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Started By
Message
Going to wine country in a couple weeks.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 3:52 pm
Posted on 3/12/14 at 3:52 pm
Anyone have any good winery tour/tasting recommendations for the Napa/Sonoma area? TIA.
12
Posted on 3/12/14 at 3:57 pm to upgrayedd
Make the drive to Russian River as well... 
Posted on 3/12/14 at 4:07 pm to upgrayedd
We have been 3 times out there and these 2 are my favorites out of all the places I have been, as most people will tell you though, there are thousand of wineries and just about everyone has their own favorite based on the ones they have happened to go to, that said,
Tres Sabores
is awesome because it is small, they have fruit trees you are free to pick fruit from and sample, and their wine cave is pretty cool as well. Bring a small lunch, sit at the picnic tables, play some horse shoes and start your tasting.
Frank Family
is my favorite over all, the owner is often there walking around the property and is very friendly and loves to talk and tell stories, some excellent wines as well.
Tres Sabores
is awesome because it is small, they have fruit trees you are free to pick fruit from and sample, and their wine cave is pretty cool as well. Bring a small lunch, sit at the picnic tables, play some horse shoes and start your tasting.
Frank Family
is my favorite over all, the owner is often there walking around the property and is very friendly and loves to talk and tell stories, some excellent wines as well.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 4:08 pm to upgrayedd
Page L.A. he is the boards best person for recommendations on wine country places to visit and what to look for on the shelves.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 4:36 pm to upgrayedd
I say this in every wine country thread...if you don't go to the Palmaz Winery for the tour, you're missing out. It's just outside downtown Napa, appointment only. Don't do it first, or it'll ruin you for most other tastings/tours.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 4:53 pm to upgrayedd
Wife and I went to the Sonoma winter WINEland tour in mid-January, it was awesome and had ~ 140 participating. For overall enjoyment I would probably give St. Francis the nod due to the setting, wines, and food options. We went there on the way to Sonoma the day prior to the WINEland as it was not participating. The patio is awesome and they have a highly regarded chef, so you can reserve a very high quality meal/wine pairing or just hit the patio and get charcuterie or cheese plates. They just released what should be some really nice wines. We shipped 2 cases home.
I really enjoyed Harvest Moon and speaking with Randy. He has a large selection of zins. I don't really care for the big jammy sweet zin, and he had many "drier" and peppery tasting choices and was working on producing a lower alcohol zin. His staff was cool, they place just had a nice vibe with a 3-piece band playing. Shipped a case from there.
If you go to Chateau St Jean wear body armor, jeez I felt like hardcore corporatized sales people with guns to their heads were pushing wine there. That said, their higher end wines were really good.
The two bottles I brought back from Mazzocco are probably the best to me, and some might turn up their nose at Edmeades, but that bottle is excellent assuming one likes zin.
Lot of good to say about Russian River Brewing happy hour in Santa Rosa, and I enjoyed Lagunitas and Dempsey's in Petaluma. The PSA at Dempsey's was excellent sitting on the patio overlooking the water. I tore up some Lagunitas beers and a brisket sandwich, that was good shite.
It's already hazy but I believe we also enjoyed visiting Alexander Valley winery, just for the history.
If you have time try to go to Mendocino/Ft Bragg. We saw a big cougar about 20 yards off the PCH, that thing was thick, ~ 175 lbs or so. The Dungeness crab salad was excellent with 4 thick crab cakes with very little filler, Silver's at the Wharf in Ft Bragg = very tasty.
ETA: J Vineyards is supposed to be quite good per our driver and reviews. They weren't on the tour that weekend and had too many other options to check out.
I really enjoyed Harvest Moon and speaking with Randy. He has a large selection of zins. I don't really care for the big jammy sweet zin, and he had many "drier" and peppery tasting choices and was working on producing a lower alcohol zin. His staff was cool, they place just had a nice vibe with a 3-piece band playing. Shipped a case from there.
If you go to Chateau St Jean wear body armor, jeez I felt like hardcore corporatized sales people with guns to their heads were pushing wine there. That said, their higher end wines were really good.
The two bottles I brought back from Mazzocco are probably the best to me, and some might turn up their nose at Edmeades, but that bottle is excellent assuming one likes zin.
Lot of good to say about Russian River Brewing happy hour in Santa Rosa, and I enjoyed Lagunitas and Dempsey's in Petaluma. The PSA at Dempsey's was excellent sitting on the patio overlooking the water. I tore up some Lagunitas beers and a brisket sandwich, that was good shite.
It's already hazy but I believe we also enjoyed visiting Alexander Valley winery, just for the history.
If you have time try to go to Mendocino/Ft Bragg. We saw a big cougar about 20 yards off the PCH, that thing was thick, ~ 175 lbs or so. The Dungeness crab salad was excellent with 4 thick crab cakes with very little filler, Silver's at the Wharf in Ft Bragg = very tasty.
ETA: J Vineyards is supposed to be quite good per our driver and reviews. They weren't on the tour that weekend and had too many other options to check out.
