People around the globe flock to California for many reasons and Sacramento and Napa Valley Wine Tours itself attract almost six millions of visitors round the world. Wine tours are exotic and exclusive because one can do many things like visiting the authentic wineries, seeing the process of distillation and taste some of the world famous wine. Napa Valley Wine Tours are an experience that all wine lovers should experience once in their lives. There are many organized tours that are available Yountville, Oakville, and Calistoga and for those who like to travel in limos can even ask their limousine service provider to organize the tour. This is an excellent way of travelling as one gets the services and confirmed bookings even in rush seasons. The valley has some of the most beautiful sceneries and Napa Valley Wine Tours are just the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of nature in an exotic way.
Tour operators can have many ways to plan the visit but the most common ones happen on a daily basis from San Francisco. There are some fine wineries on the list depending on the package and service. While group travelling is predetermined, limo services can be customized on request. One can choose to visit from three to even more wineries and get to know the process of making wine in a very personal and elaborate way. One can also get the chance to buy exclusive range of wines at very good prices while tasting some of the finest wines in the valley. The small area of Napa valley has hundreds of wineries and each has something that is worth paying a visit. Group buses and Limo services are active and one can take the Highway 29 or even Silverado Trail which is excellent on drive. Silverado trail is very less crowded so remains a favorite in the peak rush times of the year. Highway 29 is more popular as it was many wineries on the way.
For those who are crazy about wine can spend half of the later September visiting the wineries when the grapes are sorted and fermentation process is started. This is where one can see how wines originate and how the best priceless wines are made. Most wine lovers love to visit this valley every season and stay for a long time. One can get the best country side feeling amidst breathtaking views of nature and some of the finest wineries in the world. To avoid the hassle of not getting the bookings on your required dates, booking in advance is a great option. While cheap and affordable conveyances available the entire time, exclusive travelling like limousines may need prior booking. It gives the chance to get the discounts and also gives a better idea to plan your travel to selected wineries in the area. If you looking to stay for a while, contact your Napa Valley Wine Tours provider about the options to stay in the countryside and have an inside look of the wine world.
Prep report: Albini leads San Marin softball to NCS win in the rain
SEBASTOPOL — Rain nearly gave the San Marin High softball team a win over Analy after just six innings in the North Coast Section Division II quarterfinals Saturday, but after an hour-and-a-half delay with parents, coaches and players working to salvage a playable field, the teams were able to finish the game and San Marin beat Analy 3-1.
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California Wine Country and wine growing Regions
By: Mark Adams
Posted: Nov 03, 2010
Renowned throughout the world for its miles of vineyards, charming small towns, and easy-going lifestyle, California’s wine country is perfect for anyone looking to truly “get away from it all”. Napa, Sonoma, and their countless surrounding small towns like Geyserville and Calistoga – these oases of calm and relaxation lie only an hour or two’s drive from San Francisco’s bustling city center. Wine enthusiasts and regular visitors alike flock to the area, eager to experience the Northern California wine country culture. You, too, could have your very own getaway in this gem, complete with fun outdoor activities, wine tasting, and just plain living the good life in one of the area’s many, many spas.
The phrase “wine country” can be somewhat ambiguous to those not from the Bay Area. What locals refer to as wine country is an area of Northern California about 45 miles north of the city of San Francisco. It is primarily compromised of Napa and Sonoma counties, and gets its name from the rich tradition of wine-making that permeates the area. Many refer to it as the “birthplace of California viticulture.” Although quaint small towns with big personalities and lots of activities also dot the area, it is for wine that the region is most well-regarded. The reason there is so much wine grown in the area is namely because of the climate, topography, and soil; these three factors combined have created conditions that grow grapes fine enough to challenge those of France itself in the international market! That is quite a claim to fame! The most notable factor in the success of wine country’s burgeoning success is the region’s Mediterranean climate: a temperate climate characterized by warm and dry weather for most months out of the year along with a steady amount of rainfall. All that sunshine makes the grapes just as happy as it makes the wine country’s visitors and residents!
