Traveling the California Grapevine

The world of wine has experienced a cultural revolution in this country over the last few decades. People as diverse as the varietals are appreciating wine and all its nuances. Whether you are an aficionado or a novice, you no doubt have heard of California's Napa Valley. Well Napa is not the only region producing great wines, there are several throughout the state - making California the ideal travel destination for those who want to savor the good life.

Located to the north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is just 30 miles long and a few miles wide at its broadest point. It is America's foremost wine-growing appellation, while producing only four percent of the total wine grown in California annually. Despite its notoriety and the unbelievable concentration of wineries, Napa Valley is the perfect place to get a hands-on feel for the winemaking process. Winemakers at the over 200 wineries are thrilled to share with visitors just what they do, from the vineyards to the barrels, bottling to the tasting room.

True wine tasting etiquette dictates that after you savor the essence of the wine on your palate, you spit. For many however, that "essence" is just too good to let go of. If you find yourself in this category on your tour, one option is the Napa Wine Shuttle. For a per person fee this company offers door to door service, stopping at as many of their ten partner wineries you choose, including a champagne cave. They are associated with some of the top vineyards in Napa - Beaulieu, Niebaum-Coppola, Robert Mondavi, and many more. There are other tour companies that offer limousine, train, bus, horse drawn carriage, or even hot air balloon alternatives.

If you are one who prefers to venture out on your own, there are a tremendous amount of options available. Consider visiting boutique wineries, or those specializing in your varietal of choice, say a Pinot Noir trip. Rutherford Hill has extensive wine caves, step back in time at the Graeser Winery, "spit on the floor" at Merryvale, experience gallery quality modernism at Artesa, and for the socially conscious, Ehler's Estate donates their profits to fund cardiovascular research.

There are a wide variety of accommodations available to suit even the most discriminating traveler. Whether it's the intimacy of a bed and breakfast that appeals to you, or the decadent indulgence of a luxury spa, Napa innkeepers can meet your needs. The Tuscan-inspired Villagio Inn and Spa and the French Vintage Inn offer comfortable style, fireplaces, and sunken tubs in every room. For modern luxury, casual elegance, and the "best of both worlds" bed and breakfast with spa services, 1801 First provides it all - including a gourmet breakfast, evening wine, and delicious appetizers! Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa is a hotel with something different, a natural hot springs pool to swim in, as well as mud bath treatments for couples. Get primal at the Safari West Wildlife Preserve and Resort, or enjoy another of the hundreds of wonderful lodging opportunities Napa Valley offers.

The wines produced here are among the best in the world, and the landscape of rolling, vine-covered hills is spectacular. Unmatched in the superiority of its restaurants, lodgings, and hospitality, Napa Valley is the epitome of wine country. Don't miss it!

Sonoma Valley, Napa's little sister, offers fabulous award-winning wineries and wonderful accommodations too, but on a less grandiose scale. The Sebastiani Vineyards present a complete "wine sensory experience", the eclectic Viansa Winery and Italian Marketplace offers a fantastic Tuscan barbecue as well as an onsite wetlands tour, the unique champagne caves of Gloria Ferrer, or catch the one-stop "cult" favorite for connoisseurs at Locals.

When you are finished savoring and ready to relax, the Gaige House Inn and Spa is a lavish bed and breakfast, with contemporary Asian - influenced décor. Surround yourself with opulence at the Kenwood Inn and Spa; capture breathtaking views of the bay at Inn at the Tides or the Sheraton Sonoma County - Petaluma; or escape from conventionality at the Mayacamas Ranch. In addition, there are numerous others to select from, including Victorian B & B's, national chains, and private bungalows.

California's Central Coast is a rising star in the realm of wine production. Over 60 wineries welcome visitors to savor extraordinary wines. In addition to great wine tasting year-round, many wineries offer special dinners, concerts, and other events - including the Paso Robles Wine Festival every spring. Alapay Cellars has an ultra-cool custom-made 180-gallon saltwater fish tank. Claiborne and Churchill's straw bale winery exemplifies true environmental architecture. And for a sip of the elixir of the gods that is Isosceles, visit the Justin Cave Room!

The Justin Vineyards also offer accommodations as luxurious as its wine. The Just Inn has four lavish suites complete with featherbeds, frescoes, and hydro-spa baths. The Cliffs Resort is one of the finest in the area, featuring beautiful rooms, spectacular panoramas, and everything you expect in a fine resort. For rustic elegance, try the authentic log cabin and "killer" chocolate chip cookies of the Cambria Bed and Breakfast Inn. For opulence, claw foot tubs, and stunning views, make your reservations at The MacCallum House Inn.

California is synonymous with "wine" in this country. To be able to escape from it all in a place with breath-taking scenery, luxurious accommodations, and luscious wine is indulgence at its best! Whether you are looking to visit Napa, Sonoma, the Central Coast, or all three, there will be no disappointments. You have your choice of busy and well known, to intimate and off-the-beaten-path; all of them delightfully interesting and comfortably appealing. So plan your destination, make your reservations, and savor the relaxation!