re: Napa Valley

Here is more information from my prior posts:

Here are some that I would look at (in no particular order):
1. Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel are owned by the same family. A mininal tasting will probably run about $110 - $125 per person. Both wineries are great, but Far Niente has a better tour and views.
2. Hall Winery - several locations, but we love the St. Helena location. About $60 - $75 per person. Great wine.
3. Joseph Phelps - great views and great wine. About $100 per person.
4. Quintessa - great Bordeaux blends- Tastings are from $125 and up. Premium wines from about $180/bottle.
5. Opus Wines - super premium (wine from $200 - $400 per bottle). Tastings are pricey - $200/person. Georgeous property.
6. Fantesca - very private winery with wine made by Heidi Barrett - who made Screaming Eagle famous. Pretty pricey for non-members, but you might be able to talk and get a lower price. Not great views, but great wine. They don't do a lot of tastings.
7. Schramsberg - if you like champagne, this is the place (I don't, but my wife does). The Davies family also makes JDavies wine - a cabernet, which is very good. Great cave tour for the champagne and prices are probably in the $75 - $100 per person for a tasting.
8. Silver Oak - not great tour or views, but good wine.A tasting is probably around $60-75/person. Go to Napa Valley tasting room.
9. Darioush - great wine and cheese pairing. Beautiful property and fantastic wine. Probably $120 - $150 per person for tastings. They also have a wine and olive oil tasting for about $140 per person.
10. Chappellet - great wines and a great tour. Probably in the $125/person cost for a tour/tasting.

Several of the wineries will comp or reduce the visit or tasting fee if you purchase a minimum amount of wine (maybe 6 bottes?). Always ask at your visit.

This should give you some great places for a first visit. There are places that you might be directed to by friends or locals, like Prisoner or Del Dotto, which are pretty low end wineries, but they do a great job on the visits for newbies. I don't care for their wines.

There are several high ends, like Colgin and Peter Micheal, but you have to be on the buying list to get a tour. If sommeone can get you into either of those, take it, regardless of the cost. Both wineries sell wine from a low of $150/bottle to a high of $600/bottle.

For restaurants, I would recommend the following:
1. Mustard's (we like it primarilty for lunch, but people swear by dinner as well);
2. If you stay in Napa, the sushi and oysters (very expensive) at Oxbox Market are pretty good.
3. Bouchon's in St. Helena (owned by Thomas Keller - French Laundry fame) is pretty good.
3. We like Bistro Don Giovanni for Italian food in Napa.
4. Gott's Roadside is a good place for burgers.
5. Bistro Jeanty in Yountville is very good.
6. Oakville Grocery is a great lunch spot between winery visits.
7. Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is a pretty high end, but georgeous views.

We typically haven't eaten much in the town of Napa, other than quick bites at Oxbow Market. There are several good restaurants in Napa, but we generally stay in St Helena or Younteville.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.