Wine Country Get-Away

Chateau St Jean

This week we did a mid-week get-away to the Napa and Sonoma wine country.  Our son lives in Napa and it was a great opportunity to see him and enjoy the experience so special to this area. I also belong to a few wine clubs and I was able to pick up my wine in person.

We went with our good friends Sue and Mark who we like to travel with.

For the wineries we started at Chateau St Jean @chateaustjean in Sonoma County to pick up wine and do a little tasting. The winery has a large tasting room and gift shop where you can taste inside or if the weather is nice sit outside. The grounds are beautiful and has the feel like you are in Europe. They also have a nice picnic area. There is also a tasting room in the mansion that is more intimate. We tasted there and sat by the fireplace while we enjoyed their wine and a tray of cheese. Mid-week you should be able to taste in the mansion but on weekends the main tasting room may be your only choice as the crowds are larger.

Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros @domainecarneros which is on highway 12 between Napa and Sonoma. The winery is on a small hill and looks like a French Chateau. There we picked up my sparkling wine and also did a tasting. The grounds there are also beautiful. When the weather permits sit outside on the deck.

Tasting Room 24

Sue and Mark are big Packer fans so we also went to Tasting Room 24 @tastingroom24 which is owned by Charles Woodson who played for the Packers. This is a tasting room in Napa that also has sparkling wine and beer. The winery specializes in Cabernet. The tasting room is in an industrial area in southern Napa but off the main highway. The tasting room also has football gear related to his playing days from college to pro.

I want to highlight two places we dined at. First, for dinner we ate at Bistro Jeanty @bistrojeanty in Yountville. I have been there before and love this place. They serve not only the best tomato soup but the best soup I have ever had. I would go there just for the soup but the rest of the menu is awesome. Go hungry as you will get a lot of food. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area.

Boon Fly Cafe

For breakfast we ate at the Boon Fly Cafe @boonfly. It is located on Highway 12 just west of Napa as you are heading toward Sonoma. The cafe is small so you may have to wait but it is worth it. I had the Eggs Benedict with a touch of jalapeno in the hollandaise sauce.  It's not hot but just enough to add a special taste to the sauce. They also have chicken and waffles and make their own donuts. For breakfast you can't go wrong. There is also a bar and we had Bloody Mary's with a strip of bacon in the drink.

Meritage

Overnight we stayed at the Meritage Resort and Spa @meritage. It is a large resort with many restaurants, bars, wine tasting rooms and even a bowling alley. They also have a very nice pool area. This is more than a hotel and if you are staying for a longer time this may be the place to stay. Across the street is a building with tasting rooms from different wineries.

California Wine Country

The California Wine Country in Napa and Sonoma suffered during the recent fires. Now they are suffering from a lack of people visiting the wineries. The fire is over and the wineries are open. October is still the best time to visit our beautiful wine country. With fewer crowds the experience will be even better. If you were ever thinking of going now is the time.

Travel with Pops, Napa and Sonoma Wine Country

For those of you looking to travel to the California Coast, October is the perfect time to go. The weather is perfect as it is before the rainy season and the temperature is mild. It is also my favorite time to visit the wine country in Napa and Sonoma.

Usually October is also when the harvest is going strong but this year with our drought and hot summer the harvest was a little earlier. Don't let that stop you, this is still a good time of year to visit the wineries. If you can I would go mid-week. The crowds are a lot less and you will find it easier to get to the tasting bar and to find a table at a restaurant.

For a day trip I like to make my way up through the Sonoma county wineries, cut across when you hit Santa Rosa and then work my way down Napa Valley. The wineries are up to you but some of my favorites are Kenwood and Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma County; and Grgich  Hills and for sparkling wine Chandon in Napa Valley. Look at a wine map and pick your own.

You still have time. The weather should be great into early November.