Thoughts on Napa / Sonoma Itinerary

Travel, Wine Tourism, and Restaurants Forum
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Hi Everyone,

I just booked a last minute trip to Napa at the end of the month with my wife. I’ve never been - seems like there are so many wineries and so little time so based on my research, I’d love some feedback from the pros here if anybody might be able to chime in!

I only have 2 days but would love to see both Napa and Sonoma if thats not crazy. This is what I am thinking. Sonoma I have two options, one would be staying closer to our hotel and the other driving a bit further.

Pertinent details:

Hotel - downtown Napa

Arrive Thurs night, depart Sunday mid day

I’m more into wine than my wife is, she would probably appreciate more of a view versus the wine. But she’s game for anything. She also won’t be drinking much. I’m no expert, I tend to enjoy pinots, zins, and generally reds but I’m happy to try new things.

Day 1 Fri:

Napa area Wineries

Breakfast at the Model Bakery

10:30 AM (or so, not booked yet) - Chappelat

~12:30 Lunch at Charlies in St Helena / maybe walk around a bit

3:00 Elyse Winery

5:00 - Back to DT Napa. Maybe a tasting room in Napa if we are up to it ? (vintners collective?)

Dinner - 8:15 at Bouchon Bistro in Yountville

Day 2 Sat:

Sonoma Area

Option 1 - Sonoma Valley Area

10:00 - Hanzell

12:00 - Quick bite somewhere in Sonoma ?

1:00 - Bedrock

3:00 - Buena Vista Winery

Drive Back to Napa / Hotel

7:30 - Dinner at Charter Oak in St Helena*

Option 2 - Sonoma but Drive a bit further

Morning visit to Scherrer

Lunch somewhere

2:00 - Littorai or Iron Horse

Back to Sonoma or Napa maybe walk around and find a tasting room or bar to go to

7:30 - Dinner at Charter Oak in Yountville

Any thoughts or suggestions, would be appreciated! Thank you!

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Neither is crazy (btw Charter Oak is in St. Helena, unless there is a new one, I’m guessing a typo).

What I would tell you is that “Sonoma” is a huge county. Much of it is fine, but nothing special to look at. The small town of Sonoma itself is nice, but unless you really want to taste at Bedrock it’s a bit of a drive. Getting out to Scherrer is more scenic, but it’s a fair amount of driving to and from (and I would not recommend Oakville Grade to get across the mountains, it’s a pretty tortuous drive).

If you’re set on seeing a bit of both areas, what you’ve outline will work, but you might find it more enjoyable, less stressful to stick to Napa Valley.

Not that I haven’t done similar things in the past lol. I once went to the Rhys pickup, way down in the mountains above Saratoga, then drove up to Calistoga for the Peay open house. Then home to the south bay.

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Elyse is great. Nothing fancy but a lot of great wine. I think we tasted 10 different wines.

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do something non wine related for your wife … mudbath or mineral bath in Calistoga
I did a mudbath there a few weeks ago, first time, and it was a cool experience

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If you enjoy fine art photography, Turnbull usually has an exhibition, often earlier works like Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, etc. Easy stop along 29, you can just walk in and browse the exhibit, don’t have to taste wine.

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Was there a year ago and stayed in St Helena. Biggest suggestion I’d have is consider Cook for lunch in St Helena instead of Charlie’s.

Other Friday suggestions since you’re having lunch in St Helena.

  • Pride is nice visit up on the mtn. I used to buy a lot of the wines although I don’t anymore. But it’s a very nice property and visit if you haven’t been and want to enjoy a visit
  • Corison wines are excellent and it’s just outside of St Helena
  • Snowden in same category as Corison although I think think the Corison wines are maybe a step up? Snowden visit has a little more old school Napa with regard to style, tasting room, etc
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Yeah might not be a bad idea! I’ll check those out

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Only comment is that Bouchon Bistro was the most disappointing meal of our trip (except for the fact that some random stranger picked up our meal). You pay double for everything because Keller’s name is on the door, but there are lots of great food options around Napa.

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Thank you, good suggestions! Pride has come up quite a bit in my readings

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Oh man! I’m surprised to hear that. What other options do you like?

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Thanks could be a cool stop for the wife

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Capo29 in St Helena was recommended by Ketan as his favorite spot and it was very good and very reasonably priced.

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I had a very nice meal at Ad Hoc if you want to try a TK restaurant. Hard to fuck up fried chicken and caviar!

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Burgers and Half Bottles is a super reasonably priced TK restaurant.

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For day 1, instead of going down to Downtown Napa and then back to Yountville, I’d instead say to do some champagne and happy hour at RO Lounge before going to Bouchon Bistro or wherever in Yountville you decide on.

For the day in Sonoma, I’d really suggest 2 wineries and to spend lunch at Valley. It’ll be less hectic and Valley is an excellent place to grab a meal.

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Good suggestions thanks

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Big fan of Mustard’s for lunch.

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I keep hearing about Mustards!

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Ditto on mudbath.

Perhaps instead of just another winery, switch it up and visit Schramsberg? It’s a different/unique experience and some pretty cool history.

enjoy the trip.

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If you are going to head to Scherrer while in Sonoma, check out “The Barlow Market” https://thebarlow.net/

  • several lunch shops
  • non wine shopping options for your wife
  • PAX & Kosta Browne Tasting Room
  • Region which is a multi winery shared space tasting room with by the pour tasting options
  • Brewery

We did a day in this area, unfortunately Fred was not around so we visited Merry Edwards, went to Pax then had lunch in the Barlow Market and ended our day at Reichwage. All in Sebastopol.

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