Sample Itinerary

Napa Valley Itinerary     Sonoma Itinerary

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At H. Montanile™  our goal is to provide you with the best possible plans for enjoying wine country to its fullest. Our itineraries are designed to guide you through your trip so you truly enjoy the wine experience with the greatest of ease and utmost pleasure.

H. Montanile's Sample Itinerary For Napa Valley

A 2 DAY STAY IN THE NAPA VALLEY

YOUR TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR THOSE WISHING TO STAY OVER IN NAPA:
Arrive: San Francisco (SFO) on Monday, October 10th at 11:00am
Car Rental: Hertz at the airport.
Hotel: Best Western in Napa Valley or The Harvest Inn
Check in Date: Monday October 10th.
Dates of stay: 2 days including Monday October 10th and Tuesday, October 11th.
Check out on: Wednesday October 12th.
Return Flight Information: San Francisco Airport (SFO) flight departing at Noon.
DAY # 1
ARRIVE: SFO at 11:00am retrieve baggage and rental car. You will be on the road approximately at Noon, 12:30 if it is a holiday. Travel to the Napa Valley via the Bay Bridge (Your rental car agent will provide you with directions, if needed) and check into the best Western Hotel, in downtown Napa. If you arrive before check in time and your room is not available let the hotel hold your luggage so that you can begin enjoying the fabulous wine country of the Napa Valley.
LUNCH: Dean & Deluca on Highway 29, Rutherford is good for a picnic basket or quick sandwich to take with you. It is a place you will revisit for wine, gourmet foods and more.
Wineries to visit on Highway 29, Napa Valley:

  1. Niebaum Coppola: 1991 St. Helena Highway (Hwy 29), Rutherford 707.963.9435/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings: 10:00 - 5:00 Tours: 11:00am & 2:00pm. You may want to sit at the wine bar outside and enjoy the glorious weather. The wine bar requires that you select a glass from its menu, this is not the tasting room.

  2. Cakebread: 8300 St. Helena Highway (Hwy 29), Rutherford 707.963.5221/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings: 10:00 - 4:30 Tours: by appointment.

  3. Grgich: 1829 St. Helena Highway (Hwy 29), Rutherford 707.963.2784/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings: 9:30 - 4:30 Tours: By appointment.

  4. Peju: 8466 St. Helena Highway (Hwy 29), Rutherford707.963.3600 Tastings: 10:00 - 6:00 Tours: self-guided.

  5. Heitz: 436 St. Helena Highway (Hwy 29), St. Helena 707.963.3542 Tastings: 11:00 - 4:30 Tours: are given at 500 Taplin Road Monday - Friday at 2:00pm.

  6. Beringer: 2000 Main Street (Hwy 29), St. Helena 707.963.4813 Tastings: 10:00 - 6:00 Tours: 10:00 - 5:00 daily.

  7. Merryvale: 1000 Main Street (Hwy 29), St. Helena 707.963.7777 Tastings: 10:00 - 5:30 Tours: none.

  8. Freemark Abbey: 3022 St. Helena Highway (Hwy 29) St. Helena 707.963.9694 Tastings: 10:00 - 5:00 Tours: 2:00pm daily.
DINNER: If you are South on Highway 29, reversing the itinerary, you want to try Don Giovanni's  or The French Laundry. Reservations at these restaurants are strongly suggested, especially during the evening hours, 7:00 - 9:00pm.
DAY # 2
Begin your day with a Hot Air Balloon ride over the Napa Valley. The ride usually begins with the Hot Air Balloon Company picking you up at your hotel before sunrise. The ride itself is approximately 1 hour long and generally followed by a champagne brunch.
If this is too early for you, some companies provide a sunset balloon ride weather permitting.
Wineries to visit on The Silverado Trail, Napa Valley:(Definitely have a picnic basket packed by Dean & Delucca for your day trip, Unlike Highway 29 there is nowhere to stop for a bite along the way. There is a lovely place for lunch in Calistoga but it will take some time before you get there. There is always Faberge du Soleil, however, I would save this very special and romantic spot for dinner.

  1. Pine Ridge: 59015 Silverado Trail, Yountville, Napa 707.252.9777 Tastings: 11:00 - 5:00 Tours: By appointment/ Picnicking by appointment.

