jonescm128

Hello All!

My wife and I will be in San Francisco in January for 5 days and we want to take a day and head out to wine country. I thought of maybe renting a car and driving out there ourselves to enjoy the views and then stopping at a few wineries. I was wondering which wineries we should visit if we want to experience the true beauty of wine country? I know there are hundreds to choose from but I welcome your favorites!

Thanks everyone!

rjw_lgb_ca

I am personally not a fan of trying to drive myself to wineries for tastings for obvious reasons (I like wine, for starters, and will NOT deny myself tastings-- and I'm not a spitter, cuz I've got CLASS *belch* *scratch*). Truth be told, I don't like driving on vacation if I can avoid it, so for me, if I were in SF the idea of renting a car (other than to see my family up north and in San José) is a non-starter. Although it is tempting to try and point a car in the direction of Napa and/or Sonoma and hope that you hit some Undiscovered Gem of Oenophilia, I also think that one day is far too short for any productive discovering. And given the tragic devastation of the Sonoma area from the 2017 brush fires, you might want to leave exploration of the wineries to experts who know which facilities are ready for visitors.

I would plan on Napa, using one of the wine country van services, in your situation; these are smallish shuttles with tour guides and a set itinerary of 3-5 wineries, generally a mix of large and better-known outfits and some smaller "finds". Our Napa tour hit Domaine Chandon (yeah, a huge global operation, but I LO-O-O-O-O-OVE their champagnes, all apparently made following the méthode champenoise classique), some small operations and ended with Mario Andretti's lovely winery; then we were put on a ferry in Vallejo and returned to the Ferry Building (going under the Golden Gate). Their itinerary is a bit different (I don't remember hitting Mondavi, and I didn't drink THAT much), but here is their current website (and price):

https://www.napatourshuttle.com/napa...p-shuttle-tour

This other shuttle company looks pretty good, and it splits the difference by doing a 2 Napa/2 Sonoma tour:

Join-in $99 San Francisco to Wine Country Tour, Napa Sonoma Wine Tasting Tour | Top Rated

My only quibble is that they pick up either at Union Square or Pier 39. The other outfit is picking up from SF hotels now, so that makes it more convenient.

Napa and Sonoma are gorgeous, so you'll have plenty of California Wine Country beauty to enjoy. I am a committed fan of California wines, although my current faves are Anderson Valley pinot noirs, despite their high prices (price a bottle of Goldeneye at your local grocer-- I saw one for $79 at a Pavilions not too long ago and almost fainted). And plan on stopping by a market on your way back to your hotel to pick up a bottle of wine and a wine key, and savor the end of a delicious California day.

MichelleY

Agree. Go with a tour so you can relax and avoid the gridlock of Bay Area traffic.

janisj

Ditto -- both because of the drink / drive issue, plus so many of the better properties require advance reservations.

mlgb

Very few wineries out of hundreds were damaged to the point that they are not open for tastings, that is basically a non-issue.

We like Dry Creek Valley. Only a few wineries require an appointment.

Some of our favorite tasting rooms from a few years ago were in the Timber Crest complex (Papapietro and Peterson) and also I like Rued.

I taste, not guzzle and know how to pace myself so driving isn't a problem for me.

StuDudley

Another vote for Dry Creek Valley!!!! And nearby Healdsburg is a gem.



On the way back, visit the "best views" in the entire Bay Area from Cozelman Ave just at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge (not the touristy view parking lot). More info somewhere here:
https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...ations-356478/


Stu Dudley
Bay Area resident since 1975 & big wine fan!!!

rjw_lgb_ca

Good to hear that Sonoma is singed but doing well, not leveled after those fires. I was heartbroken about the destruction up at Paradise Ridge's main visitor's center (although their fun little tasting shed in Kenwood is just fine, and I think worth a visit). I stand by my preference for letting someone who knows the territory (and a bit about the terroir) do the driving. But again-- that's me and my disdain for driving too much when on a vacation. YMMV.

When we did our 5-winery tour up in Philo (Anderson Valley), my wonderful sister drove and didn't partake. But we bought a lot of wine and dipped into it when we got home, so no one was left out (we grilled spicy short ribs for dinner, so pinot noir went rather perfectly with the grub). And we all enjoyed ourselves. A lot. I can't think of a more perfect way to spend a day.

travelgourmet

I always drive (and spit) when wine tasting, but I don't go wine tasting to get drunk, I go to taste the wine. I would not trade the flexibility and convenience of driving for a tour. Maybe in a foreign country where language issues might be a problem or where the infrastructure isn't robust, but not in the US. Now, if you want to spring for a private driver, maybe that would be a compromise, but I would still drive.

Before recommending wineries, or even area, I would ask what sorts of wines you like. Cab fan? I'd point you toward Napa. Zin or Pinot? Sonoma.