posted 07-05-2011 03:30 PM            

Have you made dinner reservations at those two restaurants? If not, you might go ahead and do that. Summer is supposed to be a fairly busy time, so just to be safe, I'd make reservations.

So, you are going to find a wide range of tasting fees and some will, others won't, refund with purchase... If the fee is higher than you feel comfortable paying, but you still want to taste at a particular place, you can always share a tasting.

You will have a car, and it sounds like you don't mind driving, so what I would do is split the valley in half and stay in the northern half on the day you plan to eat at Mustard's. Perhaps two before lunch and two after? Leave Napa (city) and use the Silverado Trail to head north - I suggest the Siverado Trail because it is less busy and so very scenic. It is about 30 miles to Calistoga.
We just recently attended a dinner that featured Vincent Arroyo wines and we enjoyed them very much (ordered a mixed case). Vince is delightful and so is his son-in-law. You would probably meet them if you tasted there. They are a small, family owned and run winery, and I think that they do not charge a tasting fee. This could be your first stop - but call and make a reservation. If you do, tell them that a lady that was at the dinner in Kerrville sent you Next, you could go across Calistoga and visit Bennett Lane - my buddy Hawkeye recommends a visit there. After these two, stop in Calistoga for lunch - we like the Palisades Deli for great sandwiches. After lunch, you could head south on 29 to see the main road. Perhaps a stop at Madrigal (reservation suggested) We have been twice and loved the wines and the experience. Another family winery - and this family has deep roots in the Napa Valley. After Madrigal, perhaps head down to Yountville, park and walk to a couple of tasting rooms. And Michael Chiarello has a NapaStyle store there which is fun to look around - plus you can taste his wines in the store (and they are, by my palate, fabulous). Then head the two miles back to Mustards for dinner.

The day you want to eat at Celadon (one of my favorites - so good choice!) explore the other half of the valley. You mentioned Domaine Carneros. If you want to try sparkling, then perhaps go there first on that day. Maybe after Domaine Carneros, as you are heading through Napa toward the other wineries, you could pick up a picnic lunch - over on the Silverado Trail is Soda Canyon Grocery and they have wonderful sandwiches and salads and so forth. Or there is a Whole Foods - and maybe a Trader Joe's - on Trancas at 29 which would have plenty of picnic stuff. So, then maybe go to Elyse (small, family run), then Baldacci (small, family run) and ask if you can have your picnic there.... Head south and visit Biale (one of my all time faves). Then you could head back into Napa (city) and park near Celadon and wander over to some of the tasting rooms in town. Ceja is fun and I think that there are quite a few downtown now...

All of these wineries have webpages, so google them and read and see if they might interest you.

Eat a hearty breakfast, even if you aren't a breakfast eater - and pour out any wine you aren't thrilled with - you want to make it through the day so that you can enjoy your dinner!!

posted 07-05-2011 04:52 AM         

By the way, we probably won't arrive at Napa until about 4:00 on Sunday. Also, I've read about the Hendry winery and Domaine Carneros and they both seem interesting. Any opinion on those? Should we work them in?