itinerary help

Okay I%26#39;ve been researching what seems to be a million wineries and can%26#39;t wait to spend a beautiful day checking them out. I need help choosing one more. We are renting a car from SFO and are going to start in Calistoga and work our way back. Here we go

Sterling

Either Frank Family or Rombauer

Domaine Chandon

Del Dotto - booked 3:30pm barrel tasting

Dinner at Celadon in Napa

Somehow we need to fit in a nice picnic lunch and can%26#39;t decide whether to go to V Sattui or elsewhere, we are not big on crowds and our visit is a Sunday afternoon. (Frogs leap is unfortunetly closed)

itinerary help

Instead of Sterling, you might also want to consider:

Castello di Amarosa

http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/

it just opened this past Spring and is fun to visit.

Either Sterling or Castello are nice - but did want to mention as its a newer one.

V. Sattui can get crowded at lunch....

another option might be Clos du Val

http://www.closduval.com/visit/tastings.cfm

or one of the state parks such as

Boothe-Napa State Park

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=477

Overall, I like your day and timing...just wanted to mention a couple of options ....but if you stay with what you decided...you%26#39;ll ave a beautiful day of it. Enjoy!

itinerary help

I just listed a few on my reviews and the three we liked best were Jessup, Hagafen and Frog%26#39;s Leap.

Palisades Deli in Calistoga has amazing food and a quiet area out back. It was nowhere near as crowded as Oakville. We took our food to Casa Nuestra Winery which could be an option for you.

We would%26#39;ve liked to have gone to Del Dotto. Oh well...next time!

You mentioned Frank Family, I just wanted to give you heads up that you can picnic there :)

Hey ktbeighley, nice to see you posting-- we missed you! :)

momx3-

We%26#39;d second mini%26#39;s suggestion to try out Castello di Amarosa in lieu of Sterling. Same elevation, similar great views, plus-- if you can get on a tour (call ahead-- it%26#39;s a must!), you will be rewarded by something that just doesn%26#39;t exist anywhere else in the Americas.

Lots of great spots for lunch-- Frank family does indeed have a picnic area.

Here%26#39;s an insider tip: If you visit Joseph Phelps, and they have a picnic table open, just ask!! They are reserved for wine club members, but if one is available, and not spoken for, they%26#39;ll typically allow you to enjoy it (ps-- they have an awesome view). Do be prepared for disappointment (or have a plan B) if all the tables are taken, though.

But it%26#39;s worth giving it a shot! :)

Another fave spot is Taylor%26#39;s Refresher in St Helena-- not for a picnic, but to enjoy their burgers, shakes, and fries (or a fish taco, also yummy). The secret to Taylor%26#39;s is to order ahead and pick up your order at the side window 15 min later. Over the weekend, we saw a line that was-- no joke-- more than 50 feet long!

Sometimes they don%26#39;t answer their phone for orders (when they get crazy busy)-- but again, it%26#39;s worth a try! :)

To check out other cool picnic spots, just use the TA forums search function (keyword: picnic)-- you%26#39;ll find not just great suggestions, but links to a few great sites.

Hope this helps. :)

-The Innkeepers

Napa Old World Inn