posted 07-28-2011 01:24 PM         

Thanks so much. I'm starting to think about where to go...and this is really helpful. I'm trying to put together a mix of visits to wineries from names we know and love, and some we are less familiar with.

We are predominately red drinkers. I too love cabs and zins. Full-bodied Pinots are also at the top of my list. One of the goals of this trip is to taste outside our comfort zones and become more familiar with whites. Since we had a heat index of 117 degrees here in DC last week, I had my first white in a very long time. And that was only because we were at the home of a person who we know has very discerning taste. It was a chardonnay and I really enjoyed it. Rusack, I believe it was. Anyway, it got me very excited to try some wines I am less familiar with.

You have certainly given me a lot to think about and a lot of homework to do! I am not familiar with some of these and that is great! I haven’t even begun to look at Sonoma…maybe I’ll do that tonight.

Sinskey is a definite on my list. For Stags Leap we were thinking of Stags Leap Winery, which I think is not the one you mention. (We both love their petite syrah.) I got the feeling you have some thoughts here...should we not go there? I do like Stags Leap wine cellars too.

Is Mondovi really worth it? I've gone back and forth...

Without having completed all my research or thought about logistics, below are some place that jumped out at me because we love their wine or I’ve read good things about them. I would certainly appreciate your opinion if you have thoughts on these.

-Duckhorn
-Trinchero
-Grgich
-Franciscan
-Sequoia Grove
-Swanson
-Cakebread
-Sinskey
-Stags Leap Winery
-Bouchaine

Thanks so much!!!

posted 07-25-2011 04:04 AM            

I have not tasted Page, so will have to put it on my list. Now that you bring them up, I have never been overly thrilled with Hill Family. My palate rates their wines as ordinary. Sorry.

posted 07-24-2011 08:46 PM            

"Wine Tours: It is about the people, the place & the wine!" www.StacysWineTours.com

posted 07-23-2011 12:20 PM            

I thought it appropriate to move over here on this Message Board to talk about wineries. If I had 5 days in Napa and was staying in Yountville, here is what I would do . . . in no particular order.

1 Day - Yountville . . . I would leave my car parked at my lodging and walk to all the tasting rooms. The ones I would visit are: Girard - One of my favorite wineries in Yountville - I would do the Private Tasting or maybe even the Wine and Food Pairing Tasting and I would request Eric Jensen as my host. Jessup Cellars - I know they have some private tastings because we have done them, but I can't find it on their website, in fact, I can't find much of anything on their website. They do have a nice array of wines and their cab and zin are particularly good. Cornerstone and Hope and Grace have some excellent cabs as does Chiarello. Break this day up with lunch at one of the many fine restaurants in Yountville and end the night with dinner. One of my favorites is Bistro Jeanty but I have also heard good things about Michael Chiarlello's new Bottega restaurant.

Day 2 - I would spend a day in the Stags Leap appellation. Make an appointment at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (not the other one) for some fine cabs. You will also find some at Robert Sinskey and Clif Lede (both are indicated on the map as being by appointment but that is just for groups). Steltzner does a nice cave tour and Regusci has a wonderful old western style tasting bar. Go just a little north out of Stags Leap and visit Baldacci which is one of our favorites for cabs.

Day 3 - I would do a day around St. Helena and begin the day (this maybe even be your first day) with a tour and tasting at Robert Mondavi just south of St Helena. Another that you would need an appointment is Chase Family Winery on the south edge of St. Helena which has the 100 year old Hayne Vineyard where Helen Turley used to get her grapes to make her famous Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel. Jeff Blaume, the winery manager normally gives the tours and tastings and tell him the guy from Tennessee sent you. Also, ask him about his 4 year old son Charlie, the apple of his eye. Others in St Helena that we like are Merryvale and Provenance. All of these wineries have a variety of wines, I am just a fan of cabs and zins.

Day 4 - I believe I would do a day around Calistoga. I would recommend Bennett Lane just north of Calistoga for cabs and they have one of the best cab blends "Maximus" for the money in the valley. Take the "Bottle Shock" tour at Chateau Montelena and see where the movie was filmed. In my opinion, their wines are just ordinary, but others would argue with me, but the tour is great. Others you could visit are Zahtila where one of the owners will guide yo through the tasting . . . the same at Barlow. Vincent Arroyo also does a nice tasting. Most of these are by appointment. To get off the valley floor, give von Strasser or Reverie visit on Diamond Mountain.

Day 5 - You really need to make the very scenic drive over to Healdsburg. This is ZIN country. Visit Wilson, Mauritson, Passalaqua on Dry Creek Road, go into Healdsburg for lunch at one of the nice Bistro's. Taste at the Williamson tasting room in Healdsburg for a wonderful wine and food pairing, and it is free. On the way back to Napa, stop at Sausal and especially Hanna for outstanding views of their vineyard. These are in Alexander Valley on Hwy 128 on the way back to Napa.

Here are maps to help you find your way around=. First, Sonoma County http://www.sonoma.com/visitorsinfo/Sonoma_County_Winery_Map.pdf
Now Napa http://napavalley.com/visitorsinfo/Napa_Valley_Winery_Map.pdf
If you will notice on these maps, a black dot in front of the winery name means they are open to the public and a magenta triangle means you need an appointment.

In my humble opinion, you can take balloon rides in many places and play golf almost everywhere, but the only place to taste REAL wine is Napa and Sonoma. Why waste your time doing other things while there. Just sayin'

Have a great trip and let us know what you did when you get back.