Old Vines and Wild Mustard

Old Vines and Wild Mustard in Napa Valley

Old Vines and Wild Mustard in the Napa Valley Here we are in an old vine vineyard in the St. Helena AVA. It’s February and temperatures are in the mid 70’s. The wild mustard looks radiant, surrounding the old vine. The vineyard is not marked, but the old vine is either Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. … Read more

Archer Hotel Napa is Open

Archer Hotel Napa

Archer Hotel Napa is open in downtown Napa The long anticipated wait is over. Napa’s downtown biggest hotel has opened. The Archer Hotel Napa began taking guests at the end of November of 2017. A rooftop restaurant and retail shops will open in early 2018. For current dining, the Archer Hotel Napa has Charlie Palmer Steak … Read more

Rutherford Grill’s Veggie Burger

Veggie Burger Rutherford Grill

Rutherford Grill strikes again with its Veggie Burger One of the most popular dining spots in the Napa Valley is the Rutherford Grill. The lunch crowd includes locals, vintners and tourists. Bring a bottle of Napa Valley wine, no corkage. The Rutherford Grill has menu items that have become cult-like. These include the cornbread, the rotisserie … Read more

Martin Ray Winery – Alive and Well in Wine Country

Martin Ray Winery – Fun winery to visit in the Russian River Valley The Martin Ray Winery is alive and well despite the Wine Country Fires. This area was far from the main fires. The Martin Ray Winery is one of those “Under the Radar” wineries. It does not have the fame as many of … Read more

October in Wine Country

fall colors wine country

October in wine country is excellent – visit now Harvest wraps up in early October, and all activity now shifts to the wine cellar.  October is when the vineyards begin to change color as the vines prepare for their winter sleep. The tourist season dwindles compared to the September frenzies of the “Crush.” October is … Read more

Cheers at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Greeter at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars On the Silverado Trail is the very popular Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The Greeter sits just in front of the Stag’s Leap mountain peak and offers a cheer as visitors and tourists make their way from the parking lot to the tasting room and hospitality center.

Harvest Activity in the Napa Valley

Harvest Activity in the Napa Valley – Cab is left It is the first day of Fall in Napa Valley wine country. The over 100-degree weather on the Labor Day Weekend hastened the harvest of many vineyards. Despite the intense heat, there are plenty of grapes still to be harvested in the Napa Valley. Since those hot days, … Read more

Walling Road in Dry Creek Valley

Vineyards on Walling Road

Hidden wine country backroad – Walling Road in Dry Creek Walling Road is lovely road lined with beautiful vineyard views including the one above. The road dead-ends after two miles. Frick Winery and Ramazzotti Winery are the only wineries along Walling Road. Frick Winery is open on weekends and Ramazzotti is not open for visits. … Read more

Now is the time for Soave Wine Country

Soave Wine Country

Soave Wine Country Many moons ago, Soave wine exported to the United States was considered to be “Jug Wine.” This is no longer the case, with Soave white wine crisp and fresh, and very enjoyable. Wine country travelers to Italy hardly venture into Soave wine country. It is not as famous as Tuscany (Chianti) or … Read more

Las Amigas Road in Carneros

View of Carneros

Los Amigas Road in Carneros – cool climate land of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Carneros is all about growing cool climate grapes especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This wine country photo was taken on a secret back road in Carneros. The road is Las Amigas Road. Read more about this beautiful and hidden back road. See … Read more