But the wine country’s past is almost as exciting as its present. The wine country has contributed much to California’s rich history, serving as the site of many significant moments in the state’s development from Indian territory to Spanish colony to independent state. The city of Sonoma was especially essential in this development. Tracing its earliest settlers to several Miwok, Pomo and Wintun Native American tribes, the area’s rich soil and temperate weather was a much-desired commodity even thousands of years ago. These settlements remained until 1823 when Father Joseph Altimira, a Mexican church leader, effectively colonized the area. Altimira created Mission San Francisco Solano under the orders of Father Junipero Serra, who is often referred to as the “father of the California missions.” Soon after barracks were created, however, the Bear Flag revolt occurred under Colonel John Fremont, declaring the state’s independence from Mexico and, eventually, our allegiance with the United States of America.
In the last 30 years, Napa and Sonoma Valley wine country has experienced an incredible boom in both wine sales and tourism. In the mid-1970s there were only a dozen or so wineries left in the area, but following increased interest in the wines exported globally from the area and a dynamic advertising campaign, the California wine country was once again put onto the scene as a preeminent destination for wine connoisseurs and travelers alike. As a visitor, there are many activities in which to partake during your time in the valley.
In addition to visiting wineries that are almost always welcoming to visitors wishing to partake in wine-tasting sessions or tours, the cuisine, spas, and outdoor activities make for both a relaxing and exciting vacation. There are many miles of flat and hilly terrain in both valleys perfect for mountain biking as well as various National Parks open for the hiker in your family. The chic town squares of towns like Geyserville, Sonoma, and Healdsburg make for perfect places to kick back with a glass of wine and a good meal at one of the destination’s multiple famed eateries. The countless hotels and spas scattered across the landscape make getting treatments and going for a dip in a hot spring just an appointment away. In short, there is no end to the relaxing adventures you could have in California’s Sonoma and Napa wine country!
Mark Adams – About the Author:
Mark Adams is a specialized writer in Travel & Tourism related topics.He wrote many articles regarding San Francisco Tours and many more articles can be found at <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/3600680']);” href=”http://www.goldenhorizontravel.com/”>Golden Horizon Travel</a> and <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/3600680']);” href=”http://www.goldenhorizontravel.com/san-francisco/tours.htm”>San Francisco Tours</a>
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/california-wine-country-and-wine-growing-regions-3600680.html
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Get inspired by wine country cuisine
Chef John Ash will be offering two classes at Rudy’s — A Cook’s Paradise in Twin Falls in June.
Find More California Wine Articles
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by septillion
Canât wait for your next trip, but are miserable at the idea of leaving your best friend behind?
After all, who better to experience long walks on the beach with â or snuggling up on the terrace to watch the sunset with â than your pooch (especially when no meaningful conversation is expected)?
If youâve got to get away, but canât bear the sad look from those puppy dog eyes, maybe itâs time for a little getaway that includes Fido, too. The following are some canine-friendly cities that offer more unusual treats to lure both of you for a visit.
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
âBut my dog doesnât drink,â you argue. No worries. While youâre lapping up
the regionâs top-notch wine, your canine pal will have plenty of things to
do.
WINERIES
Cuvaison Winery
4550 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, California
707-942-6266
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed to join you in the small tasting
room and in the three outdoor picnic areas.
Clos Du Val Winery
5330 Silverado Trail, Napa, California 94558
800-993-9463
Dogs on leashes are allowed in the enormous tasting room and on the property
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hillcrest Country Inn
3225 Lake County Hwy, Calistoga, California
707-942-6334
Host Debbie OâGorman runs this country home with her three dogs, Taz, Debo
and Bamboo, who are friendly and welcoming to other canine friends. The
antique-filled home is located on a hilltop with an unbeatable view of Napa
Valley. You and your pup can romp around the 36-acre property where there is
swimming, hiking and fishing, and then he has the option of staying in your
room or in a large outdoor kennel.
