Napa and Sonoma Wine Tasting: 100-Level Route

"The Michael Jackson"
(for those who love Bubbles)

Number of wineries: 5
Average rating: Unknown
Wine Route Rating: Beginner (100)
Likely highlight of the day: Schramsberg is supposed to have a great tour and tasting

Notes: I can only think of three people who have kept a chimpanzee as a pet: Clint Eastwood with his chimp Clyde in Every Which Way But Loose, the woman who's chimp ripped off her friend's face, and Michael Jackson with his special friend Bubbles. With such a rich history of human-chimp companionship, it's only fitting to name a wine tour after one of those couples. You'll notice barlinwine.com is light on reviews for these stops, being far more into Cabernet than Sparkling Wine, but for those of you looking for bubbly in Napa, this tour's for you.

Location	Start Time	Stop Time	Reservation?	Notes
Dean & Deluca (NR)	9:30	9:45	Not Needed	Pickup a delicious sandwich from the Dean & Deluca deli before heading to your first appointment
Schramsberg (NR)	10:00	11:15		A tour of Schramsberg's caves followed by a formal tasting of four of their sparkling wines
Frank Family (4.56)	11:30	1:00	Not Needed	Frank used to pour 3 champagnes at the start of the tasting, but they've trimmed things back. You can still get a sample of at least one as part of their Reserve Tasting. Ask for the Rouge! When you're done, enjoy your lunch at one of their courtyard picnic tables.
Mumm (NR)	1:30	2:30	Not Needed	No appointment required for a standard tasting on the patio at Mumm, but if you feel like splurging and the day is nice, make an appointment for their Oak Terrace Tasting.
Domaine Chandon (NR)	3:00	4:00	Not Needed	Enjoy a relaxed tasting in Domaine Chandon's tasting lounge or on their patio. Don’t leave without taking time to stroll through their art collection and grounds. As an alternative to tasting, Domaine Chandon also has the only fine dining restaurant within a winery in Napa, étoile (awarded 1 Michelin Star). They are open for lunch and dinner.
Domaine Carneros (NR)	4:20	5:30	Not Needed	Tasting at Domaine Carneros is more like enjoying some bubbly at a restaurant. They offer table service for all guests, allowing you to enjoy a glass or two of wine while you admire the late afternoon shadows from their patio.

Route:

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Map:

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July 4, 2011 Itinerary
(Alexander and Russian River Valleys)

Number of wineries: 5
Average rating: 4.10
Wine Route Rating: Beginner (100)
Highlight of the day: Field Stone (4.38)

Notes: This relatively low-key day (no appointments) featured first-time stops to 3 wineries and disappointing repeat visits to Hartford and Martinelli. Meredith Barlin joined after lunch to seek out places that would feed her snacks while tasting and "cute boys" to pour wine for her. Moshin provided both (goldfish!), but we didn't find many wines to excite us on this one. An easy day for any one to duplicate -- lots of cute tasting rooms, and a day to do if you're more interested in small friendly places than in outstanding wine.

Location	Start Time	Stop Time	Reservation?	Notes
Chalk Hill (4.13)	11:00	11:45	Not Needed	We started our day at the source of one of the first wines (Chalk Hill's Chardonnay) that made me appreciate finer wine
Field Stone (4.38)	12:00	12:30	Not Needed	With Chalk Hill finishing early, we squeezed in a stop at Field Stone before lunch. Small, firendly, and good value for some decent wines
Lunch at Russian River Brewing Company (NR)	12:45	1:30	Not Needed	When Rosso was unexpectedly closed for the 4th of July, we stopped in to this local brewery for pub food and beer for lunch
Hartford (4.06)	2:00	2:45	Not Needed	After a great initial visit to Hartford, we had two sub-par visits in a row. They still make some great wine, but not a great place to taste.
Moshin (4.19)	3:00	3:45	Not Needed	Goldfish! Meredith was extra-excited when she was presented with a bowl of goldfish crackers here. Unfortunately, the wines were just so-so
Martinelli (3.75)	4:00	4:30	Not Needed	A quick stop on our way back to Santa Rosa, and I was once again disappointed by the wines avalable to taste and the high prices
Tex Wasabi (3.81)	8:00		Not Needed	With many Santa Rosa restaurants closed for the 4th of July, we settled for a return visit to Tex Wasabi's for "gringo sushi"