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Message
Napa/Sonoma/San Jose/Monterrey Help (Wineries too)
Posted on 12/4/13 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 12/4/13 at 4:48 pm
Just booked the flight…
Rough plan is coming in at 4pm on Christmas Eve and maybe staying in Monterrey or San Jose, then spend Christmas Day driving around (since wineries won't be open up north)…thinking Carmel, Big Sur, Monterrey, Palo Alto, Berkleley, Oakland, etc.
Will that fill a day….what should not be missed there?
Staying mostly in Napa and some Sonomoa from 25th through Jan 1st.
Looking for wineries and restaurants…I think we are even doing Russian River Brewery.
Last year we did Chappellet, Domaine Chandon, Duckhorn, Silver Oak, St. Supery, Stryker, J, Rodney Strong, etc.
Last year we ate at Redd, Bottega, Zin, Bouchon Bakery, Willies Wine Bar, Cindys Backstreet Kitchen (which was not very good).
Bistro Jeanty and Bouchon are on the top of our list as is La Luna Market
Also, Schafer, Schramsburg, Pride, Grgich, Frank Family, Caymus,Stags Leap and a lot of the Silverado trail is on our hit list.
We did a lot of Healdsburg and Russian River Valley wineries last time…looking more around Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Glenn Ellen…I am not familiar at all with this area.
I am not familiar with some wineries around the city of Napa as well….we spent a lot of time in Oakville, Rutherford and Yountville last time.
Another thought was to stay in downtown Napa and then St. Helena and splitting our time simply in Napa…and not going to Sonoma.
We are planning to repeat places like Chappellet and Bouchon Bakery…but we really want to try new stuff as well.
Rough plan is coming in at 4pm on Christmas Eve and maybe staying in Monterrey or San Jose, then spend Christmas Day driving around (since wineries won't be open up north)…thinking Carmel, Big Sur, Monterrey, Palo Alto, Berkleley, Oakland, etc.
Will that fill a day….what should not be missed there?
Staying mostly in Napa and some Sonomoa from 25th through Jan 1st.
Looking for wineries and restaurants…I think we are even doing Russian River Brewery.
Last year we did Chappellet, Domaine Chandon, Duckhorn, Silver Oak, St. Supery, Stryker, J, Rodney Strong, etc.
Last year we ate at Redd, Bottega, Zin, Bouchon Bakery, Willies Wine Bar, Cindys Backstreet Kitchen (which was not very good).
Bistro Jeanty and Bouchon are on the top of our list as is La Luna Market
Also, Schafer, Schramsburg, Pride, Grgich, Frank Family, Caymus,Stags Leap and a lot of the Silverado trail is on our hit list.
We did a lot of Healdsburg and Russian River Valley wineries last time…looking more around Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Glenn Ellen…I am not familiar at all with this area.
I am not familiar with some wineries around the city of Napa as well….we spent a lot of time in Oakville, Rutherford and Yountville last time.
Another thought was to stay in downtown Napa and then St. Helena and splitting our time simply in Napa…and not going to Sonoma.
We are planning to repeat places like Chappellet and Bouchon Bakery…but we really want to try new stuff as well.
9
Posted on 12/4/13 at 4:55 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:
We are definitely doing Russian River Brewery.
FIFY
Posted on 12/4/13 at 4:59 pm to Tiger Attorney
As you already know, so many great options, so I will just throw out a good place to stay if you decide to stay in Napa and a great place to dine.
Napa River Inn.
Bistro Jeanty in Yountville.
Napa River Inn.
Bistro Jeanty in Yountville.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 5:00 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:
Staying mostly in Napa...Looking for wineries
If you don't do the Palmaz Winery, you're missing out. It'll ruin you for all other tastings and tours. You need to call ahead to reserve a tour. I would actually do it after you do your other wineries in Napa, otherwise you'll be disappointed in the rest.
After the tour get lunch at The Fatted Calf in downtown Napa. It's not sit down restaurant, it's a charcuterie/sandwich shop with outdoor picnic tables.
quote:
Sonoma...restaurants
The Girl and the Fig...don't know if it's ballin enough for you, but we had a great meal there, it's in the square of downtown Sonoma.
quote:
I think we are even doing Russian River Brewery.
Do that shite. It'll be packed, but it's a great place, fantastic pizza and amazing beer. I think you're going to be just ahead of the Pliny the Younger release...
Posted on 12/4/13 at 5:02 pm to Tiger Attorney
Big Sur is south of Monterrey and is a great day trip, down and back. Pretty isolated though, and a 3 hour drive up to Napa.
Downtown Napa: stay at Andaz, then walk to all the restaurants in the downtown area. Saves the risk of drunk driving. Oenotri, Morimoto, Tarla, Angelle, ZuZu. Maybe walk across the river to Oxbow at lunch for some oysters at Hog island.
I'd also do the Lagunitas Brewery and Russian River, but I'm more partial to beer than wine. They have exceptional local beers over there.
There are a bazillion places to eat there, many just fantastic. They really know how to do great food over there.
Downtown Napa: stay at Andaz, then walk to all the restaurants in the downtown area. Saves the risk of drunk driving. Oenotri, Morimoto, Tarla, Angelle, ZuZu. Maybe walk across the river to Oxbow at lunch for some oysters at Hog island.
I'd also do the Lagunitas Brewery and Russian River, but I'm more partial to beer than wine. They have exceptional local beers over there.
There are a bazillion places to eat there, many just fantastic. They really know how to do great food over there.
