Napa/Sonoma Winery Recommendations

Once again I am calling on the fine experiences of my fellow V-Flyers to assist in making our trip to NorCal a great one oo)
We would like to visit one of the vineyards/Wineries in or around Napa/Sonoma but there are loads to choose from. We would like a family friendly one to cater for the 8 year old that is with us (I will not be looking after him ): )

Anyone have positive experiences/recommendations to share? Thanking you in advance oo)

Mark

[Darren Wheeler]

The 2 in Napa (Rutherford) that spring to mind and I'm sure others will agree...

Peju
Robert Mondavi

Just make sure your designated driver knows they are before setting off.

For gentle introductions into Napa wineries and how they go about their business, Coppola is a good place to start, and with the added benefit of some Godfather memorabilia. If you are more into sparkling, then Mumm is a nice place to hang out. If you are a little more hardcore, register as a preferred member at Pahlmeyer and do a tasting there. By appointment only, so you can avoid the crowds.

[preiffer]

Just a couple things to consider:

The wine regions are VERY different up there - Napa vs Sonoma. What type of wine do you like?
And are you looking for great wine, or a great experience? In many ways, Sonoma/RR Valley are responsible for some better wines (see note above - *depending* on your preference) but Napa itself is more geared towards entertaining visitors...

notwithstanding they are nice wines, the Coppala one has to be an interesting tour

We have friends who live in the Sonoma Valle therefore always go to Sonoma Wineries and always have a wonderful time, am I right you have to pay a fee at most Napa wineries to taste?
At Sonoma i have yet to pay anything except at ferrari-carano where they think too much of themselves and the wines no better than other wineries in the region.

cheers

alex

Napa:
Niebaum-Coppola
Clos Pegase
Mumm - get the "champagne" sampler
ZB or something on the Silverado Trail is organic and good

Sonoma:
Vally of the Moon
Ravenswood

My other tip is that if you are doing Napa then drive up (N) the Silverado Trail and down (S) the main Napa drag. You get to beat a lot of the traffic that way. And watch out from drunk drivers, CA drivers are "different" at the best of times !

All of above plus a couple of other recommendations:

V Satui - is family friendly and has a great deli where you can buy picnic and eat outdoors in the grounds, the tasting rooms are very good (note it is quite a commercial operation).

Silver Oak is not far away and is a very different experience, high end, quite serious and all about the wine.

Just a couple things to consider:

The wine regions are VERY different up there - Napa vs Sonoma. What type of wine do you like?
And are you looking for great wine, or a great experience? In many ways, Sonoma/RR Valley are responsible for some better wines (see note above - *depending* on your preference) but Napa itself is more geared towards entertaining visitors...

Appreciate you taking the time! We are looking for a good experience especially if it has somewhere for one of the others in the party to look after the 8 year old ): Just want to have a tour, learn a little and experience some good wines

I can recommend Platypus Tours as a way to see a few in a day (and more importantly not worry about driving). The perceived wisdom locally is that the smaller "boutique" wineries are better ones to visit than the "big" names.

Enjoy!

Thank you very much for all your ideas ^) This forum is such an excellent source of information that can improve ones holidays/trips y) y) I would like to clearly state that I shall be neither looking after the little one or be the designated driver ):

you must try and get to Duckhorn while you are up there (Napa), the most beautiful place and also fantastic wines.


enjoy

A

[buns]

The 2 in Napa (Rutherford) that spring to mind and I'm sure others will agree...

Peju
Robert Mondavi

Just make sure your designated driver knows they are before setting off.

I'll go along with that

buns

Napa:
Mumm - get the "champagne" sampler

y) gets a vote from me too.

My favourite winery in Napa is the Hess Collection - a little out of the way perhaps, but worth it (IMHO):
http://www.hesscollection.com/

Cheers
Michael

Great ideas, really appreciate the advice - can't wait 'til we go next week on the VS19

Domaine Chandon (as per Moet Chandon) in Yountville offers a nice tour + has a fantastic restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating. Wondeful for a leisurely lunch!

Just had a lesisurely champagne sampler at Mumm, and then onto brunch at the Calistoga Inn. Lovely !

Just had a lesisurely champagne sampler at Mumm, and then onto brunch at the Calistoga Inn. Lovely !

Very nice too y) A wonderful thing to be doing on a Sunday ^)