Napa & Sonoma: 4-Day Trip
One of the best things about Napa and Sonoma is you can easily visit them year-round unlike other wine regions that are either very cold in the winter or very hot in the summer. The prime time to visit is the fall harvest season, but you might want to consider going in the slower months of January and February. You won’t get the same views of lush grape vines, but you will find much quieter tasting rooms and receive more attention from the staff.
In this post, I’ve laid out a four-day Napa/Sonoma itinerary for you. It contains a variety of wineries and thus is a good starting point for planning your trip. Some of these wineries are absolute favorites of mine and some are not my exact cup of tea (er, wine?), but may end up being your favorites. I’ll share my likes and dislikes about each winery and let you decide if you want to include the winery on your Napa/Sonoma jaunt. I’ll also share a few wineries that are on my need to visit list for the future if you’re looking for substitutions.
Finally, it wouldn’t be complete trip to wine country without enjoying the wonderful food, so I’ve included restaurant suggestions for dinner. (I’m normally a must eat lunch person but I found that the hearty B&B breakfast plus keeping a stash of fruit and trail mix around was enough to get me through to dinner.)
I hope this helps with your trip planning!
P.S. I know this post is a bit long, but it is a complete 4-day itinerary. You can easily shift days around or reverse the order of your visits within a day to accommodate the tastings you reserve. Do note the days are organized for the least drive time. (Speaking of reservations, I’ve marked if wineries require them, but note wineries always require advance notice for large parties, generally 6 or more.)
Where to Stay
I recommend you stay at Raford Inn Bed & Breakfast in Healdsburg. The owners, Dane and Rita, will welcome you warmly and make sure you enjoy every moment of your stay. They serve a hot gourmet country breakfast every morning, and they offer a wine and cheese happy hour every evening. The rooms are nicely sized and very comfortable.
DAY 1: Healdsburg & Geyserville
Winery Visit: Rodney Strong
Type: A little bit of everything
Top recommendation: Brothers Ridge Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Rodney Strong has something for everyone and most of the price points are very reasonable. This is a good first stop to get your feet wet and to understand what the area has to offer. Based on this visit, you can narrow down which grapes you like best and aim for wineries that specialize in those grapes.
And if you want a recommendation of where to go next simply ask. I’ve discovered some of my favorite wineries through recommendations from other wineries. These people are in the wine business because they love it and they want you to find wine you love – even if it isn’t theirs.
11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, CA 95448 rodneystrong.com
Open daily 10am to 5pm
Winery Visit: Ridge Vineyards-Lytton Springs
Type: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Syrah, Zinfandel, Rhone Blends
Top recommendation: Mazzoni Home Ranch
We started with the estate tasting and were sufficiently impressed that we stayed to try the “regular” tasting as well. So do both tastings, though do it in the correct order because it will make life easier for your palate. I enjoyed most of the wines I tried. Ridge does a great job of blending their wines. Most wines are more than one grape and they use some grapes even I was not familiar with. In the end, the wine I enjoyed the most was the Mazzoni. I will call this wine a pizza wine. It is simple and unassuming but so good. I wish that more places made a wine like this. You could say it is every day wine, but it’s the best every day wine you’ve ever had. One other note, it is $10 to taste the Monte Bello, which they are famous for. However, unless you are good at understanding how wine will age, I would not spend the money to try this wine. It is not ready to drink yet.
650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 ridgewine.com/visit/lytton-springs/
Open daily 11am to 4pm
Winery Visit: Silver Oak, Alexander Valley
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Top recommendation: Alexander Valley
Silver Oak only makes Cabernet Sauvignon with bottlings from Napa Valley and Anderson Valley. This is a good place to go if you like Bordeaux. Their wines are understated and clearly show off the terroir. The thing you need to know is these wines will benefit greatly from aging. So this is not necessarily the first place you want to visit. You need to understand that you are buying something that won’t truly be ready to enjoy for several years.
24625 Chianti Road, Geyserville, CA 95441 silveroak.com/visit-us/alexander-valley
Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm
Winery Visit: Hawkes, Alexander Valley
*** Blythe Favorite ***
Type: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Vin Gris, Semillon
Top recommendation: Stone Cabernet Sauvignon
Hawkes was not initially on our itinerary but we received a recommendation from Silver Oak so we headed over, and I am so glad we did. The staff was attentive and incredibly knowledgeable. We started with the Home Chardonnay, which was crisp, clean, and refreshing. (If you like oak bombs this Chardonnay is not for you, but if you like a more understated Chardonnay this is a good bet. It has seen no new oak and no malolactic fermentation.)
