Trip To Napa

Sterling is a place you might enjoy. They've certainly done a great job setting up the tour, and the view is remarkable. Generally it isn't really my style, however. It's a bit too commercial, and you don't feel like you are speaking to the people that actually understand the wine. The gondola that takes you to the top is nice touch, but perhaps a bit contrived. In any case, likely worth dropping by for a few moments.

We finished the day at Bennet Lane. We didn't get a picture, but it was a great small place. Unusually, they had a NASCAR car there, as the owner of the winery is also the owner of the NASCAR team. A bit unusual, but it worked. This is the kind of place you can sit and enjoy at the end of the day, on lawn outside of the main drinking room. It was one of my favorites.

A great winery to visit is Quintessa. Remarkable architecture makes the building something to see, and the wine is something else. The stone wall that is the 'centerpiece' of the outdoor architecture truly makes the property stand out. Inside, it is just as unique. It features a private dining room area, that is fit for kings. It's the sort of place you'd love to have your ten best friends for a dinner before you die.

Quintessa harvests only 7,500 cases per year, despite having a full 250 acres in the Rutherford region. It is a place you must certain stop by in the middle of a great day in Napa.

We finished the trip by visiting Domaine Carneros. They specialized in Pinot Noir and Chardonney, and feature a dilightful chateaux. When we arrived they also featured a jazz band, a wonderful patio, and a nice interior sitting environment where you can sample the wins and have a bit of food.