Three years running we have traveled somewhere for Thanksgiving. And for three years I have said it is the best idea we have had. Wine country in the late fall is perfection. There is no one there, you can get reservations anywhere, and if you love fall colors then this is your destination. Below is our trip, scheduled out by day and tasting times/best route, as well as where we stayed in each city. Enjoy!
Vineyard Country Inn- Can't say enough about making sure you stay in St. Helena when you are in Napa Valley. It is a prime location and is just cute as can be. The Vineyard Country Inn was well priced, breakfast was included and we pretty much got our own little wine country cottage. The cottage was large with a fire place, sitting area, king bed, bathroom, and patio. I found a great deal on hotels.com during their August sale and it was a steal. We will stay here again if it is just the two of us.
Sonoma/Russian River- We wanted to get a house for 6 of us that had plenty of room, we could cook Thanksgiving dinner and relax after day drinking. This house is perfect. The location is in a neighborhood so don't think you are getting vineyard views but it is well suited and close to everything you want to do in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Russian River and Sonoma. Plus, the beds are VERY comfortable and the house is spotless. https://www.vrbo.com/646673?utm_campaign=VRBO_TRV_INQ_HASC_replyBlank_PPS&utm_content=propid_text_o_lprop&utm_term=20160806&utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email
Driver
The best driver in Napa and Sonoma is Damon Mushruch. He is as professional and knowledgeable as they come. Highly recommend him not only because he has become our wine country friend but you won't ever have to worry about a thing. Just sit back, relax, and drink. He will take care of the rest.
damon@blisswinetours.com
What we did:
Saturday November 19
Lunch-The Shed Napa Valley- A great new BBQ shack on the way into Napa Valley. If you get the early flight into SFO this is about an hour from the airport and will quench all of your hunger needs. We got the smoked portobello sandwich and it was amaze!
Domaine Carneros - About 1/4 of a mile from The Shed, nothing says kicking off vacation than bubbles. Get an appointment in their parlor and order off the menu for a tasting of bubbles and Pinot Noir
Dinner- Oxbow Market- After having our welcome reception for our wedding at Oxbow Market it holds a special place in our hearts. It also holds some of the best food in Napa for amazing prices. Some of our favorites include Hog Island Oyster, the new brewery Fieldworks, and so much more. Come hungry and ready to just graze and taste.
Sunday November 20
Breakfast- Model Bakery- Nothing is better than the English Muffins from Model Bakery. Oprah just listed it as one of her Favorite Things and I couldn't agree more.
Walk around downtown Napa- downtown has a great river walk and cute shops. I think we did this mainly to walk off the English muffins and make room for lunch. It is worth at least looking around, great shops and some cute picture opportunities.
Lunch- R&D Kitchen- New restaurant in Yountville that is unreal. Like unreal. I was a little skeptical because it is a "chain" aka more than a few locations around the country but it is a must visit. The food is fresh, different, and delicious. We got a tuna roll, kale salad and we talked about how good it was the whole trip.
St. Supery Vineyard (no appointment needed)- Have always wanted to stop here because we served their wine at our wedding. The Sauvignon Blanc is pretty great and the tasting experience is worth a visit
Alpha Omega Winery (no appointment needed)- I have heard mixed reviews about the experience here but we had a great one! We walked up and said that we didn't have an appointment and they took us up to the barrel room for tasting. Could not have loved the wines more and bought two bottles.
Rutherford Hill Winery- Off of the Silverado Trail I have been following this winery on Instagram for years and was very excited to try it. Well, it was not good. I wish I had something good to say about the wines or the experience but it was crap and we will not be back
Dinner- Press- Had heard great things about this place and it lived it up it! We got a seat at the bar and ordered oysters during happy hour ($1 per oyster), truffle mac and cheese and picked veggies. The scene is pretty intimate and I felt like vineyard owners doing deals were having meals all around us. The cocktail and wine list is pretty extensive and impressive.
Monday November 21
Stag’s Leap Vineyard- Great wines and a great tasting tour/experience. It is a bit expensive but worth a one time visit. They sell you hard on the wine club which is not my most favorite thing!
Plumpjack Winery- This is a must. Must. Must. They make incredible wines, aren't scared to pour you a healthy tasting, and they leave you alone during your time there. We got a table outside (reserved before our trip) and felt like we were in France tasting wines. Loved it!
Lunch- Gott’s Roadside- Now, I feel like I have lead you all in the wrong direction for all my posts about Napa and not even hinted at going to Gott's. Honestly I thought it was just a fancy Burger King with long lines. WRONG. MY gawd this place is amazing. We waited for about 8 minutes (the lines move fast) and got two different burgers with veggie patties and garlic fries. Every single bite, Jaggs and I said how good it was. When it was over there was not a crumb left, my mouth is watering right now. I got the kimchi burger with an egg and Jaggs got the California burger. Yuuuuummmmmm
Round Pond- Always a staple when we go to Napa because it is the best view in all of the valley (besides being on the mountain). I have to say, this was our fifth time here, and we usually can't get enough of the wines and atmosphere. But, the wines weren't good. I know, I know, if you have been to Round Pond you are thinking I am insane. Maybe 2013 was a bad year for them but I hated all of the wines and so did Jaggs. Don't let be the reason you don't go because Round Pond is a must if you are in the valley' we just had an off tasting.
Dinner- Farmstead- A must for lunch or dinner. No question our top spot for eating a great farm-to-table meal. The wood fire artichoke is unreal and every single they put out will be your favorite dish.
Tuesday November 22
Breakfast- Auberge De Sol- The best breakfast of your life lives here. Make a reservation on their porch for views like no other and get the Japanese breakfast and thank me later. If you get there around 9am you can see the hot air balloons over the valley which you enjoy your perfect breakfast.