Then we moved on to the reds. The Stone Cabernet Sauvignon was excellent, so it’s no wonder it was sold out. The other reds were nice as well. All the reds had good weight, a lush mouthfeel, and light tannins.
Finally, at the end of our visit we realized there was a Vin Gris and a Late Harvest Semillon, so we gave them a try too. The Vin Gris is a great porch sipper and the Semillon tastes very similar to its famous cousin Sauternes.
Needless to say, we enjoyed this winery very much. I highly recommend Hawkes to anyone who likes their wines with a bit of finesse and a bit of an Old-World feel.
6734 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448 hawkeswine.com
Open daily 10am to 5pm
Winery Visit: Sbragia
Type: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet
I was disappointed here. The Sauvignon Blanc was fine, though it was not anything special. The rest of the wines saw oak and I did not enjoy the toast Sbragia uses on their oak. I kept getting a charcoal taste when I tried their wine, which is not a taste I enjoy in wine. I hate to write them off completely because there were plenty of other patrons who enjoyed the product. I will simply say that if you like a more refined (and less oaked wine) then this is not the place for you.
9990 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville, CA 95441 sbragia.com
Open daily 11am to 4pm (winter hours)
Dinner: Diavola Pizzeria
Full disclosure: I haven’t been to this restaurant, but it comes highly recommended from friends who frequent the area and has great reviews.
21021 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, CA diavolapizzeria.com
DAY 2: Napa
Winery Visit: Domaine Carneros
*** Blythe Favorite ***
Type: Sparkling Wine, Pinot Noir
Top recommendation: Le Reve
* Reservation Required *
Domaine Carneros is stunning. It welcomes you with a beautiful chateau in the midst of grape vines. And then there’s wine, which is delicious. It is the US branch of Taittinger and my favorite sparkling producer in California. They only use traditional champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and I find their sparklers to be refined and to have a nice lightness to them. I am especially fond of their top bottling called Le Reve (The Dream). It is 100% Chardonnay and is an absolute pleasure to drink. This is what all sparkling wine should taste like!
I recommend taking the Art of Sparkling Wine Tour (reservations needed); it is a great overview of how sparkling wine is made. If you aren’t one for tours, or can’t find a tour time that works for you, they’ll be happy to pour you samples in the tasting room. If you go in the warmer months, you should sit on their patio and enjoy a plate of cheese with your wine. Though be warned you won’t want to leave.
1240 Duhig Road, Napa, CA 94559 domainecarneros.com
Appointments available daily 10am to 5:30pm
Winery Visit: Regusci
Type: Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet, Bordeaux Blend
Top recommendation: Patriarch Propriety Red
* Reservation Required *
This winery is a bit off the beaten path but is worth the stop. The tasting room is cozy and you are welcomed in with a table that has crackers to dip in their olive oil, which is incredible. On the whole, these are wines that need time to age in the bottle. I don’t know that first-time tasters would enjoy the wine since you have to do some imagining as to what you’ll taste in 5 to 10 years. But experienced wine lovers, red lovers especially, should give this spot a try.
5584 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558 regusciwinery.com
Open daily
Winery Visit: Sequoia Grove
Type: Chardonnay, Cabernet
This winery came highly recommended, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed. The setting is beautiful and the staff is incredibly helpful, so I can promise you will have a lovely time if you go. I simply did not fall in love with any of the wines. Like at Regusci, most of the wines need more time to age and develop in the bottle.
8338 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94558 sequoiagrove.com
Open daily 10:30am to 5pm
Dinner: Healdsburg Bar & Grill
Stop off here on the way home for a casual dinner. Or, if you’re making great time, head back to the B&B first for some wine and cheese then swing into downtown Healdsburg for dinner and a bit of walking around.
245 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448 healdsburgbarandgrill.com
DAY 3: Calistoga & St. Helena
Winery Visit: Chateau Montelena
*** Blythe Favorite ***
Type: Chardonnay, Cabernet
Top recommendation: Too hard to pick!
