What Can be Better Than This, I ask???

Jack: “Hey Jill, I’m in the mood for wine.”

Jill: “Really? I’ll break out the box.”

Jack: “Box?”

Jill: “Yeah. It’s wine… in a… box. Uh…”

Jack: (silence)

Napa Valley. California’s wine capital. Next to Bordeaux, France, where would one rather be, I ask you? Well, where else would Jill and I rather be. Ok, maybe Las Vegas, but work with us here. Wine

The Napa Valley is an oenophile’s paradise! Spanning towns such as Napa, Rutherford, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga, this 30-mile stretch of beautiful terra firma is home to some of the most incredible homes, hotels and restaurants as well as an abundance of vineyards that occupy the landscape.

There are more than 400 wineries across Napa Valley; everything from the quaint start-up to the powerhouse producers. Hence, many options, and ultimately considerations, exist as far as planning that grape-filled holiday.

Winetasting

First off, how exactly does winetasting work? Well, the best way to sample a winery’s offerings is to pay for one. As the phrase states, this is your chance to taste some (or all, depending on the spot) of the winery’s current releases. Many producers offer formal winetasting’s (‘formal’ as in organized, not attire).

Some will incorporate foods etc., into the experience. Many tastings are seated, as you would at a restaurant, and a server/host/sommelier brings the wines to you. Some wineries still use tasting bars where one simply walks up and orders (sort of like a wedding, but better). The wineries tend to be actively involved during tastings, providing general tasting notes before and after you sample. It’s a wonderful experience and the hosts are to be taken advantage of. After all, how many times can you drink with someone who actually knows what they’re drinking??!

Many wineries do require appointments, especially if your desire is to taste their reserves (aka, the real expensive stuff), or even wish to have a pairing along with your vino. For this experience, we would recommend contacting the winery’s website and/or call.

Once you’re in enjoying the fruits of their labor (pun intended), sit back and enjoy! There is no rush. Tastings can last about an hour or so, while more involved tastings can go anywhere from two to three hours. Hosts are trained to pace the tastings slowly to keep everyone relaxed. Be mindful; one doesn’t need to drink every drop of each serving. Tables and bars are equipped with dump buckets into which you can pour any wine you’d rather pass on. Sort of like, spittin’ in a patoon (is that even a word?).

Cost

It’s all about the Benjamin’s! The cost for these experiences can vary depending on the big picture. Most wineries will charge $30 to $50 per person. That being said, wineries do tend to refund the price of one tasting with each bottle purchased (incentive). More involved tastings, say ones which include reserves and/or are paired with food courses, tend to be more expensive, ranging between $75 and $125 per person.

Last point on cost: tips are not expected but always appreciated. Your call.

Travel

Ah, the question that crossed my mind; how do I get around the Valley (especially seeing as Jill will be considerably inebriated by the second stop)?

If you’re planning to drive yourself, DON’T. Seriously. Rideshares serve the region well (Uber or Lyft). About a dozen private transportation companies operate in the valley, too, such as Napa Valley Tours & Transportation, Pure Luxury Transportation, and Beau Wine Tours & Limousine Service. As an aside, keep in mind that the valley is big so it can take longer than you expect to get from one winery to another, so plan your tastings accordingly.

But wait! There’s more! Another option for exploring the valley is the Napa Wine Train. This old-school train service of refurbished Pullman railcars offers a variety of tours to explore Napa Valley. The Wine Train also offers seasonal events aboard the rails, everything from special New Year’s Eve packages to one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day trips.

For those who find ‘vineyard hopping’ not challenging enough, you can up the ante! Bicycle rentals are available at bike shops (we kid you not!). The Vine Trail Napa Valley, a dedicated bike path, runs 12 miles from downtown Napa to Yountville. They are looking to extend the trail, bringing it to about 50 miles from the bottom of the valley to the top. Not sure that’s a good idea, though. Really.

Choices

The wine world IS intimidating to those who fancy themselves sommeliers when really, you’re simply an enthusiastic participant. And like anything, some wineries are better than others at making one not feel like a mo-ron. The Robert Mondavi Winery, which opened in Rutherford in 1966, named after its founder, is on such place. Walking into the winery is like walking back in time, to the Spanish-controlled California; stunning mission-style architecture, complete with a bell tower and expansive archway. What’s more, the vineyards are close enough to the tasting room to touch. Other great wineries for beginners include V. Sattui Winery, offering an extensive selection of varieties and Clos du Val, offering panoramic views of the near valley.

$$$ Choices

Reserve wines (also known as “Cult wines”) are hard to find wines. And VERY expensive ones, to boot!  The best wineries for oenophiles are the wineries that make these exceptional wines. In this category you’ll find Caymus Vineyards, a stone winery in Rutherford; Silver Oak, an Oakville winery that is famous for its iconic water tower;  and Opus One Winery, an Oakville winery that looks like a modern fortress built into the landscape (note: Opus One is a favorite!). Others include Duckhorn, Quintessa, and Dana Estate. And then there is VGS Chateau Potelle which had the highest-selling lot at Auction Napa Valley 2018. Wine lovers bid on barrels (yes, barrels) of wine to be bottled at a later date. Which begs the question; can one ever have too much wine???

Food

Food pairings are now obligatory in the world of wine tasting. Hence, they go hand in hand. A few choices in this category would be Piazza Del Dotto Winery & Caves, B Cellars, which offers adventures around the vineyard, and Signorello Estate in Stags Leap (note: another favorite!), which was burned to the ground, reopened and serves tasty portions with each of four glasses of wine.

Selfies 

The Alpha Omega Winery is separated from State Highway 29 by a giant fountain that has become one of the most photographed icons of the valley. At Raymond Vineyards, one will find red walls and loads of picture frames. Other popular places are Ashes & Diamonds Winery, with its 1970s motif; brand-new The Prisoner Wine Company, and Darioush Estate, which has Persian-style columns lining the entrance. Or you can simply stumble out to the vines at ANY winery and take ‘drunkies.’

Information

The number one resource for all-things Napa Valley is Visit Napa Valley.