06-05-2014, 04:22 PM
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#1
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Calgary
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California Wine Country
So me and the girlfriend are heading to Northern California for about 9 days in August. We would like to do a 2 night portion of it in either Napa Valley or Sonoma County.
Question to anyone who's done this. Which one is better and why? Also any suggestions or general discussion about this would be much appreciated.
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06-05-2014, 04:27 PM
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#2
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Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Crowsnest Pass
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Top Ten Differences Between Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley
http://fermentationwineblog.com/2011...sonoma-valley/
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The Following User Says Thank You to troutman For This Useful Post:
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06-05-2014, 05:26 PM
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#3
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NYYC
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If you ever find yourself in Calistoga (and there's not reason you shoudn't), I recommend staying at Dr. Wilkinsons Hot Springs Resort. Great little hotel with all sorts of pools and spas. Calistoga in general is a nice little town.
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06-05-2014, 05:33 PM
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#4
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Franchise Player
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Wife and I did Napa last year, it was beautiful. It's the only one I did though, so can't compare.
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The Following User Says Thank You to CalgaryFan1988 For This Useful Post:
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06-05-2014, 05:34 PM
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#5
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DeWinton
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I went to napa. Really enjoyed it. Went to three winery's.. The one I really enjoyed was the last one we visited. Beringer winery.. Wife and I had a great time.
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06-05-2014, 06:14 PM
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#6
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Franchise Player
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Napa tastings are bloody expensive ($20 for a flight, saw some for as much as $45) while Sonoma was much cheaper and sort of similar to what you'd pay in Okanagan: $5-10, waived if you purchase. Napa was also much busier and a nightmare to drive through at the end of the day.
Both were amazing though. Probably lots of packages out there that can make tastings in Napa more affordable
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The Following User Says Thank You to Flabbibulin For This Useful Post:
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06-05-2014, 06:45 PM
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#7
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
Go to French laundry
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Yeah I actually looked into that, but I couldn't find a menu online. How expensive is it?
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06-05-2014, 07:00 PM
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#8
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Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Crowsnest Pass
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9 course meal = $270
http://blogs.ajc.com/food-and-more/2...rench-laundry/
2600 phone calls. Two days. Four phones.
And it didn’t work.
I’ve read the stories about how difficult it can be to secure a reservation at The French Laundry, Thomas Keller’s 16-table restaurant in Yountville, CA. The phone lines open each day at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time and the restaurant accepts reservations for meals two months from that date.
Last edited by troutman; 06-05-2014 at 07:03 PM.
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06-05-2014, 07:20 PM
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#9
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Franchise Player
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Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
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This is very accurate from my experience. I might be wrong, but Napa seems geared toward restauranters looking to purchase wine by the case, while Sonoma was more relaxed and suitable for people that just want to buy a bottle or so for every vineyard they visit.
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06-05-2014, 07:34 PM
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#10
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Powerplay Quarterback
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I went to Sonoma and loved it. It was a cycling/wine tasting trip. Stayed at the Eldorado. The restaurant was great, hotel was nice, but thin walls. Got to listen to some shagging for a couple nights.
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06-05-2014, 08:35 PM
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#11
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Backup Goalie
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Exp:  
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Just got back from about 8 nights here. Had a conference in Sonoma at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Visited Rodney Strong, Jordan (highly recommend - reservations only), Chateau St. Jean and St. Francis (excellent wine + tasting menu). Definitely appreciated different varietals more in Sonoma (i.e. Cab Franc, Pinot Noir) than in Napa.
Then stayed at the Hyatt Vineyard in Santa Rosa after my conference but spent most of the time in Napa (about a 40 minute drive through twisty forest roads). Visited Robert Mondavi (great tour), Beaulieu Vineyards (joined wine club), Frog's Leap, Beringer (highly recommend and also joined wine club), Caymus (definitely recommend booking private tasting), Duckhorn, and Castello di Amarosa.
Ate at Ad Hoc in Yountville (Keller's more affordable restaurant than French Laundry). Came back there for lunch for fried chicken (so-so). Went to the Oxford Market in Napa for breakfast - great breakfast tacos. Also ate at a couple random joints in Santa Rosa that were both really good. If you're staying around Sonoma, check out the Sonoma square - lots of shops and great restaurants. We ate at El Dorado Kitchen, LaSalette (Portuguese) and Saddle (steakhouse).
Enjoy! I already want to go back.
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06-05-2014, 10:27 PM
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#12
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Niceland
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did a hot air balloon ride in Napa. That was nice.
__________________
When in danger or in doubt, run in circles scream and shout.
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06-06-2014, 08:12 AM
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#13
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Crash and Bang Winger
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: I went west as a young man
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I drove through Sanoma to find a local brewery.... I wasn't with wine drinkers
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