Napa Vacation?

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The Tahoe thread reminded me...

Headed to Napa in mid-October for a high school friends wedding, never been in the area before.

Mrs. PTM and I may parlay this wedding into a 5-day weekend if it seems worth it. We will be looking for a break after the arrival of our second child in early April.

So what do you guys got? I've been thinking about maybe shipping my sticks out there for a round with friends as well if there's any recommendations.

[jficke13]

I went out there a few summers ago with my siblings and our respective spouses (my then girlfriend). We rented a car and stayed in a house we rented in St. Helena (airbnb, I think... I didn't book the reservation).

We hit up a lot of wine and food during our time in the valley. High points were Spring Mountain, Larkmead, and Chase. Worth skipping: Stirling (you honestly just do it for the gondola ride/view), Hall was okay, and Ravena, which had good wine and snooty A.F. people.

We cut over to the Russian River Valley in order to hit Russian River Brewing, which was a cool destination if you're into beer.

Didn't play any golf, sorry.

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Russian River, didn't even think of them. Fantastic, thanks.

[MerrittsMustache]

jficke hit most of the highlights.

Yountville, Calistoga and St. Helena are much less touristy than the city of Napa. The views at Stirling are amazing but the wine is horrid. However, you're allowed to bring your own bottle of wine there if you so choose. The Castello di Amorosa is a worthwhile trip and be sure to stop for burgers at Gott's Roadside. I'd also recommend spending a day in San Francisco if you've never been.

[WarriorFan]

My favorite:  http://www.vsattui.com/visit/artisan-deli-picnic-grounds/
buy a bottle, have a small picnic & relax. 

[Hards Alumni]

Russian River, didn't even think of them. Fantastic, thanks.

Be prepared to wait... the wife and I waited 2 hours.  Laguintas is awesome too, and not far off.

I recommend staying away from the city of Napa... nothing much there.  Stirling is great, don't skip it... also, make SURE you go to the Castle... its fucking awesome.

Maybe stay at the Geyserville Inn...  Enjoy Calistoga if you have time.

Vincent Arroyo has awesome balsamic for purchase... highly recommend.

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Be prepared to wait... the wife and I waited 2 hours.  Laguintas is awesome too, and not far off.

I recommend staying away from the city of Napa... nothing much there.  Stirling is great, don't skip it... also, make SURE you go to the Castle... its unnatural carnal knowledgeing awesome.

Maybe stay at the Geyserville Inn...  Enjoy Calistoga if you have time.

Vincent Arroyo has awesome balsamic for purchase... highly recommend.

I think the wedding is at the Napa Inn? So, I think we're likely stuck in Napa, Mrs. PTM likes to root down in a hotel.

[Hards Alumni]

I think the wedding is at the Napa Inn? So, I think we're likely stuck in Napa, Mrs. PTM likes to root down in a hotel.

Awwww that's too bad.  Napa just seems broken down still from the earthquake a few years back.  I wouldn't spend much time in town.

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Awwww that's too bad.  Napa just seems broken down still from the earthquake a few years back.  I wouldn't spend much time in town.

Oh, it's suffering from an earthquake still... That's a selling point, Hards!

[Lighthouse 84]

My favorite:  http://www.vsattui.com/visit/artisan-deli-picnic-grounds/
buy a bottle, have a small picnic & relax.

Great call.  Also, hire a driver to take you to two or three wineries.  You can probably get your concierge to set it up and it's worth it to have someone who knows where they are going do the driving while you drink.  As for food, try either Mustards or Lucy in Yountville and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena.

[manny31]

Another vote for V. Sattui, go there grab stuff for lunch and a spot outside. Some other favorites of mine are Tre Sabores, Reverie(on Diamond Mt.?) awesome tasting in a redwood grove. I also recommend a tour service maybe get some wedding peeps to go in on it with you, brings the cost down, or maybe Uber. Those tasting will creep up on you so be careful. For food I recommend Ad Hoc it is great.  Just North of Napa. It is a Thomas Keller restaurant. Very reasonable and I am guessing less pretentious and easier to get into than his other restaurants. One thing to be aware of is that October is very busy up there so plan ahead. Have fun.

