Sciandri Family WInery

Many visitors drive through Napa, see the large corporate/investor owned wineries and think this is Napa. If you’ve already been to these wineries or it’s just not your cup of tea, it’s time to discover alternatives.

Here are three fabulous, unique and intimate experiences that I highly recommend.

Sciandri Family Vineyards. (Pronounced She-an-dree) Located behind the city of Napa (northeast edge of the valley), you wind through Wild Horse Valley to an area called Coombsville (soon to be its own AVA) and park in front of the Sciandri’s house and tasting room. The vibe at Sciandri is relaxed and welcoming; their daughter tells a  fascinating story of how the family starting making wine just a few years ago, how her hard working parents came to rebuild an old house and pursue a dream that would ensure that their family stayed close.  Call for an appointment to sip their Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon with a nice plate of Italian Salumi while pretending you live there for an afternoon at least. (Every appointment is a private tour and tasting, and groups from 2 -12 people are welcome.)

Black Cat Vineyard.  This must be the smallest winery in Napa. One woman does it all, and I mean everything.  When you visit Black Cat Winery, leave the cell phone, camera and video recorder in the car. Be in the moment and soak up Tracey Reichow’s massively intelligent and fascinating wine knowledge.  The view is outstanding, but her explanation about the Coombsville region being “wine mecca” makes it unforgettable. I love her Syrah & Cabernert Sauvignon; gently & lovingly crafted, a beautiful alternative to in-your-face big, bold “Napa” reds.

Casa Nuestra.  This winery is on the Silverado Trail on the farthest northern edge. When you drive up, you’ll see an unpaved driveway and a little yellow house.  It’s tiny, yet behind the scenes, they are making approx. 15 different wines!  This is one of my top ten wineries; I always find something I like and the people at the winery are sincerely welcoming. (It doesn’t seem right to call them staff because they are such an integrated part of the experience.)  A VIP Pass for a private tour and tasting is included in my guide.

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This itinerary gives you a flavor of Napa & Sonoma when you have a short stay in the winter months.

Wine country (and California) is wonderful year-round.  Many wineries have fireplaces, the tasting rooms are quiet and staff is eager to bring out all kinds of wines for you to try.  You get in your rental car (or hire a driver), go to the places recommended in my guide (I’m telling you, you’ll love them) and then come back to cozy, welcoming luxury at the White House Inn & Spa (my favorite B&B in Napa).  Housed in an old mansion right around the corner from the trendy new Napa River Waterfront district, you’ll find great restaurants, Silo’s Jazz Club and tasting rooms close by for your evenings.  (No driving all the way to Yountville or St. Helena and back for dinner.)

Napa is close enough to Kenwood (Sonoma County) that you can easily stay in downtown Napa and spend a lazy afternoon in Kenwood.  I recommend starting at Kunde (wine & cheese in the Kinneybrook Room) then having lunch at The Vineyards Inn Bar & Grill.  (Enjoy a free seasonal Tapa named after me and a glass of owner’s Steve Rose’s vino.)  After lunch, go visit Chris Loxton, an Australian winemaker who makes suburb reds, whites and rosés.  He’s enthusiastic, welcoming (and his accent is lovely to listen to).  If it’s not raining, plan on doing a Walkabout With the Winemaker Tour.

Downtown Napa & Kenwood have a lot to offer. If you’ve “done up-valley Napa”, do something different next time.  It’s an insider’s secret, and now you’re in on it!

All the places and activities mentioned here are in my guide, purchase a guide and all tastings & tours will be free to you.

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Here’s my recommendation for a 1 or 2 day trip to Healdsburg’s fabulous wine country.

Healdsburg is a beautiful little town in Northern California wine country.  I know I’m getting close when Hwy 101 is suddenly flanked by tall pine trees and open countryside as far as I can see.  I pass the Central Healdsburg exit and around the next curve I see Dry Creek Rd exit.  Dry Creek is a wine appellation like none other in Northern California.  It’s a monoculture…just vineyards, no cows, no dairies, no industrial buildings, nothing but rows and rows of vineyards cascading over rolling hills, with occasional tasting rooms dotting the countryside. As I turn left onto Dry Creek Road, I’m heading west towards the hills.  Every time I enter the Dry Creek appellation, all my cares in the world drop away; it feels magical.

First Stop

Michel Schlumberger (link goes to my review)

Place (terroir) is at the heart of this winery which makes it a wonderful place for a tour.  Learn about organic farming practices, how they “save the salmon” & meet the good insects “grown” in their garden. It’s a beautiful location & memorable experience. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here. Start with a 30 minute or more tour, then come back into their gorgeous tasting “salon” (fireplace in the winter).  Your personal wine educator will pour great Burgundy, Bourdeaux and Rhone varietals. Pick one of their many wonderful tour options on their website.

