10 day Sonoma/ Napa Visit

WINE TALK
1

Hi,

newhere the conversation and advice here is pure awesomeness. My wife and I are headed to Petaluma/ Healdsburg for our first anniversary (we met in San Francisco, now live in NY) and then meeting with a group of friends near Calistoga for Labor Day weekend. So far I have the below scheduled - missing anything great?

South of Healdsburg:
Paul Hobbs
Scherrer and Dehlinger are both closed for harvest
Dying to try Dirty & Rowdy from what I’ve read on the boards but not sure if we can make that happen
Kunde mountain top tasting

Healdsburg - was where we visited most often when living in the Bay area; super excited for our anniversary dinner at Scopa!

Napa:
Chase Family (love their Zin)
Elyse
Determining whether we can make it to Robert Biale
Neal Family (Mark does a great job with his wines, the petite syrah is excellent)
Maybe Corrison (have been several times, a softer approach to Napa cab then some of the ones Parker loves)

Calistoga:
Vinyardist
Arroyo
Dutch Henry
Frank Family
Larkmead (hopefully with Sunny)

Are there any other can’t miss stops in the Sebastapool area? Suggest adding anything just North of Yountville to Calisotga? Our taste is pretty wide ranging, favorite visits are small family run producers that have a real passion for their craft. Thanks for the help and we’ll be sure to post pictures, and report back!

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2

Sebastopol - Wind Gap, RYME, La Follete (all 3 at The Barlow), Littorai.
Healdsburg - Holdredge

Calistoga - Myriad, Quivet, Ancillary, Apsara, Carter all under one roof at Envy. Appt needed. Contact Mike Smith at Myriad and Robin Akhurst at Apsara. Labor Day weekend is likely booked but I’ve seen Mike combine tasting groups.

3

I really liked the tour at Schramsberg Vineyards (Calistoga). It’s very close to Larkmead if I remember correctly. Cafe Sarafornia has a nice breakfast there in Calistoga.

If you get to venture out to some of the restaurants in Sonoma, Sazon is a great Peruvian restaurant (Santa Rosa). Hole in the Wall (in Sebastopol) has great breakfast.

4

I agree 100% with Brian about seeing Mike and/or Robin.
After all, they put up with me two weeks ago!!!

I would also recommend skipping Frank Family. It’s no longer a fun visit.
They apparently have gone ‘corporate’.
$20 tasting fee for 4 very average wines. The pinot they poured was like dishwater,

5

If you stop in Yountville – be sure to go to Hope & Grace (great Pinots and an amazing Malbec) also Ma(i)sonry was a very cool spot to try a variety of wines in a really cool setting (it’s an art gallery and sculpture garden).

North of Yountville in Rutherford, the Hall tour was really cool (I went on the suggestion of this board… it’s $60 but worth it to see the caves and artwork. Wines are good, too).

Back over in Sebastapool – definitely go to Littorai! Such an amazing and unique tour to see how they run their biodynamic farm. And the wines are beyond stunning.

Enjoy! Can’t wait to see your pics and trip report. Cheers!

6

I’d urge you to try to taste Dan’s Massican wines while you’re at Larkmead. You should mention it when you make an appointment. I think he’s making the most exciting white wines in Napa right now.

7

I would think some of the smaller producers will have their hands full crushing fruit. Just saying not a great time of year.

8

^ this ^

Dirty and Rowdy has begun harvesting already. I doubt Hardy will be available for the next couple months.

In Napa they are usually picking whites around Labor Day. This year is a couple weeks ahead of normal. Reds will likely still be hanging so you may get a window of opportunity. Maybe

9

Ed- great advice here from Brian. Littorai is terrific and a nice visit. Wines are some of my favorite.

Holdredge - very nice wines and a fun visit in downtown Healdsburg.

Calistoga- what Brian said. Ping Mike and Robin and I’d pass on Frank Family.

EMH Cabernet would probably also be the type of visit your looking for. Merrill is a member here.

Forman/Bresller in St Helena. Small producers making terrific Cabernet.

10

You mention liking Zin. If you are going to be in that Sebastopol area, I’d head another couple miles up the road to Forestville and stop in at Wine Guerilla. We did last year at the suggestion of another Berserker and it’s well worth a stop. Lots of SV zins in a unique, laid back environment.

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Was just there last night for a winemakers dinner. Quality wine from quality vineyards all over the North Coast.

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+1 for Mike Smith and Envy Cellars. A must do. champagne.gif

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You’re the one I credit with turning me on to them, Brian!

14

If you’re looking for something non-wine-related checkout Sonoma Canopy Tours. We did this a few years ago while celebrating our first and it was great.

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I totally agree with Bud on Frank Family. If you insist on going mention that you are interested in their Promise bottling. If there’s availability they might place you in a private room. Also congrats on the first year.

17

+1 on your Frank Family advice. We were there on Friday and had a tasting with Dennis. It was everything it should be: he poured way too much wine (including reserves and Promise) while subtly hitting on our wives, imparting somewhat useful wisdom, name dropping and doing business on the landline (cause he doesn’t have a cellphone; “I would have already f’ing called you if I wanted to talk to you”). His rant on French Laundry corkage was classic.

The Promise wine was actually quite good, but you’re there for the experience of interacting with Jabba . Do it once.

Ashley G

18

Ed- how was the trip ?

19

It am compelled to point out the Roadhouse Winery in downtown Healdsburg is the ONLY one in town, OR mentioned here, that starts with an “R” …