha Omega’s mission is to create artisanal wines drawing on Old World vineyard handcrafted practices and emphasis on unique terroir driven characteristics that reveal a sense of place combined with New World technology.
Dinner Recommendation: Dine at Brasswood this evening. Ask for their fresh pulled mozzarella. It's not on the menu. You have to ask for it.
October 20: Wine Train Lunch
Napa Valley Wine Train Gourmet Lunch + Grgich Hills Winery tour
Taste the wine that put Napa Valley on the map and get the inside track to a true Napa Valley legend. The winery itself is simple, quaint, and charming. But it’s one of the Napa Valley’s most famous stories. If you haven’t heard of the 1976 Paris Tasting, you soon will. After a gourmet lunch aboard an elegant Wine Train, indulge in a private tour and tasting at Grgich Hills Estate, home of one of the greatest winemakers in the world.
Recommendation: Watch the movie Bottle Shock at home to build excitement for the trip. While at Chateau Montelena, Brambila worked closely with Mike Grgich – who, although not depicted in the film, was the winemaker behind the 1973 Montelena Chardonnay that won first place at the Judgment of Paris.
Dinner Recommendation: Goose & Gaze English style pub for great food and beautiful cocktails
October 21: Wine tasting (boutique wineries)
Today you will enjoy an early morning hot air balloon ride followed by wine tasting in the afternoon.
Lunch Recommendation: Head to Napa Valley Olive Oil Company for picnic style lunch before enjoying tastings at three small woman-owned wineries.
You won't find these wines in stores. These are only available for purchase directly from the winery.
Redmon Wines
Each year we produce no more than 1,000 cases of wine. Our signature St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is limited to about 300 cases per year. To put things in perspective, each year the Napa Valley produces millions of cases!
We love making handcrafted, limited-production wines. Our hands do the work, not machines. Each Fall at harvest, we hand-sort the fruit from our vineyard early in the morning when the grapes are cool to the touch. We pick out raisins and any fruit that is imperfect. We do this by hand, and we do it twice!
Best of all, because we are small we have the opportunity to genuinely connect with our customers. Newcomers love to hear our story, and we love to hear about the journey that brought them to us. Together, we form friendships, and the Redmon wine family grows.
Rarecat
Combining American sensibility and love of the land with a Bordeaux palate and winemaking education rooted in old world traditions. The blending of these two worlds has define a RARECAT wine style based on elegance and balance. RARECAT Wines is built on the philosophy of a Joie de Vivre life. A joy of everything that connects people at the table over a glass of wine. Connecting to important things in life, and experiencing joy with the people you love, cherish, and want to meet!
Fortunati
Truly an artisanal winery, the Luchtel's are very much hands-on and intimately involved with all aspects of their label. Nestled amongst their vines, they oversee each row from their home, and each vine as they walk their dogs. Ellen is often pouring wines for guests, and Gary may drop in to visit, too. Each bottle is a personal expression of their passion for fine wines, carefully tended and crafted with the utmost precision to display each varietal's characteristics. Whether the grapes are estate grown on the ten-acres of the Fortunati Vineyards Estate, or are sourced from a carefully selected grower, the diversity and range of wines Fortunati crafts is sure to provide something for everyone's enjoyment!
This small winery offers a back stage pass to get an in depth look at the wine making process. An insider’s look at how a boutique winery creates handcrafted wines. Join us at our winery production facility and go behind the scenes for a lively discussion of small-lot wine production while sipping the results.
Dinner: Your final night will be extra special as you'll enjoy a cooking class and the fruits of your labor for dinner.
Napa Valley Wine Train Gourmet Lunch + Grgich Hills Winery tour
Taste the wine that put Napa Valley on the map and get the inside track to a true Napa Valley legend. The winery itself is simple, quaint, and charming. But it’s one of the Napa Valley’s most famous stories. If you haven’t heard of the 1976 Paris Tasting, you soon will. After a gourmet lunch aboard an elegant Wine Train, indulge in a private tour and tasting at Grgich Hills Estate, home of one of the greatest winemakers in the world.
Recommendation: Watch the movie Bottle Shock at home to build excitement for the trip. While at Chateau Montelena, Brambila worked closely with Mike Grgich – who, although not depicted in the film, was the winemaker behind the 1973 Montelena Chardonnay that won first place at the Judgment of Paris.
