Napa/Sonoma "Must Do’s"

[Anonymous]

Some of the ones I visited recently I liked:

Amizetta
Round Pond
Failla
Schramsberg (sparkling)
Cliff Lede

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also at Korbel - Korbel Brandy!

Another vote for Korbel. It's a great place for a simple deli lunch. The tables are nestled in the trees, though, and you can enjoy a split of sparkling. They also have many sparkling varieties to try that you can only purchase on-sight or through the wine club.

[Anonymous]

Opus One.

[Anonymous]

2nd schramsburg. Also lunch at mustard’s grill. Frank family is a great vibe. And eat at ad hoc!

[Anonymous]

Most of y’all are wine jokers. Crap wine is crap wine even at the vineyard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of y’all are wine jokers. Crap wine is crap wine even at the vineyard.

Why don't you just stick to things you know like moonshine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of y’all are wine jokers. Crap wine is crap wine even at the vineyard.

Why don't you just stick to things you know like moonshine.

Great response. I lol.

[Anonymous]

We live in SF and visit Napa/Sonoma often. My recent favorite is Fantasca. Read about them on your website, my explanation won’t do them justice. Pricey but worth it:

https://fantesca.com/

It’s a little outside St Helena

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Sonoma County, and my family still lives there. I have family and friends who work in the wine industry.

Avoid some of the big commercial brands you see above. You're going to wine country. Try wines you can't easily get here.

I recommend a seated patio tasting at Twomey's Russian River tasting room. They're known for their Sauvignon Blanc, but their Pinot Noir is solid. The tasting room light and airy and has beautiful views. https://twomey.com/visit/healdsburg-russian-river-valley/.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Healdsburg offers many different options for experiences. Enjoy their food while you're there, https://www.jordanwinery.com.

If you like reds, by all means go to Silver Oak. They're Twomey's big sister and renowned for their Cabs. They have wineries in both Napa and Alexander Valleys, https://silveroak.com.

Iron Horse in Sebastopol has beautiful sparkling wines and lovely grounds, https://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/?utm_source=wcm&utm_medium=winecountry.com&utm_campaign=content.

If you want to enjoy a spa visit, Osmosis in Freestone is a standout and not typical. In addition to services, they'll serve you a healthy lunch, and you can spend time in the zen garden and tea room. https://www.osmosis.com/spa-menu/

The town of Occidental has a bohemian atmosphere and is worth visiting. The Union Hotel has existed since the 1800s and the Italian restaurant there is a fun place to eat and/or have a drink. https://unionhoteloccidental.com

If you tire of the wineries, horseback riding at the Chanslor Ranch in Bodega Bay is a wonderful way enjoy the stunning ocean views. https://chanslorstables.com/service/guided-trail-rides/

Keep in mind that by late September, many of the grapes will have already been harvested and it may not be as green as you would hope.

+1 to avoiding all these big names you see here and Silver Oak. There’s a little winery close to silver oak called PlumpJack that I love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Sonoma County, and my family still lives there. I have family and friends who work in the wine industry.

Avoid some of the big commercial brands you see above. You're going to wine country. Try wines you can't easily get here.

I recommend a seated patio tasting at Twomey's Russian River tasting room. They're known for their Sauvignon Blanc, but their Pinot Noir is solid. The tasting room light and airy and has beautiful views. https://twomey.com/visit/healdsburg-russian-river-valley/.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Healdsburg offers many different options for experiences. Enjoy their food while you're there, https://www.jordanwinery.com.

If you like reds, by all means go to Silver Oak. They're Twomey's big sister and renowned for their Cabs. They have wineries in both Napa and Alexander Valleys, https://silveroak.com.

Iron Horse in Sebastopol has beautiful sparkling wines and lovely grounds, https://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/?utm_source=wcm&utm_medium=winecountry.com&utm_campaign=content.

If you want to enjoy a spa visit, Osmosis in Freestone is a standout and not typical. In addition to services, they'll serve you a healthy lunch, and you can spend time in the zen garden and tea room. https://www.osmosis.com/spa-menu/

The town of Occidental has a bohemian atmosphere and is worth visiting. The Union Hotel has existed since the 1800s and the Italian restaurant there is a fun place to eat and/or have a drink. https://unionhoteloccidental.com

If you tire of the wineries, horseback riding at the Chanslor Ranch in Bodega Bay is a wonderful way enjoy the stunning ocean views. https://chanslorstables.com/service/guided-trail-rides/

Keep in mind that by late September, many of the grapes will have already been harvested and it may not be as green as you would hope.

+1 to avoiding all these big names you see here and Silver Oak. There’s a little winery close to silver oak called PlumpJack that I love.

Isn't Plumpjack Gavin Newsom's winery that got all the bad press? All the wineries were shut for tastings, except his.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Sonoma County, and my family still lives there. I have family and friends who work in the wine industry.

Avoid some of the big commercial brands you see above. You're going to wine country. Try wines you can't easily get here.

