My wife is taking another trip to Napa - without her wine snob husband and alleged lover of Ovid - with her tennis friends. They want to visit some wineries. While they want to have fun, they are not the Del Dotto crowd, but nor are they wine snobs. They drink and enjoy quality wine, and I think (not sure since she handles the bills) have some money to blow.
Any recommendations on a quality wine tasting and tour, that is a balanced combination of educational, fun and enjoyable from a wine tasting perspective? One that was nice grounds, perhaps lunch, even better. She enjoyed Ram’s Head immensely. A winery with whites and reds is ideal.
And again, this is intended as a serious question!
Alfie, I would recommend Switchback Ridge (in Calistoga) and Riverain/Mending Wall (in Oakville)–both are off Silverado Trail. Riverain is owned by Steve Nordhoff, who is frequently a poster on the board here. Steve can get her set up for a tasting, and I would have you reach out to Kelly directly to set up an appointment.
I am sure you are going to get a long list of visit suggestions. Good luck.
Mumm is a nice visit, beautiful patio with enjoyable sparkling wines. An interesting rotating photography visit they can take a quick wander through, including a permanent exhibit of some beautiful and classic Ansel Adams prints.
I would always skip lunch at a winery in favor of sitting out on the terrace at Auberge du Soleil, or out on the patio at Solbar farther north in Calistoga (both higher end dining).
As for winery visits, the classic stop is Montelena (close to Solbar for lunch)
110% agree. Rick Patton and Jean Hoeffliger (sp) are tremendous. Jean has some other really good projects, but if you can fandangle a private room tasting at Alpha Omega it’s really excellent and a great blend.
B Cellars wine and food tasting is really fun, but most of their really good cabs are not on the pour. If you ask, though, they’ll pour you a glass.
Schramsberg top wines and cheese pairing is the best brunch tasting in Napa.
Round Pond does a reserve wine and lunch pairing tasting that is supposed to be a ton of fun, even if the wines are not going to be board favorite quality.
And Bevan has a pretty rowdy tasting up near Calistoga that is highly recommended.
Disclaimer: You’ll dislike pretty much all of these wines.
I did a quiet litmus test and said “hey, check out Del Dotto.” She’d never heard of it. She passed. Said, “no way, this is cheesy”. She really seems to like Montelena. As she keeps looking…
Next Alfert thread topics:
“Help my wife find a Caymus killer”
“How long were you on the Saxum waiting list before you got an offer? (asking for my wife)”
“My, uh, wife wants to know if $300 is the new $150”
Joseph Phelps has very interesting tastings / seminars (private tasting, blending seminar, aroma challenge) that are fun and educational. Plus their Pinots (and dare I say, even Chards) have recently been on a very positive trajectory, in addition to the classic Napa Cabs…