Patina Jewelry- The best antique jeweler in the country, with the most amazing prices. We love stopping in every year to see what they have any if anything fits on my fingers :)
Schweiger Vineyard- We are huge fans of Spring Mountain wines and are always looking for new spots to taste. Look no more. Yes, Barnett is king of the mountain but this is its neighbor and it is 100% worth a visit. The wines are wonderful and the views are exclusive.
Sherwin Family Vineyards- Another great Spring Mountain vineyard with good wines. The tasting experience is more in a family home by the fire which is warm/friendly and change of pace for Napa.
Goose & Gander- Another favorite for the best cocktail bar in the valley and unreal food. Between this and Farmstead I could eat at these two spots for a lifetime and be perfectly happy.
Balletto Vineyard (no appointment needed)- Time to head to Sonoma/Russian River where the tastings are $5 or waived with a bottle purchase. There is no sticker shock over the mountain in Sonoma and it is just a bunch of farmers making great wines. Balletto makes some killer Pinots and Zins, which are priced out of this world.
Lunch- Russian River Brewery- The king of beers lives here (Pliney the Elder) and the menu is a perfect compliment. Yes, you will have to wait in line to get into the bar because even the locals are trying to get their Pliney fix. But, once you are in get the beer sampler, take a selfie with it and order yourself some pizza. Sit back, smile, and relax.
Paradise Ridge Winery- On a hillside on the Sonoma mountain making pretty good wines. I wouldn't go back for the wines as much as I would go back for the view. Wow. It is worth tasting here at sunset just to get some good pictures and taste the well priced wines.
Bear Republic Brewing Company- Nice brewery in the town of Healsburg. We called ahead to our dinner spot and put our name on the list so we could make sure to try the beers they are brewing here.
Dinner- Willi’s Seafood & Raw Oyster Bar- Fresh from the Pacific tapas spot in Healdsburg. Excellent food, excellent wine list, excellent atmosphere.
Thursday November 24
Rio Crest Wines- I was worried about finding things to do on Thanksgiving besides drinking at our VRBO and when I found Rio Crest was open on Thanksgiving I jumped at the chance to make a reservation. When we pulling up to the gate and made the 1/2 mile drive up to the house we knew it was going to be something special. We were greeted by the wine maker/owner's family who welcomed us into their home and took us to the "tasting room" aka their back porch. Their back porch over looks the Sonoma Valley and is spectacular. We spent about two hours tasting their wines while they cooked Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen. It was amazing. We felt like we were part of the family as they walked us through their wine offerings and paired it was cheeses from around the world. This is a MUST visit if you want a unique tasting experience with amaze wines but very intimate.
Enriquez Estate- I have never said this but I would review Enriquez Estate the exact same as Rio Crest (above). Unreal from beginning to end. This vineyard is owned and operated by an amazing woman in her twenties who is killing the wine scene and also making French champagne. She welcomed us in on Thanksgiving and really made us feel like part of the family. The wines are wonderful and there is no one else out in all of wine country make authentic champagne. Her story is incredible and we will be back for many years to visit.
Friday November 25
Jordan Vineyard- Beautiful estate making great Chardonnay and Cabs. The tasting experience was divine, we did the seated wine and cheese pairing. You will fall in love with the grounds and feel like you are in Provence, France. We bought a few bottles here and got a handwritten thank you note last week from the woman we tasted with. I will be a fan of Jordan wines for many years to come.
Zichichi Family Vineyard (no appointment necessary)- Barrel tasting and great wines for free. Yes, please. The owner is from New Orleans and came to wine country after Hurricane Katrina. He is making killer Zins on his beautiful property. We also ate our picnic lunch on the patio.
Mazzocco Winery (no appointment necessary)- Whoa. Stop what you are doing. And make sure you add this to your list. The Zins they are making here are the best I have ever had. Wow. You can taste about 16 different wines they make for maybe $5. Could have spent all day enjoying and tasting at Mazzocco.
Ridge Winery- Next door to Mazzocco tasting their current releases is about $10. I am a huge fan of their wines although I think I drank too much at the tasting before because I could not really get into the tasting. However, it is worth stopping in because they are known for their amazing Cabs.
Christopher Creek Winery- Our friend/driver Damon got us a special tasting here at the end of the day so you can imagine the state we were in. I think we tasted 10 different wines, all of which were amazing. I only wish that I had been a bit more sober to really enjoy this experience :)
Dinner- Tomi Thai- Great Thai restaurant in Windsor near our VRBO that was perfect to go food to soak up the fun of the day
Saturday November 26
Iron Horse Vineyard- If you are going to go anywhere during your time in the Russian River Valley or Sonoma area this would be my recommendation. They are doing bubbles like no one else in the country with their laid back tasting room and staff. We love coming here and buying a bottle of bubbles or tasting a flight of their new releases. The views are spectacular and the staff is very friendly. We ended up staying here for quite some time and had a day of other tastings ahead of us, but when you are loving life in wine country, don't mess up a good thing.
Dinner-Best of Burma 2- My love of Burmese food is always quenched when we are in California. This is a new spot in Santa Rosa that is doing Burmese food well and is worth getting it at the end of a long day of drinking.
Guys, I dont know how else to say this, but going to Wine Country is a must. And don't just go for three nights and say you went. Spend a week there exploring, sipping, and eating. This was our 7th time there and we have not even scratched the surface. There is so much to do and yet there is so much to just sit and let your soul take in. I am telling you, this is where you want to be any month of the year. Would love to help you plan your trip :)
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