Ah, my first posting! And it is a post out of need. My husband and I will be going to California and Napa in a few weeks to celebrate our wedding anniversary and I have had the honor of planning the entire trip (can you sense some sarcasm?). Regardless, we are very excited. First time there and it’s going to be COLD. Cold for Floridians…high of 60 low of 45. Anyway, my question is we only have ONE day for tastings. I know, I know… but that is the way the schedule worked out.
So here is the lineup… I would REALLY appreciate if you helped with recommendations so I can fill my last spot. I need to choose a winery for our 10am tasting and I am clueless! Rivers Marie is closed on Mondays, which breaks my heart.
* 10am - TBD
* 1pm Jarvis (inner circle tasting and tour)
* 3pm - Palmaz
* 430pm - Jean Edward
Potential contenders for the 10am but open to other suggestions from this amazing community-
* Del Dotto
* Failla or Littorai
* Peju
* Fleury
* Jessup
* Pride Mountain Vineyards summit tasting
* Stags Leap
I would consider dropping the 3pm appointment as that’s just not a lot of time to have a relaxed day tasting and touring.
I do see they are all fairly close though so maybe it would work out, but it still feels rushed for my preference.
I would recommend against, Del Dotto (if still the same) at 10am as At least in the past those can turn into a “party”. Pride would be fun then at the top of the mountain, but you better bring your scarf!
I’d vote for Pride. Their wines are very good and their property and views from up on the mountain are beautiful. You should still have plenty of time to get back down and to your next tasting (grabbing lunch on the way) without feeling rushed.
Pride was an awesome experience when we were there a few years back. As mentioned above, if the driving works, would be a great way to start the day.
Only other on your list I’ve been to is Del Dotto, which I wouldn’t recommend, especially at the start of the day. Pours are heavy and I found the wines to not be distinct.
Others not on your list I’d recommend, keep in mind you need to look for your own personal tastes:
Tench Vineyards
Alpha Omega
Bennessere
Matthiason
Schramsberg (start with some bubbles!)
Myriad
Elyse
Domaine Carneros (not ideal on a cold day, but usually good people watching)
It’s been a while. I thoroughly enjoyed my tasting at Littorai and very much enjoy their wines. I felt an expectation to purchase wine at the end which is no big deal but it’s good to know. Again it’s been a while so that may be different now.
Pride. Very doable with a quick lunch somewhere between Pride and Jarvis.
Del Dotto is well worth a visit on your last tasting of the day on a future visit, you’ll likely be over served, which no one wants in the first tasting.
Littorai is near Sebastopol, in Sonoma County, and maybe 90 minutes drive to the wineries close to the city of Napa … do you want to spend that much time driving between visits?
Personally, I think your afternoon schedule is too tight. I’d move one of your currently scheduled tastings to the morning and allow more time for each of the afternoon tours and tastings.
I’m going to put in a plug for Failla. Super relaxed setting in a cozy cabin if you choose that option (I recommend this time of year). Not your typical Napa tasting menu because of their focus on Pinot and Chardonnay with some of their fruit coming from Sonoma. Quality wines at a nice price point.
And Ehren Jordan is an amazing winemaker.
If you like Rivers-Marie Cabs, try to taste at Myriad. Similar modern styled Cabs (and great Syrahs and underrated whites) and a great, friendly ,intimate tasting experience.
While it’s not close to Myriad, I think the Mayacamas Estate tour and tasting is an ABSOLUTE MUST. It’ll be super cold on the tour, but worth it though, so really bundle up.
Also, I thiiiink most of the great, intimate tastings are approximately 2 hours long, and it can take awhile to drive from one producer to another, so unless I’m really misremembering, I don’t see how your schedule can work.
Pride is great but you could hardly get further away from Jarvis in the valley. I’ll second (third) the Elyse rec given variety of good wines and geography, although the property is less picturesque. If you want more ambiance, the Alpha Omega and Cliff Lede recs are good and (relatively) convenient to Jarvis. Finally, for quick, pickup lunch shoot by ranch markets in Yountville, only about 5-10 min from Elyse or Cliff and on the way from AO. Save Del Dotto for a future “experience.” Enjoy!