Your Travel Guide to Napa Valley
Day One
CALISTOGA NAPA WINE TOUR
Calistoga is located at the north end of the Napa Valley and has some of the best Napa wineries, hotels, and restaurants. Staying in Calistoga allows you to stroll the streets in the evening, explore the spas, and check-out the upscale outlet mall right down the road. Calistoga has long had the persona of the casual laid back end of the valley, but recently has boasted several new upscale hotels and restaurants which deserve checking out.
LODGING
The Mount View Hotel & Spa
1467 Lincoln Ave.
(800) 816-6877
www.mountviewhotel.com/
The best part of staying in Calistoga is getting to take advantage of the Mount View Hotel. Over the years, and changes in ownership, the rates have increased pretty dramatically but so has everything else in the valley, so prices are in keeping with other premium lodging available. Expect to pay between $200 and $400 per night depending on the size and amenities. If you're able to book far enough in advance, request one of the cottages which include gardens and an outdoor jacuzzi. Be sure to save some time for the pool. The Mount View has a huge pool that usually yields some celebrity guests or at least some great people watching. You also should take advantage of the Spa Services which can be had at discounted prices when included as a part of hotel packages offered when you make reservations.
DINING
Special Calistoga Note:
We would be remiss if we didn't mention one of the newest additions to the Calistoga Lodging and Dining scene:
Solage Calistoga
www.solagecalistoga.com
755 Silverado Trail
(866) 942-7442
Solbar for Lunch
Solbar is a 60 seat restaurant that features a 30 seat lounge, excellent food and the experience of enjoying the grounds and amenities. We suggest trying it for lunch so you can enjoy the outdoor seating and the beautiful Solage grounds. You're welcome to play a game of bocce or sit at the pool, no one will throw you out for not being a hotel guest. Solbar is a welcome addition to the Calistoga dining scene.
Breakfast -- Mount View Hotel
The hotel offers a continental breakfast to guests that is quite good. Since you're paying for it, take advantage and have some great coffee. Plus you can do some carb loading (on vacation, right?) so you can make a few more wine tasting stops and still drive safely. If you get hungry mid-morning, there's always snacks.
Picnic Lunch -- You can't go to
Oakville Grocery
www.oakvillegrocery.com/
7856 St. Helena
Highway
Oakville, CA 94562
Tel: (707) 944-880
General Store Hours
8:00am - 6:00pm Daily
As much a part of Napa as any winery, since 1881 they have been providing the
finest foods, wines, and cheeses. A must visit.
Dean & Deluca
www.deandeluca.com/
607 South St. Helena HighwaySt. Helena, CA 94574
707.967.9980
Dunaweal / Mon-Sun 7am-8pm
A newer arrival but more impressive because you can sample your way to an entire meal (or at least snack) while you're shopping. There's no way to describe the foods and wines offered here. But you'll see for yourself.
BEST CALISTOGA PICNIC SPOT
Clos Pegase
1060 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, CA
707-942-4981
www.clospegase.com/visitors.html
Not only is this the best picnic spot, it also offers great wines, amazing art, a good wine tour and reasonable tasting fees. Plus, it's a pretty incredible building. Although the winery welcomes all to it's grounds, we suggest you do some wine tasting while you're there. Tours are at 11:30 & 2:00, require no reservations and are free. Don't miss the caves if you have the opportunity.
DINNER
JoLe
1457 Lincoln Ave
Calistoga
(707) 942-5938
Small plates and excellent food, Jole is part of the California "tapas" trend but continues the laid back feeling of Calistoga. Not great if you're absolutely starving try.....
Buster's Southern BBQ & Bakery
1207 Foothill Blvd
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-5605
Not exactly gourmet dining but a great place to enjoy well priced BBQ and a beer. We suggest the baked beans and the tri-tip. If you like it HOT you'll be happy and if you want a quick quality meal at a decent price (which is hard to come by in the wine country), you'll like it here.
NAPA VALLEY WINE TASTING CALISTOGA DAY ONE
Amerosa
4045 N. St. Helena Highway,
Calistoga, CA 94515; (707) 967-6272
www.castellodiamorosa.com/
No Appointment for Tasting
Tour of Castle and Winery by Appointment
Amerosa is finally open to the public. A dream of Darly Sattui owner has finally completed construction and what a wonder! You don't need reservations to taste but we suggest calling the winery and booking a tour of the Castle. You won't regret it. Tour and tasting is between $25 and $40 depending on the time of year and just run you $10 weekdays, $15 weekends with premium wine tasting going for $20. We suggest going to the website to get directions since you can't see it from Hwy. 29. Don't miss the chance to see this amazing structure, it even has a drawbridge.
