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Ever been to Napa?

nowittyusernamenowittyusername member
25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
edited March 2015 in Not Engaged Yet
Since it's cold, snowy, and I'm over it, I am going to think warm thoughts about my trip to Napa.  SO is taking me there for my birthday, and given me a free for all in the form of "anything you want to do, we will do."  I'm beyond excited, as I've never been!  So who has gone, what are the must do's, things to avoid, etc.  If it matters, I have a love affair with cheese, and I figure in wine country there have got to be some great places with yummy cheeses! (Yes, I'm a nerd and completely ok with that)!

Can't wait for the warm, and time away from hectic work life to just enjoy each other!

Edited because grammar is my friend!
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Re: Ever been to Napa?

  • AuroraRose41AuroraRose41 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited March 2015
    FI and I went to Sonoma and drove through Napa for Valentine's Day last year. I definitely want to go back and do the Napa Wine Train. You can do a wine tour and have lunch/dinner on the train as you pass by the vineyards. That's my only recommendation as I am more familiar with Sonoma. 

    The only thing that I will say is that it does get chilly at night, so make sure to bring some warm clothing too. It was in the low to mid 40's when FI and I were there during February. I hope you have a great time!

    ETA: Oh, one more thing. The vineyards won't be very pretty as it isn't the growing season yet. Just an FYI. You will really only see the stems of the vines and the poles that hold them up. The wine still tastes good though :). 

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  • nowittyusernamenowittyusername member
    25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
    AuroraRose41 said:

    FI and I went to Sonoma and drove through Napa for Valentine's Day last year. I definitely want to go back and do the Napa Wine Train. You can do a wine tour and have lunch/dinner on the train as you pass by the vineyards. That's my only recommendation as I am more familiar with Sonoma. 


    The only thing that I will say is that it does get chilly at night, so make sure to bring some warm clothing too. It was in the low to mid 40's when FI and I were there during February. I hope you have a great time!

    ETA: Oh, one more thing. The vineyards won't be very pretty as it isn't the growing season yet. Just an FYI. You will really only see the stems of the vines and the poles that hold them up. The wine still tastes good though :). 
    We won't be going till May, but I figure it is a good distraction from this cold weather! Gives me a reason to look a cute sundresses and sandals despite all the snow here!
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  • minskat30minskat30 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its Name Dropper

    Oooohh.  Napa is so much fun!  H and I went...we actually stayed in San Fran but did a day tour to Napa (I've also been to Napa with some girlfriends).  Some of our favorities were the Mumm winery in the morning (champaign in the morning? yes please) and V Sattui for lunch (picnic time).  Quintessa was nice too and Mason Cellars in downtown Napa had the nicest owners and really good (and reasonable) wine.  Wherever you go, try to get a car to drive you unless you are just walking downtown.  Trust me, all those tastings add up to tipsy pretty quickly.  ;)

    Where are you guys staying?

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  • nowittyusernamenowittyusername member
    25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
    minskat30 said:

    Oooohh.  Napa is so much fun!  H and I went...we actually stayed in San Fran but did a day tour to Napa (I've also been to Napa with some girlfriends).  Some of our favorities were the Mumm winery in the morning (champaign in the morning? yes please) and V Sattui for lunch (picnic time).  Quintessa was nice too and Mason Cellars in downtown Napa had the nicest owners and really good (and reasonable) wine.  Wherever you go, try to get a car to drive you unless you are just walking downtown.  Trust me, all those tastings add up to tipsy pretty quickly.  ;)

    Where are you guys staying?

    Thanks for the tips! That's great info!

    We are actually doing a VRBO just outside of Napa.  It's a beautiful house with a pool and hot tub right beside a vineyard.  Can't wait!
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  • AuroraRose41AuroraRose41 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    nowittyusername said:


    minskat30 said:

    Oooohh.  Napa is so much fun!  H and I went...we actually stayed in San Fran but did a day tour to Napa (I've also been to Napa with some girlfriends).  Some of our favorities were the Mumm winery in the morning (champaign in the morning? yes please) and V Sattui for lunch (picnic time).  Quintessa was nice too and Mason Cellars in downtown Napa had the nicest owners and really good (and reasonable) wine.  Wherever you go, try to get a car to drive you unless you are just walking downtown.  Trust me, all those tastings add up to tipsy pretty quickly.  ;)

    Where are you guys staying?

    Thanks for the tips! That's great info!

    We are actually doing a VRBO just outside of Napa.  It's a beautiful house with a pool and hot tub right beside a vineyard.  Can't wait!
    Umm that sounds amazing! I'm going to go stalk VRBO now and save a few for future vacation ideas :). I have been doing that with a few other locations too, so why not. 

    Everything should be much prettier in May too. I didn't realize you still had a while yet. 

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  • nowittyusernamenowittyusername member
    25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
    Well I live in cold Colorado, and given that it has been around 15-20 degrees for the past couple of weeks I'm getting desperate for warm weather!
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  • Peaseblossom55Peaseblossom55 mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its

    Sounds amazing.  I've never been to CA, but I've always wanted to go out to Napa and do wine tasting. 

    Anniversary

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  • BaytoSA2013BaytoSA2013 member
    25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper

    I'm from the Bay Area originally and I 2nd the bring something warm for the evenings comment.  It will get chilly, especially of the fog rolls in.  There are SOOOO many wineries in the area to visit so I'd recommend spacing it out over two days (or how ever many you'll be there) because you will get drunk and broke quickly!  Make sure to check out the tasting room hours for places you REALLY REALLY want to visit and make a game plan.  Some are reservation or invitation only so you don't want to waste time going to not be able to taste.  You also have St. Helena, Calistoga and Yountville fairly close by if you want to venture out of Napa.

    Silvarado Trail you can't really go wrong on...tons of wineries.  A couple of my personal faves:

    Duck Horn, Domaine Carneros, Caymus, Domain Chandon, Peju, Opus one ($$$$), Cakebread.

    Depending on how in to wine you are I'd suggest asking locals for suggestions on smaller wineries.  I find that you get more bang for your buck at those places and stumble on to some fantastic wines by smaller makers that you can't find in stores.  Have a great time!


    Formerly doubless07
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  • nowittyusernamenowittyusername member
    25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper

    @BaytoSA2013 Thank you so much!  I'm not terribly worried about the winery tours as a friend is setting us up with VIP tours with some of his suppliers.  So that part is easy!  I am a photographer, so the wine is more for SO while I want all of the landscape eye candy!

    Do you have an opinion on the Castello di Amorosa? Too touristy or worth it?
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  • JennyColadaJennyColada member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary First Answer
    edited March 2015
    We got married in Napa (well technically Yountville)!

    Yountville is a great little foodie town and I highly recommend it.

    Also check out the Wine Train! I've heard great things but have never done it myself (but it's definitely on my list of things to do next time we visit!).
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