I have seen most peoples posts about the best wineries and that has caused my wife and I to change our plans for Napa. We were originally going to go on a bus tour of 4 wineries but now want to rent a car and go by ourselves. Figured it would be more fun and more intimate that way. But we need everyone's input on your favorite 4-5 that you have been to. Let me know what you think and thanks for the help.

Just realize that you will get buzzed so drive carefully.

Silver Oak was awesome, wine was meh, but the vineyard is beautiful

Everyone will have different favorites.

A few I recommend to people:
- Nickel & Nickel: great estate cab's and all red tastings
- Joseph Phelps: beautiful winery setting and a wine I enjoy to drink at home
- Artesa: Not actually in Napa but in Carneros. If you're a fan of Pinot Noir, Carneros is a great region for Pinot grapes. Artesa has a neat view looking south towards San Fransisco Bay and a lot of modern art.

As evidence by everyone will have their favorites... I disagree with the poster above on the quality of Silver Oak wine (I think its great) but their tasting wasn't my favorite.

To each his own. That's why their are so many. My other advice is pick some small obscure wineries and pop in for a visit. They usually don't require reservations, have generous tastings and are happy to sit and chat with you.

[This message has been edited by Ags03 (edited 7/10/2012 10:31a).]

So far we are thinking the following:

1st - Domain Carneros for Champagne to start
2nd - V Sattui and then lunch there
3rd - Sterling Vineyards
4th - Del Dotto

Then finishing with dinner in Healdsburg.

No to V Sattui and NO NO NO to Sterling.

Nickel & Nickel (or Far Niente if you like cars) - both are pretty fancy
Gargiulo - super intimate
Terraces - fun tour
Saddleback - tiny, casual winery (picnic here)


Have heard good things about Del Dotto but have not been. If you are set on going there I'd replace one of the first 2 above.

quote:

---

No to V Sattui and NO NO NO to Sterling

---

Any reason why? Sterling looks pretty good but V Sattui can easily be replaced.

Frank Family!

if you are going to Healdsburg, go to Seghesio Winery. They were awesome and the wine was great.

Sterling has horrible wine and the views are just not that good to warrant the crappy wine. We did Sterling on our first trip to Napa and even without much experience it was obvious the place sucked. If you want good views - check out Keever.

Good to know. We updated everything and now will be doing 3 tours.

1 - Domain Carneros
2 - Del Dotto
3 - Far Niente

Pretty pumped and I appreciate the input.

And trying to hit Frank Family before they close if we have time. Should be pretty close but I'm not sure.

[This message has been edited by skdeford (edited 7/10/2012 2:58p).]

FYI some of the vineyards are by reservations only so check in advance prior to showing up. I believe Cakebread Cellars was by reservation when we went and we were turned away. May be different now but it doesn't hurt to check before going.

FYI you have to have a reservation at Nickel & Nickel. When we went we also tasted one white but that may have been under their other label Far Niente.

I recommend both N&N and Silver Oak. We enjoyed both and really had great tour guide at Silver Oak

Call Bruce at Wine Country Safaris. He picks you up and drops you in his van, takes you to the best vineyards for your varietal interests, and no tasting fees for his guests.

Cake Bread
Silver Oak

What kinds of wines do you like? Are you serious wine enthusiasts or more casual? We just got back from our honeymoon there but have been 6+ times, so I have many recos, just depends on your tastes.

http://castellodiamorosa.ewinerysolutions.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage

quote:

---

No to V Sattui and NO NO NO to Sterling.

---

+1

For our last winery, we are trying to decide between Keever and Vine Ridge. I like that Keever does the tours by the owners and seems like it would be more personable. Vine Ridge seems like it would be great views and they have a few more wines to taste, where Keever only has 4 reds.

Any thoughts or experiences?

Haven't been to Vine Ridge - unless you mean Pine Ridge (I haven't heard of a Vine Ridge winery) and I've been there a half dozen times and I've also been to Keever. Very different experiences. Keever will be VERY personal, beautiful views, quiet. Pine Ridge is much larger, they do a number of different tours that are all enjoyable, beautiful grounds, but you will likely taste at the tasting bar. That said, they have many more wines are varying price points and their wines are good.
If you are more social people, like to talk with others while on a tour or tasting, then I'd go for Pine Ridge.
If you are less social, want to focus more of learning about their specific wine, like attention of the owner (they're lovely) then go to Keever.
I'd say you can't really go wrong at either.

My wife LOVES v sattui

Far Niente is great. Pride Mountain is awesome if you can get a tour. St. Supery has just completely redone their tasting room and guest area, it's modern and cool plus the wines are pretty good. We also enjoyed our tasting at Chimney Rock.

That castle looks cool. I've never heard of it before. Anyone else been?