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re: Tips for first timer in Napa?
Posted on 1/10/15 at 6:49 pm to Kim Jong Ir
Posted on 1/10/15 at 6:49 pm to Kim Jong Ir
quote:
Do you have any idea how f'ing busy I am?
Hans Brix??
1
Posted on 1/10/15 at 6:51 pm to sneakytiger
If you are using points, then the Napa Marriott is okay. They have a good breakfast on the property is very convenient. I don't think the rooms have been updated in about 8-10 years. They are nice but starting to show some age.
The Embassy Suites is a little more lively with the happy hour, courtyard, and breakfast buffet but only marginally better than the Marriott.
FWIW, I have spent two weeks at the Marriott and one week at Embassy. If you are going for a romantic vacation, you should skip both of these and stay in Yountville. Trust me on this one.
The Napa Hot Air Ballon ride departs from the Marriott at about 6:30 every morning and is pretty cool.
Are you a foodie? If so, give me an idea of what style of food you like.
When you and your wife buy wine for home, what do you spend on average bottle? Do you usually get a red or white? Do you see yourself keeping some wine in the house (50 bottles or more).
The Embassy Suites is a little more lively with the happy hour, courtyard, and breakfast buffet but only marginally better than the Marriott.
FWIW, I have spent two weeks at the Marriott and one week at Embassy. If you are going for a romantic vacation, you should skip both of these and stay in Yountville. Trust me on this one.
The Napa Hot Air Ballon ride departs from the Marriott at about 6:30 every morning and is pretty cool.
Are you a foodie? If so, give me an idea of what style of food you like.
When you and your wife buy wine for home, what do you spend on average bottle? Do you usually get a red or white? Do you see yourself keeping some wine in the house (50 bottles or more).
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:13 pm to coolpapaboze
quote:
Hans Brix??
Brix Restaurant is not bad.
This post was edited on 1/10/15 at 7:16 pm
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:20 pm to sneakytiger
I went in October. My friend and I flew into San Fran, rented a car, and drove to Napa. The drive is beautiful. Then we stayed in Calistoga and used their shuttle service to go to the vineyards. I would recommend the Castello and Sterling. We were only there for a wedding weekend, so we didn't have time to do much touring/sightseeing. But it is so beautiful out there, and you won't have a bad glass of wine! Have fun!
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:32 pm to foreverLSU
I agree with Hendry first. And for all those reasons. Find a bed and breakfast to stay at. They're local and often have discounts on tastings, even free ones.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:35 pm to When in Rome
Costello was cool. Definitely different. Same with Sterling. Mondavi was one of our favorites but mainly because we got the tip to go to a different tasting room. We were the only ones and the guy serving was one of their barrel tasters who let us drink all we wanted. Some of their reserve too. All for free. Tough to beat that
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:40 pm to sneakytiger
I would recommend renting a car. The vineyards are far apart, but make sure to park in each little town and walk around.
Check out Opus One, Cakebread, and Duckhorn. Opus One was the most beautiful, in our opinion. We did a couples' tasting at Cakebread and had a great time. Then we did the dinner at Duckhorn, which was fantastic. And our "leader" guy was a Tigers fan.
Check out Opus One, Cakebread, and Duckhorn. Opus One was the most beautiful, in our opinion. We did a couples' tasting at Cakebread and had a great time. Then we did the dinner at Duckhorn, which was fantastic. And our "leader" guy was a Tigers fan.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:42 pm to sneakytiger
This a a great Marriott property in Sonoma:
Don't discount the Sonoma vineyards, most of our group had better experiences here than Napa.
Lodge at Sonoma
Don't discount the Sonoma vineyards, most of our group had better experiences here than Napa.
Lodge at Sonoma
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:43 pm to ericberryistheman
quote:
The Napa Hot Air Ballon ride departs from the Marriott at about 6:30 every morning and is pretty cool.
Its winter. terrible idea.
at the early hour, you may get fog, and it can rain in winter.
at that time of day, it will be in the low 40's at best.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 7:46 pm to ell_13
I think Castello di Amorosa is akin to the French Quarter in New Orleans; the idea of it's cool, but anyone "in the know" stays away from it. I mean, it's kind of cheesy that they spent like $20m to replicate some castle right in the middle of some of the most beautiful land in the US. That, and they don't even sell their wine in stores? All of that kind of rubbed me the wrong way.
If you can convince yourself it's some original, medieval castle, then yeah, it's a great place to stop if you're in Napa.
If you can convince yourself it's some original, medieval castle, then yeah, it's a great place to stop if you're in Napa.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 8:06 pm to GynoSandberg
If you like craft beer then go to Russian River in Santa Rosa.
We stayed at the Lodge in Sonoma with points and rented bicycles to do a day tour of 3-4 wineries. Packed a picnic and it was a great day.
We stayed at the Lodge in Sonoma with points and rented bicycles to do a day tour of 3-4 wineries. Packed a picnic and it was a great day.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 8:34 pm to jennBN
I stayed at Harvest Inn in St Helena both times I went. The little wine train looks cool but I've never done it. A lot can be said for staying in San Francisco but the staff at a local hotel can hook you up with all sorts of unadvertised visits. The French Laundry is insanely expensive but its worth doing once. They're usually booked up months in advance but the Harvest Inn offered us last minute cancellation spots on both trips.
