Number of wineries: 6
Average rating: 4.31
Wine Route Rating: Moderate (200)
Likely highlight of the day: Tough call. Chateau Boswell has the best wine and probably the best tasting experience, but I know plenty of people who have left Frank Family dreaming of the "liquid crème brûlée".
Notes: This one is named after Jane Hogan Barlin, who loves Chardonnay more than anyone I've ever met. Napa doesn't have the same types of sitdown multi-Chardonnay tastings "The Jane" Sonoma route does, but there are still some great Chardonnays to be found. The route is rated "200" (Moderate) due to the advance planning needed for Cakebread and Chateau Boswell.
Location | Start Time | Stop Time | Reservation? | Notes | |
Pickup sandwiches from Oakville Grocery | 9:30 | 9:55 | Good sandwiches on your way up Hwy 29 to your first stop. | ||
Cakebread (4.00) | 10:00 | 11:00 | Still one of the classically good Chardonnays from Napa. A good introduction to the Valley as well | ||
Alpha Omega (4.06) | 11:15 | 11:45 | A chance to try side-by-side a chardonnay aged in stainless steel vs. one aged in oak | ||
Rombauer (3.94) | 12:00 | 1:25 | Rombauer has come to be the seminal example of a "big, buttery Napa Chardonnay". They also have picnic tables overlooking a beautiful view. Enjoy a taste, and then enjoy your sandwich here. | ||
Chateau Boswell (4.69) | 1:30 | 2:40 | Fantastic Chardonnay, among the best in Napa Valley. A sitdown tasting in their cave will let you explore 2-3 Chardonnays as well as some delicious Cabernet | ||
Frank Family (4.56) | 3:00 | 4:00 | Still one of the best Chardonnays ever, and definitely the best under $30. "Liquid Crème Brulee" as they like to call it at the winery | ||
Lava Vine(4.63) | 4:15 | 5:00 | A fun way to wrap up the day, I think. Small food pairings typically with their wines, including a very good Chardonnay | ||
Dinner at JoLe (4.31) | 6:00 | Since you're all the way up in Calistoga at the end of the route, why not stop in to dinner at JoLe? Delicious farm-to-table approach to classic California cuisine |
Route:
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Map:
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