cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Sept 14, 2017 11:35:56 GMT -5
We are thinking of going to CA wine country with my SIL and BIL next spring (April). We are most liking going to rent a condo or house in the area so I have been looking at some on VRBO.com and airbnb.com. Our heart is not set on one area, but how does one decide which wineries, etc to visit. We like so many different wines (red) from the different regions but we don't necessarily want to visit ones we are familiar with. Is April a good time of year to go, or are there better times of the year? Any tips or suggestions would be helpful. We have a week to spend there.
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Post by swedishcook on Sept 14, 2017 16:49:56 GMT -5
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cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Sept 15, 2017 10:22:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the links. I will look at them later. I've always wanted to do a wine trip and DH's 60th birthday is around that time. He hates celebrations, but when his SIL and brother mentioned a couples trip, he seemed to be on board with it.
I'd like to check out Lodi since we enjoy Zinfandel wine, as well as Napa, Sonoma, any place really. We are not the type to schedule everything when travelling, we like to wing it, but I know some places would need advance reservations, so I am just doing the homework now. It is overwhelming.
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cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Oct 10, 2017 10:54:52 GMT -5
The Napa area fires are really devastating to watch. The extent of the damage won't be known for some time of course, but so far it doesn't look good. Mother Nature has been very cruel this year, that's for sure.
We booked our trip for mid April. Never having experienced a fire, I have no idea how long it takes an area to recover from such devastation. Obviously homes will not be rebuilt by then, business destroyed will either be moved, rebuilt or closed for good.
I heard one winery is gone, Signorello. Again, I have no clue what will be in store for us. We are booked at the Silverado Resort, and I know the clubhouse has been affected. I guess we will learn more in a few days/weeks if the condo we rented was spared. Hopefully the greenery and landscape will have a chance to start growing and reviving again.
Hoping no more lives are lost, but the death toll at 11 I'm sure won't be final. So sad.
Does anyone here live in the area? I know there are some CA residents, but not sure where. I hope you guys are all safe.
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Post by swedishcook on Oct 11, 2017 15:08:47 GMT -5
Yes, it's heartbreaking to watch the devastation in Northern California.
I read an interesting article the other day. The travel writer encouraged people to visit areas affected by disasters as soon as these places start to get back on their feet. Your tourist dollars will be badly needed at that time. The 2013 fire at Royal Gorge in Colorado was mentioned as an example.
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cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Apr 6, 2018 8:33:26 GMT -5
BUMP
We are leaving in a week and was wondering if anyone has any info to add. I've checked the above sites that swedishcook mentioned, and many others. We've booked a couple of wine tours (Joseph Phelps is one), but since all don't need advance reservations, we're going to wing a few.
If anyone has any restaurants to recommend, we are open to suggestions.
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Post by mcgee on Apr 7, 2018 14:56:16 GMT -5
We haven’t been to Napa in years since it’s always so crowded. We always preferred Anderson Valley near Mendocino but haven’t been there in years either. www.mendowine.com/files/maps_directions.pdfLast time we went wine tasting we went to the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg which is near Sacramento. While we enjoyed it, it was EXPENSIVE. $10 per person for a tasting of 5 wines I think. We wisened up after the third winery and just bought one flight and shared it. oldsugarmill.com/wineries.htmlI remember when wine tasting was free. Then I remember they started making you buy a glass for $5 but the wine was “complimentary”. Now it’s just downright expensive. Have fun and report back. |
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cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Apr 8, 2018 7:35:43 GMT -5
Thanks McGee. Oh boy, are tastings expensive. Most are $30 to $50, with others such as Joseph Phelps being $75, so I'd welcome $10 tastings. However, their Insignia wine is at min $200 a bottle. However, since this is part of my DH's 60th, we figure we will splurge a bit. With no more college tuition to pay, these prices are nothing compared to 8 years of college.  We are going to venture out further past Napa area, but I don't think we'll be going to the Mendocino area. The further out you are, the cheaper the tastings for sure. Clarksburg is closer, so will have to look at that area, so thanks for the suggestion. I do want to go to Lodi as well. However, a week seems long, but it really passes by fast. You can only taste so much wine too.  We booked a dinner at "Chez Panisse" in Berkeley one night. It's an Alice Waters restaurant, so I am looking forward to the farm to table menu, as it changes daily. I've never been to CA, except for LAX and SFO, so I am looking forward to this trip. |
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Post by mcgee on Apr 8, 2018 8:30:51 GMT -5
Wow! $30 - $50 for a wine tasting??? That is crazy - but not as bad as 8 years of college tuition . We lived in Lodi for about 6 months and went wine tasting once but I honestly can’t recall if they charged anything. I’m not a red wine drinker so I didn’t get to do much tasting but did find a nice white I liked somewhere. We went to Chez Panisse for my 40th a long time ago. Sounds like a Great trip and much more than just Napa. Have fun - the week will fly by. |
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cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Apr 9, 2018 7:10:24 GMT -5
Thanks McGee. I'm sure the time will fly by!
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Post by mrswaz on Apr 9, 2018 18:49:11 GMT -5
BUMP We are leaving in a week and was wondering if anyone has any info to add. I've checked the above sites that swedishcook mentioned, and many others. We've booked a couple of wine tours (Joseph Phelps is one), but since all don't need advance reservations, we're going to wing a few. If anyone has any restaurants to recommend, we are open to suggestions. You know, if you watch any of the TV shows where the hosts are traveling and eating, they always say to ask the locals for their recommendations to find some hidden gems that most popular travel sites might not know about. We frequently ask at the front desk of our hotel for restaurant recommendations, and I don't think we've ever been steered wrong. Bartenders are also a fabulous source of information. Your trips sounds fabulous- I hope you have a great time! |
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cafelatte
Politicos
I have made 480 posts
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Post by cafelatte on Apr 10, 2018 7:06:49 GMT -5
Thanks mrswaz. We do plan on checking with the locals as well finding out of the way places while driving around.
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Post by mcgee on May 3, 2018 8:51:37 GMT -5
How was the trip? Would love to hear about it.
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Post by wallycat on May 3, 2018 12:06:38 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to reports too!
The last time we went to Napa and Sonoma was when DH was still working! And they had him in San Jose for 6 months, so I flew out....I remember there were SO many wine tastings for free back then. Times, they are a-changin' .
Hope you had a marvelous time!!
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