Beazley House Bed & Breakfast Inn
1910 First Street, Napa, California
707-257-1649
Youâll be able to play with resident Golden Retrievers Sissy and Autumn
Beazley in this downtown Napa inn, and youâll even receive a doggie welcome
basket with a bowl, doggie beer, bones and cleanup baggies. Three rooms open
out into the gardens, and there is a per day per dog charge, with a
maximum of two dogs per room.
RESTAURANTS
Angele
540 Main Street, Napa, California
707-252-8115
This gourmet French restaurant allows dogs on leashes in their outdoor
patio, and will provide water and treats while you dine.
Bistro Don Giovonni
4110 Saint Helena Hwy, Napa, California
707-224-3300
This laid-back Mediterranean restaurant (itâs the sister to San Franciscoâs
Scala Bistro) allows dogs in their outdoor tables, but please call ahead to
inform the staff.
Los Angeles already has a reputation for being a dog-friendly city, but its neighbor down south is making steps to become the next hot dog spot in
Southern California. Long Beach is a coastal city that has recently opened three acres of its beach in Belmont Shore as an off-leash area. âThe
Dog Zoneâ visitors must follow the rulesâ only one dog per adult, and pooper-scoopers are a must. The Dog Zone starts at 4800 E. Ocean Blvd., between Roycroft and Argonn streets.
Also in Long Beach is the very active Haute Dogs organization, which
arranges several doggie-centered events in Belmont Shore all year long. The
Haute (pronounced âhotâ) Dog Easter Parade features hundreds of dogs
marching along in bonnets and Easter outfits, while the Howlâoween Parade
and Canine Costume Contest that includes an adoption fair, a bulldog kissing
booth; and a dancing dog demonstrations. If thatâs not doggone wacky enough,
stick around Long Beach for the Haute Dog poetry contest and bulldog beauty
contest.
Several restaurants and shops along the busy Second Street in Belmont Shore
offer water bowls to welcome pets. Pet-friendly accommodations are rather
scarce (you may be better off making Long Beach doggie festivities part of a
day trip), but you can try the following:
Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, a luxury hotel that welcomes dogs of any size
for a non-refundable fee. 111 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, 562-437-5900
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We’ve often described the Northern California Wine Country as a ‘Disneyland for Adults’, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave the children behind. For many people, visiting wineries is only one day of their trip to San Francisco. After all, with all of the attractions it has to offer, the Bay Area is a great destination for the whole family. A daytrip to the scenic counties of Sonoma and Napa provides an opportunity to enjoy a relaxed pace with stunning views, wonderful tours and interesting wineries. The wineries and their gift shops are admittedly more interesting to the adults than the kids, but they will still enjoy the trip because it is, after all, farm country, and what kid doesn’t enjoy that? Sonoma especially takes great pride in their agricultural diversity, so as you travel around you’re going to see a wide variety of plantings, orchards and livestock in between the vineyards.
We’re seeing increasing numbers of children in Wine Country. While it is still a relatively small number, parents are finding ways to make it work. The secret to having a great time together in Sonoma and Napa is to realize that while many wineries are not suitable or enjoyable for children, there are many others that are. Sonoma and Napa have over seven hundred wineries, of which about half can be visited easily so there are plenty to choose from, as well as many other family attractions.
One of the most kid friendly and adult enjoyable destinations is the Plaza in downtown Sonoma. If you’re coming from San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge you’ll be at this historic and charming place in a little over half an hour. This is the ‘Philadelphia of California’, because it is the place where the Republic of California declared its independence from Mexico.
It is helpful to know that there are the counties of Sonoma and Napa, and the cities of Sonoma and Napa.
Even though Sonoma is a small city of about nine thousand people, it is big on history. It is the only city in California that enjoys all three of these distinctions; it was an official Pueblo, or city under Mexico, it was a Franciscan Mission (the twenty-first and final), and it was the military headquarters for the entire West Coast under both Mexico and the United States. Around the Plaza, which is the largest in California, there are numerous historic sites as well as nice restaurants and shops. In the Plaza there are great picnic tables near the playgrounds and the newly restored duck pond.