Dinner Recommendation: Goose & Gaze English style pub for great food and beautiful cocktails
October 21: Wine tasting (boutique wineries)
Today you will enjoy an early morning hot air balloon ride followed by wine tasting in the afternoon.
Lunch Recommendation: Head to Napa Valley Olive Oil Company for picnic style lunch before enjoying tastings at three small woman-owned wineries.
You won't find these wines in stores. These are only available for purchase directly from the winery.
Redmon Wines
Each year we produce no more than 1,000 cases of wine. Our signature St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is limited to about 300 cases per year. To put things in perspective, each year the Napa Valley produces millions of cases!
We love making handcrafted, limited-production wines. Our hands do the work, not machines. Each Fall at harvest, we hand-sort the fruit from our vineyard early in the morning when the grapes are cool to the touch. We pick out raisins and any fruit that is imperfect. We do this by hand, and we do it twice!
Best of all, because we are small we have the opportunity to genuinely connect with our customers. Newcomers love to hear our story, and we love to hear about the journey that brought them to us. Together, we form friendships, and the Redmon wine family grows.
Rarecat
Combining American sensibility and love of the land with a Bordeaux palate and winemaking education rooted in old world traditions. The blending of these two worlds has define a RARECAT wine style based on elegance and balance. RARECAT Wines is built on the philosophy of a Joie de Vivre life. A joy of everything that connects people at the table over a glass of wine. Connecting to important things in life, and experiencing joy with the people you love, cherish, and want to meet!
Fortunati
Truly an artisanal winery, the Luchtel's are very much hands-on and intimately involved with all aspects of their label. Nestled amongst their vines, they oversee each row from their home, and each vine as they walk their dogs. Ellen is often pouring wines for guests, and Gary may drop in to visit, too. Each bottle is a personal expression of their passion for fine wines, carefully tended and crafted with the utmost precision to display each varietal's characteristics. Whether the grapes are estate grown on the ten-acres of the Fortunati Vineyards Estate, or are sourced from a carefully selected grower, the diversity and range of wines Fortunati crafts is sure to provide something for everyone's enjoyment!
This small winery offers a back stage pass to get an in depth look at the wine making process. An insider’s look at how a boutique winery creates handcrafted wines. Join us at our winery production facility and go behind the scenes for a lively discussion of small-lot wine production while sipping the results.
Dinner: Your final night will be extra special as you'll enjoy a cooking class and the fruits of your labor for dinner.
October 22: Explore San Francisco before catching your flight home
Consider visiting Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and Chinatown (the oldest and largest Asian enclave outside of Asia).
Consider visiting Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and Chinatown (the oldest and largest Asian enclave outside of Asia).
The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort and Spa
4.5-star
1325 Broadway At Leveroni & Napa Roads, Sonoma, CA 95476
King Bed Room
Retreat to luxury in the heart of California's scenic wine country at The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa. Our luxury hotel is a revitalizing oasis of serenity within walking distance to quaint shops and world-class restaurants at Sonoma Plaza. Settle into our newly updated rustic-chic guestrooms and suites, featuring plush bedding and high-speed Wi-Fi. Elevate your Sonoma experience in our newly updated cottages, featuring spacious sitting areas with private fireplaces.
4.5-star
1325 Broadway At Leveroni & Napa Roads, Sonoma, CA 95476
King Bed Room
Retreat to luxury in the heart of California's scenic wine country at The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa. Our luxury hotel is a revitalizing oasis of serenity within walking distance to quaint shops and world-class restaurants at Sonoma Plaza. Settle into our newly updated rustic-chic guestrooms and suites, featuring plush bedding and high-speed Wi-Fi. Elevate your Sonoma experience in our newly updated cottages, featuring spacious sitting areas with private fireplaces.
The Westin Verasa Napa in Napa
4.5-star
1314 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559
King Bed Room
A revitalizing respite amid the breathtaking California wine country, The Westin Verasa Napa blends downtown convenience with upscale comfort. Unwind in rejuvenating hotel accommodations with plush furnishings, 24-hour room service, coffee makers and cable channels. Stay just down the road from Oxbow Public Market and right across the street from the famous Napa Wine Train. Immerse yourself in Napa Valley's world-class wineries and spend some time exploring the vibrant downtown retail and dining district.