We did the library tasting ($65pp, reservation required) and it was incredible. I have a feeling we got a little extra attention because it was a quiet day and I’m a wine nerd, but I would recommend the library tasting to anyone who enjoys French-style Chardonnays and Cabernets. It is easy to see why the French picked this wine (Chardonnay) as the winner at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, thinking it was one of their own. It has incredible finesse, the lightest touch of oak to round out its flavor, and a lovely full feel on the palate. This is a Chardonnay that can be drunk today or aged for some time. You’ll enjoy the current vintage and a slightly older vintage side by side (2010 and 2007 for us), which is a great lesson in aging wine for anyone who is not familiar with how a white can age.
The Cabernets are fantastic as well. The library tasting includes four vintages (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 for us), and is great way to understand what different growing conditions do to wine. You’ll be able to taste which years had longer, warmer growing seasons (riper) and which years had shorter, cooler growing seasons (more austere). We enjoyed all four wines and were hard pressed to pick a favorite. It was such fun to geek out on the nuances between the years. Keep in mind these are wines that you’ll want to age. We bought a bottle of the 2007 and are still holding on to it. It’s hard to wait to drink something so delicious, but if you have the patience it will be even more delicious later.
Even if you only do the regular tasting (no reservation required) I still recommend a stop here. In fact, the beautiful chateau alone is worth the stop.
1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515 montelena.com
Open daily 9:30am to 4pm
Winery Visit: Duckhorn
Type: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet
Top recommendation: Merlot
* Reservation Required *
My reaction to visiting Duckhorn was mixed. I’ve always enjoyed their wines so was expecting to have a great visit. The problem is they are serving their wines too young. Every red wine we tasted needed more time in the bottle. Now, you’ve heard me mention the need for wines to age a few times, but this was the winery where it got to me the most. Even an extra year in the bottle would have helped.
On the positive side, the setting is beautiful and you sit at your own table while the staff brings you your tasting, so it is quite relaxing. I think what they need is a library tasting so you can appreciate how good these wines get with age, especially the Merlot.
1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574 duckhorn.com
Tasting appointments offered daily 10am to 3pm
Winery Visit: Pride Mountain Vineyards
*** Blythe Favorite ***
Type: Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Top recommendation: Cabernet Franc
* Reservation Required *
Pride Mountain completely blew me away. It is reservation only and it is interesting to get to because it’s at the top of mountain (complete with a VERY curvy road). But it’s worth it. Upon arriving, you start with their Chardonnay, which was good but not my best Chardonnay of the day (though keep in mind this is the same day I had Chardonnay at Montelena).
Then you take a tour through their caves, which is a unique experience. We sampled three wines in the cave. We started with their Syrah, which was lush and fruit forward and a pleasure to sip. Then we moved on to the still aging Cabernet Franc, which our host pulled straight from the barrel with a wine thief. Now, I have no idea if this is always included on the tour, but it was a showstopper. Any time I can enjoy wine straight from the barrel I’m very happy. Their Cab Franc sells out in under two weeks every year so I joined their email list just so I get notified when the Cab Franc is released. Finally, we tasted the Merlot. It needed more time in the bottle but was already exhibiting great character and flavor.
When we got back to the tasting room, we finished with their Cabernet Sauvignon. After the incredible Syrah, Cab Franc and Merlot, I was a bit underwhelmed by the Cab Sauv, though it was still a nice wine.
In sum, let’s just say I highly recommend a visit to Pride Mountain.
4026 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574 pridewines.com
Closed Tuesdays, see website for reservation options
Dinner: Farmhouse Inn Restaurant
*** Blythe Favorite ***
This restaurant has One Michelin Star and is phenomenal. You will have excellent food and the staff will do everything they can to make it the best night of your trip. We chose to do the wine pairing instead of ordering a bottle, and it was so fun to see what the sommelier brought out for each course. As we got to talking, I could tell she was taking my preferences into account and making sure she was pouring wines I’d like.
7871 River Road, Forestville, CA 95436 farmhouseinn.com/restaurant
DAY 4: Sebastopol
Winery Visit: Iron Horse
Type: Sparkling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
* Reservation Required *
Iron Horse sparkling wine is frequently served at the White House, so I was expecting to be blown away but found myself disappointed. Now, I have to mention it was gray and rainy when we visited, and I’m someone who reacts to the weather around me, which may have dampened my experience. (The tasting room is outside, though covered.) That said, I found their sparklers to be heavy and also strangely not as bubbly as most sparkling wine. I wouldn’t dissuade you from visiting Iron Horse, especially if you like sparkling wine more in the style of Veuve Clicquot, but if you only visit one sparkling wine producer in the area I would definitely steer you to Domaine Carneros.
