Napa Valley

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Napa Valley: a local's experience

A March 2006 trip to Napa Valley by Jenavive

Kirkland Ranch WineryMore Photos

These are places I've been to while living in Napa.

  • 6 reviews
  • 3 photos

Ristorante AllegriaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This restaurant has great service and good food. I have seen some uncommon combinations in dishes I've eaten here but they all went together nicely. I've eaten here at least four times and all were enjoyable experiences.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Jenavive on August 23, 2006

Ristorante Allegria
1026 1st St. Napa Valley, California 94559
(707) 254-8006

Kirkland Ranch WineryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Kirkland Ranch Winery
This is a little known gem in the very south end of the Napa Valley called Jamieson Canyon. The winery has a beautiful rustic lodge feel. The tasting room has a nice view, and on a sunny day you can see the bay from there. Since many people don't know about this winery, you can get personalized VIP attention by the tasting staff. This is hard to find at the many crowded Napa Valley wineries. There is a small tasting fee, and the wines are excellent. I highly recommend the estate cabernet sauvignon of any vintage. Take a venture off of the beaten Napa Valley path, and enjoy this winery!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Jenavive on March 14, 2006

Kirkland Ranch Winery
1 Kirkland Ranch Rd. Napa Valley, California 94558
707-254-9100

Domaine CarnerosBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Domaine Carneros is a sparkling wine producer in the Napa Valley's Carneros region. There is a tour of their facility available that I recommend. On the tour, a guide explains parts of the sparkling wine production process while it is visible to you from windows above the production area.

I highly recommend their sparkling wines made from black grapes. They are more tolerable than the ones made from only white grapes, in my opinion.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Jenavive on June 2, 2006

Domaine Carneros
1240 Duhig Road Napa Valley, California 94559
(707) 257-0101

August Briggs WineryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

August Briggs Winery has a tiny little tasting room, and is way up in Calistoga, but the wines are not to be missed. The winemaker is extraordinary at creating and preserving wine. Get a bottle of his pinot noir (or anything else) and you won't be disappointed.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Jenavive on June 2, 2006

August Briggs Winery
333 Silverado Trail Calistoga, California 94515
(707) 942.4912

Copia: The American Center for for Wine,Food and ArtsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Copia: The American Center for for Wine"

This place is a very nice way to spend some time in Napa. There is art, food, and wine, just like the name says. The art is themed and fun to observe. There is a display about food that includes historical and scientific facts. It's quite entertaining. Children have fun there too. I brought my son when he was a year old, along with his 6-year-old cousin. The outside gardens are peaceful to stroll through as well.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Jenavive on June 2, 2006

Copia: The American Center for for Wine,Food and Arts
500 First Street Napa Valley, California 94559
(707) 259-1600

Nichelini WineryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This is the oldest family owned winery in the Napa Valley. It is located along Highway 128 east of Silverado Trail. There is a little picnic area and a bocce ball area just below where the wine tasting and winery are located.

I enjoyed their Zinfandel the best. It was pretty reasonably priced at $25 per bottle, and free of defects. We also bought a bottle of their Chiles Valley Red because it was a good value for the price. I was not impressed with the Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon, but I tend to like fruitier wines and these ones were from 2001 and 2002 so their fruity characters were gone.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Jenavive on August 27, 2006

Nichelini Winery
2950 Sage Canyon Rd. (HWY 128) Napa Valley, California 94574
(707) 963-0717

About the Writer

Jenavive
Jenavive
Napa, California

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