Where to go? Napa, Santa Barbara, Paso....

[T_Snyder]

Wife and I will have 3-4 days to spend somewhere in CA wine country approximately October 28-31.

Once I am in a location I will want to be there the entire time, so no splitting 1 day in Napa, 1 in Paso, 1 in SB.

Ability to get into tastings and good food before/after will be important.

Where to go? What wineries to see? What restaurants?

Thanks much.

[CFu]

I think for the best blend of food/wine is probably napa. Largest selection of both. If you’re a fan of pinot don’t discount Sonoma either!

[T_Snyder]

Thanks Charlie.

We’ve spent a bunch of time in Napa/Sonoma. But that was back when the tastings were free!

What wineries / eateries would you want to hit up?

[Bob_Wood]

@T. Snyder

Once I am in a location I will want to be there the entire time, so no splitting 1 day in Napa, 1 in Paso, 1 in SB.

That would be almost physically impossible anyway. If it were me, I’d go to Green Valley/Russian River/Dry Creek and taste as many zinfandels as possible. Less of everything except wine than Napa. Just don’t try to stay in downtown Healdsburg unless your budget is unimited.

Don’t miss: Scherrer, Swan, Coffaro (unless you hate the Raiders and want to visit on Sunday).

[CFu]

@T. Snyder

Thanks Charlie.

We’ve spent a bunch of time in Napa/Sonoma. But that was back when the tastings were free!

What wineries / eateries would you want to hit up?

we just went to Bottega which we enjoyed immensly, Bistro Jeanty has a great happy hour … and Redd/Adhoc (next door to each other) are wonderful restaurants.

We visited Alpha Omega, Realm, Anderson Conn Valley, Pott Wines, Myriad, Match… all great visits!

[T_Snyder]

@Bob Wood

If it were me, I’d go to Green Valley/Russian River/Dry Creek and taste as many zinfandels as possible. Less of everything except wine than Napa. Just don’t try to stay in downtown Healdsburg unless your budget is unimited.

Don’t miss: Scherrer, Swan, Coffaro (unless you hate the Raiders and want to visit on Sunday).

Hmmm. Interesting idea. Wife would almost always choose a zin over a cab. Budget will expand if she’s getting what she wants!

Not sure where Green Valley is, but that’s half the fun of trying to plan this stuff, right?

[T_Snyder]

@Charlie Fu

we just went to Bottega which we enjoyed immensly, Bistro Jeanty has a great happy hour … and Redd/Adhoc (next door to each other) are wonderful restaurants.

We visited Alpha Omega, Realm, Anderson Conn Valley, Pott Wines, Myriad, Match… all great visits!

Will have to go back and re-read your notes. Remember the Alpha Omega ones and Match is here on WB quite a bit.

[Randy_Bowman]

Though I live here in Napa, I have to agree with Bob about Sonoma for a couple reasons, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Russian River area has very good versions of both. If there’s a drawback it would be travel distances but you can find B&Bs central to your specific tastes/preferences in wine/wineries. Just remember its a pretty big county and you need to diligent on travel time when scheduling tastings.

[T_Snyder]

@Randy Bowman

Though I live here in Napa, I have to agree with Bob about Sonoma for a couple reasons, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Russian River area has very good versions of both. If there’s a drawback it would be travel distances but you can find B&Bs central to your specific tastes/preferences in wine/wineries. Just remember its a pretty big county and you need to diligent on travel time when scheduling tastings.

What wineries would you recommend? I’m especially interested on wineries that I’d have a shot at being able to buy their wine/get on their mailing lists.

Some Sonoma wines I’ve already got in my cellar:
Failla
Hirsch
Kistler
Littorai

What’s there that’s better without having to mortgage a yacht?

Thanks!

[Bob_Wood]

Todd, Green Valley is a sub-area of the Russian River Valley east of Forestville and home to Joseph Swan, which is a must stop if you’re in the area. So is Scherrer, but you’ll need an appointment. I believe Swan has regular hours.

[H_Wallace_Jr]

@T. Snyder

What wineries would you recommend? I’m especially interested on wineries that I’d have a shot at being able to buy their wine/get on their mailing lists.

Some Sonoma wines I’ve already got in my cellar:
Failla
Hirsch
Kistler
Littorai

What’s there that’s better without having to mortgage a yacht?

Thanks!

Pinot and Chards-
Salinia- Kevin Kelley rocks. No tasting room, but call for an appointment in his office. (Also makes Lioco)

[T_Snyder]

@Bob Wood

Todd, Green Valley is a sub-area of the Russian River Valley east of Forestville and home to Joseph Swan, which is a must stop if you’re in the area. So is Scherrer, but you’ll need an appointment. I believe Swan has regular hours.

http://www.greenvalley-russianriver.com/ Green Valley AVA looks like it has some decent wines, plus at least one making bubbly!

