Napa, the best of the US

I've visited many wine regions around the world, but none captivate me as much as Napa. While it

s not my favorite wine region, it’s one filled with some of the most beautiful vineyards and wineries in the world. I divide Napa into four sections, 

1. Downtown Napa: There has been an explosion here with over 40 tasting rooms sprinkled throughout this little town. Just a few years ago, there were no tasting rooms. Today with hotels, restaurants, and shops, its an excellent place to start as it's also at the beginning of your drive in from San Francisco. Of the over 40 tasting rooms to sample here at last count; these are a few that I've enjoyed.

-Vermeil Wines: famed coach of the Eagles and a beautiful room. 

-Bounty Hunter Wine Bar: tasting flights available as well as food

-OxBow Market: Wine and Cheese shop provide excellent pairings  

   2:  Yountville: Washington Street has the majority of tasting rooms, and Thomas Keller provides some of the best food, so this is where I like to start in Napa. A few on the main road (Washington Street):

-Beau Vigne, Hope + Grace, Hestan, JCB, Priest Ranch, Hill Family, and Silver Trident are a few that let you enjoy wines without an appointment. There are also a few Wine Shops/Tasting Rooms in Yountville that you should make time for in your schedule. 

-Wine Country Connection: Many Napa wines that never make it past the Rockies are easily sampled here with the fee waived if you buy from them.

-V Wine Cellar: located within the Napa Style Shops this massive shop not only has many samples they have several rooms with cult status wines available for purchase.

     3: Highway 29 A beautiful drive with wineries on both sides of the road. Right after passing the famous Napa sign, be on the lookout for a variety of wineries to visit. I have been visiting Napa for over 20 years, and its growth has made for some pricey tasting fees, and many now requiring you not only to make an appointment but also to commit to more tasting fees. Some wineries refuse visitors altogether. I'm not against wineries making some money, but they ain't exactly giving away the wine, so seeing these elaborately decorated tasting rooms makes me sad. Around the world, unless its an estate of extreme status, you’re welcome to come in and sample with no charge. A few must-visit wineries on HWY 29 are as follows: Robert Mondavi (because there's no Napa without him), Hall Winery, Alpha Omega, Delectus, Beringer, Napa Cellars, Castello di Amorosa, Grgich Hills, Long Meadow Ranch, Louis Martini, and many more. If you start around 10 AM, I would suggest 2 wineries before lunch, and 2-3 afterward. You don't want to test the local police here by enjoying too much of Napa's wine. 

   4: Silverado Trail and various side roads: I prefer the less busy and curvy roads of Silverado Trail. Less is more in my book, and getting a little lost here can be rewarding. Some of my best side road discoveries have been off of the Silverado Trail; Cuvasion Estate Wines, Envy (you'll find Carter in here as well, and if not crowded, you can get a tasting of that as well), and the beautiful Artesa Vineyards.

On the Trail, you have Silverado Vineyards, (with a great outdoor view of the Napa Valley) Miner, Pine Ridge, Black Stallion, Chimney Rock, Conn Creek, and many more. Today, visiting Napa wineries requires some planning for the appointment only places, and almost all of the wineries now charge for tasting.

Now that you have an idea of what to expect, make your trip one of discovery and wonder, as Napa Valley is an American treasure that will create lifelong memories.