Many farm/wineries are fine for mom & dad to visit with their kids in tow.  Here’s how you can determine if a winery is a good choice for your family and tips for making it a great day for everyone.

1. Look for farming wineries with areas for kids to roam safely (age appropriately of course). For instance, there are often gardens & farm animals within range of outdoor tasting tables.
2. Avoid bar tastings, always choose a seated tasting–outdoors is best for kids.
3. I saw a group once in the heat of the day in the middle of a vineyard with a newborn baby; ultimately you must use common sense.  If the situation isn’t what you expected, back out and move on.
4. If you talk with your kids in advance about each place you are going to and what’s in it for them, it will put them (and you) at ease.  As my Mom would say, if they choose to be bored, so be it.
5. If you take a vineyard tour, being in a vehicle is better for distracting the kids just in case the guide drones on about viticulture.
6. As I always recommend, kids or no kids in tow, visit 2 wineries max before taking a break. Enjoy lunch as a family; giving them your full attention or even spoiling them a little with an unexpected treat will create a positive memory for everyone.

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When you go wine tasting have you ever…

• enthusiastically joined a wine club?
• bought discounted cases because you got a great deal?
• went wine tasting just for an afternoon activity, not intending to purchase wine?
• Fell in love with everything about a winery & became a fan for life?
• Left with your money in your pocket?

Most people don’t know what to expect; they show up & see what happens next.  Prepare for the possibilities with my insider’s guide to the inner-workings of tasting rooms.

Joining the Wine Club

You may notice right away that the focus of a winery is to build their wine club: you’ll be told its benefits several times. No reason to be uncomfortable; if it’s too overt, ignore it and change the subject back to the wine you’re tasting.  Why should you join? If you’re a local, join if you want to attend private parties & events at a discount; non-locals join if the wine’s unavailable at home.  The 20% discount doesn’t hurt either.  More and more wineries are offering small lots of special wines that are only available to club members; this benefit is best for the wine enthusiast more then then casual wine drinker.

Buying Cases or Discounted Wines

Sometimes wineries will have specials prominently displayed in the tasting room or on the menu.  They are either making room for their next vintage, moving older wine that needs to be consumed soon, promoting wine that has not been selling well or they just need some cash. If they are offering tastes before purchase and you like them, buy it; it’s probably a good deal.

When Wine Tasting is an Activity, not a Wine Buying Trip

If you’re not actively looking for wine to buy, I recommend signing up for a wine/food pairing, or special tour/activity. This will give you an opportunity to expand your knowledge about food & wine, wine making, terrior and other wine making details.  Read about tours online & pick the one that fits your interests.  VIP Tours & Tastings is great for a group too.  It’s silly to run around to 5 or more tasting rooms, belly up to a bar and pay $5 – $20 to get a few sips.  (If you want to try a lot of wines in a single outing, go to a collective tasting room–it’s cheaper & better atmosphere.)

Fell in Love with Everything about a Winery & Became a Fan for Life

When this happens, all of the stars have aligned or you have had too much to drink. Let’s say it’s the former. First of all,the staff has made you feel welcome. Wine is a social product, it’s not like buying a pair of socks where you’re just looking to find them, buy them & not overpay. If the staff is committed to making you a raving fan, they’ll treat you like their new best friend.  You’ll laugh and linger and get special off-menu pours. You might bond over a sports team or something about your hometown (that’s one reason why staff always ask you where you’re from). You’ll start to feel like an insider.  The next criteria is you’ll like the wine and it will be priced within your wine budget. Then to top it off, they’ll offer you benefits that will make you want to come back, join the club or buy their wine when you go home.

Left with Your Money in Your Pocket

If you have never been to the winery, it’s a crap shoot. It can be a disappointment. I’ve walked out of tasting rooms before even tasting if it’s over-crowded, loud (full of drunk bridesmaids), or the staff was rude or just looked like they rolled out of bed and wanted to be anywhere else but in the hospitality business. Why put myself through it when there’s so many other wineries to visit? Other times, I’ve left after tasting the wines and not liking them–no biggie, I just move on quickly.  The first problem (not feeling the love) can impact my feelings about that winery for a long time, whereas I usually give wines several chances, each vintage is unique, wine makers come and go, and new varietals are added.  I watch & wait and keep an open mind.

Now you know what to expect when you go wine tasting.  The wineries in my guides are all guaranteed not to disappoint.  It took a long time to test them, but they all passed with flying colors.  I’d like to hear your thoughts about good & bad wine tasting experiences.

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You never know what surprises await you in wine country.  Jacuzzi Winery in the Carneros district in Sonoma County is fun, gorgeous, historical & across the street from it’s sister winery, Cline Cellars.   If you’re especially nice (or in the know), they might offer you a chocolate wine shot.

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Honor Mansion, Healdsburg

I love luxury & value.  Honor Mansion’s staff treats their guests like VIP’s. When you arrive, your room will be cooled to perfection or a warm fire will be lit to welcome you.  Every little detail is taken care of, European linens, feather beds, fresh flowers, “butler’s basket” for items you forgot to pack, 24 hour espresso/cappuccino machine, full gourmet breakfast with complimentary mimosa, afternoon & evening refreshments and more.

When you drive up, it looks lovely but you have no idea what awaits you until you enter the grounds. You’ll never want to leave. If you want to take a break from wine tasting, hang out at your “very own resort” — sunbathe by the pool, challenge your neighbor to Bocce Ball, learn how to play Croquet, play a little half-court hoops, jog the 1/4 mile jogging trail or just walk the grounds by the vineyards, relax and watch the Koi.  (The Koi are super cute & friendly.  I have some great pictures of them greeting guests with their mouths wide open.)