The tourist bureau sits on the Plaza in an old Carnegie Library building and it can provide additional information for a great day with kids. A unique attraction called Train Town is just two minutes back down Broadway, the road that led you to the Plaza. This is a small old-style amusement park suitable for young children up to approximately age ten. There is a small train to ride and a traditional merry-go-round and it harkens back to a time before special effects were digital. There is even a petting zoo.
Around the Plaza are several winery tasting rooms where you can taste some excellent wines without spending all day getting there. Then you can nip back to the playground before moving on to the next winery. Five minutes from the Plaza is one of the Sonoma originals, the Sebastiani Family Winery, with their great old barrel room, one of Sonoma’s best gift shops and some very nice wines for you to sample. They also offer a trolley tour of Sonoma that explains about its wonderful history. Just to the south of town is the Larson Family Winery, on the old Sonoma Rodeo site. This was where the champion race horse Seabiscuit stabled overnight when he was racing on the West Coast. It has a farm-like setting with llamas and sheep. Horse rides through the vineyards can arranged in advance, bocce courts and picnic areas round out the experience.
From the Plaza you can head north on Route 12 up the Valley of the Moon, a scenic route. Voted Sonoma’s best tour, the Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen offers a wonderful mix of agriculture, education and fine wine. Their vineyards are tucked in a pretty little valley on Sonoma Mountain just down the road from Jack London’s old ranch, now a park.
Their tour, aboard a tram attached to the back of a tractor, winds its way up into the vineyards where they explain the biodynamic approach to agriculture, a remarkable system that is increasingly popular with many high-end wineries. Next you visit the barrel caves and finish up in the winery for a tasting. Admittedly wineries are about adult enjoyment, but there are often children on the Benziger tour and they always seem to enjoy themselves.
Please don’t make the mistake of bringing children to trendy wineries where they have nothing of interest for kids. They will spend the hour while you are tasting wine bored with nothing to do. The wineries that are kid friendly have made a big effort to be so. At both the Sonoma Plaza and Benziger you’ll find good picnic tables, so pick up some sandwiches either at the Plaza or at the Glen Ellen Market.
Many of the wineries in the Valley of the Moon are kid friendly as long as you have an adult willing to keep an eye on them. The grounds are gracious and park-like allowing for a little outdoor enjoyment in beautiful surroundings. Some of those that come to mind are B.R. Cohn, Imagery, Landmark and St. Francis. Chateau St. Jean and Ledson Winery both have deli markets and picnic tables on site. They are all within five miles of each other along Route 12, the main road in the Valley. Hint: Bring a soccer ball or a Frisbee. There are some great lawns in the Valley of the Moon.
Visiting Napa with Children
Napa is a great place to visit because everything is close together. The whole valley is only thirty miles long by five miles wide, and while there are other wineries tucked up in the hills, the variety of wineries that are easy to reach is wonderful. However, it is not as agriculturally varied as Sonoma. Napa is another half hour farther from the Golden Gate Bridge, but the ride brings you through the beautiful Carneros district with its vineyard covered rolling hills that have a distinctly Tuscan feeling. Napa is closer to San Francisco via the less scenic Bay Bridge.
Napa has a bit more of a city style than its country cousin Sonoma, but there are several places that children will especially enjoy. Everyone enjoys spectacular architecture and great views, something at which Napa excels. A classic example of this is the Artesa Winery, with its hilltop site overlooking Carneros and the Bay. Artesa is close to San Francisco and despite not being built with children in mind, the feeling is relaxed enough and the variety of places to explore extensive enough that everyone in the family will be charmed. They even have an elevator for those with strollers.
Just to the north in Yountville is Domaine Chandon, one of Napa’s original makers of sparkling wine. This is a favorite for groups and people with children because the grounds are gracious and accommodating, with lawns, ponds and wildlife. Up on the patio, they offer snacks along with their elegant sparkling wines and the tables make it easier to keep everyone together. The springtime tadpole explosion in the ponds will keep any child entertained.