This post was edited on 12/4/13 at 5:04 pm
Posted on 12/4/13 at 5:07 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:
then spend Christmas Day driving around (since wineries won't be open up north)…thinking Carmel, Big Sur, Monterrey, Palo Alto, Berkleley, Oakland, etc.
Will that fill a day….what should not be missed there?
Are you asking if Carmel, Big Sur, Monterrey, Palo Alto, Berkeley, and Oakland will fill one (1) day?? If so...YES! Lots to do at all these places.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 5:23 pm to Tiger Attorney
Page L.A. on the admin board, he is the most knowledgeable for that info.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 5:24 pm to DEANintheYAY
Dean, the problem is that it will be Christmas Day….we are really just driving to site see. Not even sure where the best best for lunch/dinner is….dinner would have to be berkeley or napa…maybe sf.
Lunch would be in the carmel or san jose areas
Not sure what else would be going on Christmas Day in the bay area?
Lunch would be in the carmel or san jose areas
Not sure what else would be going on Christmas Day in the bay area?
Posted on 12/4/13 at 5:35 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:
Bistro Jeanty
This came highly recommended but I did not like it at all. The entrees that were recommended were heavy--almost like a stew.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 6:22 pm to Tiger Attorney
Good point.
I'm normally not here on Christmas day, but I'd be willing to bet that SF would have some spots open as would Berkeley considering most here are heathens.
I'm normally not here on Christmas day, but I'd be willing to bet that SF would have some spots open as would Berkeley considering most here are heathens.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 6:26 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:
Dean, the problem is that it will be Christmas Day….we are really just driving to site see. Not even sure where the best best for lunch/dinner is….dinner would have to be berkeley or napa…maybe sf.
yeah man the holiday is really limiting. you'll be on the central coast only on x-mas day and that's it? if so I would just eat anyone you happen to see open or business and spend time driving around .. maybe to Pebble Beach or Big Sur, although those aren't on your way to SF. the drive up 101 to the Bay area isn't a very interesting drive, IMO. taking PCH offers a lot more visually and, if it weren't Christmas Day, more interesting places to stop.
quote:
Lunch would be in the carmel or san jose areas
these 2 places are hours apart
Posted on 12/4/13 at 6:48 pm to Rohan2Reed
If you are going back to Chappelllet keep going up Pritchard Hill to David Arthur. Have his Elevation, Meritagio and his Cab Franc. Next door is his brother Montagna. Nile Zacherle is their winemaker and he makes his own boutique cabs which are very good. Only find them in a coop like 750 Wines or Oakville Grocery.
David Arthur is a good place to bring a lunch and eat outside.
Dinner at Mustard and Goose and Gander.
David Arthur is a good place to bring a lunch and eat outside.
Dinner at Mustard and Goose and Gander.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 7:05 pm to Martini
That hill is treachorous....I will investigate the others. I recall Davis Arthur...we ended up not going due to time constraints...I think we will remedy that this trip.
I suppose we could stay one more day in monterrey...are there wineries around there or is it just really nice towns? I think my only knowledge of this area is Play Misty for Me with clint eastwood.
I am not familiar, but my paremts are insisting we go.
I suppose we could stay one more day in monterrey...are there wineries around there or is it just really nice towns? I think my only knowledge of this area is Play Misty for Me with clint eastwood.
I am not familiar, but my paremts are insisting we go.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 7:22 pm to Martini
quote:
Oakville Grocery
Great place! I've also heard good things about mustard
Posted on 12/4/13 at 9:01 pm to Coater
Oakville and Dean and Deluca both have some good wine deals if you know what to look for.
Cook in St Helena is another great restaurant. Very small with a very small galley kitchen. Great food.
Cook in St Helena is another great restaurant. Very small with a very small galley kitchen. Great food.
Posted on 12/4/13 at 9:06 pm to Martini
Just read about it again…it was eliminated on our last trip bc we had done bottega, perbacco and spar's other italian restaurant….
I love italian, but wanted to mix it up. It would fill in well this trip. It will be hard not to go to bottega again too though.
I love italian, but wanted to mix it up. It would fill in well this trip. It will be hard not to go to bottega again too though.
Posted on 12/5/13 at 12:49 pm to Tiger Attorney
Any thoughts on quality wineries around the towns of napa or sonoma...we skipped it last time for the upper regions of the valley...should we just skip it again?
We did do oxbow market in napa.
We did do oxbow market in napa.
Posted on 12/5/13 at 1:14 pm to Tiger Attorney
the view from Cade up on Howell mountian is pretty spectacular, especially in the evening, but that is way up the valley.
Posted on 12/5/13 at 1:53 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:
We are planning to repeat places like Chappellet
You liked going up that death trap hill?
Your list is pretty solid.
quote:
Cindys Backstreet Kitchen (which was not very good).
Im surprised by this, we really enjoyed it for lunch.
quote:
Redd, Bottega
Both of these are fantastic
quote:
Glenn Ellen…I am not familiar at all with this area.
You should do a tasting at Talisman. Real small group, but they make excellent Pinots
Posted on 12/5/13 at 2:11 pm to Bear Is Dead
Excellent...thank you
that hill was scary...I did drive in the mountains at my college but that was as bad of a road as I have ever driven....which is why we are not going to Pride which I hear is a scarier drive
that hill was scary...I did drive in the mountains at my college but that was as bad of a road as I have ever driven....which is why we are not going to Pride which I hear is a scarier drive
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