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Top 10 wine attractions: Napa and Sonoma
There are surely few better ways to enjoy the Californian sun than by visiting the region’s numerous vineyards, fine wine bars and restaurants.
Whether its taking a private stretch limousine through the sprawling vineyards, hopping on board the Napa Wine Train or enjoying a glass of Merlot while looking across the Valley at Auberge du Soleil – California is undoubtedly a wine lover’s mecca.
Scroll through to see 10 of our top picks for taking in California’s wine country…
1. Napa Wine Train
Hop on board the Napa Wine train and enjoy a three-hour, thirty-six mile round-trip journey from the historic town of Napa, to the village of St. Helena, and back. On board the fully restored 1915-1917 Pullman Dining Car or 1952 Vista Dome car, guests can enjoy lunch or dinner as they pass through the vineyards and wineries of Napa Valley, with the option of taking in a winery tour. Surely the best way to travel.
2. Beau Wine Tours
For a more exclusive tour of Napa or Sonoma Valley you could book a private tour with Beau Wine Tours. Their wine trained chauffeurs will take you on a tailor-made tour of the region from the comfort of a stretch limousine, luxury sedan or SUV.
3. Viansa Winery and Marketplace
Viansa Winery & Marketplace was founded in 1989 by members of the Sebastiani family, Sonoma’s earliest Italian winemakers, who created Viansa to share their love of good wine, food and Italian heritage. Located on a hilltop close to the entrance of Sonoma Valley,Today, Viansa offers Californian favourites such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir alongside traditional Italian varietals produced from its vineyards.
Viansa Winery & Marketplace, 25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476
4. Long Meadow Ranch
The Long Meadow Ranch comprises of three locations across the Napa Valley producing wine, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils as well as grass-fed beef, eggs, fruits and vegetables. In total the ranch comprises 750 acres of land and 90 acres of vineyards, first planted on the Estate in the 1870s, growing Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
738 Main Street, Saint Helena
5. French Laundry
One of the best known restaurants in the area, the French Laundry is overseen by chef and owner Thomas Keller and is regularly included in the Restaurant Magazine list of the Top 50 Restaurants of the World, and the owner of three Michelin stars. Its menu features mainly French cuisine with American influences, giving rise to Cuisse de grenouilles sur un bâton – frog’s legs on a stick. It’s building, built in 1900, used to be a saloon and is in the US National Register of Historic Places.
6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
6. Open air jeep wine tours
For the adventurous off-roader, why not take in the regions wineries with an open top jeep sippin’ tour? Choose from 24 select wineries and tailor make your own tour of Napa or Sonoma.
7. Dutch Henry Winery
The Dutch Henry Winery opened its doors in 1992, by Scott Chafen who started with the aim of earning a reputation for quality and passion with an easy-going yet passionate approach to winemaking. The Dutch Henry Winery specialises in small lots of wines producing 5,000 cases a year including Bordeaux varietals dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the family’s vineyard. Other varietals produced include an estate Syrah, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc and a dry Rose. In 1999 Dutch Henry Winery was named one of the “top five” wineries to visit while in Napa by the Wall Street Journal.
4310 Silverado Trail, Calistoga
8. Vincent Arroyo Winery
Vincent Arroyo was founded in 1974 when Vincent Arroyo, gave up a career as a mechanical engineer in the Silicon Valley and purchased 23-acres in Calistoga, at the northern tip of the Napa Valley. Today, the winery maintains 85 acres of vineyards producing nine different grapes, including Petite Sirah and Cabernet, producing 8,000 cases of different varietals each year.
2361 Greenwood Avenue, Calistoga
9. Dutton Estate
The Dutton Estate Winery, located near the small town of Sebastopol, known as an apple growing region, was founded in 1964 by the parents of Joe Dutton, who now runs the winery with his wife Tracy. Today, Dutton Ranch farms 1300 acres of grapes and 250 acres of apples. Dutton Estate grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc and prides itself on being an environmentally low-impact producer.
8757 Green Valley Road, Sebastopol
10. Auberge du Soleil Restaurant
Auberge du Soleil is perched on top a peak facing down a small canyon offering spectacular views of Napa Valley and the town of Rutherford. A restaurant, spa and hotel complex, the Aurberge du Soleil oozes luxury and makes claim as Napa’s first fine-dining establishment opening in 1981.
Auberge du Soleil, 180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
How about Dry Creek Canyon General Store in Sonoma? Loads of character
These top 10s are all great but honestly, this is tip of the iceberg. SO MANY tasting venues, touring packages, restaurants, B&Bs & hotels, vineyard tours in Napa & Sonoma. Hundreds. So many and so little time. What an amazing place to live and work.
Bad fact checking — Domain Chandon opened Etoile restaurant much earlier (I first ate there in 1977 and it had been open a while) . Etoile is fine dining – it has a Michelin star.
Another bad fact: The writer must not have visited Auberge du Soleil because it is far from the top of the peak, it is only a short ways up the hill, It does have a nice view though, and is a very luxurious resort.
Most people living and visiting Napa Valley would put the Oakville Grocery on the top 10 list. The Wine Train is a unique thing to do in Napa Valley so deserves to be on the list. Most of the rest of the list do not stand out from the many great places to visit.
Are you kidding? The wine train? Total tourist trap!!