4.5-star
1314 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559
King Bed Room
A revitalizing respite amid the breathtaking California wine country, The Westin Verasa Napa blends downtown convenience with upscale comfort. Unwind in rejuvenating hotel accommodations with plush furnishings, 24-hour room service, coffee makers and cable channels. Stay just down the road from Oxbow Public Market and right across the street from the famous Napa Wine Train. Immerse yourself in Napa Valley's world-class wineries and spend some time exploring the vibrant downtown retail and dining district.
Napa Valley
Recommended Experiences for You:
Recommended Experiences for You:
Napa Valley Hot-Air-Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine Toast
Overview
Experience Napa Valley's world-famous wine country from the air on a sunrise hot-air-balloon ride. Start the day off right with coffee and pastries and then climb into a comfortable basket to take to the skies as day breaks across the valley. Enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of rolling hills, expansive vineyards, and elegant estates during your flight. Once back on solid ground enjoy a sparkling wine toast with your pilot.
Napa Valley Wine Train with tour of Grgich Hills Winery
Overview
Take a memorable ride through world-famous vineyards aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, complete with a gourmet lunch. Settle into the gorgeously refurbished historic train and enjoy the passing scenery through large picture windows. Savor a three-course lunch in an antique dining car as you roll through the charming towns and sprawling vineyards of Napa Valley. Disembark at your choice of winery for a guided tour and tasting. It’s the most relaxing, elegant way to see Napa.
Overview
Experience Napa Valley's world-famous wine country from the air on a sunrise hot-air-balloon ride. Start the day off right with coffee and pastries and then climb into a comfortable basket to take to the skies as day breaks across the valley. Enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of rolling hills, expansive vineyards, and elegant estates during your flight. Once back on solid ground enjoy a sparkling wine toast with your pilot.
- Napa Valley hot-air balloon ride, including pre-flight refreshment
- Gently soar over the countryside of Napa Valley, enjoying panoramic views of vineyards and rolling hills
- Learn about Napa Valley and its world-famous wines as you fly
- Finish your hot-air-balloon experience with sparkling wine
Napa Valley Wine Train with tour of Grgich Hills Winery
Overview
Take a memorable ride through world-famous vineyards aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, complete with a gourmet lunch. Settle into the gorgeously refurbished historic train and enjoy the passing scenery through large picture windows. Savor a three-course lunch in an antique dining car as you roll through the charming towns and sprawling vineyards of Napa Valley. Disembark at your choice of winery for a guided tour and tasting. It’s the most relaxing, elegant way to see Napa.
- Visit Grgich Hills for a guided tour and wine-tasting session
- Enjoy a scenic, relaxing ride on the famous Napa Valley Wine Train
- Savor a freshly prepared, gourmet 3-course lunch on board
- Admire views of rolling vineyards on your travel through St Helena, Oakville, Rutherford and Yountville
Additional Experiences to consider
Napa:
Hike and Wine tour in Napa Valley
Overview
Avoid the busy wineries owned by the big wine companies and enjoy an authentic Napa Valley experience on this full-day tour around the region. Spend the morning hiking through the Valley’s lush redwood forests, discovering the scenic secrets of the local mountains. In the afternoon, visit a number of boutique wineries and sample their premium wines – all tasting fees covered in advance.
Sonoma:
Sonoma Canopy Tours Tree Tops Course!
Overview
Go ziplining in northern California with this 2.5-hour package in the picturesque town of Occidental. Your guide provides instruction and necessary equipment for your zipline tour, which covers seven ziplines in the redwood forest. You can reach speeds of up to 40 miles (64 km) per hour on the zipline, and challenge yourself to cross two sky bridges and rappel back down to the ground.
Santa Rosa:
Russian River Kayak Tour at the Beautiful Sonoma Coast
Overview
Head out from Santa Rosa to the Sonoma Coast on this kayaking tour of the Russian River. Admire views of redwood forests and rugged coastline as your guide drives you out of the city along Highway 1, and then set sail at the confluence of the Russian River and Pacific Ocean—calm waters and plenty of marine life makes this a fun, all-levels trip.
