California Wine Country for Beginners

The great thing about staying in Napa or Sonoma County and visiting the local wineries and tasting rooms, is that you don't have to be an expert. The folks who run the bed & breakfast inns, as well as the shops and restaurants are extremely friendly and helpful. So if you've been thinking about planning a trip to America's beautiful wine country, hesitate no longer. Here are a few pointers to help get you started.

Sonoma vs. Napa

You don't have to choose between the two counties. A three-day stay allows enough time to hit up several of your must-see destinations. Email both visitor bureaus and ask them to mail you maps and info for both locations. Yes, it's the same information you could locate online, but you'll want a hard copy with you as you drive around.

Lodgings

It's highly recommended that you stay in a bed & breakfast located near where you would like to have dinner. You'll get the chance to ask the owners for the latest news on what to see and where to go. Plus chatting with fellow guests at breakfast is a great way to hear first-hand about places not to be missed. If you're traveling with people who may want to spend more time shopping than tasting, there are several hotels right off the main square in downtown Sonoma.

Restaurants

Book in advance. The best advice is to find at least one restaurant you really want to try before you go and make reservations as soon as possible. Some of these restaurants, no matter how small, book up months ahead of time. Save at least one night for trying a restaurant you heard about while having breakfast or shopping. And, of course, picnic at least once.

There are several cheese and cracker shops in both counties where you can stock up on everything from fresh baguettes to wine bottle openers and then head for the nearest grassy knoll overlooking the beautiful quilted hills of wine country. Don't forget the chocolates!

Wineries

If you already know your favorite wines, check the label to see if they are all produced in the same area. The Russian River Valley contains many great vineyards. You might be able to see up to five wineries in one day, but I wouldn't do more than that. Plan to visit at least three and try for four if time allows. Most tasting rooms are open until 4 p.m. and some are closed on Mondays. Also be sure to ask about any vintages that are only sold at the winery. For example, Ravenswood is famous for their Zinfandel across the country, but they sold a limited amount of Muscato on site one year that was perfect for warm summer nights.

Not all wineries are created equal, so try to diversify your experiences. The Hess Collection has an amazing art gallery in the Napa County winery. Occasionally, new wineries will consist of nothing more than a plank of wood over two oak barrels, so pay attention as you're driving around. You might just discover the next big wine craze.