Sonoma, Napa Valley trip

[Soulsearching]

Leaving at the end of May for a trip to Wine Country. We are staying at a Bed and Breakfast on the Napa side, that got great reviews on Trip Advisory for four nights. Comes with a very large breakfast. Full fridge of desserts and beverages in the evening. Staying at the Fairmont in Sonoma for two nights. Comes with breakfast.

*We may also be visiting the Redwood Forest, for a day, a change of pace in between it all. Just so we are not visiting wineries for 6 days. We know where it is located and that we will be back tracking, but don't mind taking the day if we want a change.

Pretty much have wineries picked out, well the commercial wineries. No reservations were made for tours.

Thinking of taking a tour with Platypus Wine Tours for the boutique wineries in the area. It includes a lunch. Has anyone done this? Is it worth the money?

We did not make any dinner reservations. Thinking of winging it. We are just not sure how hungry we will be at the end of the day, to go to dinner. Is this a mistake? Thinking of just ordering in or picking up something at the end of the day at a market and calling it a day. Your thoughts....

Would love to hear any advice you have to give, and recommendations regarding wineries, markets, restaurants, etc. Any advice all. What I should not miss, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Mooshu]

I have never been on the Platpus Wine tours before, but when I have friends visit the area I usually like to visit:

http://oxbowpublicmarket.com/
http://www.silveradovineyards.com/ (Co-founded by Diane Disney Miller)
https://www.vsattui.com/ (Beautiful picnic grounds and Italian deli inside to pick up lunch)

 

[Soulsearching]

I have never been on the Platpus Wine tours before, but when I have friends visit the area I usually like to visit:

http://oxbowpublicmarket.com/
http://www.silveradovineyards.com/ (Co-founded by Diane Disney Miller)
https://www.vsattui.com/ (Beautiful picnic grounds and Italian deli inside to pick up lunch)

Thanks so much for your post!

 

[usnuzuloose]

There are so many eateries. Dear husband says Silverado country club for eating. I know there is a place that has a lot of the famous chefs go in and cook. I can't think of the name right now. I will reps ear h for you. I will look a little later as I have an appointment .

 

[Soulsearching]

There are so many eateries. Dear husband says Silverado country club for eating. I know there is a place that has a lot of the famous chefs go in and cook. I can't think of the name right now. I will reps ear h for you. I will look a little later as I have an appointment .

What a great board! Thanks for taking the time to look into it for me.

 

[ceecee]

Sunflower Café in downtown Sonoma is the best and reasonably priced. Redwoods are definitely worth a look as well, don't miss that.

 

[Soulsearching]

Sunflower Café in downtown Sonoma is the best and reasonably priced. Redwoods are definitely worth a look as well, don't miss that.

Thanks for posting!

 

[craigkerstiens]

I could go on pretty long here... but I'll try to hit the high points. If you want a Disney connection there's quite a few wineries with some connection to Disney in the area (Lasseter and Silverado of note).

If you're looking for a little more casual easy going then venturing over to Sonoma is worthwhile and not too far from Napa, if you want a little more ornate or big bold reds then Napa is your place. Depending on what you're looking for will really shift what I'd recommend. Mentioned above, but I'll +1 it as I absolutely love Sunflower Cafe, it's great food and very reasonably priced. The girl and the fig is also a bit of a staple in Sonoma and right on the square. As for wineries it really depends on what you're looking for Lasseter family wine (by John and Nancy) is a wonderful experience. If you're a cab fan, in Napa I'd recommend Pina as its a bit more out of the way but outstanding cabs at a fraction of others (for the quality), if you're a Pinot fan I'd recommend Sojourn cellars over in Sonoma.

I've written up a bit on wineries (here and here) after recommending different things to people many a time, but if there's specifics you have such as looking for a certain varietal you know you like, or wanting more beautiful scenery that can help at more specific recommendations.

 

[Soulsearching]

I could go on pretty long here... but I'll try to hit the high points. If you want a Disney connection there's quite a few wineries with some connection to Disney in the area (Lasseter and Silverado of note).

