thanks to all who provided recommendations here (or on FB, or via PMs) for our whirlwind tour of Napa last week.... we had a great time! (see also -- seeking liver transplants....)
We went to: first day, bc no reservations were required and we weren't sure of our travel time -- Duckhorn, and Frank Family (recommended by Duckhorn for the port). Duckhorn was great -- we had seven pours, I think, although it was to have been 5 -- yum! (waiting for shipment to come from them.... THAT GOOD). Frank Family -- great port, and good estate tasting. Two other couples with us -- from Richmond, of all places!
Second day: it's hard to drink red wine at 10:30am, but we soldiered on. Four reservations today -- Started at Cakebread, then on to Frog's Leap, Honig and Round Pond (all pretty much right next door to one another). Honig guy - David -- was fantastic! We joined their club -- and got free tastings, t-shirts, and hats! and shipping! Honig recommended Praeger for their port, so we ended the day with that.....great wine, but the venue was ... quirky, let's say.
Shipping -- Buffalo's Shipping in Napa. Due to arrive in 7-10 days; we'll see how that goes. Easy, fast. I did not want to pay extra luggage for that (want the insurance, as much as we paid for the wine).
Restaurants- Taylor's (Gott's) for lunch on first day - yum! Dinner that night at Farmstead - delicious! Second day lunch was at Rutherford Grill - run, do not walk, there! Hacked chicken salad was delicious! (and made me able to stomach more wine that afternoon) Dinner that night at Brix -- was excellent, but I had drank so much during the day I really wasn't hungry any more....so sad.
Breakfast on the way to Carmel-by-the-Sea on Friday morning.. at Bouchon Bakery, of course!
Hotel in Napa was the Best Western at the lower end of town -- approx $100/night. We did not opt for high-class hotel since I wanted to spend the money on food and wine. Hotel was clean, easily accessible, and bed was incredibly comfortable (or, I was bloated from all the food and wine and any bed would have been comfortable? you decide.) There are MANY higher-end hotels one could have chosen; it's a matter of taste (we weren't planning to spend a lot of awake time in the room, so our standards were different).
we started the week with four days in Walnut Grove visiting my sister (and family, including ADORABLE 8-month old baby horse!), and mother (oy, so glad she lives 3000 miles away). Then the 36 houyrs, bascially, in Napa, and on to Carmel visiting old friends (from here, he's now on City Council there), then back to SF to meet John's cousin and her family for dinner, then redeye flight home -- today back at work!
So, thanks, California, you did a good job!
Re: back from Napa visit.. catching up!
E - you can have it shipped to your office, no? (I do... even though I live in the backasswards Commonwealth, someone of age needs to be at home to accept delivery, and I don't know that could happen without planets aligning so it's just easier to have everything shipped here. I could be your bag man, if you need one....)
"What is a week-end?"
Glad you liked Duckhorn, Round Pond, Gott's, and Rutherford Grill (the only ones I've been to on your list)! That hacked chicken salad is gooood, isn't it? And that place always smells like smokey-meat deliciousness.
How was the weather?
TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12
baby blog/cooking blog

Not really. My packages go through three people before they get to me. Plus, I'd have to schlep a case of wine home on the metro! Thanks for offering to be my go-between
We've been offered other addresses to use, but figure it isn't worth the hassle when we make monthly trips to Corridor.
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
I've never been to California and this really makes me want to go!
"What is a week-end?"
I believe that could be happening as soon as the next legislative session. It looks like it could really happen this year!
TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12
baby blog/cooking blog
