Hi all,

Some friends and I are meeting up in San Francisco for the labor day
weekend. We decided to make a day trip to Napa wine country. I've
visited Napa Valley a couple years ago, and only remember Domaine
Chandon. I remember it was a beautiful estate, and the sparkling wine
was tasty as well. I've searched the winecountry.com website to find a
list of wineries, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of tasting rooms
they listed. So, could you share with me your top 3 wineries (and why)
in Napa Valley? Thank you so much.

-Angie

2 of my favorites a
Sterling - Great Cabernet and the Club Level wines are outstanding. The view
on the gondola ride up the hillside is great. You get a great view of the
surrounding valley and vineyards. I recommend ask to go to the club tasting
room.
Milat - Small hand crafted wines, outstanding Zin, Red Table and desert
(Port style) wines. And the owner Mike Milat frequently pours in the small
tasting room with great stories about the family vineyards.
I was in Napa right after July 4th and those 2 were our favorites.
Paul
> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> Some friends and I are meeting up in San Francisco for the labor day
> weekend. We decided to make a day trip to Napa wine country. I've
> visited Napa Valley a couple years ago, and only remember Domaine
> Chandon. I remember it was a beautiful estate, and the sparkling wine
> was tasty as well. I've searched the winecountry.com website to find a
> list of wineries, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of tasting rooms
> they listed. So, could you share with me your top 3 wineries (and why)
> in Napa Valley? Thank you so much.
>
> -Angie
>

wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Some friends and I are meeting up in San Francisco for the labor day
> weekend. We decided to make a day trip to Napa wine country. I've
> visited Napa Valley a couple years ago, and only remember Domaine
> Chandon. I remember it was a beautiful estate, and the sparkling wine
> was tasty as well. I've searched the winecountry.com website to find a
> list of wineries, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of tasting rooms
> they listed. So, could you share with me your top 3 wineries (and why)
> in Napa Valley? Thank you so much.

Angie,
It really depends on what kind of wines you like, and what you look
for in a visit. FWIW, here are my thoughts:

for tours/history: Beringer, Mondavi, Schramsberg
for "high end" wines: Chateau Montelena, Joseph Phelps (by appt),
Duckhorn (by appt)
for Zinfandel: Storybook Mountain (by appt)
for sparkling/food: Domaine Chandon, Schramsberg
for low cost wines: Raymond, Hess Collection
for wines you won't find in stores: Milat, Dutch Henry, Vincent Arroyo,
Volker-Eisele, V. Sattui

I realize that that's more than three wineries, but I suspect that once
you decide what you're looking for, you can narrow it down to three.

Mark Lipton

http://www.napavalley.com/wineries/featured.html

in article ,
at wrote on 8/25/06 9:29 AM:

ies, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of tasting rooms
> they listed. So, could you share with me your top 3 wineries (and why)
> in Napa Valley? Thank you so much.
>
> -Angie
>


If you are able to call ahead and secure reservations, my favorite "by
appointment only" wineries a Stony Hill, Jarvis and Shafer, All 3 great
wines,and Jarvis is all in caves.

For "walk-in", I'd agree with most of what's been posted and would add
Silver Oak, Robert Sinskey, Arger-Martucci, Hall, Prager Port Works, and
Franciscan (especially since you can taste many other labels that are part
of the Icon Group there).

In article >, Midlife >
wrote:

> in article ,
> at wrote on 8/25/06 9:29 AM:
>
> ies, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of tasting rooms
> > they listed. So, could you share with me your top 3 wineries (and why)
> > in Napa Valley? Thank you so much.
> >
> > -Angie
> >
>
>
> If you are able to call ahead and secure reservations, my favorite "by
> appointment only" wineries a Stony Hill, Jarvis and Shafer, All 3 great
> wines,and Jarvis is all in caves.
>
> For "walk-in", I'd agree with most of what's been posted and would add
> Silver Oak, Robert Sinskey, Arger-Martucci, Hall, Prager Port Works, and
> Franciscan (especially since you can taste many other labels that are part
> of the Icon Group there).

Don't forget Elyse about 6 blocks from Domaine Chandon in Yountville.

"Lawrence Leichtman" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, Midlife >
> wrote:
>

Having just returned a few weeks ago, the visit is still very fresh in my
mind.

I very much enjoyed Domaine Carneros. A beautiful view, very nice tasting,
and surprisingly good Pinot Noir on the still wine side.
Robert Sinskey was terrific. A beautiful
open kitchen, knowledgeable staff, and nice little hors d'ouevres served
with the tasting. Fine wine.
Joseph Phelps has a beautiful view, a nice
outdoor tasting, and of course, very steady and excellent selections.
Frank Family was a very informal place, with
very unusual, big wines, nice sparkling selections, and a generous tasting.
Clos Pegase was magnificent, with gorgeous
artwork.
Hess Estate was likewise a very good quality
tasting, with a spectacular modern art gallery and beautiful grounds.


The choices are many, of course. Don't miss a hearty lunch at Rutherford
Grill or outdoor dining for lunch at Taylor's Refresher.

Thanks for your info!