Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [216]
1111 Dunaweal Lane (off Hwy. 29, just south of downtown Calistoga), Calistoga. 707/942-3344. www.sterlingvineyards.com. Daily 10:30am–4:30pm.
Duckhorn Vineyards ★ With quintessential pastoral surroundings (think meadow views), Victorian farmhouse surroundings (hello verandas!), and a selection of extremely good wines on hand, Duckhorn Vineyards has much to offer for visitors interested in spending time to relax and taste. The tasting room, complete with cafe tables and a centerpiece bar, is a surprisingly modern place where you’ll pay $25 for a flight of four current-release wines, or $35 for a semiprivate estate-wine tasting, the latter of which you can book in advance. The fee may be a bit higher than elsewhere, but this is not your run-of-the-mill drink and dash. You’ll get plenty of attention and information on their current releases of sauvignon blanc, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon.
1000 Lodi Lane (at the Silverado Trail), St. Helena. 707/963-7108. www.duckhorn.com. Daily 10am–4pm. Reservations recommended.
Cuvaison Chardonnay lovers, take note: Cuvaison, pronounced Koo-vay-sawn (a French term for wine fermentation using skins), was founded in 1969 by Silicon Valley engineers Thomas Cottrell and Thomas Parkhill and is known for its production of the lush, round, and very food-friendly white grape. Still its 400 acres and a 63,000-case annual production isn’t exclusively reserved to its most famous varietal. Winemaker Steven Rogstad also produces a limited amount of merlot, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and zinfandel within the handsome Spanish mission–style structure.
Tastings are $15, which includes a glass and four tastings. Wine prices range from $22 for a chardonnay to as much as $85 for a cabernet sauvignon. Beautiful picnic grounds are situated amid 350-year-old moss-covered oak trees.
4550 Silverado Trail (just south of Dunaweal Lane), Calistoga. 707/942-6266. www.cuvaison.com. Daily 10am–5pm.
Beyond the Wineries: What to See & Do in Napa Valley
NAPA/ST. HELENA
If you have plenty of time and a penchant for Victorian architecture, seek out the Napa Valley Conference & Visitors Bureau, 1310 Napa Town Center, off First Street ( 707/226-7459, ext. 106; www.napavalley.com), which offers self-guided walking tours of the town’s historic buildings.
Sip Tip
You can cheaply sip your way through downtown Napa without ever getting behind the wheel with the “Taste Napa Downtown” wine card. For a mere $20, you get 10¢ tasting privileges at 10 local wine-centric watering holes and tasting rooms, all of which are within walking distance of each other. Plus you’ll get 10% discounts at tasting rooms. Available at the Napa Valley Conference & Visitors Bureau (1310 Napa Town Center, off First St.; 707/226-7459, ext. 106). Learn more at www.napadowntown.com.
A MARKETPLACE The Oxbow Market, 610 and 644 First St. ( 707/226-6529; www.oxbowpublicmarket.com), is a gourmet co-op featuring a cornucopia of tasty tenants, including a number of organic produce vendors, an exceptional rotisserie chicken (try the potatoes too!), a wine bar and shop, yet another outpost of Gott’s Roadside Tray Gourmet (a gourmet burger joint), an outstanding organic ice cream vendor (try the strawberry or coconut flavors!), a food-related antiques shop, and many other reasons to loosen your belt and your grip on your wallet. Definitely drop by hungry! Open daily. Check the website for hours of operation for specific vendors.
BIKING The quieter northern end of the valley is an ideal place to rent a bicycle and ride the Silverado Trail. St. Helena Cyclery, 1156 Main St. ( 707/963-7736; www.sthelenacyclery.com), rents bikes for $10 per hour or $35 a day, including rear rack, helmet, lock, and bag in which you can pack a picnic.
On most bicycling tours of Napa, you’ll bike 3 to 6 miles between each winery.
SHOPPING Shopaholics should make a beeline to the Napa Premium Outlets ( 707/226-9876; www.premiumoutlets.com), where Barneys