Ultimate Wine Tour Guide: Discover Napa and Sonoma Valleys
NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTIES, California – Would anyone care for a class of wine? Here's a drinking tour of the valleys.
Scribe
2300 Napa Rd., Sonoma; +1-707-939-1858
The Scene: Sonoma Valley views will try to sweep you off your feet. Best to anchor yourself at the rustic picnic table outside the original hacienda for the entire afternoon.
The Sip: Pinot noir Carneros.
The Snack: Cheese and a bit of charcuterie from nearby Vella Cheese Company.
The Château. Photos courtesy of Domaine Carneros.
Domaine Carneros
1240 Duhig Rd., Napa; +1-707-257-0101
The Scene: Take a table on the terrace for a taste of certified organic bubbly, modern grandeur by the bottle.
The Sip: Blanc de blancs sparkling wine.
The Snack: Black River Oscietra Malossol caviar.
Nature, before and after. Photo courtesy of Round Pond.
Round Pond
875 Rutherford Rd., Rutherford; +1-707-302-2575
The Scene: Work a hard(ish) morning picking, sorting, pressing, and sampling grapes and wine before sitting down under the pergola at the olive mill.
The Sip: Sauvingnon blanc.
The Snack: The estate's olive oils sopped up with fresh bread.
The pool, bocce court, and vineyards. Photos courtesy of Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville; +1-707-857-1400
The Scene: Show up post-bocce (the grounds are home to four regulation-size courts) or post-pool in the warmer months.
The Sip: Rosso and Bianco tastings run all day and offer two pours on the house.
The Snack: Mrs. Scorsese's lemon chicken at Rustic.
Tastings in the winery's Barrel Chai. Photo courtesy of Darioush.
Darioush
4240 Silverado Trail, Napa; +1-707-257-2345
The Scene: Pass the Persepolis homage and descend to the Barrel Chai, where tastings play out in this decked-out Persian wonderland.
The Sip: Signature cabernet sauvignon.
The Snack: Mt. Tam, Pt. Reyes Bleu, and other Cowgirl Creamery organic artisan cheese.
The estate, patio, and Bouchon snacks. Photos courtesy of Kenzo Estate.
Kenzo Estate
3200 Monticello Rd., Napa; +1-707-254-7572
The Scene: An off-the-beaten-path escape preserving the Japanese tradition of being quietly awesome.
The Sip: Rindo, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petite verdot, and malbec.
The Snack: A smattering of seasonal dishes from Bouchon.
Tastings around the fire pit. Photo courtesy of Ma(i)sonry.
Ma(i)sonry
6711 Washington St.,Yountville; +1-707-944-0889
The Scene: Sensory overload courtesy of a collective of 38 of artists and 19 vintners that show off their wares, potable and otherwise, at this stone clubhouse.
The Sip: Blackbird Vineyards Paramour.
The Snack: The house's signature dark chocolate.
Swanson Vineyards, the Salon, and Sip Shoppe. Photos courtesy of Swanson Vineyards.
Swanson Vineyards
1271 Manley Ln., Rutherford; +1-707-754-4018
The Scene: Converse in the exclusive salon; loosen up under top-meets-candy store decor in sip shoppe.
The Sip: A glass dixie cup of pinot grigio.
The Snack: Swanson American caviar.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE
A Chef's Tour of San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma
Learning to Sit Still in Sonoma
The Napa and Sonoma Guide