If you're looking for a little more casual easy going then venturing over to Sonoma is worthwhile and not too far from Napa, if you want a little more ornate or big bold reds then Napa is your place. Depending on what you're looking for will really shift what I'd recommend. Mentioned above, but I'll +1 it as I absolutely love Sunflower Cafe, it's great food and very reasonably priced. The girl and the fig is also a bit of a staple in Sonoma and right on the square. As for wineries it really depends on what you're looking for Lasseter family wine (by John and Nancy) is a wonderful experience. If you're a cab fan, in Napa I'd recommend Pina as its a bit more out of the way but outstanding cabs at a fraction of others (for the quality), if you're a Pinot fan I'd recommend Sojourn cellars over in Sonoma.

I've written up a bit on wineries (here and here) after recommending different things to people many a time, but if there's specifics you have such as looking for a certain varietal you know you like, or wanting more beautiful scenery that can help at more specific recommendations.

WOW! What a great post. Thank you for all the info.

 

[Sully321]

Check out BR Cohn in Sonoma. Went last fall. It is owned and run by the manager of the Doobie Brothers. All the albums and guitars are on the wall. Have a huge selection of wines and iols to taste. 7 samples iI think for like $15. We became members and have ordered 2 cases already.

 

[Soulsearching]

Check out BR Cohn in Sonoma. Went last fall. It is owned and run by the manager of the Doobie Brothers. All the albums and guitars are on the wall. Have a huge selection of wines and iols to taste. 7 samples iI think for like $15. We became members and have ordered 2 cases already.

This sounds fun, thanks for posting.

 

[SMD]

If you're foodies and there are specific places you want to try, it could be a mistake not to have reservations. Many places do lunch reservations, so that could be an option. I recommend signing up for Open Table and downloading their app. That way you can find a local place and grab the next available reservation if you decide you want to go out. Can I recommend a place in Yountville called Ad Hoc? They sell boxed lunches under the name Addendum, and one of the options is fried chicken. You have to order in advance on their website.

 

[MillauFr]

This thread is very helpful....

http://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=97754

 

[Soulsearching]

If you're foodies and there are specific places you want to try, it could be a mistake not to have reservations. Many places do lunch reservations, so that could be an option. I recommend signing up for Open Table and downloading their app. That way you can find a local place and grab the next available reservation if you decide you want to go out. Can I recommend a place in Yountville called Ad Hoc? They sell boxed lunches under the name Addendum, and one of the options is fried chicken. You have to order in advance on their website.

Just checked out the menu, Yum! I love fried chicken. Thanks for posting.

 

[Soulsearching]

This thread is very helpful....

http://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=97754

Another WOW! Very informative. Thanks for posting.

 

[usnuzuloose]

There are a lot of things suggested to you.

Try using these sites for the area of Napa..it may help get some discounts for the area

Travel Zoo .com
Groupon.com

LivingSocial.com

Make sure you take your camera, so many beautiful wineries.

 

[tnd]

I have not been to Napa in many years, but I grew up there. My favorite winery to visit as a kid was the Hess Collection because it had an art museum. I always got dragged along with my parents and out-of-town guests, so the art gave me something to do. Mount Veeder is also just beautiful and a nice, if curvy, drive.

 

[Soulsearching]

I have not been to Napa in many years, but I grew up there. My favorite winery to visit as a kid was the Hess Collection because it had an art museum. I always got dragged along with my parents and out-of-town guests, so the art gave me something to do. Mount Veeder is also just beautiful and a nice, if curvy, drive.

I'm going to have to mention this post to my brother. He is a big Hess collector. Thanks!

 

[Soulsearching]

There are a lot of things suggested to you.

Try using these sites for the area of Napa..it may help get some discounts for the area

Travel Zoo .com
Groupon.com

LivingSocial.com

Make sure you take your camera, so many beautiful wineries.

I have been looking through these sites since I started collecting info. Love a Discount! Thanks

 

[nancygirl1]

What a great thread! We are going to CA in June and are making a day trip to Napa. Up until this point (thank you to everyone who posted) I have had no information about the area. Soulsearching, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but everyone here is so helpful. I have one question (I hope you don't mind)...we are a family of 5...two parents, 23 yr. old son and two 21 yr. old sons. Where would you recommend that we go with only one day to spend there? Hijacking done! Thank you!