9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472 ironhorsevineyards.com
Open 10am to 4:30pm daily
Winery Visit: Lynmar
Type: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
* Reservation Required *
This is another beautiful tasting room, and the staff is exceedingly helpful so I am sad I did not enjoy the product more. The Chardonnay had too much oak for me (though I will admit it was not particularly heavy on the oak, I simply like less oak in my Chardonnays). And the Pinot Noirs were decent but not incredible. However, I have friends who love Lynmar who told I must have had an off-tasting moment when I visited, so I would say this one is worth popping into.
3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472 lynmarestate.com
Closed Tuesdays, see website for reservation options
Winery Visit: MacPhail
*** Blythe Favorite ***
Type: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Top recommendation: Pratt Vineyard Pinot Noir
Full disclosure: I visited MacPhail when it was a smaller operation still in the hands of the original owners. It has since grown and been sold to new owners. It has also moved tasting rooms. As such, I can’t describe the exact experience you will have. However, what I can tell you is I am still on the wine list, and this is currently the only winery I’m on the wine list for.
All that MacPhail makes is a bit of Chardonnay and a lot of Pinot Noir, and they do it right. They do not grow their own grapes. Instead they have long-term contracts to purchase grapes from select vineyards, and they’ve picked some good vineyards to work with. Each vineyard produces a unique wine and when you taste them side by side you get to learn impact of terroir. My favorite is Pratt Vineyard. This vineyard is on the cool Sonoma Coast and produces an earthy wine with great depth of flavor. They also work with vineyards in warmer areas, like the Anderson Valley, which results in softer, more fruit-forward wines.
In short, this is a great place to come if you want good Pinot Noir. You will undoubtedly find at least one of their bottlings that it is right up your alley. Every time I open a bottle my first reaction is, “this is what good wine is supposed to taste like”.
MacPhail Tasting Lounge @The Barlow, 6761 McKinley Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472 macphailwine.com/visit
Open Wednesday to Sunday 12pm to 5pm
Winery Visit: Copain
*** Blythe Favorite ***
Type: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Top recommendation: Tous Ensemble Chardonnay
* Reservation Required *
Walking into this tasting room is like walking into someone’s family room. It is incredibly homey and welcoming. I was blown away by the Chardonnay. It is French in style and is clean on the palate. If you are looking for a traditional California oak bomb this Chardonnay is not for you, but if you are looking for something more refined this will hit the spot. I was not as impressed with the reds, but I like the restrained style they use on their wines and I have a feeling the reds from a better vintage would have been more to my liking.
7800 Eastside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 copainwines.com
Open daily 10am to 3:30pm, see website for options
Dinner: Bravas Bar de Tapas
Full disclosure: This is another restaurant I haven’t been to. I can’t tell if this is a sign restaurants open and close too quickly, or it’s been too long since I’ve been in the area, or both … At any rate, this restaurant is well rated on Trip Advisor, which is my go-to when I’m looking for places to eat when traveling. So I have a feeling you’ll have a great meal here.
13555 Highway, 116, Guerneville, CA 95446 starkrestaurants.com/bravas-bar-de-tapas
NEED TO VISIT LIST
In case you want to make any swaps, as promised, here are a few wineries that I’m excited to visit the next time I’m in Napa/Sonoma. I also encourage you to simply ask around. Local recommendations are the best way to discover your new favorite winery.
- Mayacamas: Their tasting room in downtown Napa is open Wednesdays to Sundays and reservations are recommended. You can also visit the vineyard itself, which is $100+ pp and must be booked in advance. I’ll definitely be visiting the winery because I love their wine, but if you’re not familiar a visit to their tasting room may make more sense.
- Tongue Dancer Wines: This is the new venture from the original MacPhail team, and I can’t wait to see what they’ve come up with! It is a small facility and therefore is reservation only. You can find all the reservation info on their website.
- Spottswoode: I keep hearing amazing things! (This is another reservation only and is $75 pp.)