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Sonoma/Napa Valley Recs
Posted on 9/4/22 at 9:15 am
Posted on 9/4/22 at 9:15 am
Calling all enophiles!
Have a trip in 2023 and I’m working on a list of places to visit. 2.5 days in Sonoma and 3 full in Napa with some down time in between.
These are the places I’ve been:
Opus, Quintessa, Caymus, Inglenook, Stag’s Leap Cellars, Orin Swift, Jarvis, Schramsberg, Paul Hobbs (Sonoma), Three Sticks (Sonoma-members), Patz and Hall (Sonoma)
So those are out. We may go back to Schramsberg unless there is a better place for sparkling.
I have Sonoma pretty locked up but I’m open to suggestions. So far: Occidental Wines (Steve Kistler), Kosta Browne, Williams Selyem, Cirq. I might add Arnot Roberts or Blue Farm if time allows. Any other must visits on the Sonoma side?
On the Napa side I’m pretty wide open and I understand the options are endless. In Napa we are a group of 4 and looking for private experiences and don’t need to be dragged all over a winery in a herd of people.
The differential so far: Joseph Phelps, Blankiet, Outpost, Brand, Ovid, Colgin Peacock Family, Taylor Family, Plumpjack, Tor, Rivers-Marie, Ilsley, Shafer, Peter Michael……
I’d like to hit at least one from these AVAs: Stag’s Leap, Spring Mtn, Howell Mtn, Pritchard Hill (technically not an AVA I don’t think)
Any other suggestions for a fantastic experience where you aren’t shuffled on to a gondola or a fake castle? Thanks
Have a trip in 2023 and I’m working on a list of places to visit. 2.5 days in Sonoma and 3 full in Napa with some down time in between.
These are the places I’ve been:
Opus, Quintessa, Caymus, Inglenook, Stag’s Leap Cellars, Orin Swift, Jarvis, Schramsberg, Paul Hobbs (Sonoma), Three Sticks (Sonoma-members), Patz and Hall (Sonoma)
So those are out. We may go back to Schramsberg unless there is a better place for sparkling.
I have Sonoma pretty locked up but I’m open to suggestions. So far: Occidental Wines (Steve Kistler), Kosta Browne, Williams Selyem, Cirq. I might add Arnot Roberts or Blue Farm if time allows. Any other must visits on the Sonoma side?
On the Napa side I’m pretty wide open and I understand the options are endless. In Napa we are a group of 4 and looking for private experiences and don’t need to be dragged all over a winery in a herd of people.
The differential so far: Joseph Phelps, Blankiet, Outpost, Brand, Ovid, Colgin Peacock Family, Taylor Family, Plumpjack, Tor, Rivers-Marie, Ilsley, Shafer, Peter Michael……
I’d like to hit at least one from these AVAs: Stag’s Leap, Spring Mtn, Howell Mtn, Pritchard Hill (technically not an AVA I don’t think)
Any other suggestions for a fantastic experience where you aren’t shuffled on to a gondola or a fake castle? Thanks
17
Posted on 9/4/22 at 9:36 am to Ivor Lewis
No need for tours, but sipping a glass on the outdoor patio overlooking the valley at Sterling was really nice. (Napa)
Posted on 9/4/22 at 9:49 am to Ivor Lewis
Look up Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma
Alpha Omega in Napa
Alpha Omega in Napa
This post was edited on 9/4/22 at 11:47 am
Posted on 9/4/22 at 11:30 am to Ivor Lewis
quote:
The differential so far: Joseph Phelps, Blankiet, Outpost, Brand, Ovid, Colgin Peacock Family, Taylor Family, Plumpjack, Tor, Rivers-Marie, Ilsley, Shafer, Peter Michael……
All solid choices. I would do Shafer, Blankiet, Brand and Peter Michael. A couple of others: Vineyard 7&8, Vineyard 29 and Morlet (warning: Luc talks a LOT).
ETA: Hanzell in Sonoma is pretty solid.
This post was edited on 9/4/22 at 11:37 am
Posted on 9/4/22 at 2:16 pm to Ivor Lewis
In Napa, Anderson’s Conn Valley, Arkenstone and William Cole are all good tastings.
Posted on 9/4/22 at 2:17 pm to Ivor Lewis
Aperture in Healdsburg. Also the Silver Oak in Alexander Valley
This post was edited on 9/4/22 at 2:18 pm
Posted on 9/4/22 at 4:41 pm to Ivor Lewis
I’ll just suggest the top ones from each place: Repris in Sonoma and 7&8 in Napa.
Posted on 9/4/22 at 5:20 pm to Ivor Lewis
Joseph Phelps, Schramsberg and Stag’s Leap for sure. Would have loved to do Opus when I was there.
Posted on 9/4/22 at 5:53 pm to tigeroarz1
Thanks for all the responses.
I had a 7&8 visit planned during Covid that got canceled. If I remember they make you buy at least 6 bottles. Is that true? I almost always buy a couple of bottles everywhere I go but mandating 6 is a bit much.