2nd Stop (across the road)

Quivira

Visiting Quivira, you’ll feel its aura of happiness, adventure & wholesome energy while sipping sophisticated wines in a beautiful setting. The wines are elegant, smooth, balanced & delicately blended.  The folks there are always welcoming which may be why it is such a hot local’s favorite (lots of bicyclists stop there; Quivira even sells their own biking jersey).  You’ll love their massive organic gardens (used by local chefs), the famous ancient Fig Tree and the precious farm animals (goats, hens, pigs).  Quivira is a vineyard farm that looks like an artist’s painting.  They’ll give you a tour and barrel tasting (for four people) with a VIP pass.

Third Stop

Dry Creek General Store

Go back the way you came in and you’ll run right into the only place to eat in Dry Creek Valley.  It’s a local’s place by night (a bar is attached) and a deli/store for visitors and winery workers during the day.  (TIP: A regular deli sandwich is better then the hot sandwich “specials” that are consistently greasy and disappointing.)  I recommend sitting on the porch and enjoying the people watching while you eat. You’re very likely to meet other wine enthusiasts from all over the country.  They have wine and non-alcoholic beverages, depending on your mood!

Fourth Stop

Gustafson Winery

Part of enjoying the Dry Creek area is seeing the stunning countryside.  Leaving the General Store, continue on Dry Creek Road, a two-lane, mostly empty tree-lined road with wide openings of hillside vineyards appearing then disappearing as you make your way to Lake Sonoma.  It’s only a 20 minute drive from the store to the Lake, but don’t stop there.  Drive another 10 minutes and you’ve discovered Gustafson Winery, the only winery in the Dry Creek Appellation that sits 1,800′ above the valley.  This is a true hidden gem.  Unbelievable views (30 miles in 3 directions) and stunning wines.  My friends at the winery have generously offered to give my guests a tour, wine education & tasting for 4 people worth $100 when you have a VIP Pass.

Wineries are open from 10:00 – 5:00 generally.  With three tours & tastings, lunch & enjoying the countryside, you’ve just had a fantastic day trip and you’re sober enough to drive home.

If you’re staying the night, here’s the place:

Honor Mansion

I’ve had lots of guests stay here and they are 1000% in love with the experience. It is gorgeous, welcoming & elegant. When you arrive, the temperature in the room will be perfect, soft music will be playing in your room, and if there is a chill in the air, a cozy fire will be lit in the fireplace.  As you drive up, it looks like a pretty mansion, but a surprise awaits you when you step through the house out into the homey, yet resort-size grounds.  You can swim, play croquet, bocce ball, tennis, or just relax and watch the Koi. Honor Mansion is in my VIP Pass guidebook (complimentary champagne & chocolate-covered strawberries) and be sure to check out their online specials.

There are lots of great restaurants in Healdsburg, your concierge can give you recommendations for whatever you’re craving.  My favs are Willie’s Seafood & Wine Bar & Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen.

Day 2 Shopping (& a bit more wine tasting)!

Healdsburg is a special place with cute dress shops, galleries, and antique stores enclosing a town square. You’ll regret it if you don’t spend at least the afternoon wandering around, enjoying the fresh air and friendly people.  I recommend you have enjoy the Honor Mansion’s amenities in the a.m., have a fabulous breakfast, play a little Bocce Ball or get a massage.  After you check out, go visit my friends at the Wine Shop.  Located on the square, it’s a tasting room and wine shop.  They often have vintners hanging out talking about their wines.  Regardless, you can sit at the little bar and be introduced to fun and affordable wines. (VIP Pass holders taste on me and get discounts on wine purchases.)  This is a great opportunity to learn how a wine shop works, so when you go home, you won’t feel unsure about hooking up with your local wine shop, or you can even have The Wine Shop in Healdsburg send you wine, like I do.

After tasting wine, you’re ready to shop!  Spend the afternoon strolling, eating, window shopping and getting that perfect sculpture or other memory of your trip.  PS: You’ll want to come back, everyone does.  For more recommendations to plan your next trip to Healdsburg, just search my blog for Healdsburg.

If you want me to be your guide or want an affordable and friendly driving service, contact Vine Rover Tours (tell Jay, Alana sent you).

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I often get requests from readers to help them with their wine country itinerary. My readers also refer their friends to me.

The places I recommend consistently treat people like welcome guests, offer something more then a belly-up-the-bar wine tasting, make fabulous wine or food, and meet my criteria for a wonderful place to stay overnight (cozy, comfortable luxury).

In ensure that my friends & fans get the same “insider” treatment that I do, I asked my favorite businesses to be part of a very special project,  Alana’s Insider Picks & Tips, Get the Inside Scoop & Save $700.  Each business provided an Insider Pass in my new guidebook.  I added tons of tips to best enjoy a day trip or a vacation in wine country.

Now you can get my recommendations plus Passes to the VIP experiences that I enjoy as an insider.

I can hardly wait to share these fabulous places and adventures with you! Learn more by going to the Guide page.

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