posted 09-16-2011 08:03 AM         

For more excellent Cabs, I also recommend a drive up spring mountain. Robert Keenan and Pride Mountain are a couple of my favorites. Robert Keenan is about another 20 minutes from Vincent Arroyo. If heading up Spring Mountain, you would want to courtesy call each winery to let them know you are on your way up the mountain.

Silverado Trail and Spring Mountain are my main alternatives to busy highway 29.

If you would rather taste in the Napa/Yountville area, I suggest Elyse Winery & Hendry Vineyards (Fantastic Tour) both in Napa or Bell Wine Cellars, Hopper Creek Winery & Noah in Yountville.

For lunch or Dinner:

Ad Hoc - (American-New) Yountville $$
Redd - (American-New) Yountville $$$
Rutherford Grill (BBQ) - Rutherford $$
Bistro Sabor - (Latin American)- Napa $$
Oenotri - (Italian) - Napa $$$

If dining in Calistoga

Solbar - (American-New) $$$
All Seasons Bistro (American-New) $$

For a picnic, you should grab some fabulous sandwiches from Giugni's in St. Helena (at the bottom of Spring Mountain) and enjoy the Amazing views at Pride Mountain Vineyards.

posted 09-16-2011 07:22 AM            

I have just a few minutes before heading to the airport for a flight to Connecticut to give a presentation on daylilies but will try and add a couple thoughts.

I am not familiar with the restaurants in Napa so will leave that to the others. If you want dinner in Yountville, I can recommend Bistro Jeanty, one of our favorites. Also, as has been stated, Girard stays open until 7:00 PM so you could have your pre-dinner libations there.

I can echo Carjeff's recommendation on Biale for Zinfandels. There are none better in the valley and they are just on the north edge of Napa town on Big Ranch Road.

Again, lunch at Mustard's is a must when you are in the valley. Busy and cramped, but worth all that.

As far as cabs are concerned, try over on the Silverado Trail at Baldacci. The have a large variety of cabs. Another over there would be Joseph Phelps, outstanding high end cabs.

Have a great trip and please send us a report when you return.

posted 09-16-2011 06:24 AM         

Not going to chime in on the wineries to visit....I am not a cab or zin fan. Leave it to the rest of the members to help there.

However, for lunch on Friday, a couple of options:

Mustards Grill http://www.mustardsgrill.com/

If you want deli picnic goods for on grounds or to take to another venue then V Suttui Winery http://www.vsattui.com/Napa-Tasting-Room---Winery/Deli--Marketplace

posted 09-16-2011 06:21 AM            

Since you will be staying in Napa, I (and so would everyone else) would highly recommend Biale for Zins. As far as cabs, it depends how far you want to drive. You could do any of the wineries in Stags Leap (Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Baldacci, Steltzner, etc). You can also try Goosecross for a family-owned, fun winery with a wide variety of wines. Or you could head further up the Valley if you want to explore. It's difficult to narrow down when you only have 1+ day.

Since you will be dining in Yountville I would suggest Girard (they are open until 7pm) just prior to dinner.

posted 09-15-2011 04:59 PM         

We will be in Napa next Thursday evening, probably around 7-8 pm (staying at River Terrace Inn) and will be staying through Saturday morning. We're planning to dine at Ad Hoc on Friday evening.

I'm looking for suggestions of wineries to visit on Friday (hopefully only 2 or 3 at most, I don't want to overdo it!), and I'd like some interesting boutique ones - we prefer cabs and zins.

Also looking for suggestions of somewhere to eat on Thursday when we arrive and Friday for lunch.

Thanks for your help!