Hanzell looks like a great property and I’ve had their pinot which is very good. Their tasting is very Chardonnay heavy which is not a favorite with my wife.
A lot of these other ones look like great options.
Opus was a great visit. Long story short they tried to cancel my tasting the week before we were supposed to go because they were remodeling. I plead my case and not only did they take us but we got a free multi vintage tasting and also behind the scenes private tour. Needless to say I purchased multiple bottles on that visit.
I had a 7&8 visit planned during Covid that got canceled. If I remember they make you buy at least 6 bottles. Is that true? I almost always buy a couple of bottles everywhere I go but mandating 6 is a bit much.
Hanzell looks like a great property and I’ve had their pinot which is very good. Their tasting is very Chardonnay heavy which is not a favorite with my wife.
A lot of these other ones look like great options.
Opus was a great visit. Long story short they tried to cancel my tasting the week before we were supposed to go because they were remodeling. I plead my case and not only did they take us but we got a free multi vintage tasting and also behind the scenes private tour. Needless to say I purchased multiple bottles on that visit.
Posted on 9/4/22 at 8:42 pm to Ivor Lewis
Cooking class at Peju
Posted on 9/5/22 at 8:24 am to Ivor Lewis
quote:
Spring Mtn
Arrange a tour at Smith-Madrone. They make cabernet but also make excellent Chardonnay and Riesling which is a nice break from the cab fest that is Napa.
Posted on 9/5/22 at 10:54 am to Ivor Lewis
quote:
I had a 7&8 visit planned during Covid that got canceled. If I remember they make you buy at least 6 bottles. Is that true? I almost always buy a couple of bottles everywhere I go but mandating 6 is a bit much. Hanzell looks like a great property and I’ve had their pinot which is very good. Their tasting is very Chardonnay heavy which is not a favorite with my wife.
Not sure on the purchase requirements at 7&8. They are super laid back and easy going, though, so I would imagine they would be flexible. They make a small amount of rose of cab sav. They don’t sell it, but they’ll pour you some or even give you a bottle. It’s dynamite.
Hanzell def focuses on their chards but just tell her you wanna lean more Pinot and she’ll hook you up. See if they will pop some older vintages in the library.
Posted on 9/5/22 at 4:50 pm to Ivor Lewis
St Helena but VGS Chateau Potelle and Palmaz
Posted on 9/6/22 at 8:57 am to Ivor Lewis
we enjoyed the wine train and the caves alot. I am terrible about remembering the vineyards we all went too.
Posted on 9/6/22 at 9:06 am to Ivor Lewis
Some of the smaller ones we visited where we were the only ones there:
Porter
Aonair
Fontenella
Sciandri
Caldwell Vineyard
Porter
Aonair
Fontenella
Sciandri
Caldwell Vineyard
Posted on 9/6/22 at 8:34 pm to Ivor Lewis
If you are looking for quaint, with down to earth folks and some great wine:
Perliss
Ricci
John Anthony
Perliss
Ricci
John Anthony
Posted on 9/6/22 at 8:48 pm to Ivor Lewis
Went last summer to 7&8 only bought one bottle. Do you mean they will remove the tasting fee with the purchase of six bottles? They will be more than happy to answer any questions if you call or email. Meg is who helped us.
At Hanzell the tasting setup was nice with a great vista but the wines weren’t great.
At Hanzell the tasting setup was nice with a great vista but the wines weren’t great.
Posted on 9/8/22 at 5:43 am to Ivor Lewis
Lots of great advice in previous comments, so I will just pile on. Here are a few recs that meet your requirements, though price points are all over the map:
Howell Mtn (Dunn, O’Shaughnessy, concur on Outpost (ask to taste Cresta Velia while you’re there), Red Cap, Black Sears, Neal)
Pritchard Hill (Chappellet is the gold standard for the origins of Pritchard Hill, concur on Ovid and Brand, Colgin is nice but a hefty donation to a local charity is req’d if you are not in the list)
Others not on your list: Elyse (Cheryl has NOLA roots, ask to taste with Khristopher), Checkerboard (reach out to Gary), BRION, Amizetta, Aonair, Trespass (very underrated), Dakota Shy, Barnett
Howell Mtn (Dunn, O’Shaughnessy, concur on Outpost (ask to taste Cresta Velia while you’re there), Red Cap, Black Sears, Neal)
Pritchard Hill (Chappellet is the gold standard for the origins of Pritchard Hill, concur on Ovid and Brand, Colgin is nice but a hefty donation to a local charity is req’d if you are not in the list)
Others not on your list: Elyse (Cheryl has NOLA roots, ask to taste with Khristopher), Checkerboard (reach out to Gary), BRION, Amizetta, Aonair, Trespass (very underrated), Dakota Shy, Barnett
Posted on 9/11/22 at 3:45 pm to Ivor Lewis
I highly recommend Flora Springs. Very solid wines and beautiful property like all of Napa.
Posted on 9/11/22 at 8:31 pm to lsu777
quote:same. We only had one day in Napa so this was perfect. Not for the OP but may help others reading this thread.
we enjoyed the wine train
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