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 Napa Valley [all categories]
 Napa Valley - Wineries to Visit
 Taste of Howell Mountain
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| Author | Topic: Taste of Howell Mountain |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 06-20-2012 01:23 PM
  
Hi Sky, My rule of thumb about purchasing: If there is a tasting fee, I feel no obligation to purchase. If there is no tasting fee, I purchase a minimum of 2 bottles IF I LIKE THE WINE! If there is a fee or if there is no fee, and I like the wine, I may purchase up to 6 bottles and have been know to go higher. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.28.96 |
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p5sky Junior Member |
posted 06-19-2012 05:28 PM
With such an itinerary with so many wineries how much do you plan on purchasing? I want to try Hope & Grace, just did some reading on them and I'm def interested. IP: 24.205.181.115 |
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Voelfgar Junior Member |
posted 06-09-2012 06:23 AM
You do know Merry Edwards is in Sonoma over in the Russian River Vally. Hawkeye, Merry Edwards is well known for their Pinot Noirs. Also NJ Girl, in case you didn't know, the only way into Hall Rutherford is by taking their tour. But it is worth it. [This message has been edited by Voelfgar (edited 06-09-2012).] IP: 76.228.193.29 |
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gcb17 Junior Member |
posted 06-04-2012 09:23 AM
Hi NJ girl, I love your Howell Mountain itinerary, and plan to visit several of these my next trip! I agree with Hawkeye about calling ahead to O'Shaughnessy to make sure they have Cabs available to taste. They were sold out of the Howell Mountain cab when we visited, but they did have the 05 Mount Veeder Cabernet which was my favorite of the trip. I'm not sure what they will have available at this point, but probably not worth the stop if no Cabs are available (but that 05 Mount Veeder was well worth the effort to get there). IP: 108.9.21.136 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 06-03-2012 10:39 PM
Well, I try to stay out of Napa territory, but Sonoma is slow and I see that Hawkeye is on my case about the festivals...  so thought I'd better come on in and speak up for myself!!!First, I see you plan to visit Armstrong on your way up, and that is a good plan, but be sure to verify that they will be open. Budget cuts have massacred the park system and schedule changes have confused a number of folks. The website for the park has contact info with hours, etc. I have yet to get to Merry Edwards myself, but its on the list for our fall visit. I know that someone here has recently told us that those tastings are in an office, not a regular tasting room, so be prepared for a more "Industrial" experience. While on the way to Napa, consider stopping at Trecini in Santa Rosa for their Sauv. Blanc and their Merlot. Also stop at Carol Shelton, if you are a Zinfandel fan. Both are in the "warehouse district" ( my phrase) and require appointments, but would be worth while if your interests fit. As for festivals- we find them to be the best opportunity for tasting wine because we can create our own flights and do side-by-side comparisons of wines we would never have the chance to put head-to-head otherwise. The wines of interest can always be further explored at the winery later. IP: 71.65.244.48 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 06-02-2012 12:14 PM
Hi NJ Girl, That is quite a schedule. Looks like you are an expert . . . the wineries are arranged so there is limited driving and more tasting time. I am not a fan of the wines of the last two on your first day. I just think there are better wines out there. Merry Edwards I am not familiar with. Your Howell Mountain day looks great. Some of my favorite wineries. Be sure to tell Chris at Black Sears Hi from Lee in Tennessee. Be sure to add a little extra time to find O'Shaughnessy . . . it is off the beaten track. You might want to call and see if they have any cab left to taste and if not, pick another place. I heard they were out, but not sure. Your last day looks terrific also. If you run into a time problem, one that stays open late in Yountville is Girard. I believe they are open until 7:00 PM. Have a great trip and be sure to let us know what you liked and what you didn't like when you return. In other words, give us a trip report. -Hawkeye [This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 06-02-2012).] IP: 173.247.28.96 |
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NJ girl Junior Member |
posted 06-02-2012 10:51 AM
Thanks guys for your input! Hawkeye - I think I will take your advice for a day on Howell Mountain. Here's my itinerary for our trip - would love any comments or suggestions! Arrive Wed at SFO - drive to Napa & staying at The Chablis Inn (Napa) till Friday Thursday Dinner at Ca Momi (Oxbow Market) Friday Dinner at Calistoga Inn Making move from Chablis Inn to Villagio (Yountville) for tonight & Saturday night Saturday Dinner at Greystone There were so many others I wanted to visit - but as it is - our plate is full. Of the ones I took off our list - Luna, Etude, Grgich, Beringer & Swanson. I have reservations for dinner all nights - just need to start reserving times at the wineries. Thanks for all the great advice & chats on here! I've really enjoyed it! Can't wait to see how similar or different our planned itinerary compares to our actual trip itinerary! IP: 71.172.39.41 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 06-01-2012 02:21 PM
Hi NJ Girl, I would be of the same opinion as ssala, I would prefer to stay out of the crowds and have the more personalized tasting at the vineyard. However, I am sure that Yesilovewine would disagree, she seems to prefer the big numbers tastings when available. Now to some wineries on Howell Mountain. I would go clear to the top and stop at Black Sears. Contact Chris and tell him that Lee from Tennessee suggested him. The next stop just down the road, would be Outpost. Both of these wineries have Thomas Rivers Brown as their winemaker, and I am a great fan. You might want to pick up a Picnic in the morning and eat it here. Then you might want to go down to O'Shaughnessy, not easy to find, but worth the search. They have high point scoring cabs. As you go down the mountain, stop at Ladera and Burgess. That is 5 and it makes for a long day. I would love to see your itinerary. If I can help in any other way, let me know. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.28.96 |
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ssala Member |
posted 05-30-2012 05:04 AM
Howell Mountain is definitely on my agenda for our next trip to Napa. As to festivals, I generally avoid them as they tend to get crowded and packed with people where wine tasting may not be the top priority and I prefer a more intimate venue. That said, this festival does give you the opportunity to taste a number of wines which could then help you decide on future visits. Apparently, this festival also benefits the local elementary school and as a former elementary school teacher I would certainly want to support that effort. Have fun either way. Scott IP: 75.70.79.148 |
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NJ girl Junior Member |
posted 05-29-2012 04:31 PM
Hey folks, I'm looking to see if you think it might be worth it to attend the Taste of Howell Mountain event. My husband & I will be traveling to the Napa area & will be there from 6/13 - 6/17. I have been reading a lot of posts from this site & have decided upon an itinerary for each day - but of course, cannot seem to fit all of the wineries in our trip. Hawkeye seems to be a big fan of the Howell Mt wineries & as my husband is a big Cab fan - I thought this might be a good way to taste some of the wines from Howell Mt. Do you think it might be worth attending vs visiting the indiviudal wineries? Any thoughts would be welcome. Also - I would love to post our planned itinerary to see what comments/suggestions anyone might have. Thanks much for any help! IP: 71.172.39.41 |
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