So, you have only one winery that you can visit on your trip to Napa Valley. Of the wineries that any of you havepersonal experience with, which ONE winery would you plan a return visit?

Oh, for me, it would Far Niente. Beautiful place, very fine wines, very cool car/boat//etc. collection and very nice people.

Two possible choices:
1. Pride. Stunning wines, stunning views. Friendly people, and you get to stop at Taylor's refresher on the way out.
2. Vintner's collective in Napa. A collection of ten different wineries housed in a single tasting room. Great variety, and the wineries are all quite good. Patz & Hall, Caldwell, Mi Sueno.... yum.

Very hard qestion to answer. At Stag's Leap, when we were there last August, we had a private tasting arranged. When we arrived, the wines had been decanted to show their best and we were seated at a table on the veranda with a winery employee who spent a good deal of time with us and opened anything we requested.

At Phelp's, as members of their "club," we were treated to a tasting including Insignia on their beautiful property overlooking the Napa Valley. Insignia and the dessert wines were included.

My favorite experience was at Peter Michael. (Technically in Sonoma-it straddles the line-but you get there from Calistoga, so I count it as a Napa visit). Kind of exclusive, so you feel pretty special when you are there. Neat 4x4 trek way up the mountain to the vineyards. Real one on one treatment. Definitely not a group thing. When our trail ride was over, we were seated at an outdoor flower laced gazebo with a linen clad table with fine stemware to taste through their lineup. What a contrast from the usual tasting room treatment. This is really elegant (to the extent that riding on dusty trails in a 4x4 can be elegant).

Havent been to many, but I really enjoyed the tour at David Arthur and I would go back again...

Harlan Estate

I can't say that I have a favorite" winery in the Napa Valley. And when I visit a winery I really don't spend much time tasting unless they are pouring something very special.

Wineries where I have had the most fun are Saddleback and Vineyard 29. The best "educational" experiences have been at Mondavi.

I am doing a lot more exploring over the hill in the Sonoma AVA recently. Have not picked out a favorite yet.

And Santa Barbara County has risen to the top for me as now being my favorite place to visit, especially the Santa Rita Hills AVA. I would put Clos Pepe at the top of my "favorites" list.

Most fun ever (more wines, more cigars, more women, more song) and definetly qualifies as my favorite (it isn't a winery) vineyard is at "Wildman" Pisoni's cave.

WDOT... Good question. I'll let you know when we get back from our trip in September.
We didn't know a lot the last time we went. Phelps and Raymond both had good tours.

For 'down-home' friendly, I'd recommend Milat, but if you go there during harvest, they might
just ask you to help sort the grapes!

For a breathtaking view, Artesa in Carneros is hard to beat.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the guided tour of Bressler Vineyards, but the Bresslers don't know it yet!

Budman,

That would be a room in their home with a pool table in it. Can't play pool at release time though. Gotta pack the 3-paks and the pool table becomes a work bench.

Very nice home and a very nice Wyatt wine cellar.

davidn... Actually, I was thinking more like a walk around the outside of their home.

Jones, I understand that Harlan isnt open to the public...you get a private tour some how?

I can narrow it to a region, Spring Mountain.

If I have to narrow it down further, it is a toss up between Pride and Smith-Madrone.

Bud,

Maybe a drive -by?

I'll bet you'll do better than that

David Arthur for sure....

I can't pick just one

David Arthur
Paloma
Herb Lamb

And many more.......

Too many to name, but top five would be...

1.) David Arthur (David Long is a riot and the nicest guy!)
2.) Pride Mountain (Great wines)
3.) Sherwin Family (Steve and Linda...AWESOME people!!!)
4.) Del Dotto (Barrel program)
5.) Viader (beautiful grounds)

Thanks to the Bresslers my wife and I had dinner at Harlan after a tour with barrel tastings of the 2001s. A phenomenol experience with great people (and the mags of 93, 94, and 97 Harlan didn't hurt either). Thanks again Bresslers!

Elyse. Holds sentimental value to Mrs. jb and me. The wines are very good as well.

jb

Nice. Good for you and just another clue how nice Bob really is.

I can't wait to try his wines...