TL,DR version at the bottom
So this isn't about what is in my cellar, but more of a question to those that have been to Napa so that I might have a little more knowledge to help start a cellar.
The wife and I just came back after three full days of staying at a friends house in downtown Napa. The first day, which was really only half a day by the time we arrived, was spent downtown. My wife had been years ago just passing through and we really enjoyed the area. Went to Wine Thief for a tasting, Fatted Calf for charcuterie and a few other bar hops.
Second day was in wine country. It's not that my wife doesn't like wine, it's just she knows what she does like and it happens to be cheap. She gets a white blend at $8.98/bottle. She has tried tons of others, some cheaper some more expensive, and she always goes back to her Apothic White. I guess good for me that I have a cheap date, but it's difficult trying to get into and talk wine when everything I say goes in one ear and out the other. Anyway, my wife prefers to sit with a glass of wine instead of the tastings because it all taste the same to her. We did not realize there are many wineries you can't just buy a glass/bottle to drink on site, so our friend took us to a few places for a glass after a couple of tastings.
Wineries we visited:
-JCB in Yountville after breakfast at Bouchon bakery
-Conn Creek(enjoyed the knowledge they share)
-Elizabeth Spencer(nice garden)
-V Sattui(winery meets Bucees...not my favorite)
-Clif Family Winery(enjoyed the tasting room/server)
Now I know there are better places than these, but I enjoyed aspects of each one. My question to the people that have been to these places and the surrounding area, how would you rate these wineries/wines and what would you say is similar in price? My friend is club member to tons of wineries so she is willing to buy wine for me with her discount.
I guess to finish if the visit, we spent the last day downtown again, mostly at Oxbow, drinking outside and eating tons of cheese...pretty good day.
TL,DR - what do you think of the wineries above and what other wineries compare?
TIA