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wine country tours

Discussion in 'California & Nevada (Northern)' started by mambodave, Nov 16, 2007.

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  1. mambodave

    mambodave Formula Junior

    Jun 3, 2005
    531
    Charlotte NC
    Full Name:
    Dave
    anyone have any wine counrty tour advice?


    Looking for a 3 to 4 day deal?

    Thanks

    David
     
  2. LUCCA-7

    LUCCA-7 Karting

    Apr 24, 2006
    121
    California
    1. What area of the wine country (Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg)
    2. Do you have a hotel already
    3. what approx. is your budget (hotel,food,fun)
    4. what time of the year will you be here
     
  3. Willis

    Willis Rookie

    Nov 21, 2007
    30
    Walnut Creek, CA
    Full Name:
    Bill
    The best combo of drive and wine would be in Sonoma County. Head up through the Dry Creek area and stay in Healdsburg. Then venture through Anderson Valley Boonville area) and enjoy the switch-backs and awesome Redwood lined roads. The valley ends in Mendicino for you second night. Then take 1 down the coast to Bodega Bay for another night while tasting in the Russian River area. I've done it several times and it's one of the best California wekkends IMO. I can give you the must see wineries if you'd like, including Golden Eye. I lived up there for a few years, so I know a few great wineries.
     
  4. mambodave

    mambodave Formula Junior

    Jun 3, 2005
    531
    Charlotte NC
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Staying in Sonoma at the Mission Inn.


    Dec 5 to 10... I know its off season, but any good ideas? Budget is not an issue.
     
  5. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2003
    6,516
    Wine Country
    Full Name:
    Vincent
    Dave,

    Sorry I couldn't talk this afternoon. Give me a call tomorrow.

    Girl and the Fig in Sonoma
    Kenwood restaurant
    The restaurant across from Girl and the Fig is very good as well.

    just a few ideas for dinner close to the mission inn...there's more to do than that
     
  6. dakharris

    dakharris Two Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2001
    29,441
    Sleepy Hollow
    Full Name:
    Cavaliere Senzatesta
    Staying at the SMI, you are already on the right track. You could spend a day in and around Sonoma. A day in and around Healdsburg (Driy Creek Restaurant would be my choice). A day in Napa. Probably too late to get a reservation at the French Laundry, but you might try. A day in SF/Muir Woods.
     
  7. Artherd

    Artherd F1 Veteran

    Jun 19, 2002
    6,588
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Ben Cannon
    Vincent! Been too long, coming to SR on sat?

    During the weekend hit up A. Rafanelli Vineyards in Healdsburg. (you must call first they are not open to the public, PM me if they give you any static.)

    Drive into Napa and up Silverado Trail. Lots of cool places. I'd stay up there one night then take 128 west over to Healdsburg and stay there. Next if you have time, take 128 W all the way out to Mendocino, and take 1 on down (this is a full day's drive in itself) all the way into SF.


    Epic.
     
  8. LUCCA-7

    LUCCA-7 Karting

    Apr 24, 2006
    121
    California
    Things to do/see . . . Wine tasting at Ledson in Kenwood www.ledson.com is 15 minutes from your hotel . . . Visit the Sonoma square (shopping, wine tasting, food, etc.) only 5 minutes from your hotel. Go to www.infineonraceway.com (even for an hour) check the schedule, it's 20 minutes from the hotel . . . head to the coast, 1 hour and your there . . . book a hot air ballon flight in Napa (very early morning). Visit THE CASTLE in Napa (14 years in the making) www.napavalleycastle.com = aka Castello Di Amorosa. FOOD = www.thegeneralsdaughter.com 2nd = www.cafelahaye.com 5 to 7 minutes from your hotel . . . book ASAP . . . Call them or look & book at www.opentable.com The BEST breakfast is at The Boon Fly Cafe in The Carneros about 20 minutes away www.thecarnerosinn.com click on dining, then Boon Fly, The BEST Eggs Benedict, then off to www.domainecarneros.com (3 minutes from Boon Fly) for a glass of Champagne on the veranda, overlooking The Carneros Region . . . . . . I could go on & on & on & on . . . Enjoy!
     
  9. mambodave

    mambodave Formula Junior

    Jun 3, 2005
    531
    Charlotte NC
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Thanks guys!

    Vincent, ill give you ring after 5 your time today.

    Dave
     
  10. mambodave

    mambodave Formula Junior

    Jun 3, 2005
    531
    Charlotte NC
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #10 mambodave, Dec 11, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just got back late last night....

    Thanks to all for the advice. We had 5 very full days.

    A few of the things we did:

    Dining:
    French Laundry
    Mustards Grill in Napa
    Generals Daughter (our fav of the week)
    Girl the the Fig
    Elderado Kitchen

    A few Winery's we visited (not all, we hit 12 or so and ran out of time):
    These were our favorites:
    Ledson
    Muscardini
    Deerfield Ranch

    Was a very great and relaxing trip. We spent 1 day in Napa, 2 days in sonoma, then relaxed on Sunday at the hotel.

    Here is a pic of us (Me on the left, My SO and then Michael Muscardini on the right (small off the path winery. Great Wines and He is really a nice guy from what we could see)
    The next pic was at Ledson, then just a few countryside shots.
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  11. OneofMillions

    OneofMillions Karting

    Nov 8, 2007
    128
    Toronto, Ont
    Full Name:
    Christian L.
    Deerfield makes some amazing wines. I've been collecting deerfield wines for about 10 years now. Some of their Meritage blends from the late 90's are stunning. Good choice to go there. I've actually never been. I started collecting their wines through the Family Wineries Collective they use to be a part of.
     
  12. mambodave

    mambodave Formula Junior

    Jun 3, 2005
    531
    Charlotte NC
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Deerfield is pretty interesting. They only do private tasting at the owners home, which is amazing. Id really recomend going.
     
  13. LUCCA-7

    LUCCA-7 Karting

    Apr 24, 2006
    121
    California
    Glad you both had a great time. The French Laundry = It's an must do experience, but over rated & stuffy . . . what did you think at $249 per person plus wine? We like Mustards a lot. Generals Daughter (happy to see it was your favorite) is our favorite, as I stated. Girl & the Fig is decent. El Derado Kitchen has a great trendy atmosphere, but the food is not consistent.
     
  14. mambodave

    mambodave Formula Junior

    Jun 3, 2005
    531
    Charlotte NC
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Dinner was $800ish (after wine and all) at French Laundry... Was a good experience, but dont think well go back if we come back out.
     
  15. LUCCA-7

    LUCCA-7 Karting

    Apr 24, 2006
    121
    California

    EXACTLY . . . now you can say "been there, done that !"
     
  16. Choptop

    Choptop F1 Rookie

    Aug 15, 2004
    4,455
    Carmichael, CA
    Full Name:
    Alan Galbraith
    a fave here as well.
     

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