tips appreciated ....Headed to Nappa

Botch · May 5

I just bookmarked this thread; a LOT of great info. Thanks guys!

Foghorn · May 6

Lot of great info from @danhoo.

I'll echo that starting at Domaine Carneros is a great way to start the day. It's a 5 minute drive from Donum (as previously mentioned, good pinot, great art - if that is your thing).

Our experience at Coppola wasn't great. We haven't found the wine to be of the same caliber as many other vineyards in the area. And as friend of mine who visited there told me - "they tried to sell us on the idea that Coppola dabbled in movies until he found his real calling of wine making..." With that said, I know that a lot of people enjoy it and there is some movie memorabilia to see. It just felt like an overpriced tourist trap to us. (note: The only other winery we've visited that gave us the same feeling that we would not recommend is Castello di Amoroso).

J Vineyards on the other hand is a great recommendation.

danhoo · May 6

Foghorn said:

Our experience at Coppola wasn't great.

I should have commented that my suggestions in Napa are more for sight seeing and (possibly) less for wine tasting, and Coppola falls into that suggestion.

Thanks for the kind words.

GrateEggspectations · May 6

Buckwoody Egger said:

there’s no reason to leave Georgia!!!

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/grape-lady

then load up at costco

That video is horrific… or at least the sounds are. Haven’t seen that in almost two decades - and didn’t even watch now - and I can recreate the audio of her wailing in my mind.

Buckwoody Egger · May 6

GrateEggspectations said:

Buckwoody Egger said:

there’s no reason to leave Georgia!!!

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/grape-lady

then load up at costco

That video is horrific… or at least the sounds are. Haven’t seen that in almost two decades - and didn’t even watch now - and I can recreate the audio of her wailing in my mind.

agreed. there is a family guy cartoon version of it too. it was at chateau elan here in georgia. i had actually forgotten about it and was looking online for a hilarious unflattering review of their wines i read several years back. north georgia wineries and tasting rooms are picking up a little momentum but in my opinion are souvenir type pricing instead of great buys.

will all the content folks added to this thread, it will be relevant for 20 years!

MaskedMarvel · May 7

Napa? Two words…

PRITCHARD HILL

billt01 · August 7

Have most of our days planned out:

Saturday - Cakebread Cab tasting experience
Mustards Dinner
Sunday - Farmstead Brunch
Redwood Empire bourbon experience
Monday - Quilt and Co experience
Tuesday - Joseph Phelps experience
French Laundry (if i can get a reservation)
Wednesday - free day (probably ride up the PCH)

We will have the ability to fill in gaps where we want but the above is what we have scheduled so far.

BigreenGreg · August 7

Buckwoody Egger said:

saw a deal at costco and was reminded of this thread and the lodi reference.

https://michaeldavidwinery.com/

this winery is sold nationwide very accessible. costco, total wine, target, etc. at my price points wines are “buy to drink” rather than “buy to hold and age”

they are probably most known for freakshow cabernet? fun label helps. there are several varietals with freakshow. i really like their earthquake zinfandel around $20. my favorite wine of theirs is the petite petit. it’s usually $15-$18 and $14 at costco. it’s a wide bottom bottle which is a little suboptimal in some racks. they are changing to a slimmer bottle with a screw top. around atlanta costco (and maybe elsewhere? check the app) is selling out of the old bottle on hand by pricing it at $10.

Agreed! when I go cheap Freakshow is my default. Petit & Cab. For expensive I'm with Bilt01 - Cakebread Cab (and Caymus).

billt01 · September 1

Missed the opportunity for the French Laundry, sold out for the entire month in under 60 seconds

By the time my browser figured itself out from the errors after refreshing, it was over

I guess there’s more of a draw than I thought for folks to pay 425 a plate for dinner

looks like I’m going to cousin Eddie’s
“Ad Hoc” for dinner

billt01 · October 23

Finishing up our trip and I am surprised to say, we haven’t had a bad experience.

Weather -Sunny and mid 70’s

Day1
Cakebread
Foley Johnson
Dinner at Olive and Hay

Day2
Faust
Redwood Empire
Dinner at Mustards

Day3
Sequoia Grove
Quintessa
Dinner at Ad Hoc

Day4
Joseph Phelps
Jordan
Dinner at Restoration Hardware

Day5
Spottwoode
Merryvale

We will be back..

If anyone is coming out, all the above are recommend

Shopping for a bigger wine 🍷 refrigerator, the shipments will be coming next month.

tips appreciated ....Headed to Nappa

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