[Chili]

Don't be dumb and drive, just book a driver. My wife and 2 friends hired this lady: http://www.winedrivernapavalley.com/ for $35 an hour she is knowledgeable as hell and will help setup your tours. You can also book other drivers here http://winecountrydrivers.com/.

We took the advice of almost everyone we spoke with and skipped Napa in favor of Sonoma. Booked an ABNB in Glen Ellen which was perfectly located. If you want a great sparkling wine place I would highly suggest Iron Horse for a 10-10:30am breakfast session. Great way to start your day. Also if you're in the alcohol industry they give great discounts on everything including their memberships. Also a big fan of Kunde where you can bring a picnic lunch. They have cave tours to see where they age the wine. Pretty cool thing.

Russian River Brewery is a must if you even like beer. It's one of the best breweries in the world for a reason. No other breweries in the area are needed to visit if you ask me.

[real chili 83]

Hess vineyards has some cool artwork.

[drewm88]

I don't have a lot to say, but here's my two points of advice.

1. Find a connection to the booze industry and ask them for suggestions and connections. My understanding is that places vary in how far removed they'll accept as "industry." Can potentially get you free tastings, experiences not necessarily offered to the public, and discounts on purchases.

2. Save on a driver by getting your wife pregnant with #3.

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2. Save on a driver by getting your wife pregnant with #3.

Not worth it. I'll get the boys removed before a third

[Marquette Gyros]

+1 on V. Sattui. It's across the street from a Dean and Deluca which will help you build an awesome picnic.

Not enough of a wino to recommend vineyards. Other scoopers have this locked in.

Only points to add:

- Andaz Napa is really, really good if the wedding forces you to stay in Napa proper.

- I've enjoyed the Napa Valley most when there in the middle of the week. Starting on Friday afternoon a mass of people descend from SF (only an hour away) and crap becomes impossible. Crazy traffic on the main road through, long waits for tastings, no way you'll get a decent dinner reservation, etc. But they're almost all gone by Monday. Going for a wedding is perfect because during the rush-hour weekend, you'll be occupied and once it's over (especially in October) the valley will be yours.

[dgies9156]

Been to Napa more times than I can count. One place I love is Oakville Grocery, located in Oakville (duh!!!). The place is the most incredible deli I've ever been to and its sandwiches and salads are to die for.  It's right on Highway 29 about a half hour north of Napa in the heart of the wine country. There are picnic tables overlooking the vineyards in back and, yes, you can drink!

Love Calistoga. Ms. Dgies even talked me into one of the mudbath spas once. Was young and kind of silly then, so what the hey! Chateau Montelena, Frank Family and the group of vineyards up there are really nice. Also like the Napa Cooperative winery, which is really good and has a lot of small producers.

I'm partial to a couple of smaller wineries, like Heitz. But one of the best parts of Napa is just driving up and trying something and talking to people. You'll see people from everywhere and everyone talks.

Have fun!!!!!

[thebigjake]

Lots of great tips here. Another:  spend the extra $ at a few of the wineries to go to the "Reserve" rooms or if they don't have a separate room, taste off the reserve lists.  It may be like $10-20 bucks (more at the top places), but well worth it.  Especially at V. Sattui.  The main room can be a bit of a clusterf---. But the reserve room is not crowded and the wine is waaaaaay better.

I'm not saying do it at every place, as that will add up quickly.  But the difference between the everyday wines and the reserve wines is enormous. And the difference is most evident when you can taste them side by side.

It was a few years ago, but the Opus tour was pretty cool. It's just down the road from V. Sattui and across the street from Mondavi. May want to check that out.

And I'll second the notion to not drive.  I "lucked out", as we found out my wife was pregnant shortly after we booked the trip. Designated driver!  She wasn't all that thrilled though.

[manny31]

One other place that I liked that is a little different was Prager Winery&Port Works. Just Cross from  Duckhorn Vineyards. Mostly port which is kind of interesting.