Above and beyond tastings - Wine Country travel ratings and reviews

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Napa Valley - Wineries to Visit

Above and beyond tastings

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Author	Topic: Above and beyond tastings
Hawkeye Member	posted 01-31-2011 04:47 PM Let's do it over there. IP: 68.169.189.111
yesilovewine Member	posted 01-31-2011 03:50 PM Hey Hawkeye, I know some in Sonoma. Do you want them here or to start a thread over there? IP: 98.232.221.183
yesilovewine Member	posted 01-30-2011 08:59 PM Seghesio Zin!!!!YummmmEEE!! If you like that, then you need to check out the following places near Healdsburg... Mauritson Wilson Williamson Stryker Actually, anything in the Alexander Valley would be a good visit; all of the best in show wines at Harvest Fair last year came from that AVA. We stayed at the Marriot in Napa and had dinner at Fume` Bistro and really enjoyed it; that might be an option for one night. IP: 98.232.221.183
Poohh66 Junior Member	posted 01-30-2011 05:52 PM Thanks for the welcoming words Hawkeye ~We are "sleeping" at the Napa Valley Marriott Resort and Spa (we are Marriott Gold members, we stayed at The Lodge Sonoma last time) we will have 5 full days, plus the afternoon of our arrival day, we mostly drink cabs, I often enjoy a nice cold glass of Chardonnay, and we enjoy Zinfandel that we receive through our wine club at Seghesio. yesilovewine ~I Have read through many of the trip reports and I am enjoying them, you guys are a hoot so glad i was sent this way I have an itinerary that I am working on and thought of sharing it so you all can suggest/critique, one thing to keep in mind, we are kinda new at this, as much as we enjoy wine, we have only been up to the Napa/Sonoma Valleys once before, and we are just going on reviews and suggestions or just following some of the wines that we know and enjoy, my husband is big into trying new places, I am more into let's stick with what we know is good and love, so we tend to do both ..... Thanks again for welcoming me and I am excited to hear some recommendations from the experts here ! IP: 173.168.214.16
yesilovewine Member	posted 01-30-2011 03:59 PM Greetings, Poohh66! Welcome to the message boards. I would highly recommend that you read any of the trip reports on this board to get wonderful ideas. Most of them are under the "wineries to visit" tab, I think. Hawkeye and Damambo usually get us started and then it blossoms into these wonderful stories. You could start with the trips they took last fall- its good reading. Again, welcome and here's hoping you find what you are looking for! Cheers! IP: 98.232.221.183
Hawkeye Member	posted 01-30-2011 03:55 PM Hi Poo, welcome to the Board. Before we make some recommendations, please tell us houw long you will be staying and where you will be sleeping. It would also be helpful to know your preference in wines. Then we can make a better recommendation. IP: 68.169.189.111
Poohh66 Junior Member	posted 01-30-2011 03:48 PM I was recommended to this Message Board and specifically told to check all posts by Hawkeye, with that said..... can you please add those several more We are headed to Napa in a couple of weeks and are looking for those small, family owned, awesome wineries down the beaten path that should make it to the top of our list..... IP: 173.168.214.16
damombo Member	posted 01-28-2011 07:09 PM I'll do some thinking to see if I can add anything, but I want to make a quick "I'll second that" to Hawkeye's recommendation of Chase. We went there last November because of Hawkeye, and absolutely loved our visit (and sent a case of assorted zins and chocolate sauces home). Jeff was wonderful - interesting and entertaining and a little funky - we had a blast, and tasted quite a few delicious wines.... IP: 96.8.187.200
Hawkeye Member	posted 01-28-2011 03:09 PM I have been searching winery websites for tastings that go above and beyond the normal. One I just found at Raymond Vineyards fits this bill. They have several Tours and Specialty Tastings at reasonable prices. Check them out at http://www.raymondvineyards.com/Tours-and-Tastings/ Scroll down to the middle of the page. Most of their tastings are $20.00 which is very reasonable. I have not availed myself to any of these, but plan to do so next trip. Another tasting that goes above and beyond is the one at Girard Winery in Yountville. http://www.girardwinery.com/index/page/static/subpage/about_tastingRoom Select their private $25.00 tasting or their wine and food pairing for $40.00 may seem high, but for what you get, it is quite a bargain. It is even a better experience if you request Eric as your host. For this tasting, call for an appointment. The third winery that goes above and beyond in my opinion is Chase Family Cellars, home of the famous 100 year old Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel. You will get a private tour of the vineyards with the winery manager, Jeff Blaum, plus you will taste several of their wonderful wines. All of this for a fee of ZER0, ZILCH, FREE. You just can't beat that. However, you must call for an appointment. Another is the tasting at Robert Biale Winery on Big Ranch Road just on the northern edge of Napa. http://www.robertbialevineyards.com/index2.html The tasting room staff really makes you feel welcome, and a tasting with Kandice is very special. Biale is best known for their Zins, but all of their wines are very good. I have never been charged a tasting fee, but then, we have always purchased after tasting. An appointment is needed. I know I could add several more, but how about some of you other member of this board post some of your favorites and maybe I will jump in again later. [This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 01-28-2011).] IP: 68.169.189.111

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