Itineraries: Napa and Sonoma
On this four-day extravaganza, you’ll taste well-known and under-the-radar wines, bed down in plush hotels, and dine at restaurants operated by celebrity chefs. Appointments are required for some of the tastings.
Day 1: Sonoma County
(1½–2 hours by car from San Francisco, depending on traffic.)
Begin your tour in Geyserville, about 78 miles north of San Francisco on U.S. 101. Visit Locals Tasting Room, which pours the wines of special small wineries. Have lunch at nearby Diavola or Catelli’s, then head south on U.S. 101 and Old Redwood Highway to Healdsburg's J Vineyards and Winery, known for sparkling wines, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir. After a tasting, backtrack on Old Redwood to Healdsburg. Hôtel Les Mars and h2hotel are two well-located spots to spend the night. Have dinner at Chalkboard, Bravas Bar de Tapas, or Campo Fina, all close by.
Day 2: Sonoma Wineries
(1 hour by car from Healdsburg to Glen Ellen.)
Interesting wineries dot the countryside surrounding Healdsburg, among them Dry Creek Vineyard, Jordan Vineyard & Winery, and Unti Vineyards. Dry Creek produces Zinfandel, Jordan makes Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and Unti specializes in Zinfandel, Sangiovese, and obscure Italian and Rhône varietals. In the afternoon, head south on U.S. 101 and east on scenic Highway 12 to Glen Ellen. Visit Jack London State Historic Park, the memorabilia-filled home of the famous writer. Dine at Aventine Glen Ellen or Glen Ellen Star and stay at the Olea Hotel.
Day 3: Napa Valley
(Glen Ellen to St. Helena is about 30 minutes by car without traffic. St. Helena to Yountville is about 15 minutes by car, without stops.)
On day three, head east from Glen Ellen on Trinity Road, which twists and turns over the Mayacamas Mountains, eventually becoming the Oakville Grade. Unless you’re driving, bask in the stupendous Napa Valley views. At Highway 29, drive north to St. Helena. Focus on history and architecture at Charles Krug Winery or let the art and wines at Hall St. Helena transport you. Take lunch downtown at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen. Check out St. Helena’s shopping, then head south on Highway 29 to Yountville for more shopping. Start at celebrity chef Michael Chiarello’s NapaStyle, inside V Marketplace.
Stay overnight at Bardessono or the North Block Hotel, both within walking distance of Yountville’s famous restaurants. A meal at The French Laundry is many visitors’ holy grail, but dining at Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, Redd, or Chiarello’s Bottega will also leave you feeling well served.
Day 4: Oakville to Carneros
(Just over 1 hour by car from Napa to San Francisco, without traffic.)
After breakfast, head north on Highway 29 to Oakville, where sipping wine at Silver Oak Cellars, Nickel & Nickel, or B Cellars will make clear why collectors covet Oakville Cabernet Sauvignons. Nickel & Nickel is on Highway 29; Silver Oak and B Cellars are east of it on Oakville Cross Road. Have a picnic at Oakville Grocery, in business on Highway 29 since 1881. Afterward, head south to Highway 121 and turn west to reach the Carneros District. Tour the di Rosa arts center (appointment required), then repair across the street to Domaine Carneros, which makes French-style sparkling wines. There’s hardly a more elegant way to bid a Wine Country adieu than on the Domaine château’s vineyard-view terrace before heading back to San Francisco. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your departure airport; traffic is generally heavy as you close in on the Bay Area.
