GATC 
Wine Lover
Posts: 4741
 | | 08-18-2005 11:48 PM |
| Well, we are doing our distributor meeting again and last year we did the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a winery in Carmel Valley (thanks to all those you make recommendations last year). This year I hope to take a ferry cruise from SF to Sausalito or Tiberon and also visit a winery either in the South Bay (preferred) or the East Bay. The event is all day sunday so I would like some recommendations for a winery that can take a 55 seat bus. Also a restaurant that can take 55 people in Sausalito or Tiburon on Sunday Oct 2nd would also be nice.
TIA | | |
|
|
Dave Tong
Santa Clara, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1336
| | 08-19-2005 12:22 AM |
| Quote:
Well, we are doing our distributor meeting again and last year we did the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a winery in Carmel Valley (thanks to all those you make recommendations last year). This year I hope to take a ferry cruise from SF to Sausalito or Tiberon and also visit a winery either in the South Bay (preferred) or the East Bay. The event is all day sunday so I would like some recommendations for a winery that can take a 55 seat bus. Also a restaurant that can take 55 people in Sausalito or Tiburon on Sunday Oct 2nd would also be nice.
TIA
55 people in the South Bay could be tricky. You don't want to be driving up to Ridge in a 55 seater bus! You might call Byington to see if they can accomodate you - they have a big facaility; they do wedding parties. Also David Bruce is very near by; it might be considered bad form but you could perhaps arrange for them to pour at the Byington facility.
I can't think of anywhere in Livermore that could take a 55 seater that I'd want to go. | | | http://scmwine.blogspot.com - My wine blog.<br>http://scmwine.wikispaces.com - your guide to the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley<br> | |
|
Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts: 9628
| | 08-19-2005 01:07 AM |
| First thing that comes to mind is Rosenblum in Alameda, should be perfect. | | | 2008: the end of an error | |
|
whiner
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts: 2875
| | 08-19-2005 12:03 PM |
| What EW said.
55 person dinner in Tiburon? I haven't been there in years but from when I was visiting SF before living here, I recall Guyamas as having lots of seating and great views. Of course, I don't know if Mexican is what you are looking for.
a | | | I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland. <br>-- Woody Allen | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
| | 08-20-2005 06:01 AM |
| Testarossa in Los Gatos. | | | |
|
Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3412
| | 08-20-2005 11:53 AM |
| Quote:
You might call Byington to see if they can accomodate you - they have a big facaility; they do wedding parties. Also David Bruce is very near by;
I'm not sure what's worse - the thought of a 55 person bus going up Bear Creek road, or being on the 55 person bus going home after an evening a tasting. Facilities are great, but I think DavidN is spot on with this one. | | | |
|
Dave Tong
Santa Clara, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1336
| | 08-20-2005 05:35 PM |
| Quote:
Quote:
You might call Byington to see if they can accomodate you - they have a big facaility; they do wedding parties. Also David Bruce is very near by;
I'm not sure what's worse - the thought of a 55 person bus going up Bear Creek road, or being on the 55 person bus going home after an evening a tasting. Facilities are great, but I think DavidN is spot on with this one.
Bear Creek Road isn't that bad, considering. Ever been to Zayante? Now that's a fun ride. | | | http://scmwine.blogspot.com - My wine blog.<br>http://scmwine.wikispaces.com - your guide to the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley<br> | |
|
Stefania Wine
San Jose, CA
Grape Puncher
Posts: 725
| | 08-23-2005 12:10 AM |
| Lat year at the B.B. King concert at the Mountain winery, he told a little story how he'd been alive 80 years, and been a pilot for the last 40. And how he'd had a lot of close calls and scary moments, but he'd never been more afraid than taking the bus that night up Pierce Road.
I wouldn't send anyone, on any bus, to any winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. DavidN's suggestion is probably the best or Eric_White's. Leal is more or less on the way between Monterey and the Souht Bay, that might be another one to try. | | | Paul Romero - Owner/Winemaker Stefania Wine<br>www.stefaniawine.com | |
|
Randy Wigginton
Master of Wine
Posts: 10944
| | 08-28-2005 04:52 PM |
| I would suggest Clos la Chance in San Martin. Extremely easy access, beautiful area, nice winery. Wines aren't that great, but I don't think the wines at Byington are particularly notable either. I can't imagine getting a bus to Ridge. That would be insane. You could always do J.Lohr, right off the alameda.  | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
| | 08-28-2005 07:34 PM |
| I understand j. lohr has a nice tour/tasting deal. I've never been there. Just 2 miles from my office; to close  . | | | |
|
GATC
Wine Lover
Posts: 4741
| | 08-31-2005 06:08 PM |
| Thanks, you guys are great. I just got back from China. | | | |
|
GATC
Wine Lover
Posts: 4741
| | 09-01-2005 09:38 PM |
| Rosenblum can't take a group of 55 - something about harvest. Byington is booked for that day. Testarossa can accommodate, but they are really expensive $75/head for a tasting and some appetizers.
