Planning your first trip to wine country? Here are some things to consider as you’re thinking about your trip to Napa or Sonoma.
Narrow your focus. Don’t assume that you can criss-cross either Napa or Sonoma County to see far-flung vineyards and taste at wineries that span miles through traffic or over mountains. Instead, decide where you want to taste, and plan lodging nearby. Or if your hotel/rental is more important to you, start by making that reservation and find tasting opportunities nearby. Print out a map and consult it often as you develop your itinerary.
Not sure where to start? Think about what you like to drink. Generally, Cabernet lovers flock to Napa while Pinot Noir drinkers often favor Sonoma. Fond of sparkling? Schramsberg in Calistoga is a must-see. Wine lovers who are interested in Napa history or have seen the movie “Bottle Shock” should visit Stag’s Leap and Chateau Montelena. There are many varieties being grown all over California, so you can undoubtedly find what you’re looking for if you plan ahead.
Ask your friends, wine shop and local wine experts for suggestions. Last year on a wine trip in a very small village in Champagne, I was on a tour with another couple from Dallas. They had arrived at this remote location thanks to a recommendation by the staff at the Pogo’s store in Inwood Village! Some of my best wine country experiences have been visiting wineries that were suggested by friends.
Lodging is expensive. Look at newer properties which may be offering opening specials. Also consider VRBO and other home rental services. This can be a cost effective option, especially if you are traveling with friends. Again, location is key. I have found that Napa lodging is getting almost prohibitively expensive. This may be a good time to utilize some hotel points that you’ve accumulated.
Make some appointments. It seems that more and more wineries require appointments. Tasting rooms do this for a reason. They want to be sure that they can give their guests a nice experience and not be bombarded with too many folks at once. Appointments are mandatory for the smallest wineries. On a full day of wine tasting, I like to schedule at least two appointments, often one in the morning and and then another after lunch. Then I’ll also have an idea of a few other places that are open for walk-ins in case our appointments don’t fill our day. Having some flexibility is nice in case you decide you’d rather spend some time enjoying a patio or taking a swim rather than doing another tasting. Additionally, having some flexibility in the schedule allows for some spontaneous stops that may end up being your favorites. Years ago, we met Erich Bradley, winemaker extraordinaire, at one of the wineries where he consulted at the time. He asked if we like Pinot Noir. (YES!) He made a call and set us up that afternoon to taste at Sojourn where he makes exceptional Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sojourns remains one of our favorite Sonoma wineries and is poured frequently at our home.
Check local calendars for fun events. Think about timing your trip around an annual festival, a winery concert or a race. Develop a list of the wineries you may want to visit, then check their websites for special events. Is your hotel hosting a food and wine festival? Is a nearby winery offering live music after hours? Check the farmer’s market schedule and get items for a picnic. Many wineries welcome your picnic. Call ahead or check their website.
Call an audible. Don’t be afraid to bail if you arrive at a winery without an appointment and it isn’t a good fit. There have been a couple of times that we have walked in, looked around and walked right back out. Or have tried to find a place to stand at a tasting bar, gotten discouraged and left. Or been so overwhelmed by the volume of the band that’s playing on the patio that we bailed. Maybe on another day it would have been your favorite tasting of the trip, but it just wasn’t working out at that particular time. Just move on.
Dress appropriately. You can often tell who didn’t read the fine print. If your tour includes a walk in the vineyard, skip the sandals and stilettos. If you’re tasting in a cave, take a sweater!
Take time for rest and relaxation. And possibly spa time. Truly, the spa experiences I’ve had in wine country have been world-class. Again, it’s not cheap.
Make dinner reservations early. Restaurants book up surprisingly fast. Use your hotel concierge for assistance if you find yourself without a reservation. Inquire about the possibility of bringing one of your wine purchases, or enjoy a new discovery on the restaurant’s wine list.
A word about hospitality… The level of hospitality you will find in the wine country is truly world-class. People who work in tasting rooms, lead tours, make wine, and sell wine are happy to see you and want you to have a good time. They also hope you will buy wine and join the wine club, but truly those things are secondary to you having a good experience and telling your friends about it. You’re not expected to comment on every wine you try, and you certainly don’t have to say that you like every wine. As a guest, wineries do expect that you are considerate of their staff and their rules and that you drink responsibly. Please plan a designated driver or hire a driver so that you can taste without worry.
What questions do you have about your upcoming trip? Need help planning? I would love to help you design an itinerary that will exceed your expectations!
