The Wine Country
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The world-famous Wine Country comprises two picturesque valleys, Napa and Sonoma, and the extensive hills and dales surrounding them. Altogether, this bucolic zone boasts over 300 wineries, from which countless award-winning wines have emerged. Napa, the slightly more distant of the two, is more developed for visitors, while Sonoma is more low-key but equally inviting. Both are convenient for a day trip, but it’s worth spending a day or two here – not only to sample the fruit of the vine but also to take a dip in one of the rejuvenating hot springs that abound throughout the area (see Wine Country Spas).
The Napa Valley Wine Train costs $35 each way, but for the gourmet meal the cost rises to $85–$100.
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1. Napa Valley Train
Leaving from Napa and arriving in St. Helena, or vice versa, you can avoid the traffic and partake of a gourmet meal complemented by local wines. The trip takes 3 hours each way and the train features a 1915 Pullman dining car.
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2. Sonoma
This appealing town, nestled in the Valley of the Moon, is filled with high-end restaurants, small hotels, and shops. The town also features a State Historic Park with a mission building and structures from the early to mid-1800s.
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3. Clos Pegase
Housed in an award-winning Postmodern structure, this beguiling winery offers free tours and features an extensive collection of modern art. The wine is memorable, too – specialties include Cabernet, Merlot, and Petite Syrah port.
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4. Sterling Vineyard
These whitewashed buildings perched on top of a mountain can be seen for miles. The self-guided tour is well marked. Notable wines include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
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5. Opus One
Legendary winemaker Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild have put their skills together to produce Bordeaux-style reds in their state-of-the-art facilities, modeled on the Château Mouton Rothschild winery in France.
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6. Domaine Chandon
Lovely gardens, a fine restaurant, and sweeping views complement the sparkling, champagne-style wines of this Moët Hennessy showcase. The winery produces 500,000 cases every year.
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7. Hess Collection
The tours here are a pleasure, including not only wine-making facilities but also the owner’s private art gallery of contemporary European and American artists. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay are especially good.
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8. V Sattui
8. V SattuiExtensive gardens and a gourmet deli make this the ideal place along the main Napa Valley road to stop for a picnic. Also on offer are wine-tastings of lesser products free of charge – you have to pay for reserve tastings.
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9. Beringer Vineyards
The oldest Napa Valley winery, established in 1876, and the most beautiful. Tours include a visit to the 1,000-ft (300-m) wine tunnels, which Chinese laborers carved out of volcanic stone.
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10. “Old Faithful” Geyser
10. “Old Faithful” GeyserOne of only three known geysers in the world that erupt with near-perfect regularity. Every 40 minutes, it spews boiling water 60 ft (18 m) into the air.
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A day trip to this region is an absolute must do. Some of the scenery here is spectacular.
about a year ago
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