in article , Pantheras at
et wrote on 11/15/04 6:00 PM:

Midlife wrote:

I could use a bit of help. I will be in the San Francisco area for (US)
Thanksgiving and, as always, will spend some time tasting in the Napa/Sonoma
area. That weekend there is a tasting, at Copia, featuring 31 Santa Cruz
area wineries. Given all the tasting alternatives available, I asked Copia
for the specific wineries list so that I could decide if that's how we
should spend some time. Trouble is (as is happening more and more these
days) I only recognize a small number of the 31 wineries on the list. Other
than Burrell School, Clos La Chance, Kathryn Kennedy, Mount Eden, Ridge and
Thomas Fogarty, the list is a mystery. Any comments would be helpful.


I am very partial to Sonoma County, particularly the Healdsburg area.
You could motor up to Healdsburg and go directly to the Ridge winery
there. And while you are at it, visit some more great wineries without
getting into the crowds that you find in Napa. There are now 5 or 6
tasting rooms on the square in Healdsburg and there is a combined
tasting room in Gyserville that is good. Rafanelli is close to Ridge
but you will need to call ahead to get the gate code. Chateau Souverain
is a great place to visit and they have a wonderful restaurant that
servers dinners. There is also a restaurant in Healdsburg called Zin
where every item on the menu is designed to complement the wine.


Luckily for us, my wife and I are able to visit the Napa/Sonoma environs 3
or 4 times a year. This trip we have only the one free day and our daughter
has asked us to go with her to a private tasting at Franciscan which will
involve wines from other wineries owned by the same group. The Copia event
seemed like a nice way to complete the day and experience wines from a
different region.

We've been to Rafanelli two or three times. Dave is a great guy. In
September he had us tasting from fermentation tanks. That's what's so great
about smaller wineries. My wife and daughter went to Ridge - Lytton Springs
earlier in the year. For some reason they were not thrilled with what they
tasted at that time.

When we're able to stay at a relative's cottage on the Russian River, we're
close enough to have dinner in the area and have enjoyed many wonderful
meals there. Most often we are back in SF by dinner time. I'll keep your
recommendations for future reference.