Sonoma/Napa Valley 3 day adventure

It's been a few years since I lived in Napa, but I was back visiting friends just a couple years ago for a couple weeks. I can't give you all the places I used to frequent, but I always like Celedon. https://www.celadonnapa.com/

For something a little different, at the point where 12 and 121 split there's a scenic overlook with a large statue of a guy crushing grapes. Take a picnic up there some evening and watch the sunset.

A few quick favorites of mine -- I suggest wine tasting at Jessup Cellars in Yountville; I think their wine is the best (but we all have different tastes, don't we). The tasting is in an art gallery of sorts so you can walk around and experience what is on display at that time. In Sonoma, I highly recommend Basque Boulangerie Cafe. It's on the east side of the plaza. Several years ago I had an amazing chocolate cherry muffin, but they seem to be out of them every other time I've been there. But anything we've had was really good. Restaurants abound and it's hard to single one out, but I will suggest Bistro Don Giovanni, on the north side of Napa. Enjoy!

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I don't think we could go wrong with any of them. I love the idea of wine and food pairing, chocolate cherry muffins sounds divine, and an evening picnic with a view sounds romantic. My husband and I do love Italian food and wine so may lean in that direction.

Many thanks, Wanda

June is a beautiful time to visit Napa and Sonoma. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area and visit both Napa and Sonoma frequently.

Sonoma Restaurants

• Glen Ellen Star: my absolute favorite restaurant in the Sonoma area (Glen Ellen is ~20 minute drive from the Sonoma plaza, near Jack London State Park. If you are in town on a Wednesday, make reservations for neighborhood night. In addition to their stellar a la carte menu, they have a two-course prefix dinner menu for ~$50 and no corkage fee. It is classic California cuisine, much of the food prepared in a wood oven. Not to miss: wood fired vegetables (whatever is in season) and their bread.
• El Molina Central: this is a local favorite that is also a Michelin Bib Gourmand. It is authentic Mexican cuisine served in a humble environment with mainly outdoor seating. The standouts are the tamales, ceviche, and the enchilada suizas. I make regular pilgrimages here to buy tamales.
• Spread Kitchen: Lebanese cuisine with a California Ethos. It is an ideal lunch place with a beautiful patio and the best Fatoush salad I have ever had. Super small parking lot.
• Tasca Tasca: wonderful Portuguese tapas from the team at La Sallette a higher end Portuguese restaurant. A great selection of Portuguese wines to break up the Pinot/Cab/Chardonnays.

Sonoma Wineries

• Walt Wines: Owned by the Hall Family who has a wonderful tasting room for Cabernet is St. Helena. Walt winery is a homage to Kathryn Hall’s father and focuses on Pinot. Their differentiation is the ability to taste 1000 miles of Pinot from the Oregon Willemette Valley to Santa Barbara. For a different twist on a standard tasting, you could opt for lunch here with their pairing of food and wines. They host in a small house with a Redwood garden.
• Gundlauch Bundschu Winery: family owned since 1858 and have some interesting tours, they also have concerts, so check out their event schedule.

-Three Sticks Winery (just off the square in Sonoma), wonderful Pinots with a tasting in an old adobe.

Other things in Sonoma

• Jack London State Park
• Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn has Concert and Food Truck Series in the Summer which is free to the community. Check websites for dates.
• Shopping in Sonoma Plaza—there is a wonderful olive oil store which offers free tastings, check the movie theatre schedule as they often offer live events in the summer, we always find something lovely to buy.
• Spa: my favorite in Sonoma is the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Sometimes in the summer resorts limit spa services to non guests, so you will need to check, but this place has good services and a lot of amenities to spend at least a few hours getting pampered.

I will put a second post on Napa Valley.

Here is the Napa Valley Recommendations

It can take 20 to 30 minutes to get to Napa from Sonoma and then another 30 to go to Calistoga. I will focus my recommendations near Napa/Yountville with a couple of exceptions.

Restaurants

• In Napa, my favorite restaurants are Oenotri (this is a small Italian place downtown with some of the best pizza in the Bay Area and an excellent Italian wine list. Hog Island Oyster in Oxbow markets, nothing better than fresh Oysters and champagne. Zuzu is a local Spanish Tapas place with amazing Paella, feels like I am visiting Spain. Bear at Stanley Ranch, amazing California/Asian cuisine in the Auberge Resort. Bistro Don Giovanni is just outside Napa and is a local favorite. You will find tourists and wine makers alike. If you want more Amalfi Coast food, the same owners own Scala in Downtown Napa. Breakfast at Winstons or Model Bakery.
• Yountville has so many great restaurants. My favorite is Bouchon, classic French Bistro by Thomas Keller. Ciccio, an Italian institution in Yountville was lovingly taken over my Michelin Star Chef Chris Kostow from the original owners and have kept the vibe that locals have loved, but added their own touches, especially with the wood fire cooking. Mustards Grill is also a standard in the valley providing California, Mexican inspired food.
• St. Helena: again some great restaurants and I really should explore more, still need to try PRESS. I always come back to two restaurants: Charter Oak and Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch. Charter Oak is owned by Chris Kostow and offers the most simple and creative food, much of which is over a wood fire. I always start with their bread and homemade butter and wood fire avocado with their own olive oil. The wings are outstanding as is their specials of the season, if the steak is on the menu, it is wonderful. Farmstead is much more casual, almost roadhouse food in a rustic, yet upscale setting. In the summer, they also have outdoor music. Last is the Valley’s Classic Gotts Roadhouse (originally Taylor Refreshers). It is a drive in, always crowded. It has more than just your typical burger. Here you can get an Ahi Tuna burger, tacos, wonderful vegetarian options and some of the best shakes.
• Picnic Provisions: Contimo Provisions in Napa (amazing sandwiches and creative side dishes), Genova Deli (in a strip mall, family owned, locally driven Italian food with great sandwiches for picnics, also Oakville Grocery (a gourmet grocery store, much pricier than Contimo or Genova.

I will send you another posting with Wineries and Experiences.

My final post on winery recommendations and experiences in Napa Valley

• Raymond Winery: Winemaker for a Day (reservations required). This is a great experience, you get to blend and bottle your own wine using the excellent Cabernets from Raymond. The wonderful thing about this experience is that you can send Raymond a photo and any text in advance of your blending and have it available for your bottling. All blends are kept on file for future orders. It is the one thing I do when I take people who have never been to Napa.
• Napa Valley Wine Train: this is a nice way to travel in style through parts of Napa Valley enjoying a gourmet meal and wine. It is available for lunch and dinner on most days.
• Del Dotto Winery Tastings: you can tour the caves, taste from barrels, and enjoy Italian bites at the end of the tour. They have three locations in Napa Valley and all are enjoyable.
• Hall Winery: Kathryn Hall has 90+ point Cabernets and it is served on a lush property in which you can walk through the vineyards and see wonderful contemporary artworks.
• Duckhorn Winery: High quality Cabernets, Merlots, served in a beautiful garden setting.

Wow, Sandy O! Thanks so much for taking time to share all of this! Our family is planning a first trip to Napa/Sonoma for Thanksgiving, and this puts everything we need in one place! Any special suggestions for that time of year?

Amazing information Sandy O. You obviously love the Sonoma/Napa Valley and have visited on many occasions. We have already booked a few of your recommendations and will save the rest for our next trip. Many thanks, Wanda

Glad to help Wanda. Enjoy your visit.