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Napa Valley is home to world class wineries and the roads to all these wineries are few. So, the traffic builds up on weekends and the summer months of May through September. A way to see the Valley starting in Napa and going round trip through the Valley is on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
It is exciting from the moment you enter the train station which is almost like a Napa Valley museum till the last step you take off the train on your return. Not only do you see the heavy auto traffic on the roads from the train, you can view the expansive fields and hills of grapevines as well as the many wineries along the trains route. Inside the train, which is a throwback to the glory days of railroading in the USA, you can enjoy a dining car, lounge car and and elevated seating car. My wife and I sat in the lounge car and enjoyed a glass of wine while watching the traffic at a standstill on the nearby road. When we were called for lunch in the dining call, it was set up first class and the meal was excellent.
Fun for all and lunch or dinner tours are available. Open seven days a week , Luncheon tour boarding at 11 am, Mon.-Fri. and Brunch, 9 am and Lunch, 1 pm Sat.- Sun.. The Dinner train is daily at 6 pm. All train rides are three hours. Advance reservations are suggested and Jackets are suggested on Dinner Trains. Choo, Choo, and Chug, Chug. Leave a Comment Address: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa CA 94559Phone: 707 253-2111Directions: In the heart of the town of Napa.Website: www.winetrain.com
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Napa Valley is large, not just Napa, but with Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga, all part of the Valley ,but Napa is the name known throughout the world. In the heart of this area is the V. Sattui Winery. Located in St. Helena, it is the only Winery to also have a gourmet Italian deli and also one of the few places in the Napa Valley to picnic. Open spaces with tables and benches to enjoy your wine, cheese, and bread. Maybe throw in some olives and salami and make a total picnic. The grounds of V. Sattui are set out so that the Winery and the Deli are both within a few steps of each other.
The buildings are typical wine country decor with fountains in the courtyard and stone facades with wood timbers and archways. The view is pure magic. A bonus to all, is that Darryl Sattui, the present owner, may greet you from behind the wine tasting bar, and will chat up a storm with anyone willing to listen to his love of wine and of making the best wine possible. The tastings here are free of charge and Darryl or others will give you more tastes of different wines, till you find the one that charms you the most. Buy the bottle and go out to the picnic area and enjoy the taste with all in your party, except the person who has to drive.
The reason that you may find a wine to your liking is because there are over 54 Gold Medals awarded to V. Sattui wines during 2004 alone, and was voted "Best Winery in California" out of 595 wineries. You cannot enjoy wines and not be tempted to drink more of V. Sattui wines at one sitting. Open every day 9 am to 6 pm (Nov.-Mar.,9-5) You can only purchase V. Sattui wines at the winery. Drive safely. Leave a Comment Address: White Lane at Hwy 29 St. Helena, CAPhone: 707 963-7774Directions: One and one-half miles south of St. Helena, toward Rutherford in the Napa Valley.Website: www.vsattui.com
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The Niebaum-Coppola Chateau Winery owned by the man who brought "The Godfather" movie to the silver screen, Francis Ford Coppola, is a beautiful example of mixing "Hollywood" with wine to come up with an interesting blend of spritz and glitz. Coppola, who had no real interest in wine but only the beauty and serenity of the Napa Valley settled in and began to enjoy the wine industry and created a reality of a dream.
The name Coppola on a bottle of wine now rates right up there with the best of wines, as does the name Coppola rates high on the list of top directors of movies. It seems as though anything Coppola does, he tries to be the best at it. Movies and wine, make for a great time. See my travelogue on the house that "The Godfather" built. It is a must see in the Napa Valley and gets my thumbs up.
UPDATE REPORT ON THE FOLLOWING: As of Feb. 1, 2006, the new name of this winery became "RUBICON ESTATE'". Rubicon Estate has a Twenty-Five Dollar guest fee, which includes entree, tasting of five estate wines, and a tour of the estate. Local residents and members of the RE wine club, enter without charge.
