posted 02-19-2011 07:03 AM            

When I start planning a trip, I search websites that write about wine, many of them talk about their favorites. The next thing I do is open about four google search pages. Then I go to NapaValley.com and click on Visitor Information and then click on the Printable Winery Map. I then blow up this map to about 127% on my monitor, which makes the map a nice size for these old eyes.

In the case of Zahtila, I had read somewhere on one of the websites that the Barlow Cabernet (I see that they also have a Zin) was outstanding so I had made an appointment with them for a tasting at 11:00 am. That left me wasting an hour of tasting since most wineries start their tastings at 10:00 am and we were going to be on our way back to the Sacramento Airport to fly home.

Here is where the enlarged map comes into effect. Since we will be staying in Calistoga, I began my search for a winery between there and the Barlow Winery. I considered Chateau Montelena, Vincent Arroyo and August Briggs but we had tasted at all of them in the last couple of years. Then, there stood Zahtila. I checked their website, and as you say, I was intrigued. The produce mostly Cabs and Zins, and what do we like? Cabs and Zins. Need I say more?

We are doing the wine tasting at Round Pond. If I remember correctly, we have had their Cab and found it to be very good so thought we would check them out again.

We had tasted and purchased some Regusci Cab maybe 4 or 5 years ago and for some reason we have not been back although I remember liking their wines. Same with Raymond. We have not tasted at Reynolds, Signorello or Pine Ridge so they will be new to us.

Baldacci . . . What can I say? I am in love with their Cabs and plan to bring some more home with us. I understand that they will be releasing their IX Sons Cab about the time we arrive.

So, there Damombo, you have my secrets. Remember, they may be worth exactly what you paid for them. Cheers!

posted 02-18-2011 08:26 AM            

I have been playing and tweaking our itinerary for our March sojourn to wine country. This is somewhat different than my original plan. I try to schedule some with appointments and some with no appointments needed so if we are running late at one, we can eliminate one of the non appointment wineries.

Day 3
FREEMARK ABBEY WINERY - No apt
REDMON WINERY - Apt
ELIZABETH SPENCER WINES - No apt
ROUND POND ESTATE - Apt
PROVENANCE WINERY - No apt
SEQUOIA GROVE WINERY - No apt
GIRARD WINERY - APT
Dinner - Rutherford Grill

DAY 4
REYNOLDS FAMILY WINERY - Apt
SIGNORELLO ESTATE - No apt
REGUSCI WINERY - No apt
PINE RIDGE WINERY - No apt
BALDACCI WINERY - Apt
RAYMOND VINEYARDS - No apt
Dinner - Calistoga

DAY 5
ZAHTILA VINEYARDS - Apt
BARLOW VINEYARDS - Apt
To Sacramento Airport