posted 07-28-2011 02:08 PM            

Anyway, the Rubicon Estate will not have the Director's Cut wines, I don't believe. Those are now (like yesilovewine said) over in Geyserville at the Francis Ford Coppola winery.

So it sounds like you are spending one night in Napa (town) and the next two nights in Healdsburg. So you could check into the Wine Valley Lodge and then head into downtown Napa to taste at one of the tasting rooms there - we enjoyed Ceja. Then over to Oxbow market - there are a couple of tasting rooms next to Oxbow and there is tasting inside Oxbow as well. You could get something to eat there and not break the bank. I'm not a great source for frugal dining in Napa Valley though; I tend to want to go all out and try all the amazing restaurants there

The next day, check out of the Lodge then stop at the Soda Canyon store for picnic supplies http://www.sodacanyonstore.com/
and head north on the Silverado Trail towards Calistoga. You will be driving through Cab County and the Stags Leap district. Go to the maps section on WineCountry.com to see which wineries you might like to stop and taste (Baldacci is highly recommended, Chimney Rock is good, you really can't go wrong in Stags Leap district) Check the various winery's websites and see which one might be good for a picnic.

Use google maps to see the route from Calistoga over to Healdsburg - you will be passing wineries all the way along that route. Some require appointments, some are fine with dropping in - their websites should tell you that. Along the Silverado Trail, we have enjoyed Luna, Shafer, Baldacci, Stelzner, Clos de Val, Regusci, Paraduxx, Rombauer, Clos Pegase, Sterling, Vincent Arroyo, Chateau Montelena, and so on. (not all in one trip though!)

So pick a few and check out their websites for tasting fee info and appointment info - if you want more info about personal experiences, let us know which wineries you are wondering about and we will do our best to give you our impressions.

posted 07-25-2011 11:46 AM         

Coming in mid October, driving into Napa late afternoon and staying at Wine Valley Lodge. (We're being real frugal on accomodations, saving the $ for wine!)

Planning to hit what we can in town that evening. Suggestions? We don't want to spend a ton on dinner, a good glass of wine and a flatbread is acceptable. Maybe shopping at Oxbow for the next day?

In the morning I want to check out early and make the first stop at Rubicon-Inglenook Estate. (I made my first trip to wine country on business and our group went there but I felt guilty hubby couldn't come with. So it's only fair he starts where I did.) Looking forward to the Director's Cut wines again!

After that I'm fairly open, but we need to work towards Healdsburg where we've rented a cottage. That'll be our base for the next 2 days and I'll post on the Sonoma section for ideas there.