Recommendations to add - Napa Trip August 2024

WINE TALK
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Newer to the wine world as last year was my wife and I’s first trip to Napa, now we have spiraled into the world of collecting and drinking wine:

Last year we visited Quintessa, Cliff Lede, Freemark Abbey, Cakebread, Caymus-Suisun, Silver Oak, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

Now returning again in 2024, I am looking at recommendations on where to expand and go.

Booked so far are:

  • Alpha Omega
  • Quintessa (using membership)
  • Spottswoode

Considering:

  • Promontory
  • OVID

Also down for any good food recommendations that are not the usual Thomas Keller sort.

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Hope you have a great trip!

Places we have enjoyed:

Mending Wall

Davis Family (Go for the hors d’oeuvres matched tasting.)

Peter Michael

Hyde (they make a full range of wines.)

I think Chappelett hosts a good tasting.

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Highly highly recommend Schramsberg or some other winery that makes bubbles as a change of pace .

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Bell is a good stop. Appointment for sure. Somewhat on the smaller side, nice indoor and outdoor seating.

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Tench is wonderful.

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The tasting is somewhat underwhelming. You typically get 3 pours. Sauv blanc, Lyndenhurst and the Estate cab. The estate cab is the main event. They’re likely still pouring the 2020 which should be drinking a little better then when I tried it in winter of 23’.

The tour of the estate is pretty awesome, no cave but historic property.

I’d put a Howell Mountain winery on your list, maybe Dunn, O’Shaughnessy or Robert Craig if you can get a mountain tasting.

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Agree on HM vineyards. R Craig has 2 tasting locations, one in Napa city and one weekends only on top of HM- amazing views and terrific set of wines. So call ahead. Try Bistro Jeanty in Yountville.

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They’ll host on the mountain if you book in advance. Just call and ask for Scott and see if it’s possible.

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Mending Wall, Rivers Marie, Elyse or Jean Edward’s all put on a nice tasting

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Been to Ovid many times fabulous tasting great view
Continuum is just a great visit
Spotteswood right on
Loved the new rivers Marie tasting
Realm is magnificent the old nine suns
Brand pretty good
Dana
Blankiet one of the best
Macdonald w Alex fabulous
Futo up there with the best and the wine can’t be beat IMO

A lot depends on who your concierge is

Group them by location so u do not waste time

Tastings got expensive but there are so many good ones

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Cimarossa is by far one of my favorites and it includes an ATV ride around the vineyards to get to the tasting room on top of a mountain overlooking their whole property:

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Dicostanzo is epic as well. She’s active on the board as well.

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Agree and tasted the lineup with Massimo two weeks ago, good stuff.

Food wise - give Charlie’s a go in St Helena.

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I think the Mayacamas estate (not the tasting room in town) tour and tasting is absolutely can’t miss. Other tastings I’ve loved are Rivers-Marie, Myriad, and Impensata.

Schramsberg can be nice for a change of pace and might be fun to do once, but it’s definitely on the more commercial feeling and less intimate side.

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A lot of good recommendations so far.
I would recommend Pride Mountain Vineyards on Spring Mountain.

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Thanks for the shout-out Mitch!

We’d be happy to have you for our winery/cave tour and tasting experience, Josh!

https://www.exploretock.com/blankietestate/

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Would love to join. Will be there in August sometime not sure when Book you food now.

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Thanks for the mention Eric - always appreciated. :heart:

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I am also going to add that if you have time or want to do something downtown, the combination of the Mayacamas library tasting and walking a few feet to Compline is a great wine/food experience. Both are stellar.

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Unfortunately, we found Compline–with the exception of the French Fries–to be quite ordinary. Could not find the wine we ordered! Also, so loud I could not wait to get out.

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