Take a Trip to Napa Valley

Wineries seem to be popping up all over the place. To date every state in the United States boasts at least one winery. Some of the wines produced are very good and some are excellent. As with everything some wineries produce better wine than others. Some of this has to do with the talent of the winemaker and some of it has to do with the land. Some regions, because of the land, climate, weather, etc. produce better wine than others. Of all of the wine regions in the United States none is a famous as the Napa Valley. After all it was the Napa Valley, thirty years ago, that single-handedly put American wine making on the world map in 1976. It is also Napa Valley that all of the wine regions look to in comparison of their wines. Napa is the Mecca for wine lovers and wine makers in America; everyone should go there at least once. One of the best things about Napa is that almost all of the major sites can be viewed on a single weekend trip north of San Francisco up California Highway 29 from American Canyon north through the towns of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena with a final stop in Calistoga and back on California Highway 128. This path will take you past some of the most famous wineries and vineyards in the world. For those who have the time and money a longer stay is a must. Besides the vineyard laced roads you will also find many hotels, bed and breakfasts, spas and restaurants are also located in this scenic area.

Even though this area has been producing world class wines since the mid 1800's most people did not pay attention to new world wine making. Everyone held the misconception that the world's best wine was produced in the French areas of Bordeaux and Burgundy, this was true for many centuries. The time period of Prohibition in the United States did not help this misconception because winemakers had to take 13-years off of producing, transporting and selling wine. After Prohibition the American wine trade began making wine again but like the prize fighter or ball player emerging from retirement it took a while for the wine industry to find its game again. This all changed in a blind tasting in Paris in 1976 organized by British wine merchant Steve Spurrier. The greatest French wine tasters were assembled to judge the event in a blind format. The judges did not know until the end of the competition when they had tasted the various wines entered into the competition. In addition the French judges openly mocked the idea that they had to taste the American wines alongside the great French wines. The final results shocked the world. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley's Stag's Leap Vineyard won the red category beating out the greatest wines of Bordeaux, including Château Mouton-Rothschild (Premier Cru), Château Haut-Brion (Premier Cru) and Château Montrose (Deuxieme Cru). The Chardonnay from Napa Valley's Château Montelena won the white category beating out some of the greatest Grand Cru White Burgundy including Bâtard-Montrachet. In other words there were two new champions, New World Champions! Ever since the French have been trying (unsuccessfully) to regain their world championship titles from Napa Valley but they have yet to pull off this feat.

Two wineries that are a must stop this year are Château Montelena and Stag's Leap Vineyards because they are celebrating their thirtieth anniversary of their victory over the French. There are many other wineries that you might want to visit on your way through this beautiful countryside. The French, who took the approach if you can't beat them buy up their vineyards, are very successful with many vineyards in the area. Some of the French owned wineries in the Napa Valley include, Domaine Chandon owned by French Champagne giant, Möet and Chandon or Domaine Carneros owned by Möet's arch rival Taittinger or you could try Mumm's Napa Valley. Also many people who gained fame, fortune and success in other arenas have settled down in Napa Valley to grow grapes and make wine. For example, one notable winery, Rubicon Estates, is owned by five time Oscar® Winning director, producer, and writer Francis Ford Coppola and his family. Another winery is owned by car racing legend, Mario Andretti. Or you might take another approach and look for wineries whose owners made their fortune making wine such as the Robert Mondavi Winery or the Grgich Hills Winery (the owner of this winery was the wine maker at Chateau Montelena during the 1970's). Or you might want to go with small wineries or less nationally know wineries. In any case you can't go wrong!

Another benefit to a tour of this area is that some of the country's (if not the world's) best restaurants are located in the Napa Valley. The greatest of which will be found in Yountville, Chef Thomas Keller's restaurant, The French Laundry. Plan months ahead if you plan on visiting this iconic restaurant. You might also look at eating at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America's Napa Valley Campus. In either case be ready for gourmet dinning complete with great wine pairings. There are many other restaurants in the Napa Valley showcasing many types of cuisine, including Brix restaurant (California Cuisine), JP Steak and Seafood, Zinsvalley Restaurant, or the Flat Iron Grill. There are other activities that you can take part in such as a hot air balloon ride or the Napa Valley Wine Train. In addition you might want to indulge in a therapeutic massage either at your hotel spa or call one into your room. There are several companies that specialize in, in-room massages. Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts abound in the Napa Valley that fit almost every wallet. Have fun on your Gastronomic journey through the Napa Valley! Eat and drink well, for life is short! Cheers!