Week in Wine Country in August

My husband and I (we%26#39;re both 50) are flying into SF on Aug. 11 for a week in Napa/Sonoma. Have been to SF before but not wine country. I assume the weather will be hot--is it also humid? What will be going on at the wineries at that time? We want to see wineries, learn about wine, eat great food, stay in hotels/inns (not B%26amp;B people unless it%26#39;s a really private place)--get a real feel for the area. We don%26#39;t really care about sitting by a pool. Should we split our time between Napa and Sonoma? Price range for lodging --around $150-$200 per night. Is there an area that%26#39;s centrally located to both? Any ideas on lodging would be appreciated.

Thanks

Week in Wine Country in August

loopie-

Napa is a place where you can sleep in a *dive* for over $100+ a night, so please be careful.

Here%26#39;s the advice we give to friends:

Think of your favortie Inn or hotel in Paris, New York, Rome, LA, etc.

Now think of that price range. Got it? *Double* that price, and you%26#39;ll have a fair idea of what similar accommodations run in Napa.

Why is Napa lodging so pricey? In large part because real estate here is insanely expensive-- an 800 ft 2 BR, 1 BA house on a lot the size of a postage stamp costs $500-650,000.00 or more. Dirt out in the country goes for over $500,000 an acre. So it%26#39;s no wonder that hotels/motels/B%26amp;Bs (sitting on a much larger chunk of that same expensive land) cost more.

We wish more travel writers would explain the price situation to folks, because it%26#39;s hard to manage expectations when someone comes here, pays $300/night, and expects a 5 star hotel.

A brief survey of prices, in March/April (Dec/Jan is cheaper, Aug-Oct is higher):

$50-150/night Basic Motel (mostly motor courts)

$100-$300/night Basic B%26amp;B or Inn (depends on length of stay)

$100-500/night Basic Hotel (Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden)

$300-1000/night Basic Upscale Hotel or Inn (also resorts)

$500-$4000/night Top-flight Hotel/Resort (Ritz Carlton class)

Since August-October is the most expensive time to stay all year, some of the prices may be close to *double* the above prices, especially if you book last minute.

Weve given this advice before: If getting a clean cheap room is your biggest priority, please consider staying in the freeway town of Fairfield and driving the 20-30 min extra each day to get here. In August, you%26#39;ll save about $50-100 a day.

If you stay somewhere in Napa with ';freebies'; like complimentary tasting passes to wineries, meals, and concierge services, things become a better deal. That%26#39;s why B%26amp;Bs and small Inns are so popular (hey, it%26#39;s not about the lace doilies!).

Some B%26amp;Bs are more like ';mini hotels'; as opposed to social places. Look for words like ';boutique hotel';, and ask if they will serve you breakfast in your room, instead of with the other guests.

Prices at many Inns and B%26amp;Bs include breakfast, complimentary winery tasting passes, reservation services, wine and cheese receptions (with great insider info)-- the kinds of things that easily cost an additional $40-70 per couple per day at other places.

We completely understand that not everyone wants the social interactions of a B%26amp;B. Each B%26amp;B has its own personality. Not all of %26#39;em are about Victorian linen %26amp; lace! :)

For budget travelers, we have recommended spots like the Yountville Railway Inn or Napa%26#39;s Hawthorne Suites. Please read the reviews of these (and other) properties. The Napa TA site has an incredible number of very informative and helpful reviews.

Just use the search function on these forums, with keywords like ';cheap motel'; or ';budget';. Also, if you use the words ';trip report';, you%26#39;ll get an amazing list of fantastic 1-day itineraries for wine country touring-- along with comments about each place.

Weather here is hot during the day, cool at night. Humidity is quite low. You can walk around when it%26#39;s 100 degrees here- it feels like 75 degrees with 100% humidity, as a reference.