Napa:
Hike and Wine tour in Napa Valley
Overview
Avoid the busy wineries owned by the big wine companies and enjoy an authentic Napa Valley experience on this full-day tour around the region. Spend the morning hiking through the Valley’s lush redwood forests, discovering the scenic secrets of the local mountains. In the afternoon, visit a number of boutique wineries and sample their premium wines – all tasting fees covered in advance.
- No need to worry about rowdy strangers on this private tour
- Hotel pick-up and return provided as part of your tour package
- Option to enjoy a delicious food and wine pairing at a local winery for lunch
Sonoma:
Sonoma Canopy Tours Tree Tops Course!
Overview
Go ziplining in northern California with this 2.5-hour package in the picturesque town of Occidental. Your guide provides instruction and necessary equipment for your zipline tour, which covers seven ziplines in the redwood forest. You can reach speeds of up to 40 miles (64 km) per hour on the zipline, and challenge yourself to cross two sky bridges and rappel back down to the ground.
- Soar through the redwoods by zipline
- Sky bridge and rappelling included
- Safety gear and instruction provided
- Suitable for reasonably fit participants
Santa Rosa:
Russian River Kayak Tour at the Beautiful Sonoma Coast
Overview
Head out from Santa Rosa to the Sonoma Coast on this kayaking tour of the Russian River. Admire views of redwood forests and rugged coastline as your guide drives you out of the city along Highway 1, and then set sail at the confluence of the Russian River and Pacific Ocean—calm waters and plenty of marine life makes this a fun, all-levels trip.
- Sonoma Coast kayaking tour from Santa Rosa
- Spot wildlife like osprey, river otters, and harbor seals
- Lunch at a riverside cafe included, plus plenty of snacks
- Hassle-free transit included from central Santa Rosa
Napa Valley
One of California's two major wine regions (the other being the Sonoma Valley in neighboring Sonoma County), the Napa Valley is among the most colorful getaways in California, combining fine wines, extraordinary natural beauty, rich history, and fabulous lodgings and dining.
Click here for more information
In Napa you'll find a lot of the large estate wineries. These are the wineries you're probably already familiar with and drink at home. You'll want to visit the large estate wineries during the week and stay away on the weekends as it can get very crowded.
Take a closer look and you'll find some really cool smaller boutique wineries too.
Matt's Picks
Robert Mondavi: Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the world's finest. He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley as the home for Robert Mondavi Winery. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.
Two tasting rooms feature the winery's limited production and reserve wines by the glass and also by the flight and gives visitors the opportunity to discuss wines with very knowledgeable wine educators. Also on view is the permanent art collection throughout the winery grounds.
Opus One: Naming a winery Opus One sets some seriously high expectations. A musical term that comes from the Latin oper, Opus One is attributed to a composition generally considered to be a composer’s first masterpiece. Launched in 1979, when interest in Napa winemaking was still nascent, Opus One is an ambitious joint venture between two of the world’s most esteemed winemaking figures. It achieved near-overnight critical acclaim, matching the lofty aspirations of its name. Nearly 40 years on, Opus One remains one of the most sought-after bottlings in Napa Valley.
Beringer: Beringer Vineyards is a large winery in St. Helena, California. Founded in 1876, Beringer Vineyards is "the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley", and is listed under both the National Register of Historical Places and as a California Historical Landmark.
Grgich Hills: Grgich Hills offers a cornucopia of experiences for visitors, including a variety of tours. Still, there’s something to be said for their decidedly old-school tasting bar. With a wide variety of menus available, there’s a tasting for basically every palate. Their Cabernet Sauvignon vertical offers visitors to Napa the rare opportunity to taste six vintages back-to-back, allowing you to grasp the nuances of each year. During crush season they often offer a grape stomping experience. Don’t miss the Chardonnay and their dessert wine “Violetta”.
Tamber Bey: Tamber Bey is located at Sundance Ranch, an equestrian facility for performance horses, and the tasting room is tucked in the spectacular original barn clubhouse designed by Napa Valley architect Howard Backen. Seriously, it’s smack in the middle of the training grounds, amidst the paddocks and opening onto a courtyard surrounded by the palace-worthy 16-stall barn. There’s horse art on the wine labels, and horse art as a mural overlooking the rich wood-paneled tasting room. And, if you’re lucky, when you sit on the lushly landscaped patio there will be some horses for you to watch in the posh stalls framing the courtyard. Merlin, the black horse usually found in the pasture, is always happy to pose for photographs. Pack a few carrots for him in your picnic.
