Weekend of Jazz and Wine in Napa

Every year, we get together with friends and attend one of the Summer Series concerts that the Mondavi Winery puts on. This year it was Groovin for Goover with Gerald Albright, Richard Elliott, Paul Taylor, and Jeff Loeber.

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Napa Valley does not offer public transportation to the wineries. If you do not want to drive, there are other options, such as limo tours, which I would suggest.

I was not impressed with the hotel. It reminded me of a motel, but it is listed as a suite hotel. In no way could you consider this room a suite. It was a motel. The decor was just okay. I wasn't impressed.

This is an event that we attend yearly and just love it. They normally open the ground at 5:00pm (after they close the vineyard to the public for wine-tasting). The venue holds about somewhere between 300 and 500 people, who all come to enjoy an evening of jazz and food. Mondavi allow their guests to bring picnic lunches, or, if you get your tickets early enough, you can include dinner in the vineyard.

Our group always chooses to bring our own food, which is an event in itself. Most people go all out on their meal, as you can find people with white tablecloths, flowers, and more. In the past, attendees were allowed to bring their own wine, but this year it was forbidden. But attendees were allowed to purchase bottles from Mondavi. The one thing that I notice is that these are truly wine drinkers, since you find very few drink their wine from plastic cups. You will find that most people bring good wine glasses for the occasion.

The concerts doesn't start until 7:30pm, so you have approximately two hours for socializing and enjoying the surroundings before the concerts begins. Since the concerts are held in the summer, there is alway a good sunset, and there is nothing better than listening to some good jazz while in the pecfect setting.

All concerts have an hour intermission, when Mondavi offers wine and cheese tasting. Then it's back for part two of the concert.

Our group has been doing this for over 10 years, and we have not gotten tire of coming back each year. In fact, when the tickets go on sale in April, we make it an event - we have conference call to hear the line up for the season.

It is truly an event that I recommend to all.

We started at Domaine Chandon, which produces sparkling wine. You come into the gift shop upon entering. The tasting room is located up the flight of stairs. There is also a five-star restaurant on the premises. The tasting is conducted at a bar where you purchase from a menu with a taste group in various selections. There is both an indoor and outdoor seating area where you can sit and relax to enjoy your tasting. The atmosphere here is easy going without a lot of activity. It's more of a laid-back, relating atmosphere where you enjoy the peacefulness of the grounds.

Our next next stop was V Sattui, which was the complete opposite of Chandon. V Sattui selections include a variation of wines for tasting. Here the tastings are free, and you have the opportunity to taste about six to seven wines. The amosphere is more festival due to the fact that they have a hugh picnic area and deli on the premises. You can purchase sandwiches, both cold and hot, and there is a hugh selection of cheese and other deli items. There are a lot of people, so you might have a small wait before tasting, although the staff does try to accomodate as many people as possible. It's a fun place. I would suggest making this stop around lunch since it does have a deli. It's just nice to take a break and enjoy the surroundings.