Francis Coppola has opened another winery in Geyserville with the Coppola label. Many changes have taken place at the Rubicon Estate winery and some of the movie glitz is not a part of this new/old winery. Francis, per his Wine Club Manager, has upgraded the wines with the RUBICON name and concentrated on fine wine from the estate in the Napa Valley. I have tasted the Rubicon Estate, Captain's Reserve 2003 Cabernet Savignon and I must give it a thumbs up. Leave a Comment Address: 1991 St. Helena Hwy. Rutherford, CAPhone: 800-782-4266Directions: North on Hwy 29 past Yountville in the Napa Valley on the west side of the highway. Open daily 10-5.Website: www.rubiconestate.com Other Contact: Tours 707-968-1161
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The Chimney Rock Winery is not a "must see activity" but a "must stop activity" if you find yourself on the Silverado Trail on the east side of Napa Valley. We stopped there on our bicycle ride down the Silverado Trail.
The tasting room is popular, crammed with many people trying to find a space at the counter to sample the wines. Despite the crowds, this winery is worth it. Chimney Rock produces an outstanding cabernet sauvignon and its unique signature red wine called "Elevage".
One of the bottles we tasted retailed for $100. Where else would we have an opportunity to sample a $100 wine? The wine was impressive, but we were just as satisfied with the much less expensive wines. Leave a Comment
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The CIA, Culinary Institute of America, is of course a class act professional cooking school for chefs (what CIA were you thinking of?) with a California branch located in the beautiful Napa Valley at St. Helena, since 1995. Before it became a cooking college, the massive stone building that is the center piece of the campus was the Christian Brothers Winery at Greystone Cellars from 1950 till 1989.
Now, instead of wine production, the 22 inch thick tufu stone building houses the production of top chefs. Visitors are welcome to look over the relics of the past while able to purchase the modern kitchen tools of the trade at the campus store, The Spice Islands Marketplace. Demonstration cooking sites are available to watch dishes being prepared by students and teachers, alike.
A wonderful restaurant, Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, is also at the CIA. This is a must visit location to see the past wine making of the Christian Brothers and Brother Timothy's (the wine master) unique corkscrew collection (1800 pieces) that is on display. Outside of a few large old barrels, the buildings main interest is in the preparation of food and of course , sampling the finished products. Leave a Comment Address: 2555 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574Phone: 707 967-1010Directions: North on Main Street, just past the town center of St. Helena. Hard to miss the large stone building on the left side of the main highway.Website: www.ciachef.edu
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Again Old Picture of a Domaine Chandon Winery. If you think Louis Vuitton and Moet et Chandon Champagne, then think Domain Chandon Winery! It is owned by the LVMH Group (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), the largest luxury brand consortium in the world! Hence it's wine estate is one of the largest and luxurious in the whole Wine Country area North of San Francisco. Chandon is the first French owned California winery since 1973. Today they grow grapes suitable for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier plus lots more. Wine tasting here is $ 16, for classic tasting including a wine tour. You should also check their Etoile Restaurant.
Hours: Daily; 10:00am-7:00pm May-October; 10am-6:00pm November-April Address: 1 California Drive , Yountville, CA 94599Phone: (707) 944-8844Directions: 1 California Drive , Yountville, CA 94599Website: www.chandon.com
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There are so many places, you'll see them everywhere!
From the small day spa tucked away in a quaint little converted house, to the posh spa at the well known hotels and golf resorts, you will find there is something for everyone.
My favorites:
KENWOOD INN & SPA, KENWOOD
(www.kenwoodinn.com)
This place is VERY expensive and not for everyone.
MOUNT VIEW HOTEL AND SPA, CALISTOGA
(www.mountviewhotel.com)
Much more reasonably priced! A wonderful environment with great package treatments available. Oh, and the hydrotherapy baths comfortably accomodate two... Leave a Comment
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A few recommendations:
NAPA WINE COMPANY, OAKVILLE
(http://www.napawineco.com/pavi.html)
I haven't been to the Napa Wine Co for tasting, I've only purchased the Pavi Dolcetto, originally tasted while dining at Auberge du Soleil. The Pavi Dolcetto is AMAZING! And only about $20.00 per bottle. TRY IT, you'll LOVE it!
