By G.A. PeckThere’s something serene about Napa Valley. Maybe it’s the sudden rolling hills and towering trees that appear, as if an oasis, from the surrounding seas of brown that make up most of the dry Californian landscape.
The pace of life seems a little slower here. Certainly the traffic is, as tourists and locals navigate the main drag, a two-laned path. It’s tough to find opportunity to open a car up on that road; it’s difficult to speed, but why would you want to with such spectacular, natural beauty stretched out before you for miles and miles? No matter how thirsty I’ve been—no matter how anxious I’ve been to get to the next tasting—I’ve never really minded the traffic. The magnificence of my surroundings has never escaped me.
Yes, there is something peaceful and relaxing about putting the top down on your rented Mustang, nibbling on a picnic of cheese, fruit and crusty French bread while vineyard hopping to taste some of the country’s greatest grape byproducts.
And there’s no shortage of quality wine makers: http://www.napavintners.com/wineries/all_wineries.asp.
It’s impossible to visit more than a handful in a single day, so keep that in mind when planning your visit to the region.
Enjoy not only the wine but also the gourmet shop and picnic grounds.
Robert Mondavi Winery: http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/flash/index.html
Incredibly beautiful setting (see the NAPA/San Francisco pics we’ve posted to see for yourself) and the stuff in the bottles is pretty darned good, too.
The Hess Collection Winery: http://www.hesscollection.com/web/index.html
I recommend the Allomi vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a consistent favorite.
Domaine Chandon: http://www.chandon.com/web/index.cfm
Can’t go wrong with the Brut Classic. And here’s where I enjoyed one of the most decadent treats I’ve ever had—dark chocolate, sparkling-wine-filled truffles. They came packaged in a little miniature packing create, six in all, for about $20. And worth every penny. According to the Web site, they are no longer sold. But this may be a seasonal item, so if you stumble upon them in the store during your visit, do not hesitate. Proceed to go, and buy those truffles. You will not regret the indulgence.
Rutherford Hill Winery: http://www.rutherfordhill.com/
We didn’t buy any wine here, but enjoyed our tasting—and the spectacular hill-top view (see photo)—very much.
Silverado Vineyards: http://www.silveradovineyards.com/index.html
I can’t say enough about this little slice of heaven we discovered via the Silverado Trail. The woman who assisted us with our tasting—there are two general tasting menus, and we shared one of each—was top-notch, particularly skilled at flirtation (my husband was eager to pull out his wallet) and sales (wo)manship. We ended up discovering our current two favorite wines, which we bought on the spot, and have enjoyed on a few occasions since: The “SOLO” Cabernet Sauvignon (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNpbHZlcmFkb3ZpbmV5YXJkcy5jb20vaHRtbC9zb2xvLmh0bWw=) and the “Fantasia,” no longer listed on the Web site, but a completely unique and memorable red wine. Incidentally, though spelled this way, it is actually pronounced like “Fan-tah-zee-a.” Why Fantasia? Because Walt Disney’s daughter is an owner, as I understand it. The view is top-notch, too. Fields and vines and mountain tops stretch out in all directions. Enjoy some wine on the Italian-villa-like patio and soak it in.
TIP: Take the trail. Obviously, which vineyards you’d like to visit will largely dictate which route you take in Napa Valley. The main drag is ripe with vineyards, but the Silverado Trail, far less traveled has some gems along its path, too. It was only after several trips to Napa did we discover this alternative route, which we took to Calistoga and back again. Some locals had tipped us off to it, saying that it’s one of the great secrets of Napa Valley. And they were right.
TIP: Maximize your time. First-timer? Don’t feel pressured to take the tour at each and every vineyard you visit—it will add up in time and cost. Narrow it down to two tours—one at a vineyard you’re particularly interested in, and the other at one of the region’s renowned sparkling-wine makers. (Remember, these are not made in the Champagne region of France.)
TIP: Don’t forget to eat.One must eat when drinking your way through Napa Valley. There are several ways to achieve this—suiting all budgets:
Pack-in, pack-out: Take a picnic. Many of the vineyards have picnic areas.
On-the-spot dining: Some of the larger vineyards have dining options. V’ Sattui, for example, has a quaint little deli and gourmet prepared-foods shop and picnic area. Other vineyards have more formal dining experiences, with full-service, but limited menus. Reservations are often required.
For a cheaper, on-the-go meal, check out the fast-food joint smack dab in the middle of the main drag, or head in the direction of Calistoga. Though I couldn’t tell you the name of the place, or the address, I can highly recommend a little Mexican general store found just as you get to Calistoga. It’s on the left-hand side of the road. They have all sorts of sundries and such, but more importantly, a phenomenal menu of authentic Mexican cuisine that they make right there, on the spot. I highly recommend the carnitas burrito, which I estimate to weigh at least two lbs. It was hot, hearty, delicious, and the perfect ending to my most recent trip to Napa Valley. I’d say it’s the best meal I’ve ever had in California, and I’ve traveled the State from top to the might-as-well-be-Mexico bottom. I’ll say it again: It was a phenomenal burrito.
And here’s a link to a directory of other dining options in the area: http://napa.valley.diningchannel.com/
TIP: Don’t forget to eat.One must eat when drinking your way through Napa Valley. There are several ways to achieve this—suiting all budgets:
Pack-in, pack-out: Take a picnic. Many of the vineyards have picnic areas.
On-the-spot dining: Some of the larger vineyards have dining options. V’ Sattui, for example, has a quaint little deli and gourmet prepared-foods shop and picnic area. Other vineyards have more formal dining experiences, with full-service, but limited menus. Reservations are often required.
For a cheaper, on-the-go meal, check out the fast-food joint smack dab in the middle of the main drag, or head in the direction of Calistoga. Though I couldn’t tell you the name of the place, or the address, I can highly recommend a little Mexican general store found just as you get to Calistoga. It’s on the left-hand side of the road. They have all sorts of sundries and such, but more importantly, a phenomenal menu of authentic Mexican cuisine that they make right there, on the spot. I highly recommend the carnitas burrito, which I estimate to weigh at least two lbs. It was hot, hearty, delicious, and the perfect ending to my most recent trip to Napa Valley. I’d say it’s the best meal I’ve ever had in California, and I’ve traveled the State from top to the might-as-well-be-Mexico bottom. I’ll say it again: It was a phenomenal burrito.
And here’s a link to a directory of other dining options in the area: http://napa.valley.diningchannel.com/
TIP: Unleash your inner foodie. Even the most skilled wine sippers need a break between tastings, so when you need some downtime, check out the CIA—the Culinary Institute of America’s Napa Valley location (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmNpYWNoZWYuZWR1L3Zpc2l0b3JzL2dzLw==). It has an amazing gift shop that’s filled to the rafters with culinary gadgets, tools and novelties.
Do tell! Have a favorite Napa Valley memory? Want to recommend a winery or a particular vintage? Post a comment here or email us!
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