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Napa winery recommendations - Page 2

post #16 of 29
6/2/09 at 4:19pm
You HAVE to take a tour and do a tasting at Castello di Amorosa. The castle will blow your mind, and the wine is pretty amazing as well. Summers in Calistoga is great, too. Go for a tasting and bring a picnic lunch to eat while you play bocce on their court.
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post #17 of 29
6/2/09 at 9:38pm
We arranged for a private tasting and tour at this place a year or two ago, and had a good time:

http://www.quixotewinery.com

Interesting architecture as well.
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post #18 of 29
6/3/09 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 
Anybody done the Shafer tasting? $45
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post #19 of 29
6/3/09 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by audiophilia View Post
Thanks, b.

I'll be in Napa for 5 days. Lots of time to take our time. 2 a day, a siesta then Bouchon one day, FL the next. Maybe Healdsburg if FL wait list does not come thru. Hopefully, the Audi conv comes through. Rt now, it's a Mustang GT conv

If FL doesn't come through, La Toque (Chef Ken Frank) in Napa is excellent also. In addition, if you make it to Healdsburg, dine at Cyrus. Over the top!
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post #20 of 29
6/3/09 at 5:23pm
Vino?

BR Cohn in Sonoma Valley

Ceja in downtown Napa
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post #21 of 29
6/3/09 at 5:33pm
Thouroughly enjoyed Chappalett as well as Rudd.
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post #22 of 29
6/3/09 at 9:43pm
Heitz Cellars
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post #23 of 29
6/4/09 at 2:29am
Peju, our favorite out of all of them. Whatever you do, go there, you will not be sorry, amazing wine, and really nice winery.

www.peju.com

Have fun!
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post #24 of 29
6/4/09 at 7:55am
I've only been to Napa once and did cakebread, duckhorn, peju stopped at mondavi and sterling.

Sterling has a great view from the top of a knoll and the facility is interesting as it is more openly industrial than the others.

With my limited knowledge, in terms of learning and talking to people cakebread was the best followed by pejus. I went mid week in April if that makes a difference and toured around by myself.
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post #25 of 29
6/4/09 at 8:13am
If you have time, there is a really interesting winery just north of Calistoga called Vincent Arroyo. It is a real small operation, the whole thing is in a couple of barns. The wine, however, is really good, and the hosts are A+. It's just something different from the larger industrial wineries to the south. Buy whatever wine Vincent named after the dog - that is usually the good one (even if it's a blend). I liked Sterling too FWIW. Self guided tour, so it isn't boring, plus you get to see a large-scale operation at work
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post #26 of 29
6/4/09 at 8:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big A View Post
If you have time, there is a really interesting winery just north of Calistoga called Vincent Arroyo. It is a real small operation, the whole thing is in a couple of barns. The wine, however, is really good, and the hosts are A+. It's just something different from the larger industrial wineries to the south.

Buy whatever wine Vincent named after the dog - that is usually the good one (even if it's a blend).

I liked Sterling too FWIW. Self guided tour, so it isn't boring, plus you get to see a large-scale operation at work

Right on, as Arroyo was my recommendation as well. The wine named after one of their dogs is the JJ's Blend. Try the port too.
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post #27 of 29
6/4/09 at 8:39pm
+1 on going to a "real deal" winery like Aroyo or Saddleback. Frankly, it's harder to find such wineries in Napa these days. Many a solid winemaker and winery owner has given in to tasting rooms with nick nacks that make them look a touch like the over the top tasting room in Sideways.

Other interesting smaller producers include Elyse and Havens, both of which are near Domaine Chandon which, though large, is a nice way to start any day of tasting.

I go to Napa regularly, but if you have time I'd recommend Sonoma or one of the other areas mentioned here. It's nice to get into country where you see tractors and beat up trucks and signs of real production and agriculture. Plus the folks there tend to treat you like tasters used to be treated in Napa -- with gratitude.
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post #28 of 29
6/4/09 at 9:51pm
Thread Starter 
Many thanks, guys. Keep them coming.
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post #29 of 29
6/5/09 at 12:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by audiophilia View Post
Anybody done the Shafer tasting? $45

Yep. Great experience. Highly recommend.

We even had the pleasure of John Shafer visiting with us in the tasting room. Very nice man.
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