Winery Tours

We did a self-guided winery tour and had a terrific day. We rented a convertible (way more money) but it was worth every dime. The weather was spectacular. My hubby does not really drink and does not drink wine at all so he drove, enjoyed the car, and making me happy.

We started at Sterling Winery $70 for 2 adults and 2 kids on a Sunday. This was the families favorite stop. I would have loved to sit there on the beautiful patios and enjoy more wine but the girls were hungry. It is a shame they can not sell food there. We would have killed for cheese and crackers.

We then went to Freemark Abbey. The wines were terrific and the kids liked the garden. PA does not let you ship wines into the state (the problem with communism, the politicos want control over your pocket) so I can%26#39;t enjoy their wines unless the state store has a special. The guide there was very nice and had time to talk to me about where the wines come from. There was a big map of all of the vineyards under the glass bar.

We went to Mumms, sat down with no service from about 1/2 hour then realized we would miss our lunch reservations so left. Disappointed because we had nice seats on the edge of the patio overlooking the vineyard.

We went to Brixx for lunch and was dissappointed. We reserved weeks in advance and requested patio seating. I know, never a quarantee, but the place was filled with walk ins because of the gorgeous weather and they didn%26#39;t have a seat outside. They were serving a brunch menu which was very limited. But the biggest problem was my glass of wine was corked?! I forget what I ordered but someone else returned theirs also while I waited for the waitress to come back. I was watching the bar not far away and trying to get either thier attention or the waitresses. I was an obvious fault. They gave me another glass of wine from another winery and we oh so generous to charge me for the cheaper wine. Undrinkable wine in wine country is inexcusable. The waitress was nice but a little busy.

Back to Mumms, still busy, not as nice table, still waited for service but we didn%26#39;t care at this point. My daughters had new DS games and it was a beautiful afternoon. Nice patio. We had done non-stop touring of SF, particularly a biking trip the day before and just wanted to relax. The service was disappointing. We got a flight and the guide just poured the three glasses and left. I did listen in on the next table while the other guide explained and discribed the flight. We arrived in time to take the free tour but were tired by this time and skipped it. The people that did take the tour were happy they did.

We went to St. Supery (SP?) from there. My hubby and daughters took the tour and I went to the tasting room since it was close to closing time. They were not impressed with it and were outside in a few minutes. Since I was by myself and from PA (can%26#39;t sell me the wine club) the guides had no interest in me and I had to listen to an obnoxious group of 20 something%26#39;s from LA. Yes it was late in the day and I probably wasn%26#39;t in the best shape myself but I was struck by how everything that came out of the girls mouths was so negative. I wish people would listen to themselves and try to see something positive or good in life but the nasty complaints by people who shouldn%26#39;t have much to complain about was a black cloud over my little corner of the bar.

Stopped at the Olive Oil Company and they were closed. Bummer.

Went to Angele restaurant in Napa and loved it. My daughters had a phenominal steak, we ordered the Mac and Cheese and it was superb. The sauted broccoli was out of this world. So good I took the leftovers home and that was breakfast!

An excellent day and very easy to do from SF on your own. Much cheaper for us with four people than an wine tour but we also did not have a wine drinking designated driver.

Winery Tours

Nice trip report.

I had to laugh however when I read the 2 of you had Mac and Cheese and the daughters had steak. How old are your daughters? and were you by the end of tasting feeling like kids.

Great report and thanks for sharing...come back as lots and lots of other great wineries to visit.