The staff is always friendly, accommodating and helpful. They’ll set you up with Jay (or me if available) so you can taste and tour in an open air land rover.

Honor Mansion is giving guests who have my VIP Passes Welcome Champagne & Chocolate Strawberries (value $55).

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Casa Verde Guest House View

Centrally located in the little village of Kenwood, this certified “green” guest house is only a few years old.  It’s simple yet luxurious.  Secluded off a country lane, the night sky is beautiful, filled with stars hanging over the vineyards nestled beneath the Mayacama mountains.

The owners, Steve & Colleen Rose also own the Vineyards Inn Bar & Grill.  They are pioneers in the organic, farm fresh movement, living the lifestyle way before everyone else jumped on the “green” band wagon.

That’s what makes this such a nice property.  If they hadn’t told me it was built “green,” I wouldn’t have known.  What stands out as you drive through the gate is the giant oak tree and the peaceful setting, seemingly far away from the highway but only five minutes at most to wineries and restaurants.

When you stay here, use the Insider Pass for a complimentary bottle of wine etched with the Girl with a Glass logo (value is $63).

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“Taming these savage hillsides is folly and all we can do is hope to coax a little civilization out of them. This is man working with nature at its glorious best.”    Mike Brunson, Winemaker & Vineyardist. Michel-Schlumberger Winery

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I found Vine Rover Tours when I was looking for a car service that was cool and different.  I was really excited when I discovered their open air land rovers.  After getting a good feeling from their web site, I met with Jay Pelm, the owner.  He’s totally awesome.  He’s cool, laid back, smiles easily and has very loyal fans that keep him and his drivers busy.

In the summer of 2009, I worked for him for a few months so I could learn more about what visitors want.  He was a wonderful (patient) teacher.  I learned how to drive the land rovers (5-on-the-floor) and the luxury SUV with the video camera on the tailgate.  I met so many wonderful people.  All my guests have been happy and sweet, even when I took a wrong turn in the (new-to-me) Alexander Valley!

What I’ve learned is that some people have an itinerary already in mind (which is totally fine), but most people say, take us to your favorite places!  I love that.  I take them to places where I know they’ll be treated as my personal guests, be introduced to great (well-priced) wine & and enjoy some sort of spectacular element like it’s off-the-beaten path, unexpected views, barrel tasting, etc.

I’ll be guiding with Jay as often as I can this year too.  If you want me to be your guide, or set you up with Jay, let me know.

Vine Rover Tours web site.

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I’ve been winery hopping again!  The first words out of my mouth right now, are you bottling yet?

Harvest ends in the fall, grapes do their magic in the winter and voilá! some whites are in the bottles as early as February.

So…if you visit wineries in the early Spring, you might get to taste newly bottled wine and you’ll get first dibs on purchasing small lot wine (meaning they don’t make much of it, so it will sell out quickly).

And when you ask the question, are you bottling yet, you’ll learn about wine and a winemaker’s style.

For instance, at Casa Nuestra*, they’ve just bottled a killer Chenin Blanc that has no hint of “bottle shock” which is quite a feat & wonderful to experience.  While, at Loxton*, you won’t be able to get a new vintage until probably April/May because Chris Loxton is making a rosé that takes longer in the barrel.  (Of course, wines that are aged in barrels for months can be bottled any time the winemaker deems it’s ready.)

It’s an exciting time of year to visit.  Use your guide & save money!

*Links go to my posts about these wineries.

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I bought this fun dress at Wildcat in downtown Napa.  It’s a small shop with vintage-style new and used clothing for women and men. The jewelry is from Accent’s, a fabulous boutique in downtown Novato (& Petaluma).  Hubby bought me this Aquamarine necklace & matching earrings for Christmas.  Here’s  some fun “facts” about the stone.

Traditionally seen as the birthstone for March, Aquamarine stone gets it’s color from iron ferrous and has been known since ancient times as a stone of hope, happiness, good health, fidelity, eternal youth and lasting love.

Aquamarine stone cleanses and aligns the chakras and the etheric and mental bodies. It helps you to reduce fear and communicate with those around you in a loving and compassionate way, all the while it is flushing out your lymph system.

Aquamarine stone attracts friends and friendly people to you. People you can trust and that show compassion for you. It is often used to calm disrupted situations with it’s ability to bring harmony.

Aquamarine crystal help facilitate communication and is especially good to help couples work out their problems in a friendly and peaceful manner. (Source)

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Visiting the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone (St. Helena) makes me happy.  I love the old stone building and knowing that there are aspiring chefs on the 3rd floor while I dine in the restaurant.  I like the service, the decor, the reasonable wine mark ups and the artsy, interesting food.

When it was announced that the 17th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival’s kick off party was going to be held at CIA, I immediately bought tickets.  I’ll be posting lots of pictures this week. Bobby and I had a fantastic time, but my absolute favorite part?  Eating in the chef’s kitchen.

Napa’s famous restaurants (Bouchon, Brix, etc) served small bites in the wine tasting room, but we headed straight for the kitchen.  Guests picked up a plate and went through a double-sided buffet flanked by chefs standing next to their stoves offering osso buco, polenta, mustard greens, Italian wedding soup, breaded shrimp with fruit dipping sauce, blood red orange salad, cioppino and more.  We sat family style at a long table in the middle of the kitchen.  For me, it was a once in a lifetime experience.  There are plenty of parties where I can walk around balancing a plate of small bites while drinking wine, but the opportunity to eat in the CIA kitchen…priceless!

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