You can certainly split your time between Napa and Sonoma, since they%26#39;re so close to each other. Some folks use the town of Napa as their home base, driving around to the different wineries (most everything here is within 30-60 min drive).

Last but not least, you mention that you want to get a real feel for the place. The best way to do this is stay at a small Inn or B%26amp;B-- you%26#39;ll get personalized attention and find out about places that you%26#39;d never hear about if you stay at a larger place, like a motel, hotel, or resort.

We%26#39;re certainly not trying to talk you into a B%26amp;B-- we just want you to know why so many folks who visit Napa choose to stay at one.

For privacy, you%26#39;ll be best served if you find a B%26amp;B/Inn that has a separate cottage. Unfortunately, cottages tend to be a bit pricey, esp in August ($300-500/night).

Sorry for looooooong post. We hope you have a wonderful time! :)

-The Innkeepers

Napa Old World Inn

Week in Wine Country in August

I am a local who has lived in Napa my whole life. While I%26#39;m no travel expert, I can give a few suggestions that can at least point you in the right direction.

The weather here in California tends to be hot and dry. In August temps can easily reach 100, especially upvalley (St. Helena, Calistoga), but it tends not to last long.

August is the ';pre-season'; to crush. I think they are even harvesting some champagne grapes. The wineries are for the most part starting to gear up for crush. Everyone has their favorites of course, but I really like Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga (they have a gondola ride that you can see the whole valley), Mumm (sparkling wine with a fantastic view off their porch), and Darioush (the winemaker is Iranian and has built an incredibly beautiful winery). Both Mumm and Darioush are on Silverado Trail.

You mentioned wanting to learn about wine. In addition to the great tours at the wineries, you can check out Copia (located in Napa). They are a wine and arts center built by the Mondavi Family and could deepen your knowledge about wine. Also, the Culinary Institute often times has classes open to the public on various topics of wine (my boss took a class on champagne there once).

If you want to eat, Napa Valley is the place for you. I have gotten totally spoiled living here. Some of the best Mexican food I%26#39;ve ever eaten is here. Some recommendations:

Rutherford Grill: Hands down my husband and I%26#39;s favorite. Food is American/comfort. Located in Rutherford right off of Hwy 29. Price: with an appatizer (I high recommend the grilled artichoke), 2 entrees, a couple of glasses of wine and a dessert we usually walk out at $100-120.

Brix: Another faboulous restaurant. Food is American with lots of influences. Price is similar to Rutherford, but the food is a little more ';gourmet';. Located on Hwy 29.

Don Giovannis: A Napa staple. Located on Hwy 29 right out of Napa. Food is gourmet, but it so good. Price is similar to the Rutherford or Brix. Food is italian.

For some places the locals go that are more moderately priced:

Villa Corona: Mexican. Has locations in Napa and St. Helena on Main st. My favorite mexican restaurant. Try the burritos.

Filipes: Has locations in Southern California and Napa. Family owned and serves terrific italian ';grotto'; food.

As far as lodging goes, the general rule is the farther upvalley you go, the more expensive things become. As far as wanting to be centrally located, Napa may be the best option. There are some great hotels in Napa including the Hawthorne Inn and Suites, the Napa River Terrace Inn (one of my bosses always stays here when he visits Napa), the Napa River Inn (boutique hotel, has rooms like a b%26amp;b but in a hotel). The Meritage Hotel just recently opened, but I have no idea of price. There are also the basic sort of hotels like the John Muir Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and the Marriot. B%26amp;B%26#39;s tend to run expensive. I rented a couple of rooms for my wedding and the rooms ran about $300 each/night. I%26#39;m sure if you bargain hunt you could find some that are less expensive (only $250 :) )

Both Napa and Sonoma have enough going on to occupy your vacation independently. You could split your time, but know you can go to just one and have a great time.

Some other Napa entertainment options:

Napa Valley Opera House

Lincoln Theater (Yountville).

Copia

Culinary Institute of America

Hope this was helpful.