One of California's two major wine regions (the other being the Sonoma Valley in neighboring Sonoma County), the Napa Valley is among the most colorful getaways in California, combining fine wines, extraordinary natural beauty, rich history, and fabulous lodgings and dining.
Click here for more information
In Napa you'll find a lot of the large estate wineries. These are the wineries you're probably already familiar with and drink at home. You'll want to visit the large estate wineries during the week and stay away on the weekends as it can get very crowded.
Take a closer look and you'll find some really cool smaller boutique wineries too.
Matt's Picks
Robert Mondavi: Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the world's finest. He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley as the home for Robert Mondavi Winery. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.
Two tasting rooms feature the winery's limited production and reserve wines by the glass and also by the flight and gives visitors the opportunity to discuss wines with very knowledgeable wine educators. Also on view is the permanent art collection throughout the winery grounds.
Opus One: Naming a winery Opus One sets some seriously high expectations. A musical term that comes from the Latin oper, Opus One is attributed to a composition generally considered to be a composer’s first masterpiece. Launched in 1979, when interest in Napa winemaking was still nascent, Opus One is an ambitious joint venture between two of the world’s most esteemed winemaking figures. It achieved near-overnight critical acclaim, matching the lofty aspirations of its name. Nearly 40 years on, Opus One remains one of the most sought-after bottlings in Napa Valley.
Beringer: Beringer Vineyards is a large winery in St. Helena, California. Founded in 1876, Beringer Vineyards is "the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley", and is listed under both the National Register of Historical Places and as a California Historical Landmark.
Grgich Hills: Grgich Hills offers a cornucopia of experiences for visitors, including a variety of tours. Still, there’s something to be said for their decidedly old-school tasting bar. With a wide variety of menus available, there’s a tasting for basically every palate. Their Cabernet Sauvignon vertical offers visitors to Napa the rare opportunity to taste six vintages back-to-back, allowing you to grasp the nuances of each year. During crush season they often offer a grape stomping experience. Don’t miss the Chardonnay and their dessert wine “Violetta”.
Tamber Bey: Tamber Bey is located at Sundance Ranch, an equestrian facility for performance horses, and the tasting room is tucked in the spectacular original barn clubhouse designed by Napa Valley architect Howard Backen. Seriously, it’s smack in the middle of the training grounds, amidst the paddocks and opening onto a courtyard surrounded by the palace-worthy 16-stall barn. There’s horse art on the wine labels, and horse art as a mural overlooking the rich wood-paneled tasting room. And, if you’re lucky, when you sit on the lushly landscaped patio there will be some horses for you to watch in the posh stalls framing the courtyard. Merlin, the black horse usually found in the pasture, is always happy to pose for photographs. Pack a few carrots for him in your picnic.
Sonoma
Sonoma is the southwestern county and largest producer of California’s Wine Country region, which also includes Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties. It possesses thirteen approved American Viticultural Areas and over 250 wineries.
West of the Napa Valley and bordering on the Pacific, Sonoma County is an area full of California history, spectacular scenery and excellent wine. Sonoma is a younger wine region than Napa, and many visitors take note of the more laid-back feel created by the family-owned wineries. Sonoma County begins 30 mi/50 km north of San Francisco.
Click here for more information
I like Sonoma as it features many boutique wineries with well crafted wine that you won't find back home in stores.
Matt's Picks
Buena Vista: One of the oldest wineries in the region. Ask them if you can check out the bubble room.
Gloria Ferrer: Great Champagne tasting!
Cornerstone: Across the street from Gloria Ferrer, Cornerstone features some unique art installations, a few shops, and a couple of wine tasting rooms.
Chateau St. Jean: I love their cab.
Sonoma is the southwestern county and largest producer of California’s Wine Country region, which also includes Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties. It possesses thirteen approved American Viticultural Areas and over 250 wineries.
West of the Napa Valley and bordering on the Pacific, Sonoma County is an area full of California history, spectacular scenery and excellent wine. Sonoma is a younger wine region than Napa, and many visitors take note of the more laid-back feel created by the family-owned wineries. Sonoma County begins 30 mi/50 km north of San Francisco.
Click here for more information
I like Sonoma as it features many boutique wineries with well crafted wine that you won't find back home in stores.