Since we will take the ferry and eat lunch in Sausalito, I may want to consider something in Sonoma (or someplace that we can go from Sausalito). | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
| | 09-02-2005 04:49 AM |
| Quote:
Rosenblum can't take a group of 55 - something about harvest. Byington is booked for that day. Testarossa can accommodate, but they are really expensive $75/head for a tasting and some appetizers.
Since we will take the ferry and eat lunch in Sausalito, I may want to consider something in Sonoma (or someplace that we can go from Sausalito).
re: Testarossa
$75 a head  . Those dumbshits!
Are the snacks beluga caviar and foie gras?
Won't they let you just come for a regular tasting in the tasting room? | | | |
|
Elizabeth Brown
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 540
| | 09-02-2005 04:56 PM |
| If you are still looking for suggestions in Sausilito i would see if Poggio could take that large of a group. But i bet that The Spinnaker - have not been there in years but it is right on the water and I bet they could accomodate a large crowd. | | | |
|
GATC
Wine Lover
Posts: 4741
| | 09-02-2005 11:28 PM |
| DavidN, I know, I was shocked. I may have to use your influence.
Regarding Poggio, I just finalized the lunch there. They will provide a nice room with a view, 2 salad and 3 types of panini, large seafood platter and an antipasta platter for half of what Testarossa is asking (of course wine is not included). I'm really happy with that.
We will take the bus from Milpitas (where our distributors will stay) and go to SF for a little tour, take an hour cruise on the Red & White fleet cruising under the GG Bridge, and go around Alcatraz as well as cruise along SF, then take the bus over the GG Bridge (probably stop on both sides for photos) then have lunch at Poggio in Sausalito.
I don't know what would be a good afternoon side trip after that. Are there any good wineries close to Sausalito?
Any ideas for the afternoon would be appreciated. Muir Woods is out (no vehicle over 35' and we will have a 55-56 person bus).
Thanks for your help. | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
| | 09-03-2005 12:18 AM |
| Instead of going to Poggio I would drive up to Caneros (going across the Golden Gate bridge is a highlight in itself) and do the Champagne tour and tasting at Domaine Carneros. They also have some Pinot Noir. Domaine Carneros / Tattinger Then I'd just keep going on through Valejo and down to Oakland and peninsula. Have you said what day this tour is happening. If it is a weekday and you can get to Napa City before 1:00pm one of the best tours in the valley is the Seguin-Moreau Napa cooperage . They have a free self-tour on a balcony with placques telling about every step of the barrel-making process. You don't even need an appointment and 99% of the time there are no tourists at all; very few people know about it. You gotta get there in the AM or at least before 1:00pm when they start letting the fires burn down. Whenever I have taken groups there they say it was the highlight of the trip. | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
| | 09-03-2005 12:21 AM |
| Whoops, I just saw you're doing this on a Sunday.
No barrel tour.
And I guess you also need to consider traffic. | | | |
|
GATC
Wine Lover
Posts: 4741
| | 09-03-2005 01:26 AM |
| Domaine Carneros is a good recommendation. We did that 3 years ago and it is very good. IIRC, the tasting with an appetizer is very reasonable. We did Artesa (another good spot) 4 years ago. Of course there is our good friend at Acacia, but I don't think they can hold 55 people comfortably, although we did a dinner there for that many at one of our BAWE functions. | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
|
| 09-03-2005 01:32 AM |
| If you had an appointment I'd bet Acacia would set up a special table down in the winery just for you.
You think that BAWE was only 50 people? I thought there were over 100 at that dinner. Sure was good! | | | |
|
GATC
Wine Lover
Posts: 4741
| | 09-15-2005 11:57 PM |
| Need some more help.
Now we are planning on going from Sausalito (lunch at Poggio) above the bay to 1-2 wineries and ending up at the Napa Outlets.
Acacia is definitely a candidate, but I would like to consider a few more. Anybody have any input on:
Mont St. John (although it is on the wrong side)
Sainsbury
Bouchaine
Cline
Shug
Sonoma Creek
Roche
Viansa
These are wineries along the way. Remmeber, we will have 52 people on a bus.
TIA | | | |
|