I am going to be in the US for most of the month of January and in the California area from around 15 Jan to 24 Jan. Was considering a trip to Napa, Sonoma or Santa Barbara (hence have considered the links below) and was just wondering if people had any further feedback on the following:
- If I do go to any of these wine regions I am only planning it to be a day trip. I am definitely going to Los Angeles (so Santa Barbara is an option) but not sure about San Francisco. If I am only planning a day trip should I just go to Santa Barbara or are Napa/Sonoma worthwhile enough that I should try to incorporate them (and therefore San Francisco).
- I noticed that Napa and Sonoma are near each other - could you do a bit of both in one day or should I just choose one. If choosing one which should I chose? (Also is there any place I must visit and therefore need to make an appointment)
- Does it matter what day of the week you are there (eg. should I try to be there on a weekday or Saturday/Sunday).
- Is this time of year still worth bothering with wine regions in the US (i.e. given it will be pretty cold).
Also is there anything else anyone would recommend in a wine sense to do in the US - eg. should I be drinking French wine because it is cheaper than here (also good exchange rate). I will be going to NY, Washington, Vegas, Los Angeles and maybe San Francisco.
Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara?? US Generally
Re: Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara?? US Generally
Please bear in mind that the following is based on very little experience so take with a pinch of salt.
We were in San Francisco earlier this year. Napa and Sonoma are relatively close together but they're also both pretty close to San Francisco (an hour) so there's really not much point bouncing between the two, certainly not on the same day.
We heard a lot in advance about Napa being very commercialised and expensive, and decided as a result to concentrate on Sonoma. In retrospect I'm not sure that we shouldn't have just bitten the bullet and gone for Napa - Sonoma was very pretty and we had a great time but we found the quality of wine mixed (though to be fair we were travelling more or less blind) and at least one place still managed to grievously rip us off. You do get charged for most tastings although that's generally refundable against purchases - however if I go again I will be more prepared to turn on my heels and depart a place if I'm charged $15 per person, non-refundable, to taste any of the "good" wines.
Having said that, we did meet some lovely people at Arrowood and Loxton in particular and some of the wine was very pleasant. So I guess my advice would be to do some research on the wineries you are going to visit in advance = not just quality but cellar door setup. Though again you do find the nicer people will often waive listed fees especially if you've come from a long way and show some interest/knowledge.
We were in San Francisco earlier this year. Napa and Sonoma are relatively close together but they're also both pretty close to San Francisco (an hour) so there's really not much point bouncing between the two, certainly not on the same day.
We heard a lot in advance about Napa being very commercialised and expensive, and decided as a result to concentrate on Sonoma. In retrospect I'm not sure that we shouldn't have just bitten the bullet and gone for Napa - Sonoma was very pretty and we had a great time but we found the quality of wine mixed (though to be fair we were travelling more or less blind) and at least one place still managed to grievously rip us off. You do get charged for most tastings although that's generally refundable against purchases - however if I go again I will be more prepared to turn on my heels and depart a place if I'm charged $15 per person, non-refundable, to taste any of the "good" wines.
Having said that, we did meet some lovely people at Arrowood and Loxton in particular and some of the wine was very pleasant. So I guess my advice would be to do some research on the wineries you are going to visit in advance = not just quality but cellar door setup. Though again you do find the nicer people will often waive listed fees especially if you've come from a long way and show some interest/knowledge.
3, 65, 7, 50
Re: Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara?? US Generally
Here's what I tell friends when visiting my home state of California:
1. Choose where you go based on what you like. It's fun to go to wineries you know and at the smaller ones you can arrange a tour or to meet the owners.
2. If you don't have a preference or are looking for the best place to go in a day trip, I'd suggest going to Napa. Not only does it have a lot of famous wineries, but it's the best organized of the three areas and you can see the most wineries in the shortest distance from you starting point (LA or SF). In addition, there are some great restaurants there and beautiful vistas. The other area I like to recommend is the Willamette Valley in Oregon (traveling from Portland or Eugene). It's less commercial than Napa and a wonderful drive.
3. Some of the best wineries are by appointment only, so plan ahead and make arrangements if there are any that are on your must see list.