One of the most enjoyable family wineries is Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon in Rutherford, about half way up the Napa Valley on Highway 29 (St. Helena Highway). He took the historic Neibaum/Inglenook building and surrounded it with gardens that have all of the graciousness of a southern Italian villa. The exhibits and old barrel rooms upstairs are enough to entertain most children. During the summer they provide model sailboats to send gliding on the fountain pool in front of the building. There is a small café, with outdoor seating, a great gift shop and of course some wonderful wines.
Just to the north is the V. Sattui Winery which in this context is most valuable for their great deli offerings and large picnic area. Napa does not have a lot of picnic areas. On a Saturday in season it can get busy, but finding food, wine and picnic tables all together certainly makes the logistics of blending wineries with children much easier. The wineries have dramatically more traffic on Saturdays than Sundays.
The Wilds of Calistoga
For the San Francisco-based traveler, unfortunately, two of the most interesting wineries for children are all the way at the northern part of the valley, just south of the ‘old west’ style town of Calistoga, which is a great, kid-friendly place to visit onto itself. These two wineries are not suitable for infants in strollers, but for children eight years and older they are a fun experience. First is Sterling Vineyards, famous for its aerial tramway that carries visitors to its hilltop winery. Many years ago it was the first large winery to charge for their tastings. The price includes the tram ride. Between the tram, the gift shop and the tasting you need to allow an hour and a half to enjoy the place. Get there early to avoid the lines.
Just across Highway 29 is one of the newest, large wineries in Napa, although it was built to look old. The Castello di Amorosa is built like an authentic castle, from real stone and hand wrought iron. The vision, the forty million dollars and thirteen years it took to build produced a remarkable place. Children are restricted to the early morning tours so you should check their website for the schedule. The tour with tasting takes about two hours. The admission for Rubicon, Sterling and Castello di Amorosa all range between and , although they offer discounts for children and young adults.
Napa gets hot in the summer, but very dry, so there are very few flying bugs. During the Winter it gets rainy, but not very cold. Both Spring and Fall are gorgeous, and harvest time, from late August through mid-November, is a very busy, exciting time in Wine Country.
Small, private wineries are often at people’s homes, so for the collector, traveling with children, you should ask your potential hosts if children are welcomed. If you want to get to the smaller wineries with children, consider hiring a guide with a car or SUV (avoid limos due to the need to sit sideways or backwards which increases the possibility of carsickness). While there are limo services in San Francisco, many of the experts live in Wine Country but they pick up clients in the city. Hiring a driver greatly reduces the stress and increases the enjoyment. Explain that you have children and ask them for a guide that is comfortable with that. Some guides are parents and actually like children. For them it’s something different and in fact we remember every tour we’ve ever done with kids. Touring with children is educational and a lot of fun, as long as you go to wineries that they’ll find interesting too. So enjoy your day with the kids in Wine Country.
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by lyng883
Napa Valley is known for Vineyards, wineries and wine. Major attractions of this area are rolling hills, steep mountains and amazing micro climates that make it ideal for growing a variety of grapes. There are many vineyards that grow different types of grapes in Napa valley.
Napa Wine tours are one of the unique tours in Napa Valley from San Francisco. Napa wine tours will take you to the entire premier Napa Wineries. In this tour you can enjoy picnic lunch, four winery stops, ride to the Golden Gate Bridge and then return back to San Francisco. Along with Napa Valley tour, a tour guide is appointed who will provide information about Napa Valley.
Napa Wine tours will start from Ferry Building and then you will get close to Alcatraz, Bay Bridge, city of San Francisco, as well as Golden Gate Bridge from a short distance away. Next destination would be Domaine Chandon where you can enjoy sparkling wine tasting. Sparkling wines are tasted during celebrations only. Domaine Chandon’s winery is second to none in the wine country. Some popular wines are Brut Classic, Pinot Noir Rose, etoile Rose and Pinot Nior. Domaine Chandon blends beautiful architecture with majestic landscape of Napa Valley.
