On a California day trip into wine country you will want to stop for a wine tasting along the way. Fortunately you do not have far to look, vineyards are everywhere and their wineries make it easy to stop in and sample the wares. Here are highlights of three:
Set dramatically atop a hill Domaine Carneros AVA Winery in Napa Valley, California, draws your attention if traveling on the road below. The huge and majestic structure that was inspired by the historic Chateau de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France is hard to miss.
Domaine Carneros is one of the few wineries where you can relax and enjoy table service either in the salon or on the terrace overlooking endless vine covered hills. Additionally, they serve caviar and artisan cheese plates matched to the wines.
Table service is daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:45p.m. The Art of Sparkling Wine Tour is $25 per person (plus tax). Reservations are recommended for weekends and public holidays during the peak months of June through October.
Darioush, a winery noted for its Bordeaux style estate wines is located in the appellations of Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder and Oak Knoll. Darioush is open daily from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding major holidays. You are invited for a Host Guided Portfolio Tasting of the current release Bordeaux-style estate wines on a walk-in basis. Directions
Artesa Winery is set into the highest hill of its 350-acre estate, with a protective covering of reserved earth and native grasses. An expansive terrace offers 360 degree vistas of the surrounding countryside, and on clear days, a view of the San Francisco skyline.
From: Sacramento
- Take I-80 W. (41.9 miles / 67.5 km)
- Take the CA-12 exit towards Napa/Sonoma. (0.5 miles / 0.9 km)
- Merge onto Jameson Canyon Road. (5.9 miles / 9.4 km)
- Turn slight right onto Highway 29 North. (0.1 miles / 0.1 km)
- Take CA-12 W. (6.1 miles / 9.8 km)
- Turn right onto Old Sonoma Road. (0.3 miles / 0.5 km)
- Turn left onto Dealy Lane. (1.2 miles / 1.9 km)
- Dealy Lane becomes Henry Road. (0.3 miles / 0.5 km)
Total Distance: 56.3 miles (90.6 km)
Map & Driving Directions to California Wine Country
For more information read the SF Romance Travel Examiner Karla Erovick Exploring Wine Country: Carneros Region
Comments
Looks like a good deal for the tour. Beautiful grapes
I remember the lovely trip you planned for us when we were driving the RV Great fun and fabulous memories, eh?
Wine? I'm there!
There are so many wineries, you could spend a lifetime and not run out of places to go.
Loved the photos and the article. Thanks for the link to my recent article on Carneros Region!
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