4. Plan on paying something for tasting wines...$10US a person is a typical charge. I can't help you on the current costs for each tasting room as it's been several years since I've been, but here are a few of the ones I most enjoy that also have good wine:
Berringer (a Napa landmark)
Cakebread (go for the wine)
Cardinale(great view, its' worth paying for their high-end wines)
Caymus (go for the wine)
Domaine Chandon (good sparklers...go for the Library Selections...and it had a wonderful restaurant when I was last there)
Far Niete (great wine and a pretty vineyard)
Nickel & Nickel (I've not been to the winery, but they make great wine)
Opus One (I call it "Opus Dopus" but if you can get past their high prices, they've got really good wine)
Plumpjack (I've not been to the winery, but they make great wine)
Stag's Leap (another Napa landmark and many great wines)
Trefethen (buttery Chardonnay's and a pretty vineyard)
I left out my favorites on the North side of Napa as you'll never get there in a day. There are a ton of other great wineries in Southern and Central Napa, so don't take my limited knowledge as the gospel.
And if you have the time, financial resources, and interest in going to the best restaurant in the US, make reservations at the French Laundry months before you get there.
Hope this helps!
1. Choose where you go based on what you like. It's fun to go to wineries you know and at the smaller ones you can arrange a tour or to meet the owners.
2. If you don't have a preference or are looking for the best place to go in a day trip, I'd suggest going to Napa. Not only does it have a lot of famous wineries, but it's the best organized of the three areas and you can see the most wineries in the shortest distance from you starting point (LA or SF). In addition, there are some great restaurants there and beautiful vistas. The other area I like to recommend is the Willamette Valley in Oregon (traveling from Portland or Eugene). It's less commercial than Napa and a wonderful drive.
3. Some of the best wineries are by appointment only, so plan ahead and make arrangements if there are any that are on your must see list.
4. Plan on paying something for tasting wines...$10US a person is a typical charge. I can't help you on the current costs for each tasting room as it's been several years since I've been, but here are a few of the ones I most enjoy that also have good wine:
Berringer (a Napa landmark)
Cakebread (go for the wine)
Cardinale(great view, its' worth paying for their high-end wines)
Caymus (go for the wine)
Domaine Chandon (good sparklers...go for the Library Selections...and it had a wonderful restaurant when I was last there)
Far Niete (great wine and a pretty vineyard)
Nickel & Nickel (I've not been to the winery, but they make great wine)
Opus One (I call it "Opus Dopus" but if you can get past their high prices, they've got really good wine)
Plumpjack (I've not been to the winery, but they make great wine)
Stag's Leap (another Napa landmark and many great wines)
Trefethen (buttery Chardonnay's and a pretty vineyard)
I left out my favorites on the North side of Napa as you'll never get there in a day. There are a ton of other great wineries in Southern and Central Napa, so don't take my limited knowledge as the gospel.
And if you have the time, financial resources, and interest in going to the best restaurant in the US, make reservations at the French Laundry months before you get there.
Hope this helps!
Re: Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara?? US Generally
For whats it's worth I have been drinking the Chateau St Jean Chardonnay from Sonoma . A great butter chardonnay if you like the style, wonderful drinking. Those in Brissy can get them from the wine emporium.
Nothing is so effective in keeping one young and full of lust as a discriminating palate thoroughly satisfied at least once a day.
Re: Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara?? US Generally
My wife and I spent a night in Sonoma on a Cali roadtrip. A very nice town with some good eateries. Even prettier was the russian river valley, we had lunch in a cafe in Healdsburg (sp?), which was an even nicer town. Wineries were hit and miss, found lots of porty OTT stuff, but also found a couple v nice russian river pinots, and a nice sonoma cab sauv to bring back.
With knowledge of the right wineries to visit (see pizzler's post), i would highly reccomend visiting the towns of Healdsburg & Sonoma. Nice affordable boutique accomadation as well.
With knowledge of the right wineries to visit (see pizzler's post), i would highly reccomend visiting the towns of Healdsburg & Sonoma. Nice affordable boutique accomadation as well.