Start: Domaine Carneros, its on your way, early enough that you can break up the drive and catch a slight morning champagne buzz and be ready for lunch at Auberge.
Unless you are a Republican you absolutely must start your day drinking champagne and for this you have to go to Domaine. Domaine is in the Carneros appellation of Sonoma in the southern part of Sonoma County and is best known for its Chardonnay’s and Pinot’s but most of all, Domaine has excellent bubbly. It is also a great place to start since it is open early at 10:00 am. Ask the nice people for a wine map, they all give them out. It will be your guide. If you aren’t into bubbly the Pinot Noir called Famous Gate is top shelf.
2nd stop: This is about 30 minutes away so leave Domaine at 11:00
Start with Brunch: Auberge De Soleil.
This is the spot. It has a wonderful view and great food with the best location in Napa for our favorite wineries. The key to Auberge is the bar deck. The bar is better than the restaurant and its first come, first serve. They open at 11:30 so stroll in at 11:31 and you are set. We haven’t had a bad meal yet. It’s not bar food at all. Its very good.
3rd stop:
Quintessa:
It’s at the bottom of the hill from Auberge. We consider this the best Cabernet tasting event in the valley and possibly the best Cabernet. It’s a sit down deal with a wonderful cheese plate and a tour worth taking. There is a great back story to the property and the owners, it’s a very unique estate. Reservation only.
4th stop:
Duckhorn:
Head north, you are on the prettiest part of the Silverado trail. After Quintessa you are very close to Duckhorn. Duckhorn serves amazing wines, both white and red, the reserve Merlot’s they make are some of our favorite wines and they are the purveyors of our favorite Pinot. Ask them if they “happen to have a bottle of Goldeneye open” that’s the Pinot from their sister winery In Anderson Valley. They are reservation only and tend to pour quite a bit so bring a driver.
5th stop:
By now it should 230-3pm, swing over to downtown St Helena, very nice shops and a Dean and Deluca on the way south out of downtown. Walk off the slight buzz.
Final stop: about 45 minutes from St Helena on your way home. Enough time to work up a little appetite.
Rams Gate.
A new winery on your way home that will force the rest of the wine country to up their game. Finish your day here and get there by 430 so you can relax before 6p close. Beautiful setting, great building and some of the best food in either valley, bar none. The wine is good, not as good as rest of this tour but very good, Rams Gate is more of a cultural touchstone, the essence of the wine country and a restaurant experience more than anything. Exceptional small plates…
beggarsgourmet.com 