I recommend a seated patio tasting at Twomey's Russian River tasting room. They're known for their Sauvignon Blanc, but their Pinot Noir is solid. The tasting room light and airy and has beautiful views. https://twomey.com/visit/healdsburg-russian-river-valley/.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Healdsburg offers many different options for experiences. Enjoy their food while you're there, https://www.jordanwinery.com.

If you like reds, by all means go to Silver Oak. They're Twomey's big sister and renowned for their Cabs. They have wineries in both Napa and Alexander Valleys, https://silveroak.com.

Iron Horse in Sebastopol has beautiful sparkling wines and lovely grounds, https://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/?utm_source=wcm&utm_medium=winecountry.com&utm_campaign=content.

If you want to enjoy a spa visit, Osmosis in Freestone is a standout and not typical. In addition to services, they'll serve you a healthy lunch, and you can spend time in the zen garden and tea room. https://www.osmosis.com/spa-menu/

The town of Occidental has a bohemian atmosphere and is worth visiting. The Union Hotel has existed since the 1800s and the Italian restaurant there is a fun place to eat and/or have a drink. https://unionhoteloccidental.com

If you tire of the wineries, horseback riding at the Chanslor Ranch in Bodega Bay is a wonderful way enjoy the stunning ocean views. https://chanslorstables.com/service/guided-trail-rides/

Keep in mind that by late September, many of the grapes will have already been harvested and it may not be as green as you would hope.

+1 to avoiding all these big names you see here and Silver Oak. There’s a little winery close to silver oak called PlumpJack that I love.

Isn't Plumpjack Gavin Newsom's winery that got all the bad press? All the wineries were shut for tastings, except his.

So funny, I just googled this to make sure it was still open, and had no idea it was Gavin Newsom’s! I still loved the wine.

[Anonymous]

I go to Napa and Sonoma all the time, and live in the Bay Area. The whole flight/tasting ~experience~ is lost on me, but the Sonoma suggestions above are solid. I think the Russian River Valley is the best kept secret.

If you like reds, a stop at Silver Oak is a good idea. A few of the rich older ladies I know had events at Mountain right before the pandemic.

If you are in Sonoma, Iron Horse in Sebastopol produces the wine that is served at every White House state dinner, and the scenery is so gorgeous. Sonoma is more laid back and honestly not as cheugy as Napa. The Sonoma coast is, to me, the prettiest stretch of coastline in California.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Sonoma County, and my family still lives there. I have family and friends who work in the wine industry.

Avoid some of the big commercial brands you see above. You're going to wine country. Try wines you can't easily get here.

I recommend a seated patio tasting at Twomey's Russian River tasting room. They're known for their Sauvignon Blanc, but their Pinot Noir is solid. The tasting room light and airy and has beautiful views. https://twomey.com/visit/healdsburg-russian-river-valley/.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Healdsburg offers many different options for experiences. Enjoy their food while you're there, https://www.jordanwinery.com.

If you like reds, by all means go to Silver Oak. They're Twomey's big sister and renowned for their Cabs. They have wineries in both Napa and Alexander Valleys, https://silveroak.com.

Iron Horse in Sebastopol has beautiful sparkling wines and lovely grounds, https://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/?utm_source=wcm&utm_medium=winecountry.com&utm_campaign=content.

If you want to enjoy a spa visit, Osmosis in Freestone is a standout and not typical. In addition to services, they'll serve you a healthy lunch, and you can spend time in the zen garden and tea room. https://www.osmosis.com/spa-menu/

The town of Occidental has a bohemian atmosphere and is worth visiting. The Union Hotel has existed since the 1800s and the Italian restaurant there is a fun place to eat and/or have a drink. https://unionhoteloccidental.com

If you tire of the wineries, horseback riding at the Chanslor Ranch in Bodega Bay is a wonderful way enjoy the stunning ocean views. https://chanslorstables.com/service/guided-trail-rides/

Keep in mind that by late September, many of the grapes will have already been harvested and it may not be as green as you would hope.

+1 Best post on the thread by a mile. Spot on.

[Anonymous]

I go to Napa and Sonoma all the time, and live in the Bay Area. The whole flight/tasting ~experience~ is lost on me, but the Sonoma suggestions above are solid. I think the Russian River Valley is the best kept secret.

If you like reds, a stop at Silver Oak is a good idea. A few of the rich older ladies I know had events at Mountain right before the pandemic.

If you are in Sonoma, Iron Horse in Sebastopol produces the wine that is served at every White House state dinner, and the scenery is so gorgeous. Sonoma is more laid back and honestly not as cheugy as Napa. The Sonoma coast is, to me, the prettiest stretch of coastline in California.

+1
Try Gary Farrell as well as Iron Horse if you make it this far west.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ferrari Carano is beautiful and great wine.

I would suggest going to the places where you know you like the wine. Lots of “experiences” at the winery but you will get home with bottles you don’t like.

Think your favorite wines first and foremost.

We just got back from Sonoma today and this was one of our two faves. The other was Storybook Mountain. Loved both for different reasons!