[T_Snyder]

@H Wallace Jr

Pinot and Chards-
Salinia- Kevin Kelley rocks. No tasting room, but call for an appointment in his office. (Also makes Lioco)

Thanks for the heads up.

If you know any contact info for them, please let me know. Their web site has absolutely zero info on ways to contact or visit them other than an automated join our mailing list form.

[Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l]

Wineries in Sonoma for Pinot:

Sebastopol/Graton/Forestville area:

Freeman - appt only
Lynmar - open to public
Littorai - appt only
Merry Edwards - open to public
Paul Hobbs - appt only to mailing list - I believe
Hartford Court

Santa RosaHealdsburg:
Siduri - Pinot, Zin, Grenache and more. Appt
Benovia - appt only. Pinot/Chard/Zin
Pax - appt Rhone varietals.
Copain - appt only. Rhone varietals and Pinot
Ridge - Zin/Rhone varietals. Open
Limerick Lane - Zin. Open
Arista - Pinot. Open
Seghesio - Zin. Open
Gary Ferrell - open. Zin, Pinot, Chard, Sauv Blanc
Porter Creek - open.

Dining Options:
Cyrus - Healdsburg
Farmhouse Inn - Forestville
Mirepoix - Windsor
Syrah - Santa Rosa
John Ash - Santa Rosa
Zazu - Santa Rosa
Willi’s Seafood - Healdsburg
Willi’s - Santa Rosa
K&L Bistro - Sebastopol
Underwood Bar & Grill - Graton


Enjoy!

[T_Snyder]

Tony

Great lists.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

Todd,

I’d strongly recommend Paso … very easy to go from tasting room to tasting room, and great eats before and after.

Wineries to visit:
Tablas Creek
Denner
Graves (app’t only, pouring done at the Denner facility)
Dover Canyon
Turley (especially if your wife likes Zin)
Terry Hoage
Lone Madrone
Four Vines
Barrel 27 (also Herman Story and McPrice Myers out of the same tasting room, although app’t only for Herman Story and McPrice Myers)
Villa Creek (app’t only)

Places to eat:
Vic’s café for breakfast
Artisan
Villa Creek
McPhee’s Grill (in Templeton, which is a short drive away)
Buono Tavola (great little Italian joint)
Bistro Laurent

Also make sure to stop by Pasolivo while you’re out wine tasting — they are an artisan olive oil producer, and make the best olive oils I’ve ever had. Stop by for a free tasting of their olive oil lineup — it’s a nice mid-day break from wine tasting.

[T_Snyder]

Brian

Thanks!

Was wondering if anyone would pipe up about Paso.

Off to Vegas for the week and will add these to my research list.

[C_Bowman]

@T. Snyder

@Randy Bowman

Though I live here in Napa, I have to agree with Bob about Sonoma for a couple reasons, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Russian River area has very good versions of both. If there’s a drawback it would be travel distances but you can find B&Bs central to your specific tastes/preferences in wine/wineries. Just remember its a pretty big county and you need to diligent on travel time when scheduling tastings.

What wineries would you recommend? I’m especially interested on wineries that I’d have a shot at being able to buy their wine/get on their mailing lists.

Some Sonoma wines I’ve already got in my cellar:
Failla
Hirsch
Kistler
Littorai

What’s there that’s better without having to mortgage a yacht?

Thanks!

Hi Todd,
Sorry that Randy has not had time to reply, he’s been tied up with trying to get our web site functioning. It looks like you’ve received many good recommendations.
Cheers,
Carrie

[Sean_Connor]

Just got back from spending 5 days in San Luis Opisbo and would definitely recommend the general area. The Edna Valley is very laid-back, Paso Robles is the most Wild West of the bunch, and the Santa Ynez Valley reminded me of Tuscany California-sized with the browned out hills and the solitary trees in them, a blend of farming and viticulture. At all these locations the people were amazingly friendly and low-key/hard-working, as if the Midwest culture had moved to the Central Coast, no LA/SFO BS, or high prices. It’s kind of like Maine in that aspect, but with all that sunshine. Fave wineries were Four Vines in PR, Talley in EV, and Beckmen in SYV.

Can’t tell you about haute cuisine cuz we had a 7 and 8 year old with us.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

Todd, if you do decide to go to Paso I would be pleased to unload a shitload more information on you. I have spent countless hours mapping out the most efficient tasting schedules (tailored to my preferences, of course … but I could work with your preferences to quickly whip something up for you.) Here’s a link to a post I did on a trip to Paso (sorry, but it will direct you to some ‘other’ place):

http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?t=178345&highlight=Lone+Madrone