  2.  Stag's Leap: 5706 Silverado Trail, Yountville, Napa 707.944.2020 Tastings: 10:00 - 4:00 Tours: By appointment.

  3. Groth: 750 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville, Napa 707.944.0290 Tastings: Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 4:00 by appointment only. Tours: Sunday - Friday 11:00am & 2:00pm by appointment only.

  4. Silver Oak: 915 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville, Napa 707.944.8808 Tastings: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 4:00 by appointment only. Saturday: 10:30 - 4:30 by appointment only. Tours: Monday - Thursday at 1:30pm by appointment only. Saturday: 10:30 - 4:30 by appointment.

  5.  Caymus: 8700 Conn Creek Road, Rutherford, Napa 707.967. TO BE FILLED IN. Tastings: 10:00 - 3:00 on the hour and by appointment only. Tours: None

  6. Frog's Leap: 8815 Conn Creek Road, Rutherford, Napa 707.963.4704 Tastings & Tours: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 4:00 by appointment only.

  7. Mumm: 8845 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, Napa 707.942.3434 Tastings: Tours: 11:00 - 3:00 on the hour.

  8. Cuvaison: 4550 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, Napa 707.942.6266 Tastings: 10:00 - 5:00 Tours: By appointment only.

  9. Clos Pegase: 1060 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, Napa 707.259.2200 Tastings: 10:00 - 5:00 Tours: daily 11:00 & 2:00

  10. Chateau Montelena: 1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, Napa 707.942.5105 Tastings: 10:00 - 4:00 Tours: By appointment
LUNCH: Even if you had a picnic along the way, you may enjoy a lite bite outdoors at the Calistoga Inn located on Main Street.
DINNER: Dine at the wonderfully romantic Auberge du Soleil on the Silverado Trail. This romantic spot set high up on the hillside is also an inn and spa. Domain Chandon is another fantastic choice and of course the French Laundry. Note that each of these restaurants requires reservations in advance. The concierge at your hotel will make those arrangements for you long before you arrive in Napa.

DAY # 3
Travel home

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H. Montanile's Sample Itinerary For  Sonoma

A 2 DAY STAY IN SONOMA

YOUR TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Arrive: San Francisco (SFO) on June 9th at 11:00am
Car Rental: All major car rentals at the airport.
Hotel(s): MacArthur Place Inn & Spa 4 blocks off the Town Square of Sonoma and recommended by Conde Nast Traveler or The Sonoma Valley Inn a AAA Best Western with a pool and 2 blocks off the Town Square of Sonoma.
Note: If you wish to visit the spectacular coast of Sonoma we recommend the Bodega Bay Inn and Lodge and an additional 2 days for your trip.
Check in Date: June 9th
Dates of stay: 2 days including
Check out on: June 11th
Return Flight Information: San Francisco Airport (SFO) flight departing at Noon.
DAY # 1
ARRIVE: SFO at 11:00am retrieve baggage and rental car. You will be on the road approximately at Noon, 12:30 if it is a holiday. Travel to Sonoma County via the Bay Bridge (Your rental car agent will provide you with directions, if needed. If you opt to take the Golden Gate Bridge be prepared for traffic) and check into either MacArthur Place Inn & Spa in Sonoma or the Sonoma Valley Inn (Best Western), Sonoma. If you arrive before check in time and your room is not available let the hotel hold your luggage so that you can begin enjoying the fabulous wine country of the Napa Valley.
LUNCH: Wild Thyme Café, the Breakaway Café Diner or the Swiss Hotel are all delicious choices for Lunch. Wild Thyme will make your Lunch to go so that you can embark on your Wine Tasting Adventure.

Wineries to visit on Highway 12 and Highway 121 Southern Sonoma including Glen Ellen and Kenwood:

  1. Cline: 24737 Arnold Drive (Highway 121) Sonoma 707.935.4310/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings: 10:00 - 6:00 Tours: by appointment Tasting fee: Reserve wines only.
  2. Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves: Highway 121 just North of Cline, Sonoma
    707.996.7256     Tastings: 10:30 - 5:30 daily Tours: 11:00 - 4:00 on the hour.
    Tasting fee: Sold by the glass
    Note: You can indulge yourself on gourmet food while sipping spectacular sparkling wine.
  3. Schug Carneros Estate: 602 Bonneau Road (off Highway 121) Sonoma 707.939.9363/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings:10:00 - 5:00 Tours: By appointment. Tasting fee: Reserve wines only.
  4. Ravenswood: 18701 Gehricke Road, Sonoma 707.938.1960/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings: 10:00-4:30 daily Tours: 10:30 daily by appointment. Tasting Fee: Reserve wines only.
  5. B.R. Cohn: 15140 Sonoma Highway (Hwy 12), Glen Ellen 707.968.4064/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings: 10:00 - 4:30 daily Tours: By appointment. Tasting fee: none
  6. Benzinger: 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen 707.935.3000/Reservations needed for tours only. Tastings:Tasting fee: Reserve wines only.
  7. Chateau St. Jean: 855 Highway 12, Kenwood 707.833.4134 Tastings
  8. Landmark: 101 Adobe Canyon Road (off Hwy. 12), Kenwood 707.963.0053 Tastings: 10:00 - 4:30 Tours: none. Tasting fee: none
DINNER: Either way you follow this itinerary, North to South or vice versa you can dine in the wonderful town of Sonoma. We recommend the following restaurants for dinner: 
  • Maya with its eclectic Mexican fare with true Mexico city flavors and magnificent Margaritas make this an excellent choice. Reservations are strongly suggested.
  • The Swiss Hotel has wonderful Italian food and is a very popular spot reservations are necessary. Also, The Sonoma Hotel has a wonderful restaurant, which caters to the more exotic palette.  Reservations are needed here as well.
DAY # 2

Northern Sonoma - The Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys: The Wild Thyme Café or the Breakaway Café Diner will not disappoint. Both are excellent choices and will leave both your stomach and palette satisfied.
Note: Have Wild Thyme pack you a picnic lunch so that you can dine at Chateau Souverain for Dinner.

Wineries to visit:

  1. Belvedere: 4035 Westside Road Healdsburg, Sonoma 707.433.8236 Tastings:10:00 - 4:30 daily Tours: None. Tasting fee: None.

  2. Dry Creek: 3770 Lambert Ridge Road Healdsburg, Sonoma 707.433.1000 Tastings: 10:00 - 4:30 daily Tours: None Tasting fee: reserve wines only. Special feature: Picnic area.

  3. Pezzi King: 3805 Lambert Bridge Road Healdsburg, Sonoma 707.431.9388 Tastings: 10:00 - 4:30 daily Tours: None Tasting fee: Reserve wines only. Special feature: Picnic area

  4. A. Rafanelli: 4685 W. Dry Creek Road Healdsburg, Sonoma 707.433.1385 Tastings and Tours: By appointment only! Tasting fee: None

  5. Preston: 9282 W. Dry Creek Road Healdsburg, Sonoma 707.433.3372 Tastings: 11:00 - 4:30 daily Tours: None Tasting fee: None Special feature: Picnic area.

  6. Ferrari Carano: 8761 Dry Creek Road Healdsburg, Tastings: 10:00 - 5:00 daily Tours: By appointment. Sonoma 707.433.6700/Reservations for tours only. Tasting Fee: Yes $2.50.

  7. Silver Oak: 24625 Chianti Station Road Geyersville, Sonoma 707.857.3562 Tastings: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon - Fri & 10:30 - 4:30 Saturday by appointment. Tours: 1:30 Monday - Thursday by appointment. Tasting fee: Yes $5.00.

  8. Canyon Road: 19550 Old Redwood Highway Geyersville, Sonoma 707.857.3417 Tastings: 10:00 - 5:00 daily Tours: None Tasting fee: Reserve wines only.

  9. Chateau Souverain: 400 Souverain Road,(Independence lane exit off of Hwy 101) Geyersville, Sonoma 707.433.3141 Tastings: 10:00 - 5:00 daily Tours: None Tasting fee: Reserve wines only. Special feature: Excellent restaurant. Lunch is served 11:30 - 2:30 and Diner begins at 5:00pm. Reservations are strongly suggested.
    Note: We recommend Chateau Souverain for either Lunch or Dinner. If you have followed the itinerary you will most likely have dinner. If you want to make it lunch instead you can forego both Dry Creek and Silver Oak heading to Chateau Souverain after Preston and then finish after lunch with Canyon Road and Ferrari Carano.
Dinner: other than Chateau Souverain, we suggest you try one of the other restaurants in Sonoma listed above in Day #1. The town square of Sonoma offers fun shopping, galleries, wine bars and day spas. Please visit H.Montanile’s "Fun Things to Do" for a complete listing.
DAY # 3
CHECK OUT AND HEAD TO THE AIRPORT
 

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