Schramsberg Vineyards
1400 Schramsberg Rd.
Calistoga, CA
707-942-4558
www.schramsberg.com
APPOINTMENT ONLY
http://www.schramsberg.com/visit.html
No visit to the wine country is complete without visiting. Schramsberg the queen of America's sparkling wine estates. The tour ventures into mile-deep caves that were hand-dug in strawberries. Schramsberg offers five tours a day. Leave one hour and 15 minutes for the tour. Cost is $45 per person and is more than worth it. The caves are one of the most extraordinary places you will ever visit and very popular, so make reservations well in advance but don't miss it.
MUST-BUY BOTTLES
2007 Brut Rosé (1X750ML)
94 points Wine Enthusiast Vintage dated Brut Rose. Flavorful, complex and dry, making it both versatile with food and delicious by itself! Rich aromas of strawberry and cherries.
Price: $41.00 Club price: $34.85
2007 Blanc de Montelenaan (1x750ml)
94 points from Wine Enthusiast Pinot Noir based vintage dated sparkling wine aged for three years. This wine is especially appealing with lighter meats such as smoked fish, or mushroom risotto.
Price: $38.00 Club price: $32.30 Chateau Montelena Winery
1429 Tubbs Lane
Calistoga , CA94515
(707) 942-5105
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily
Website: http://www.montelena.com
The winery is located just off the beaten path in the town of Calistoga. It’s a very beautiful and old winery producing outstanding vintages. The chateau was built in 1882. Get a look at the chateau from below by walking down from the parking lot. You will also notice an interesting man-made lake and grounds landscaped with a Chinese theme. Chateau Montelena brought worldwide attention to its wines in 1976 at the now famous Paris blind tasting of French and California wines. The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was judged first above all of the French White Burgundies. The winery today continues to make outstanding Montelena's The winery offers several types of tastings:
Current Release Tasting
Step into our celebrated Tasting Room, located on the top floor of the Chateau, to sample and purchase our current release wines. You will enjoy the insights and knowledge that each member of our Hospitality team brings to the experience. The Current Release Tasting features the Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Chardonnay, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Montelena Estate Zinfandel, and Potter Valley Riesling. Tasting fee credited with purchase of $100 or more.
| Tasting Price: | $20 per person |
|---|---|
| Availability: | Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Reservations: | None Required |
Library Wine Tasting
A hallmark of a world-class winery is the age-worthiness of its wines. In this unique and extraordinary tasting experience, Chateau Montelena's long and distinguished history of producing wines worthy of cellaring is showcased in the wines we serve. Join us in the intimate Library Room, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy and purchase wines not commonly available in the marketplace. Library Wine Tasting groups are limited to 6 people to preserve an intimate atmosphere; so pre-paid advance reservations are essential. Any cancellation request must be received at least 48 hours prior to the tasting to avoid forfeiture of the participation fee.
*If you are interested in booking a Library Tasting for today (the day of), please call the winery to make your reservation.
**A note to CellarMaster members: to take advantage of your membership benefits, please contact the winery directly to make your Library Tasting reservations by calling 800-222-7288 or by email at wineclubs@montelena.com
| Tasting Price: | $40 per person |
|---|---|
| Availability: | Daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. |
| Reservations: | Reservations Required |
Frank Family Vineyards
1091 Larkmead Lane
Calistoga
707-942-0859
frankfamilyvineyards.com
No appointment, no fee tastings
Since you've already invested in tours and tasting, visit one of the few Napa Valley wineries that don't require an appointment or charge a fee. Frank Family makes some of the most in-demand wines among insiders, especially its Cabernet. Call ahead and you can request a private session with tasting room manager Dennis Zablosky, a skilled raconteur. Don't let the lack of ambiance sway you, they have good wines.
Tired yet? Time to go back and get ready for a great dinner and that romantic evening you were hoping for. Take a look at the next page to see what tomorrow holds for your CALISTOGA WEEKEND.....
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