The wine country from a limeo

The Vintage Inn, Robert Mondavi's, Oakfield Grocery, the Culinary Institute's bellinis and shop, Glenellens, the incredible gardens and landscaping everywhere, picturesque and perfect!

Quick Tips:

Try to make reservations in advance especially for quaint, off the beaten tract wineries, like OPUS and do picnics whenever possible! Don't drive and drink! Shop at all the wine gift shops and bring back the wines you can't buy at home!

Best Way To Get Around:

Walk and there is a terrific wine train through Napa. We hired a limo and it was great!

Incredible! Views from plantation shutters included thousands of huge rosebushes. A fireplace in the room and a terrific rooftop that overlooks the pool to drink wine and watch the world go by from. The complimentary wine in the room is a special touch and the breakfast was excellent. The breakfast was served buffet style. 68 rooms reminscent of cottages.

1200 acre golf and tennis resort dating from the 1800''s. I play neither game, so to be honest I liked the Vintage Inn so much more. Junior suites and 1-3 br condos. Robert Trent and all that. The front porch was inviting and so I indulged one afternoon, after wine-tasting to rock and people watch which was entertaining. Breakfast was included and was extremely nice. The gift shop was limiting. The bar was cozy and the staff was great. They would make appt. for you and map out drives to the wineries.

This, of course, is where the chefs learn to cook! An open kitchen lets you observe the action. With incredible food, bellinis the BEST I've ever had, THIS is a MUST. The gift hop is awesome and the grounds are picturesque.Order the Bellinis the BEST I have ever Had!!!

The dining room looks like a wine cellar, and the tables are filled with wine glasses of all shapes. The house-cured salmon is exquisite. And of course, you must have champagne!

This is a Must for picnicking in the wine country. Charm oozes from every pore and shelf. Try lavendar ice cream, to die for! And local cheeses that inspire poetry!

Another terrific place to picnic. With grounds and picnic tables that scream to be enjoyed, do! Buy deli-meats, cheeses and of course lovely wines to compliment. A nice rose on a hot day adds a pink blush to everywhere you look.

We had lunch here once, loved it so much came back for an encore. The grilled salmon was perfect, accompanied by a crisp dry white wine, and plenty to choose from. After all, you're in the middle of wine country! The cheeses were to die for and the desserts, expecially the brulee, were special.

Half the experience in seeing the wine country is tasting the wine and dining, the other half is enjoying the spectacular scenery. From rolling hills lined with vineyards, lush gardens, lovely fountains and ponds fringed with drop-dead gorgeous trees, each winery you encounter has its own personality. We stopped at Cakebread, I love their Sauvignon Blanc, I was a bit disappointed. The charged a fee of $5, most others were free to taste. They seemed hurried and that damped my enthusiam. Robert Mondavi however, was a favorite. The guide was delightful, tastings were free, unless you went in the To-Kalon Room, with rarer vintages. The property made you desireous to linger. Their wines are popular and there is a reason for it. They are great wines! Rombauer Vineyards were appointment only and were unique. Seeing the vats in caves built up a thirst. The chardonney, which generally I personally do not like, was a beautiful bouquet of vanilla tones. Beringer was also a favorite.

The tour is about 45 minutes and cost $5.00 which was refunded with purchase. Their wines are also always on the top charts. Complimentary appetizers were served and the grounds were impeccable. Joseph Phelps at 200 Taplin in St. Helena is a premium winery with appt. only and a charge of $5, but for this excellant wine, it was very much a bargain. Off the Silverado Trail, it is a bit hard to find, but like all rare things, worth the hunt. Opus One in St. Helena is snooty, but got to admit, they have every right to be, is APPOINTMENT ONLY and $25. per taste. A gorgeous setting with picnic areas overlooking spectacular views, this blend of Mondavi/Rothschild is a 26.5 million dollar property. Reminiscent of a Mayan Temple, call 707-944-9442 for that special taste.

Domain Chandon is a must for champagne, see dining journal entry, and Sterling Vineyards with the ski gondola-like tram hovering 300 ft. over the vineyards and picturesque landscaping is a joy! Located in Calistoga, the cost is $6 and includes tastings and the tram ride up and down. The wine is special. Bought a case of Bianca, a dry white, with fruity tones, that was a limited production, just wish I had bought 2 or 3 or 4.....The stark white stucco gives a sterile feel. We enjoyed a 5 course meal with wine pairings. The gift shops at all the wineries should not be missed, if they have one, you must indulge. They have unique wonderful things to take back and enjoy!

While it is still dark, you go into the vineyards and see the fire lifting the balloons into the skies. As you float above the grapes below, you see the sunstreaked sky breaking the dawn. It is a special still moment of awe. Amazing how the pilot can steer the balloons. You can see the silouttes beneath you, and above and surrounding you are other colorful rainbows of giant balloons. Photo opportunity. The sensation is like how a bird must feel, soaring with the wind.

The people on the ground look like specks as they tend the vines. Then the landing, done so precisely. And you can walk across the vineyard to a generous breakfast with Napa lamb sausages on the grill, omelets, cheeses, fresh fruits and oh, but of course, champagne. Fresh orange juice and voila-mimosas! Buy your posters, tee shirts here too. You will be "pinned" with a hot-air balloon lapel pin to prove you really did fly! (Be sure and look in the tourist magazines, for that $50 coupon off...it IS expensive, but what an experience!!!