posted 08-04-2011 11:03 AM            

I would definitely keep Biale and Chase from Damombo's list. Chase is on the south end of St. Helena and is a small family winery making a highly acclaimed Zinfandel from the famous 100 year old Hayne vineyard. Call for an appointment and tell them the guy from Tennessee sent you. Biale is a must for their outstanding Zinfandels.

I would do a tour and tasting at Hall Rutherford (not St. Helena). For HR you drive up Rutherford Hill until you think you will drop off the edge and there it is. A small welcome center with many of the Hall's personal art work is where you will be met with a glass of Chard. Then down the hill to the cave and a tour ending in the dining room which is very elegant. Now you taste some great high end Cabs.

Another of my musts would be Bennett Lane just north of Calistoga. They have a very good Cab and just about the best $35.00 Cab blend in the valley.

If you would like another small winery where the owners will meet you and pour your tasting, try Zahtila on the north east edge of Calistoga. A very personal experience.

Down in the Stags Leap area, Steltzner has a very nice inexpensive cave tour.

Then up a ways on the Silverado Trail, Baldacci is a must in my mind for their array of Cabs.

I know I have taken you all over the valley, but that is were my "best is".

posted 08-03-2011 07:38 PM         

Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to wonder if I would get any answer(s) before we left on the 25th of this month!

Yes, I knew this would be a tough call. My aim was to get feedback on the 'must go to' wineries. The wife & I have been out there several times, but my brother & his wife have not. This will be their 1st trip.

We have our favorites and have several down to visit from your list. Good to see that others appreciate some of the same things that we do. It makes me feel better about my choices. The wine is important of course, but the scenery, experience, & people are the things that make memories that last and the visit special.

I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something. I feel a little pressure because of older brother. I don't want to disappoint them on their 1st visit. They have listened to us rave about our trips for 10 years now! I want them asking to plan next Spring's trip before we ever get on the plane to go home.

Again, thank you for your time & reply.

posted 08-03-2011 02:29 PM            

Biale and Chase would be on the list because I love their wines and the people at these smaller wineries are delightful. The visit is sort of an intimate affair because it's always just your group and the family (at Chase) or your group and a charming pourer (Biale) without large crowds.

Cakebread would make the cut because we love their wines and the wine club member area is so nice, but then again so is the tour and the non-member tasting.

Schweiger on Spring Mountain because we always enjoy chatting with Diana or her brother Andy, the winemaker or her dad, Fred, the working farmer (dad has always been in the middle of something - like plowing or pruning or working on the roof). The views from Schweiger are gorgeous as is the drive to get there. And we love their wines.
Since we would be on Spring Mountain, we would have to stop by either Pride or Keenan.

Back in the valley, we would have to go to some winery in the Stags Leap District - choosing between Baldacci, Chimney Rock and Shafer would be difficult - and all three offer very different tasting experiences...

We'd have to go to Chateau Montelana and have a picnic before the Library tasting.
And to nearby Vincent Arroyo because they are such a great group of people with delicious wines.
If we had newbies with us, we would probably do the tram ride at Sterling so that they could see the magnificent views - and we would do the reserve tasting there to sample their best wines.
And then we wouldn't be too far from Madrigal, and they are another family owned, great wine, great people place!

Oh well, seven isn't my lucky number apparently..

posted 07-31-2011 12:11 PM         

We are finally in the days leading up to our annual visit. Heading west on Aug 25th....will be in Sonoma / Napa the 29th - 2nd.

So, here is the question: If you could only visit 7 wineries on YOUR next trip, what would they be? This is YOUR top 7 based on all things that take you back (or make you want to go back) to these wineries. Wines, scenery, tasting room, people, experience, whatever.

Feel free to expand on why you go back to each or just list your Top 7.

I will post same on the Sonoma side.