V. SATTUI WINERY, ST. HELENA
(www.vsattui.com )
As mainstream and "touristy" as it is, I can't help but like it! The people who pour have always been very sociable and informative.
In addition to wonderful wines, the grounds are a wonderful place to enjoy the wine, cheeses, crackers, gourmet foods and desserts offered for sale at the winery.
You will not find their wines for sale other than at the winery but they will ship within the USA.
Their madeira (a dessert wine) is one of the BEST I've found so make sure you try it.
On Highway 29.
PEJU WINERY, RUTHERFORD
(www.peju.com)
90% of their wines are sold at the winery.
Try their wine named Carnival and see what you think! I'm into reds but this white tasted good enough to make me want to buy a bottle.
Note: Peju charges $5.00 for their tasting sessions which nomally include 3-5 different wines.
Joseph Phelps Winery
200 Taplin Road
St. Helena, CA
(off the Silverado Trail)
707-963-2745
(http://www.jpvwines.com/)
$20.00 per person for tasting AND an appointment is a MUST!
So many wineries, so little time! Sigh...
Sigh... Leave a Comment Directions: Grab a loca map and go at it! Most places are VERY easy to find...
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Classic Center of Yountville. This Vintage 1870 is now called VMarket and is the prime shopping (and tourist trap) area of Yountville. Why a tourist trap? well because many Napa Valley Wine Tours make a customary stop here for lunch and shop. The Number one product here is what else but Wine! and lots of it plus some overpriced artworks and other knick knacks and Overpriced Napa Valley Clothing. Unfortunately since it is a customary part of a Napa Wine Trip, you will stuck here for 2 hours (except if you bring your own car).
Open Daily 10am-5:30pm Address: 6525 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599Phone: (707) 944-8771Directions: 6525 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599Website: www.vmarketplace.com Other Contact: Fax (707) 944-2453
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Old Picture at Charles Krug Winery. The very first time that I've been to a Napa Valley Wine Trip. Well Since Count Haraszthy of Sonoma lent Charles Krug, a german immigrant, a wine press in 1861, the first winery in Napa was Born. Charles Krug was later acquired by Robert Mondavi Sr. Who then Made Napa Wines Known in the World when his wines won medals in an international competition in France in the 1960's beating famous french wines in a double blind taste test. With This Pedigree, no wonder that a wine taste and tour at Charles Krug Factory is a history trip in the wine tradition of Napa.
Charles Krug Winery offers Bordeaux blends, limited-release syrah, and zinfandel and Spectacular Sauvignon Blancs. Wine tasting is $ 10 including tour. You Can Also Join their wine club. Address: 2800 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574Phone: (707) 967-2200; 967-2229Directions: 2800 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574Website: www.charleskrug.com/
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- Beazley House Bed and Breakfast Inn
1910 First St., Napa, CA - Shady Oaks Country Inn
399 Zinfandel Lane, Napa, CA - Hennessey House
1727 Main St., Napa, CA - Discovery Inn
500 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA - Best Western Inn At The Vines
100 Soscol Ave., Napa, CA - Hawthorn Inn And Suites Napa Valley
314 Soscol Ave., Napa, CA - The McClelland-Priest House
569 Randolph Street, Napa, CA - Travelodge Napa Valley Hotel Suites
853 Coombs St., Napa, CA - Cottages of Napa Valley
1012 Darms Lane (formerly Tall Timbers Chalets), Napa, CA - Yountville Inn
6462 Washington St, Napa, CA - Napa River Inn
500 Main St., Napa, CA - Napa Inn
1137 Warren St., Napa, CA - Best Western Elm House Inn
800 California Blvd, Napa, CA - Hilton Garden Inn Napa
3585 Solano Ave., Napa, CA - The Carneros Inn
4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa, CA
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on November 22, 2008
on September 8, 2004
on September 18, 2008
on April 12, 2004