Your next stop would be at V.Sattui Winery where you can taste wide variety of wines. V.Sattui is a family owned winery which is a perfect place for a great picnic and bottle of wine. V. Sattui has one of the best delis around with great selections of cheeses, pastas and desserts. You can taste red, Italian, sparkling, dessert, white and other old vintage reserve wines.
Next popular destination is Whitehall winery. Whitehall Lane was founded in 1979. In 1979, two brothers started the winery and directed their winemaking efforts successfully to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. They named the winery, Whitehall Lane. Napa wine tours will take you to this beautiful vineyard where your taste buds can enjoy the drink. The last popular destination is Franciscan vineyard. Franciscan has its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Napa Valley. Founded over three decades, Wine industry revolutionaries Raymond Duncan and Justin Mayer shaped the winery’s beginnings.
The tour ends by Ferry/bay cruise at the Ferry Building. Ferry building is located to most hotels, especially if your hotel is in Union Square, Financial District or Fisherman’s Wharf. Most San Francisco hotels are in those neighborhoods.
When you’re on a Napa Valley wine tasting trip do remember following points:
Limit the amount of wine you drink
Take your time to enjoy the scenery of the winery
Ship your purchases from Napa to your home
You can enjoy your trip if you want to enjoy the taste with the help of your wine.
Blazing the Trail
A Napa Valley trail? Yes, we can! I’ve never met Chuck McMinn in person, but we’ve both asked the same question when enjoying multi-use trails in other communities: “Why can’t we do this in the Napa Valley?”
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by armadillo444
If you are planning on visiting California, you should take some time out to visit some of the popular wineries. California wine is reputed worldwide. With the amazing weather and the beautiful scenery, wine touring in California is a brilliant way to experience and taste some of the fine vintage US wines. With more than 200 days of sunshine every year, the climate in California is ideal for the wine business. There are 6 predominant varieties of wine in California.
There is the Sauvignon Blanc, a white wine that has a herbal or melon taste and tastes best when accompanying seafood. The Chardonnay has a buttery taste and usually complements seafood and chicken. Among the red wines, there is Pinot Noir, which is fruity and Merlot, which can be either floral or fruity in taste. Then, there is Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel that are spicy, herbal or fruity. Along with these varieties, there are many other types of wines available to tempt your taste buds. The wine tours not only offer an insight on how wine is made, but also on how and when to taste the wine. Tourists are informed about all the local events and annual festivals that focus on wine harvesting and processing.
Even though wine is produced in many places in and around California, the most famous areas are definitely Sonoma County and Napa Valley. The primary focus of any wine tour is wine tasting. When touring California, the some tour guides present their guests with a bottle each of their favorite wine. Apart from touring the vineyards and viewing the different facilities and processes that are a part of wine making, there are many companies that provide virtual tours. These tours are designed for those tourists who are interested in visiting the wineries and vineyards, but dont have the time to actually go on a tour. It is advisable for all, to go on a virtual tour, before you sign up for a real one.
When you are on a wine tour, you might probably end up drinking a lot of the wine offered. It is important to take a good driver along, in case you are touring alone. There are various tour services available, which range from deluxe to regular. Wine touring companies in California offer personal guides and even limousines for you to enjoy the whole experience, luxuriously.
If your day is filled with fun activities, like visiting a casino or taking a sunset cruise on the San Francisco Bay, perhaps you should leave the wine touring for the nights. In case you feel like indulging further, a customized private tour is worth trying. The options may vary from gourmet lunches and limo tours for couples, to accommodation and wine tours. The private tours cater to the needs of everyone. Besides this, there are picnics arranged for small or large groups and other team events are designed as well.
California wine tours are usually in association with the various California wine clubs. The tours are romantic and rewarding. A wine tour is primarily designed to enable you to enjoy the best, luxury and good health, while sipping on a glass of your favorite vintage.
Law change could bring new era for TN whiskey
Local distillers see a growing movement for Tennessee to reclaim its whiskey-making heritage, with enthusiasts flocking to micro-distilleries just as wine lovers visit California’s Napa Valley.
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