Suggestions for wine country tour in napa or sonoma in late August or September

Here's a couple good threads I've bookmarked for future use:

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Del dotto was really awesome, it's sound sixty bucks for the tour but they give a lot of wine. We were feeling pretty good leaving there

Posted this response in a f&d board thread this morning.
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I'll give you the must do's from my trip this summer.

- breweries: if you like beer make he drive to Russian River brewing in Santa Rosa or Bear Republic in Healdburg. Both awesome breweries in cool towns. You could make a day out of it between the drive, the town, and the brewery

- vineyards: we did a few, none were earth shattering relative to others. Just pick a few that have wines you like and good reviews. We did mondavi, domaine carneros, and a few others.

- epicurean excursions: this was a food tour w a local guy who has worked in the area for over 30 years. Very cool guy and this was one of or FAVORITE things of the week. I am 31 and don't like boring stuff and I loved it. Highlights are Model bakery, local olive oil tasting (way cooler than it sounds), Oakville grocery visit w/ beer and cheese pairing, lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (even if you decide not to do the tour, this is a can't miss meal), local chocolatier visit, visit to local distiller, and finally a private tour of the Hill family garden w/ a wine tasting, which is used by Thomas Keller's the French Laundry and Ad Hoc. Very cool

- Hot air balloons w/ Napa Valley Aloft. Very enjoyable if you have never done it

Yountville: spend a day in Yountville! It's a great town north of Napa and you can easily fill a day there. Insane restaurants, shops, bike rides around vineyards, spas, etc. also you can go to Hill Family wine store and do a tasting (the guy who gave us the garden tour was working at the store when we went, if you do the epicurean excursions tour you get a free tasting at Hill family Cellars). We did one of the spas (my first spa day) and I thought it was awesome.

Then we drove down to San Fran and did the redwoods and a day in San Fran. I will skip that next time, I have never been a huge fan of that city. Dirty, crowded, etc.

Can't miss restaurants IMO

Model Bakery: Napa (English muffins taste like glazed donuts)
Willi's Seafood Raw Bar: Healdsburg
Mustard's Grill: Napa
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch: Saint Helena
Redd: Yountville
R+D: Yountville
French Laundry, Ad Hoc: Thomas Keller places in Yountville
Bouchon: Yountville
Celadon: Napa
And tons more obviously. These were our favorites. This was our first trip there and we fully intend on going back. Awesome trip.

If the wine train is running, it's pretty awesome.

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Healdsburg, Ca. Great little city centrally located in Sonoma a Valley about 20 min from Napa.

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Being a Sonoma County boy I say this. While you're there go to Zichichi Winery off of Dry Creek Road. Dave Zichichi the owner is an LSU grad, was one of the teams orthopedists (also for the Saints) and has some very cool LSU memorabilia in the winery. He also makes world class old vine Zins.

Just went in May. Stayed in yountville at villagio inn. It was centrally located in napa valley. Favorite winery was Jarvis. Beau Vigne tasting room in yountville was some good wine as well
Best meal was Press in st. Helena
Lunch at Farmstead ranch was great too
Bottega in yountville was good

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Healdsburg, Ca.

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No. Stay the frick away. Keep off my lawn.

I'd spend most of my time in Healdsburg and Sonoma. Also if you are a beer fran make sure to go to Russian River Brewery in Santa Rosa.

One of our favorite tours was at Kunde, they do a cave tour and it is where the movie Bottle Shock was filmed. Pretty good wines also.

Truett Hurst is a good laid back one in Healdsburg area, great wines.