In my desire to taste some of the world’s premier wines and savor some culinary specialties, I spent an exciting day visiting the famous grape-growing regions of Sonoma and Napa. My adventure with Tower Tours entailed a Wine Aficionado Tour to two different wineries – one in Sonoma and the other in Napa. My visit would include tasting some of the best food and wine of these areas.
The air-conditioned, luxury van provided a cool and comfortable respite from the hot weather outside. Boarding the van from San Francisco, I found myself in the delightful company of eight fellow companions from Florida, Texas, Chile, and Mexico. This diverse group offered a chance to compare notes on the food and wine, as well as the wineries and vineyards we liked the best.
Traveling across San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Bridge, we drove to Sonoma for an hour before reaching Cline Family Cellars. Formerly a horse ranch, this farmhouse winery has a stunning country setting surrounded by willowy trees and has a spring-fed pond.
In these tranquil surroundings, we were welcomed by our host, Kyle Ritchie, who described how these wines came from the local family-owned vineyards. In a tasting room, we sampled the varietals of wine that were grown in different regions around Sonoma County, including Dry Rosé, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Cabernet.
My favorite was the deep-colored Dry Rosé of Mourvedre from Contra Costa County, which was suitably well-balanced as I sat outside and sipped it under the lofty trees.
In a lovely garden setting, I had a picnic and enjoyed a charcuterie plate, pairing my wine with seasonal cheeses and crackers, salami, prosciutto, and fresh fruit.
Looking around, I noticed the emphasis on sustainability and observed how the fragrant roses near the grapevines provided a natural deterrent to insects.
There’s a private villa on the property where guests can stay, and visitors can also wander around and view the Sonoma Mission Museum on site.
Moving onwards, my wine adventure continued, passing through acres and acres of grapevines on the way to Napa. In less than an hour, we arrived at Napa Cellars, a part of the Trinchero Family Estates, which is known as the world’s second largest family-owned winery and fourth largest overall.
We were impressed with Napa Cellars, which produces more than 50 acclaimed wine and spirit brands, including the well-known Sutter Home.
Our tour provided tastings of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Winemaker Petit Verdot. Out of all of these wines, I liked the Winemaker Petit Verdot the best due to its smooth, full-bodied taste.
Wine expert Lance Dupuis described how some of the wine grapes, such as those in Sauvignon Blanc, are sourced from a variety of vineyards in the Napa Valley’s districts of St. Helena, Calistoga, and Oak Knoll.
He told us that the success of wine production in Napa is largely due to the moderate climate that’s especially suitable for grape-growing. The temperature range is usually not more than 80 degrees F (26.67 degrees C) in the day and not less than 40 degrees F (4.44 degrees C) at night.
Apart from temperature, having the proper soil conditions is also important for growing grapes. Tasting Room Manager Albert Coito informed us that even though there are more than 500 physical wineries in the region, each wine has a unique taste because of its specific place or “terroir.”
Before ending the tour, I ordered some gourmet food at Napa’s historic Oakville Grocery. The store’s gourmet selections include mouthwatering artisan cheeses, fresh herbs, spices, a selection of caviars, and other delicacies.
A special feature is offering wine by the glass from self-serve dispensers in the cellar room next door. With so many food and wine choices, I indulged by dining with my tour companions on the outside terrace surrounded by vineyards.
As a food and wine lover, I couldn’t think of a better place to be than in this delightful countryside.
Note that the author was hosted by Tower Tours and the wineries, but as always, we are dedicated to providing unbiased views of our experiences.
Deirdre Frost is a versatile writer who features food, wine, and adventure travel. She writes for travel trade and leisure publications, covering top destinations in North America and abroad. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, and exploring off the beaten track locations.
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