2 Best Sights in Napa and Sonoma, California

Kivelstadt Cellars

Adventuresome sorts gravitate to Kivelstadt Cellars, described by a staff member as "three wineries trapped in one body." Founder Jordan Kivelstadt, an engineer by training and the son of two grape growers, likes to experiment, getting his full geek on with the fanciful KC Labs bottlings, among them a sprightly Mendocino County Zinfandel the hosts serve not at room temperature but chilled. Two standouts are the estate Pinot Noir and a Syrah called The Inheritance that winemaker Sam Baron crafts with old-world restraint, light on the oak. Other wines have more fruit-forward leanings. With this broad range of styles, something will appeal to most palates. The amusingly offhand crew pours the wines in a downtown Glen Ellen tasting room whose hip-rustic decor emphasizes new and reclaimed wood.

Twomey Cellars

The draws at the Sonoma County location of this winery founded by the owners of Silver Oak include California and Oregon Pinot Noirs, a Merlot crafted using a centuries-old French technique, and vineyard and Mayacamas Mountains views from the glass-walled tasting room. The Pinot Noirs, from grapes grown in prime locales, are made by Erin Miller, also responsible for the Sauvignon Blanc. The extremely supple Merlot is made at Twomey's Calistoga winery employing the soutirage traditionnel method of transferring the wine from oak barrel to oak barrel multiple times during aging to soften the tannins and intensify the aromas. A reservation is needed for all visits except the walk-in tasting at the bar. If the weather's nice, you can taste on the patio and enjoy its splendid views.