An older couple I'm friends with took a two week riverboat cruise down the Rhone through French wine country.Five years ago they said that was a little under 10k for a couple. A little pricey but the pictures showed one hell of a vacation.
An older couple I'm friends with took a two week riverboat cruise down the Rhone through French wine country.Five years ago they said that was a little under 10k for a couple. A little pricey but the pictures showed one hell of a vacation.
This post was edited on 1/10/15 at 8:42 pm
Posted on 1/10/15 at 8:58 pm to sneakytiger
I'd spend at least a day or two in the City.
Napa is fantastic in April. Numerous wineries to tour and incredible restaurants. Make sure to breakfast at ABC. Spend some time in Oxbow, which has multiple food offerings. Love me some Hog Island oysters. Eiko has great sushi. So many great spots downtown Napa, Torc, Morimoto, Angelle, Carpe Diem, Azurro. Bounty Hunter has great BBQ. Just hard to go wrong there.
Nice hiking too. Skyline, Boethe, Robert Louis Stevenson. Maybe check out Muir Woods when near the City.
Napa is fantastic in April. Numerous wineries to tour and incredible restaurants. Make sure to breakfast at ABC. Spend some time in Oxbow, which has multiple food offerings. Love me some Hog Island oysters. Eiko has great sushi. So many great spots downtown Napa, Torc, Morimoto, Angelle, Carpe Diem, Azurro. Bounty Hunter has great BBQ. Just hard to go wrong there.
Nice hiking too. Skyline, Boethe, Robert Louis Stevenson. Maybe check out Muir Woods when near the City.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 9:13 pm to sneakytiger
V. Sattui is a must. Best winery in Cal. Prager Port is on the other side of the road and a little further north. Silver Rose, Sterling and Raymond are very good.
We always spend one day in Napa the next in SF and so on.
Oh yeah there's also Stag's Leap.
We always spend one day in Napa the next in SF and so on.
Oh yeah there's also Stag's Leap.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 9:29 pm to Paratiger
Prager port is fantastic
3 brothers who are pretty entertaining
3 brothers who are pretty entertaining
Posted on 1/10/15 at 9:38 pm to sneakytiger
Check out Round Pond, especially the olive oil tour. Castella is great. Culinary Institue of America for at least one meal. Drive around and explore. You are bound to trip on something you like.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 9:42 pm to sneakytiger
Lunch at Oakville Grocery
Posted on 1/10/15 at 9:48 pm to sneakytiger
V. Sattui, Sequoia Grove, Merryvale, Frog's Leap are all good. Also drive up to Calistoga on the north end of the valley.
An interesting place to visit on the Sonoma side of the hills is Jack London State Park, which was originally his ranch.
An interesting place to visit on the Sonoma side of the hills is Jack London State Park, which was originally his ranch.
This post was edited on 1/10/15 at 10:01 pm
Posted on 1/10/15 at 9:53 pm to ULL Cool J
I've always wanted to vacation in Napa/Sonoma.
Posted on 1/10/15 at 10:20 pm to sneakytiger
Spent a week in early December in Healdsburg. The weather could have been better but we had a great time. Stayed at the Healdsburg hotel and were very pleased with how accommodating they were.(their complementary breakfast was incredible and had the best smoked salmon I have ever eaten).
We decided to hire a driver and split the cost between three couples. I would certainly do this again as it is nice not having to worry about the po po. We let the driver pick some wineries for us and he picked some winners. My favorites:
Repris is a winery on Moon Mountain and is an absolutely beautiful property. The tour was excellent as they took you on rvs through their terraced vineyards. Their wines were excellent and more of an old world style. As they don't sell to restaurants or distributors no problems with having purchases shipped directly to you.
Caspar winery. Tasting room is in their residence and they also make honey and olive oil. The wines were excellent but I really enjoyed their honey which is special because of the variety of plant life on the property.
Ty Caton not much to look at but great wines that can be shipped direct to la.
Far Niente beautiful facility with excellent expensive wines and a tremendous vintage car collection to drool over.
Have a great trip.
We decided to hire a driver and split the cost between three couples. I would certainly do this again as it is nice not having to worry about the po po. We let the driver pick some wineries for us and he picked some winners. My favorites:
Repris is a winery on Moon Mountain and is an absolutely beautiful property. The tour was excellent as they took you on rvs through their terraced vineyards. Their wines were excellent and more of an old world style. As they don't sell to restaurants or distributors no problems with having purchases shipped directly to you.
Caspar winery. Tasting room is in their residence and they also make honey and olive oil. The wines were excellent but I really enjoyed their honey which is special because of the variety of plant life on the property.
Ty Caton not much to look at but great wines that can be shipped direct to la.
Far Niente beautiful facility with excellent expensive wines and a tremendous vintage car collection to drool over.
Have a great trip.
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