My wife an I are planning a trip to the Napa area in June 2023 to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We will arrive on the 21st and leave the 25th. Right now, we are planning to split time between Napa and Sonoma. We are lining up driving services, but I am looking for any insight into experiences at wineries.
So far I have appointments at Smith Madrone, Hayfork, and Terraces. I am going to try to schedule an appointment at Scherrer. I have a list of other wineries that we are considering, but I am interested to hear from the membership on here about any fun tastings/good experiences they had at tours/tastings recently.
I have read through the prior Sonoma thread, and it provides great info, just looking for a little more recent reviews.
For a great “old school” tasting like Smith-Madrone but on the valley floor, I recommend Tench. Margaret Tench hosted our tasting. Due to the weather, our tasting was done in the break room of the winery but she told us that she usually hosts tasting on her family’s patio weather permitting. The wines were outstanding.
If you are still lining up driving services, Scott Dale of Wild Vine Tours was excellent. In addition to being extremely personable, he was raised in St. Helena and is also a winemaker so he not only knew the history of the vineyards but was able to answer any winemaking business/process questions that we threw at him.
Loved going to Smith Madrone last year when we visited. Definitely worth the cost and the trip up the mountain. We didn’t buy any wine, but the tour was worth it.
We always like to finish the day at one of the sparkling wine houses. It is not always the best wine, but it is a nice vibe and a great way to finish a day of tasting. Domaine Carneros (probably the best large house sparkling wine in the area outside of Schramsberg) and Domaine Chandon (traditional albeit somewhat mediocre wine but a nice garden area) are the two we have most frequented.
If you have a yen for the unusual, I recommend Bedrock. Their tasting room is on the plaza in Sonoma. Unknown what they will serve you but they have produced almost everything you can think of except Pinot Noir (which I think they may have done only once)… lots of old vineyards from throughout the state… with field blends and single varietals… I highly recommend their various Syrahs (scores up to 100)… It’s a sit down arrangement. Reservations required … google them or go to: Tastings - Bedrock Wine Co. … and remember it’s Bedrock in the Hooker House in Sonoma every day except Wednesday!
If you enjoy Napa on the more classical style Frogs Leap in Rutherford is a great visit. We tasted many wines including a few library wines. It was a great visit. If your going to be near Calistoga Rivers Marie and Myriad are great options.
In Sonoma Calluna at the top of Chalk Hill is also a great visit and we love their wines.