Day trip to Napa in late October - Need advice

Travel, Wine Tourism, and Restaurants Forum
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Hi,

I’m going to SF in late october and planning a day trip to Napa on the last Friday of the month. Me and my wife is going to rent a car.
Sadly we only have the one day this time so I’m really looking to get the most out of the day, without stressing too much.

What wineries should I visit? Since me and my wife have never been to Napa before and we only have the one day, I’m thinking that maybe 2 or 3 producers is a suitable number? (Open to suggestions or other recommendations)
Is it worth it to drive up to one of the Napa mountain regions? And if so, which one?

My initial idea;
Drive up to Napa early in the morning and head up Silverado Trail first to the Stags Leap district.
Visit Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Clos du Val, Pine Ridge or Shafer??? Maybe 1 or at the most 2 of these.

Then have lunch somewhere in the valley along Silverado trail?

Continue further north and visit a winery in Rutherford/St Helena or perhaps drive up to Calistoga.
Have considered the following wineries: Caymus, Duckhorn, Joseph Phelps. In Calistoga: Chateau Montelena and Arroyo.

Head down south on Highway 29 and visit the last winery for the day and have dinner somewhere around St. Helena.
Have considered Heitz, Grgich and Cakebread.

All these wineries are just some “top of mind” ideas. Most of them are wineries that I have either tasted wines from before, wines that I have in my current collection, or just producers that I’m interested in.
If anyone have other recommendations or tips regarding a day trip like this I would highly appreciate any tips and ideas.
If you have been to Napa and think that my initial idea is to ambitious to complete in one day, than I would really appreciate your thoughts on what would make the day better.

I’m finding it hard to estimate how much time the different elements of a trip like this will take. Don’t want to stress the entire day to see as many wineries as possible, but I would like to make the most of the day. Any help is highly appreciated.

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I would include at least one smaller winery where you can show your wife the more intimate side of Napa. To me there is no comparison between places like Chateau Montelena vs a one on one with the winemaker or owner. I would suggest giving Mike Smith a call at Envy (right down the road from Montelena) and do a tasting of Carter/Myriad/Quivet. His 2010 lineup is excellent!!

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Thanks Ian. Will look into Envy and higly consider them. After reading more about the different wineries I see now that I should try to find a smaller one.
Any idea on other wineries in the valley worth visiting?

Ian, do you have restaurants to recommend in the Calistoga area?

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Solbar. Solage Resort & Spa | Luxury Resort in Calistoga, California The “Lucky Pig” for two is wicked good.

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Sarafornia is excellent for breakfast and JoLe or Solbar (Solage) for dinner. Another great intimate wine tasting is EMH Black Cat. Merrill Lindquist is on this board and has a wonderful Cabernet.