Alexander Valley in Sonoma. whose 1973 chardonnay took the top spot for white wines. Located at the top of Napa Valley in Calistoga, the winery is open daily and offers several curated tasting experiences.
The Judgment of Paris’ number-one red was Stag ' s Leap Wine Cellars’ 1973 S. L. V. cabernet sauvignon. In addition to tastings, a trip to this Napa Valley winery promises refined food and wine pairing experiences and stunning views of the S. L. V. and FAY vineyards set against the backdrop of the Stags Leap Palisades.
Grgich Hills Estate is another Napa winery with a connection to The Judgment of Paris: The Croatian-born founder Miljenko“ Mike” Grgich created the Chateau Montelena chardonnay that was the highest-scoring wine of the tasting. The St. Helena, CA-based offers a selection of different tasting experiences, not to mention a beautiful outdoor garden patio with an easterly view of the Vaca Mountains.
Looking to hit several wineries? All aboard The Napa Valley Wine Train, one of the few active historic passenger railroads in the U. S. that offers several unique packages and journeys.
The Wine Train promises an engaging and memorable experience, with multi-course meals cooked to order, Napa Valley scenery and ultimate relaxation while traveling through the heart of California wine country.
SPIRITS, BEER AND MUD
If spirits are more your thing, Redwood Empire Whiskey opened its distillery and visitor destination a year ago on Mare Island, a historic former naval station in Vallejo, CA. The spirits producer has significantly expanded its distilling capacity and deepened its commitment to whiskey education.
With the launch of Redwood Empire Whiskey University, and an expanding slate of experiential programming, the company aims to establish Mare Island as a premier destination comparable to the iconic bourbon trails of Kentucky and Tennessee.
Beer fans can check out Berryessa Brewing Co., a 20−barrel craft brewery
A tasting event at the Francis Ford Coppola winery in Sonoma.
located just outside historic Winters, CA. The taproom at the brewery provides a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere in a country setting with limited indoor seating, scenic outdoor seating, food trucks and live music.
Napa Valley Brewing Company was founded in 1987 and sits on the grounds of the historic Calistoga Inn. It was the first commercial brewery in Napa County since the end of Prohibition in 1933 and one of the pioneers of the craft beer industry.
While you’ re in Calistoga, don’ t forget to take part in the hot springs and mud baths at one of the spas. Golden Haven, Dr. Wilkinson’ s, Roman Spa and Indian Springs are just a few of the options for bathing in the legendary mud made from mineral-rich volcanic ash with waters from natural hot springs.
SONOMA
The largest wine producer in Northern California, Sonoma County stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Mayacamas Mountains. Its 18 wine regions include diverse and scenic growing regions with more than 425 wineries. Sonoma is a key producer of chardonnay( 66,265 tons), pinot noir( 47,768 tons) and cabernet sauvignon( 40,348 tons), among the 60−plus grape varieties.
Some of Sonoma’ s well-known wineries include Korbel, Ledson, Rodney Strong, and Gloria Ferrer. Santa Rosa, CA-based Kendall-Jackson offers several seasonal tasting experiences, from small plates and pairings to picnics to a chef’ s five-course menu and pairing. The Kendall-Jackson Culinary Gardens have seven distinct garden spaces and can be explored on your own or as a guided tour.
Founded in 1882 in the Russian River Valley, Korbel is known as one of the oldest continually operating champagne houses in North America. Visitors to the Korbel winery in Guerneville, CA, can take a celebratory journey through its distinctive California heritage, with its signature champagne on the patio, historic tours of the property and guided tastings.
The Francis Ford Coppola winery, from the renowned film director-turned-vintner Francis Ford
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