



Our team is ready to help you.
The Napa and Sonoma wine country forms an intricate patchwork of appellations that span three counties. Together they include more than 400 wineries. The estates showcase distinctive contemporary and historical architectural styles, breathtaking panoramas, world-class restaurants, and gourmet food stores.
The Mediterranean climate of the region provides exceptional growing conditions for several grape varieties, as well as olives, lavender, and farm-to-table herbs featured in many area restaurants.
The region is also home to several resorts, spas, with horseback riding, hiking trails, and tourist attractions all within easy access.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is one of the leading travel destinations in the world. And not just because of the renowned wineries. Breathtaking views attract the eye at every turn.
Winery visits range from large, world famous labels to small, intimate, family-run wineries where the person behind the counter is often the winemaker.
Whether you are wine tasting, dining at renowned restaurants, pampering yourself with a mud bath in Calistoga, or just enjoying a relaxing stay, Napa Valley is your bit of heaven on earth.
Sonoma Valley
The historic town of Sonoma is the birthplace of California. Sonoma Plaza was designed by General Mariano Vallejo when this was Mexico. The 1823 Mission de Solano, the Bear Flag Revolt Memorial from 1846, the 1909 Swiss hotel, Vallejo's Military Barracks, and other historic sites face the plaza.
Architectural styles represented in the valley include Neo-classic, Gothic, Bordeaux, Greco-Roman, and Cape Dutch. Some wineries boast magnificent structures worth a visit for even people who do not drink wine.
In addition to wineries, the shopping offers variety: boutiques, lavender purveyors, spas, specialty wine and cheese shops, jewelry stores, gourmet food provisioners and restaurants, olive oil suppliers, and kitchenware stores, plus art studios and galleries.
Primary grape varieties grown in the region
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Trampanillo, Muscat, Sangiovese, and late harvest varieties.
Our Favorite Wineries for Tours
Wineries we recommend for our tours meet several criteria. First, they produce good California wines. Second, the facility stands out in some way. Third, the folks at the winery treat our visitors well. |
|
Our list of favorites changes as the wineries and wines change. |
Our Favorite Restaurants
“When you acknowledge, as you must, that there is no such thing as perfect food, only the idea of it, then the real purpose of striving toward perfection becomes clear: to make people happy, that is what cooking is all about.” —Thomas Keller |
|
Restaurant suggestions are subjective and subject to change. |
Some Speciality Products That Make Good Gifts
Napa Sub-Appellations & Varietals
Napa Sub-Appellations
Primary Grape
Stag's Leap
- Cabernet
- Merlot
Howell Mountain
- Cabernet
- Syrah
- Zinfadel
- Trempanillo
Spring Mountain
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
Calistoga
- Cabernet
- Cabernet Franc
Carneros
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
Diamond Mountain
- Cabernet
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
Sonoma Sub-Appellations & Varietals
Sonoma Sub-Appellations
Primary Grape
Dry Creek Valley
- Zinfadel
- Cabernet
Alexander Valley
- Zinfadel
- Cabernet
Russian River Valley
- Zinfadel
- Cabernet
Chalk Hill
- Zinfadel
- Pinot Noir
Cazadero
- Pinot
- Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast
- Pinot
- Chardonnay