| During the September long weekend, I embarked on | | | | what you think of ask any questions about the way |
| my first journey to beautiful Napa Valley Wine | | | | the wine is produced. They will be able to better |
| Country in Napa County, California - a haven for wine | | | | gauge what you like and your experience will be that |
| drinkers and foodies alike. | | | | much better. Most vineyards are extremely |
| After a tiring volleyball tournament weekend in San | | | | welcoming and are flexible in what they charge: $10 |
| Francisco, we rented a car and embarked on our | | | | for a glass and three wine tasting choices. You're not |
| journey. We traveled up and down the hilly streets | | | | required to buy any wine but when you're at the |
| of San Fran, through Lombard Street's multiple | | | | vineyard but it's usually a little cheaper than if you |
| zig-zags, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and through | | | | buy from the store and vineyards usually have stock |
| to the notably gorgeous Napa Valley for the day. | | | | that aren't offered at stores. Here's a tip: if you buy |
| The drive to Napa was unforgettable: endless hills of | | | | a few bottles, the vineyard reps usually give you the |
| vineyards that glistened and sparkled in the Californian | | | | tastings for free. |
| sun (some vineyards attach silver shimmering cards | | | | 3) Gourmet Food & Fine Dining. |
| to their vines to keep birds away). We visited the | | | | A few of the Top 50 Restaurants in the World, as |
| Robert Mondavi Winery where the green fields of | | | | rated by Restaurant Magazine as well as The Michelin |
| vines were stunning, the vineyard's architecture was | | | | Guide are situated in the Napa Valley area. One of |
| classical seaside Mediterranean, the walkways were | | | | these is "The French Laundry" by Chef Thomas |
| deeply serene, and the 2005 Moscato D'Oro was like | | | | Keller, and is found in Yountville. Reservations are |
| honey to our lips. | | | | required and are available up to 2 months in advance. |
| So the next time you're in California or the | | | | 4) Winery or Vineyard Tours. |
| surrounding area - don't forget to take the | | | | Most vineyards/wineries offer tours of their fields, |
| unforgettable journey through to Napa Valley and | | | | cellars, historical buildings, and processing methods. It's |
| Sonoma County for some of the best wine the New | | | | always fun and educational. You'll learn about the |
| World has to offer. | | | | history of that vineyard, its roots in producing wines, |
| About Napa Valley | | | | the wine types that it offer,, and the intricacy and |
| Napa Valley is an area in Napa County that has been | | | | labor that it takes to create a beautiful wine. |
| designated as an American Viticultural Area because | | | | California vineyards all have stories to tell because of |
| of its optimal geographical and climate conditions for | | | | its prohibition history, its heralded status as one of |
| vineyards. It dates back to the mid 1800's and is the | | | | the top New World wine producers and more. I |
| most popular tourist destination in California today | | | | suggest you go for a walking tour at the first |
| after Disneyland with 4.7 million visitors annually. | | | | vineyard you visit, but not every one. |
| Currently, there are over 200 wineries within 30 | | | | 5) Group Tours & the Napa Valley Wine Train. |
| miles, as well as hotels, spas, bed and breakfasts, | | | | There are many tour operators that offer both |
| golf courses, wedding facilities, and world class | | | | individual and group tours throughout the vineyards, |
| restaurants in the area. The Napa Valley Wine Region | | | | with both set and customizable itineraries. This is a |
| is about 50 miles north east from San Francisco, a | | | | great way for you to not have to worry about |
| little closer than Sonoma County, another | | | | planning or driving from San Francisco or Sacramento, |
| world-celebrated wine growing district. The drive | | | | and allows you really enjoy some wine! Some |
| from San Francisco is approximately 90 minutes | | | | vineyards like Diageo Chateau & Estates Wine |
| without traffic delays and it's a good idea to leave | | | | offer Crush Camp for those interested in a weekend |
| earlier (9 or 10am) rather than later. | | | | of real wine making activities. |
| 5 Tips for Wine Tasting Tours in Napa Valley, | | | | The Napa Valley Wine Train departs from Napa and |
| California | | | | travels through the beautiful valleys to St. Helena. |
| 1) Aim to Visit Three Wineries per Day. | | | | Throughout the ride, all aboard are offered the very |
| If you're really keen, you can try four to five - so | | | | best of Napa Valley's wine and foods while they take |
| that you can really sit and appreciate the beauty that | | | | in the scenery. Each car has its own theme and |
| is the wine grown in the Napa region - and of course, | | | | lunches and dinners also have themes like murder |
| the unmissable scenery. You don't want to have to | | | | mystery and jazz. |
| worry about rushing from place to place, but take | | | | Be sure to check your government or airport's |
| the time to snack a little while you taste. Surprisingly, | | | | website to see what the limit is for bringing back |
| too much wine tasting in one day can be a | | | | alcohol or liquor from another country. If you're willing |
| sense-overwhelming experience - everything will | | | | to pay extra taxes, then find out how much you'll |
| taste the same by the end of the day! | | | | have to pay for a certain quantity of wine. Some |
| 2) Wine Tasting Etiquette. | | | | vineyards also offer to ship the wine to your |
| Swirl, sniff, sip (and spit, if you're a real taster). | | | | residence for you. With the internet, it's also easy to |
| Appreciate the beauty and the intricate nature of the | | | | look online to see whether the wine label/type is |
| wine you're about to taste - and don't be afraid to | | | | being offered at your local wine store. |
| be honest with the wine-tasting professional about | | | | Have fun and remember to drink responsibly! |