Hey everyone,
My girlfriend and I are making an unexpected trip out to San Francisco 9/26 to 9/29. We are busy Sat night for a funeral, but are going to stay in the area for two days to explore some wineries. This is all kind of last minute as we weren’t expecting to have to go out there, but that is how life works.
I’m trying to arrange for us to stay at Chalk Hill on Sunday night and Artesa on Monday since I have some ITB connections with them.
Our free time is Sunday afternoon and then all day Monday.
We would like to visit a few wineries but not go too crazy with schedule since our time is limited.
So are there any winemakers here on the board that are available either of those days?
Or does anyone have any recommendations on where to go, how to plan this?
We are interested in trying some smaller production stuff that doesn’t make it into MD much. And would prefer not doing the huge winery tasting room route if possible.
Any help would be appreciated either in this thread or by PM.
Thanks,
Mike
approaching crush!?!
Contact Randy Sloan of Match Vineyards. He’s a member here. Maybe he’s available.
yeah I know, but we have an unexpected funeral to go to in San Fran. Timing sucks but it is what it is. we were in the middle of planning a Niagara trip when this happened so we decided to do some Cali wineries instead.
Mike,
I have been planning my end of October Napa trip for about five months now. Even with that much advanced warning and the time frame being at the end (hopefully) of crush, I had very little success in getting in to see any winemakers and/or get any barrel tastings. Just too busy in Sept/Oct. So, I am guessing being last minute you will have to suck it up and hit just the front of the house for the bigger and more touristy places.
Unfortunately, this was the only time that both the wife and I were able to be off together for a vacation.
Thanks Bill,
I Pm’d Adam Lee and he said the same thing. I know it is crazy, but it never hurts to ask. I’m not super opposed to going to bigger places, I’d just like to try some stuff that doesn’t make it into MD.
Otherwise we are looking into Ridge and Etude since my store sells them.
What bigger wineries are you ending up at?
Nothing that I would consider “bigger”, but here is the list of places that I will be visiting:
Confirmed
Antica
Herb Lamb
Outpost
Spottswoode
Anderson’s Conn Valley
Saddleback
Larkmead
Paradigm
Realm
Shafer
Arkenstone
Hartwell
Might Visit
Alph & Omega
Lewelling
Cliff Lede
St. Clement
Miner
Biale
Chase
Frank Family
Madrigal
Plumpjack
More like:
Bill,
I tasted Arkenstone with one of the owners in NY a few months ago and was impressed, especially because I think they were well priced. Should be fun.
Everyone else,
Bump!??!?!
I’m having no luck on finding a place to stay, today I’m calling everyone I know!
I am going to the valley Oct. 8-10. Will be tasting at Altamura, Gamble Family, Lewelling, Karl Lawrence, Trespass, Bevan Cellars, and going to the Ladera Harvest Party. Check for lodging at the Petit Logis Inn in Yountville.
Mike - while you are in SF, see if you can taste with Brad Herrington (Herrington Wine), Ed Kurtzman (August West/Roar/Sandler) and Andrew Vingiello (AP Vin).
All three are located in SF and fairly easy to get to
Napa River Inn in Napa proper has room available. Use promo code RTRN for a 10% discount. You get the best breakfast in the country included in the room price.
Looks like a good lineup! If I had seen this earlier I would have got you up to Seven Stones. Lemme know if you have an opening Monday.