Matt's Picks
Buena Vista: One of the oldest wineries in the region. Ask them if you can check out the bubble room.
Gloria Ferrer: Great Champagne tasting!
Cornerstone: Across the street from Gloria Ferrer, Cornerstone features some unique art installations, a few shops, and a couple of wine tasting rooms.
Chateau St. Jean: I love their cab.
- The Wine Carriage is a wine tasting experience via Horse & Carriage. You'll visit Hanna, Alexander Valley Vineyards, and SodaRock.
- The Wine Trolley is another interesting way to go wine tasting. They will take to you four boutique wineries.
- Consider visiting Healdsburg which is a quaint town in Sonoma County.
- Santa Rosa is another town in Sonoma County worth visiting that features a Safari with Giraffes, Rhino's, Ostrich, Cape Buffalo, and other African animals.
- There are also bike tours in the area if you're feeling active.
San Francisco
Fisherman's Wharf
One of the busiest and well known tourist attractions in the western United States, Fisherman's Wharf is best known for being the location of Pier 39, the Cannery Shopping Center, Ghirardelli Square, a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, the Musée Mécanique, Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Seafood restaurants are aplenty in the area. Some include the floating Forbes Island restaurant[3] at Pier 39 to stands that serve fresh seafood, most notably Dungeness crab and clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl. Some of the restaurants, including Fishermen's Grotto, Pompei's Grotto and Alioto's, go back for three generations of the same family ownership. Other restaurants include chains like Joe's Crab Shack and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. The area also has an In-N-Out Burger; local business leaders said they opposed every other fast food chain except In-N-Out, because they wanted to maintain the flavor of family-owned, decades-old businesses in the area, with one saying locals would ordinarily "be up in arms about a fast-food operation coming to Fisherman's Wharf," but the family-owned In-N-Out "is different."
Other attractions in Fisherman's Wharf area are the Hyde Street Pier (part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park), the USS Pampanito, a decommissioned World War II era submarine, and the Balclutha, a 19th-century cargo ship. Nearby Pier 45 has a chapel in memory of the "Lost Fishermen" of San Francisco and Northern California.
There is a sea lion colony next to Pier 39. They "took-up" residence months before the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The sea lions lie on wooden docks that were originally used for docking boats.
One of the city's most popular figures is a harmless but controversial resident of Fisherman's Wharf called the World Famous Bushman, a local street performer who sits behind some branches and startles people who walk by. He has been a permanent entertainer in the Fisherman's Wharf area for the past 30 years and has gained a fair amount of notoriety among the locals and tourists that have been warned about him.
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Fisherman's Wharf
One of the busiest and well known tourist attractions in the western United States, Fisherman's Wharf is best known for being the location of Pier 39, the Cannery Shopping Center, Ghirardelli Square, a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, the Musée Mécanique, Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Seafood restaurants are aplenty in the area. Some include the floating Forbes Island restaurant[3] at Pier 39 to stands that serve fresh seafood, most notably Dungeness crab and clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl. Some of the restaurants, including Fishermen's Grotto, Pompei's Grotto and Alioto's, go back for three generations of the same family ownership. Other restaurants include chains like Joe's Crab Shack and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. The area also has an In-N-Out Burger; local business leaders said they opposed every other fast food chain except In-N-Out, because they wanted to maintain the flavor of family-owned, decades-old businesses in the area, with one saying locals would ordinarily "be up in arms about a fast-food operation coming to Fisherman's Wharf," but the family-owned In-N-Out "is different."
Other attractions in Fisherman's Wharf area are the Hyde Street Pier (part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park), the USS Pampanito, a decommissioned World War II era submarine, and the Balclutha, a 19th-century cargo ship. Nearby Pier 45 has a chapel in memory of the "Lost Fishermen" of San Francisco and Northern California.
There is a sea lion colony next to Pier 39. They "took-up" residence months before the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The sea lions lie on wooden docks that were originally used for docking boats.
One of the city's most popular figures is a harmless but controversial resident of Fisherman's Wharf called the World Famous Bushman, a local street performer who sits behind some branches and startles people who walk by. He has been a permanent entertainer in the Fisherman's Wharf area for the past 30 years and has gained a fair amount of notoriety among the locals and tourists that have been warned about him.
Click here for more information
