Wine Country

[flyinbayou]

If you had 3 or 4 days off to visit wine country in CA, which region would you choose and why?
Best vineyards/tours? Those to stay away from?
How do you handle the 'tasting and driving' aspect?
Hotels?
I am leaning heavily towards Sonoma. I like a lot of the wineries there. I am not sure it is possible but I would rather stay away from the touristy wineries if at all possible. In other words, give me the Pelican Club over the Emeril's.

OK, I know I am asking for a lot but what better experts to ask?

[EatinAintCheatin]

Napa Valley has gotten far to touristy and crowded. Other than stopping at the Oakville Grocery for lunch and some speciality items, and maybe making dinner reservations at the Napa Valley Grill, we spent most of our time in Sonoma on our last trip. So if you're choosing from that area then I'd say you're right, Sonoma.

I haven't been but have heard that Russian River is a beautiful place to go. It's mostly west and slightly north of Santa Rosa and has some nice B&B's. It's on our list the next time we make it out west.

If you do the Napa/Sonoma thing then you can stay in S.F. and rent a Limo to do a day trip to the valleys. It will bring you to the popular wineries and you can party as much as you want. And if you find another couple the price is fairly reasonable.

Sorry I can't give specifics but it's been about 7 years since I was there.

[Schuarta]

I have found I have enjoyed time in Napa or Sonoma more when I "think small". The smaller the winery, the more interesting the tasting, the conversation, the visit in general. Wine maps to both areas available. Don't be afraid to use your GPS and get off the "beaten path".

[Yvette]

Napa is touristy if you go to the touristy places. I know more of the wineries in Napa, if you should go there, I can give you lots of recomendations and restaurant recomendations too. We go to the small boutique wineries, the things you are not going to get in New Orleans or even Louisiana.

I went to Somona in May and Napa in July, so I know both areas.

Healdsburg (Sonoma) is a quaint little town to stay in, full of restaurants, art galleries and B&Bs.

Napa, I would stay closer to the wineries you want most to visit, which would be more to the St. Helena/Calistoga area. In Yountville, Napa Valley Lodge is a nice place to stay. St. Helena Harvest Inn is nice.

I have also stayed at the Silverado Resort in Napa, which I think is too far out of the way from everything we were doing, even though it is really nice.

When you make your final decision, perhaps I can help you out with some connections.

[flyinbayou]

Funny that you mention Healdsburg. It was at the top of my list as I have been impressed with several of the wineries there.
It also appealed to me as one of the smaller sub-regions in the wine scene, but still large enough to have a variety.
I am not into the crowded, overrun touristy places and hope this hasn't become that. I have heard some unappealing stories about Napa.

Thanks for you help.