Napa Valley is stunning. I really have no other words for it. Think rolling hills, sweeping vistas, and gorgeous lighting at sunrise and golden hour especially on the outskirts. It is the kind of place that driving around is a treat, and that is all before stopping to sample any vineyard's product. The trade-off here is that driving in the main stretch of Napa is also bit frustrating.
Most vineyards are off one main road with limited lights outside of town, and during our visit at least was fairly congested. If you've ever been to the Finger Lakes wineries , it felt like a more congested version of that minus the lakes. Aside from coming in for vineyards, Napa is also home to many acclaimed restaurants like The French Laundry where we dined- read more at the previous link! Whenever we left a vineyard we'd have to wait a fair bit of time to turn out on the roads, and we often missed the entry to our next appointment due to poor signage and had to repeat the process when turning around at the next vineyard up the road.
Sonoma, especially the Russian River Valley area, was a bit lacking in sweeping vistas. It is still beautiful in its own way but appeared to be hillier with more trees surrounding individual estates which were much more spread out than the centralized Napa Valley corridor. When you're on any given property you'll enjoy some stunning vistas, but in your car the views are few and far between from our experience at least.
Driving in Sonoma is much easier, as is finding estates as they are much more spread out than in the main Napa corridor. The downside here was that on our weekend visit it seemed like everyone in the area was out on their bikes or running… at night such that you have to pay extra attention when on the road.
The Vineyard Experience Varied Considerably. In some aspects, tasting at the wineries are similar. In Napa , we felt like most of the base-level tastings were rushed. You walk in, get your tastings, a quick explanation, and are done. The base tastings at Beringer reservation required and Grgich no reservation were quick, a bit impersonal, and lacking for the price in our opinion- although we're certain some of the more premium tastings would have been a bit more of an experience overall.
In fact, our favorite experience in Napa was at Anarchist Winery, a tasting bar on the Vino Collina Resort resort complex on the south end of Napa Valley proper near the county airport. The winery does unique takes on different wines that you may not be able to try elsewhere, and even has a stellar orange wine white wine grapes fermented with the skin on that we left with a bottle of. I liked that on the other tours I could make the most of my time by sipping on wine while exploring the grounds.
In the last half-hour of the Taste of Beringer tour , we gathered around a table in the historic Rhine House for a lesson in pairing wines and "seasonal culinary treats. Each table setting included three glasses of wine, three small bites, and a booklet on pairing.
After eating something so complementary to the wine, the chardonnay unfolded in layers of smoky oak, buttery fig, and tangerine. I could make out precise aromas better than before. Sonoma County used to be a lesser-known spot for tourists, but that's quickly changing as wine lovers seek out experiences that are more authentic. The region features roughly the same number of luxury hotels and wineries as Napa County but spread out over an area three times as big with redwoods and a mile coastline.
The winery was founded on the idea of self-sufficiency and a desire to bring sustainable farming practices into the mainstream. In the s and '90s, the father-and-son duo Mike and Bruno Benziger experimented with methods like crop rotation, tillage, and natural composts to maintain soil health.
They planted homeopathic teas underground to enrich the land and built flora-filled "insect sanctuaries" to attract critters that would eat vine-munching pests.
In , Benziger became the first vineyard in the US to be certified biodynamic — a holistic method of grape production that's goes beyond organic farming.
I baked under the sun for about a half-hour before getting inside. Once you're let into the brewpub, you enter a second waiting list for a table. The double IPA is super dry and hoppy. But it's a surprisingly drinkable beer that was worth the hassle of getting into the brewery. The top 10 beers chosen by beer enthusiasts across the US ». Ferrer Selection Chardonnay was my least favorite. The taste of boozy pineapple was overpowering, like drinking the bottom of a Mai Tai cocktail.
It greeted my senses with vibrant aromas of strawberry, cherry, and pomegranate. The texture was full and creamy. Pros: Wineries are situated along one main drag, which makes zipping between them a breeze. I enjoyed a variety of different experiences, from the walk-and-drink tour of the grounds at Cakebread Cellars to the immersive pairing experience at Beringer Vineyards.
Cons: A day in Napa County doesn't come cheap. My tours and tastings cost more than those in Sonoma County. I also found fewer restaurants where I could eat without spending a lot. Pros: There's something for everyone in Sonoma County, whether you're a wine snob, outdoor adventurer, craft brewer, or foodie.
Cons: I spent nearly as much time in the car as I did enjoying the wineries. In retrospect, I wish I had made fewer plans and allowed myself to stop at the fruit stands and charming town squares that I passed along the way. I also encountered group sizes and wait times in Sonoma County that matched, if not exceeded, those I found in Napa County. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. That means more roads and greater distances between wineries, but they do feature a more secluded, laid back feel, as the drive may lead you down backroads that can make any driver feel like they are going the wrong way.
When you reach your destination, it will be worth the trek. Otherwise, you may be turned away, or spend a significant amount of your wine country journey waiting for a spot to open. Even if this is your first time in California wine country, only you know if you are feeling adventurous or would simply like to enjoy the wines you already know you like. While Napa Valley wineries offer many varietals, the greatest vineyard acreage and production produces:.
Sonoma has more varieties of wine, which include popular options like:. One more consideration when choosing between the two: tasting room fees are often higher in the Napa Valley by a wide margin. One major difference between Napa Valley and Sonoma is the dining options.
Napa has two top Michelin Star rated restaurants and a plethora of other upscale dining options. Sonoma also has excellent restaurant choices, but tends to be a little more relaxed, which also means a little friendlier on the wallet. Is your favorite hotel or winery not on the list? Leave a comment so everyone can see. Happy wine tasting! I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul this blog you're reading! I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others.
You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, ranting about diet culture, cooking with my husband, or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration! Thank you!!
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