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Old 10-18-2012, 11:19 AM
 
3 posts, read 3,838 times
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My husband and I are planning a four-to-five day trip to visit the California wine country. We are thinking of going around October as that seems to be a nice (but crowded) time to go. I have been researching for a few weeks now and am overwhelmed with the choices

I'd like to stay on a vineyard if that is possible, or close to one with views of a vineyard. Love the idea of having a picnic lunch on the vineyard grounds (does that only happen in the movies?) We are in our late 30's - early 40's and traveling w/o kids, can anyone give me some recommendations on where to stay?

Would probably fly into San Francisco Airport and spend a day visiting their either first or after our wine country visit.
Thank you!
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Old 10-18-2012, 02:54 PM
 
Location: Pahrump, NV
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woah! there are ooodles of places to choose from as far as visiting the wineries, i'm not sure of any of the "big" ones that'll let you stay there as well. you might have to find a smaller, family style winery to do that. and price will affect your decision as well, as each place may or may not be in your price range....

personally? i grew up in sonoma county & that is THE wine country. i'm not saying napa doesn't have good wineries, i'm just saying to me sonoma county is the place to visit.
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Old 10-18-2012, 06:12 PM
 
Location: Quimper Peninsula
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What kind of wine do you like??? That should help narrow it down a bit...

Agree with cre8lite on Sonoma county being THE wine country, not Napa... Also agree on the idea finding some smaller family style vineyards. Of course this is just personal taste, there are many top notch big wineries in Napa county as well as Sonoma county... For more mainstream, maybe the town of Sonoma or the city of Napa might be what you are after.... If not then, I would say, Healdsburg, could be a good base camp for hitting up some smaller quaint wineries... Be sure to do some tasting from different regions. Even for a person with non polished tastes the difference as you go from warm inland valley areas to cool coastal areas is profound...
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Old 11-02-2012, 07:04 AM
 
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Thank you for the insite. I like the idea of a small family winery. Are there any in particular that you would reccomend we look into? I like Cabernet and my husband is more of a white wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio) fan.
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Old 11-02-2012, 11:24 AM
 
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Family Wineries Tasting Rooms Dry Creek Valley and Kenwood Sonoma County CA
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Old 11-02-2012, 03:31 PM
 
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Cline Cellars in Sonoma has nice picnic grounds. Their sister winery, Jacuzzi, across the street is also worth visiting. V Sattui in Napa has a nice outdoor area and they sell cheeses, breads, and often times BBQ that you can enjoy while sitting outside. St. Francis in the Sonoma area is a really nice place as well. Agree that Healdsburg is also worth visiting. Would like to spend more time in that area. Mazzocco winery is really good. All of these places have excellent wine!

Should add that if you join the wine club at Mazzocco you can stay in any of their guest houses located at their various wineries (Mazzocco, Jaxon Keys, Lorimier, Calderwood) for a discounted rate. We haven't stayed at any of these yet but they look good.

Last edited by Amy WJ; 11-02-2012 at 03:41 PM.. Reason: added more info about places to stay
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Old 11-02-2012, 05:32 PM
 
Location: Pacifica, CA
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Default more recommendations

In addition to the other recommendations here's some more:

For another cute town to check out in wine county, if you're in Napa area, head up to Calistoga, especially if interested in visiting a spa.

Wineries:
Preston - organic winery which also sells fantastic rustic bread, olives and olive oil, they usually also have some produce for sale. they've got a picnic area and have some unusual wines, and on sundays you can buy a big jug of some pretty good zin for i think $32.

Bella - wine tasting in a cave, they have good chardonnays and zins, and beautiful grounds as well, - they sometimes have a bluegrass band that plays in the cave.

Benzinger - excellent wine, beautiful grounds and they have a winery tour where you ride in a trailer behind a tractor out into the fields.

Homewood - small family run place, unpretentious, super nice people and of course great wine.
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Old 11-02-2012, 05:51 PM
 
Location: The High Seas
7,372 posts, read 16,014,058 times
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This tour is well worth your while. You get to pair wines with various types of foods at the end of the tour. Probably the best education you'll get at a winery: Hendry Vineyard and Winery - Napa, CA
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Old 11-05-2012, 08:01 AM
 
3 posts, read 3,838 times
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Wow!!! Thank you all so much, these sound fantastic.
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