This post was edited on 3/12/14 at 5:00 pm
Posted on 3/12/14 at 4:54 pm to DanglingFury
I've made the trip a couple of times, and I think the best way to do it is to drive to certain areas (like dry creek road, healdsberg) and hit a few. That said, a couple of my favorites were:
Hartford Court - best pinots and lots of them. pricey wines, but it's cool to taste a bunch of $100 wines that you might never otherwise buy.
Fort Ross - this is way out by the coast, so you have to be willing to drive a while, and it's the only winery out there. But the views and drive are amazing and you can use it as an excuse to walk out to the beach. bring a bottle with you.
Also, if you're around Santa Rosa and like beer, don't miss Russian River Brewing. Their brew pub is in downtown Santa Rosa. Bear Republic has a brew pub in healdsberg that is pretty good too.
Hartford Court - best pinots and lots of them. pricey wines, but it's cool to taste a bunch of $100 wines that you might never otherwise buy.
Fort Ross - this is way out by the coast, so you have to be willing to drive a while, and it's the only winery out there. But the views and drive are amazing and you can use it as an excuse to walk out to the beach. bring a bottle with you.
Also, if you're around Santa Rosa and like beer, don't miss Russian River Brewing. Their brew pub is in downtown Santa Rosa. Bear Republic has a brew pub in healdsberg that is pretty good too.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 4:59 pm to upgrayedd
Going this weekend. I'll give a summary of my trip when I get back. This will be our 2nd time.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 5:02 pm to upgrayedd
I think there is a poster that lives in Healdsburg, he can help you out, don't recall his name from other threads.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 5:50 pm to tirebiter
Is it donchowder?
Posted on 3/12/14 at 5:51 pm to Bear Is Dead
quote:
Going this weekend. I'll give a summary of my trip when I get back.
That would be awesome. Much appreciated.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 5:57 pm to upgrayedd
Frogs leap, duck horn, miner, domaine Carneros I would all recommend. In the car so can't go into detail
Posted on 3/12/14 at 7:48 pm to upgrayedd
I really enjoyed the tasting at Far Niente. Call ahead because you need to have a reservation. I really enjoyed the vertical tasting we did and touring their grounds which has a Ferrari collection.
Domaine Canerous (sp) is a beautiful spot and has an impressive view into their vineyards.
Gundloch Bundschu in Sonoma is another favorite of mine. Really laid back and the wines are
Domaine Canerous (sp) is a beautiful spot and has an impressive view into their vineyards.
Gundloch Bundschu in Sonoma is another favorite of mine. Really laid back and the wines are
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:29 pm to upgrayedd
Chappellet is awesome
Jordan, zichichi, chimney rock, Robert sinskey, domain chandon
Healdsburg tasting rooms
Jordan, zichichi, chimney rock, Robert sinskey, domain chandon
Healdsburg tasting rooms
Posted on 3/13/14 at 12:21 am to Tiger Attorney
quote:
zichichi
This place is cool for the fact that Zichichi is from New Orleans, used to be one of the Saints team doctors. We actually just had some wine arrive from them last week. Plus, they have a great lunch spot just down the road, The Dry Creek General Store, great sandwiches/deli.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 6:02 am to Tiger Attorney
quote:
Chappellet is awesome
Had a 2008 cab last night. It was pretty good. I've got half a case left. General managers son is the buyer for LeBlancs grocery or was.
And if you are going up Pritchard Hill keep going up past Chappellet to David Arthur. Very good wines. A very nice place to have a picnic as well.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 6:40 am to upgrayedd
In Sonoma, I would recommend Lancaster Estate for a small estate winery with a great cave tour. Additionally, downtown Healdsburg has many options for tasting and food. Williamson wines is particularly good and they offer small food pairings that really accentuate the tasting. Seghesio is another nice stop; they offer fantastic Zins.
In Napa, don't miss Jarvis if you want to try great reds and an extraordinary tour. They have an incredible property and an incredible cave system. Reservations are required and it costs about $60 per person but I promise you will not regret it. I would also recommend Shafer if you're a Cab guy and reservations are required there as it's tough to get in.
In Napa, don't miss Jarvis if you want to try great reds and an extraordinary tour. They have an incredible property and an incredible cave system. Reservations are required and it costs about $60 per person but I promise you will not regret it. I would also recommend Shafer if you're a Cab guy and reservations are required there as it's tough to get in.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 6:50 am to SlidellBammer
Sonoma kicks Napas arse IMO, very laid back and not commercial. good salt of the earth people
our two favorite wineries were Bezinger and St Francis. Both were outstanding
our two favorite wineries were Bezinger and St Francis. Both were outstanding
Posted on 3/13/14 at 6:55 am to dallastiger55
quote:
Sonoma kicks Napas arse IMO, very laid back and not commercial. good salt of the earth people
Hard to argue with this. Napa just happens to be where all of my favorite Cabs are.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 7:25 am to upgrayedd
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