Our blog contains the article directory on this page, and is supported by the Napa Video Page, and the Sonoma Video Page. As of December 2011 there were links to 150 of our articles here and there are 300 plus videos on the other pages. Eventually we'll get around to organizing them into categories better. Note: These articles can not be reproduced without express permission.
The Hilton on O'Farrell is one of San Francisco's largest hotels with 1906 guest rooms and suites. It has fifty suites plus large and small venues. While it is not far from the Moscone complex, it is such a large hotel with 134,000 square feet of meeting space, that most events will be staged onsite, or in cooperation with other nearby hotels. It is a medium to expensive venue.
Starting in late 2011 they are doing a major renovation of their rooms and venues that is projected to take six months. Because they are so large they can work on half the rooms in two stages and still have considerable capacity. This is a hotel for the largest events. They have an amazing array of spaces that can handle multiple large events simultaneously. Their largest meeting room is 29,637 square feet.
They are located at the corner of O'Farrell and Mission one block off of Market Street. This is a BIG CITY location so there are coffee shops, car rental centers, and nearby parking. This is in the heart of the biggest tourist and convention center so the restaurants and stores lack the intimacy found in other parts of the city.
Everything in this hotel is extra large scale so while the staff is very professional, don't expect the personal service you will find at the smaller hotels. The building is built around a parking garage, so in some parts you can drive up to your floor. This is the only hotel in the city with this configuration. Don't miss the top floor restaurant. The views out towards the Golden Gate are wonderful.
Immediately next door, like a Yin to their Yang, is the very classy Nikko Hotel with its great Anzu fusion restaurant and the RRAZZ Room nightclub, very cool.
This side of Union Square is quite commercial, most of the best restaurants are in the hotels that dominate the area. There is no sense of neighborhood here, which considering the number of buses the area has to accommodate, is not surprising. Union Square is just to the northeast and the Westfield Mall is due south, however immediately to the southwest is the edge of the Tenderloin district and Civic Center, which is an area that serves the homeless. So know the best routes.
333 O'Farrell St. San Francisco CA 94102 www.sanfrancisco.hilton.com (415) 771-1400
To book a tour or ask questions CallLahni @ 707-235-2648 or use this form. We respond quickly. Rates: $65 to $75 per hour for car & driver + fuel charge, depending on starting point and number of days. No hidden fees.
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The Four Seasons is a towering hotel that is beautiful and luxurious inside, from the outside it doesn't impress. The address is 257 Market Street and you can walk in from there, but the car entrance is located at 217 Stevenson Street, an alley street which is accessed from Third Street, between Mission and Market. Third Street is one way, so as you travel from Mission to Market, Stevenson is a small street on the left hand side, midway up the block. For GPS input 217 Stevenson Street as the destination.
They have a 15,000 square feet of event space spread over 8 beautifully appointed rooms, plus pre-event verandas that make networking very pleasant. The spaces are medium sized, so this is a good place for a small to medium event. They are quite business friendly for a hotel that caters to luxury travelers.
The hotel is embedded among other buildings and from street level you don't get a sense of a grand hotel, which it is. Located at Market it is central to everything, but that also means that it is near the pan handlers and the big box stores that line Market. On the other hand, it is well insulated from the wild world out there and their enclosed car circle makes getting into and out of the hotel very nice.
The Four Seasons had a tough time weathering the recession, and they had a major migration of their concierge staff at that time. In a city where hotels typically thrive, that lack of visibility may work against them sometimes. However, they are a famous brand and customer loyalty works in their favor.
757 Market St. San Francisco CA 94103 www.fourseasons.com/sanfrancisco (415) 633-3000
From the San Francisco Business Travelers Apps.
The Fairmont sits on top of Nob Hill like a wedding cake and this building’s history is completely tied to San Francisco. This is one of the crown jewels of the Fairmont chain, its location on top of Nob Hill makes it perfect for high quality events. They have 55,000 square feet of meeting space spread over 22 meeting and event rooms spread over five floors. They have two restaurants and lounges and a grand foyer.
However, this is an expensive location, so if this is going to be a hard sell to your CFO, then come down off the hill and look at locations around the Moscone Center and Union Square. If you choose the Fairmont be forewarned that coffee in the lobby bar is pricey.
There is a coffee place downstairs in Grace Cathedral, and another cafe downhill behind the hotel on Powell Street, tucked into the back of the hotel. Hotel parking is pricey, but right across the way is the Masonic Auditorium, which has a large parking garage underneath.
On the other hand, if you want to impress your customers and sales team, really show them your appreciation, Nob Hill is a great address with its great views. The name comes from a word from India, the Nobobs, meaning the wealthy men. This was the site of the wealthiest homes before the 1906 earthquake and fire.
Most of the hill was scrubbed clean by the fire and the hotel (not a Fairmont at that time) was gutted. As the embers cooled and the city rebuilt it was California's most famous woman architect who designed the lush and impressive interior.
The hotels location has two disadvantages, when the winds are blowing stepping out onto the street puts all hats at risk of taking flight and heading for the bay. The second issue is that there is very little that is walking distance for dinner and snacks. If you want to go anyplace off the hill take a cab. If you want to stretch your legs the best restaurants are in the hotel itself and at its neighbors.
The Ritz Carlton and the Huntington both have restaurants we like. Of course one of San Francisco's classic locations is right across the street, The Top of the Mark, at the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental.
This a grand event space and it was here in 1945 that the delegates met to form the United Nations Charter. For a little spiritual boost visit Grace Cathedral and walk one of their two labyrinths.
Hint: For short term you can often find street parking on Pine Street, one block south, as long as you don't mind parking on a steep hill.
950 Mason St. San Francisco CA 94108 www.fairmont.com (888) 991-4300
This listing is part of the San Francisco Business Travelers App
The Argonaut is a newer, theme hotel in an older building at the western edge of Fisherman's Wharf. They have about 9,000 square feet of meeting space spread over five flexible rooms and 252 guest rooms that have a wonderfully fun style. This is the quieter part of the wharf away from the swarming tourist magnet, Pier 39. That said, the whole area is a tourist Mecca and it sits beside Little Italy, another area that is popular with both visitors and locals. The hotel is part of a shopping plaza that is quite delightful. Next door is a bicycle rental shop.
The hotel has a great nautical theme. It is unique, intimate, and located steps from plenty of great restaurants and shopping. It is also just down a short hill from the trolley terminal that will take you over the hill to Union Square and Market Street.
In the same building is the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park visitors center and opposite the hotel float the historic ships that bring this history to life. Also next door is Ghirardelli Square, a popular shopping destination. Hint: They no longer make chocolate in the city, although finding high quality chocolate here is pretty easy.
While it is a popular tourist hotel, it has classy nature and would be very suitable for a small conference or business trip that allows time for the good life. One warning, while this is a great place to stay from late spring through fall, in the winter those cold winds coming in off the bay whistle right through that old building, and it is not as cozy as it might be.
One of the advantages of Fisherman’s Wharf is that this is one of the flat sections of the city. In a city known for its hills having a neighborhood that is level and easy to walk makes everything easier.
495 Jefferson St. San Francisco CA 94109 www.argonauthotel.com (415) 563-0800
Part of the San Francisco Business Traveler's App
The Clift is a high end hotel that often offers good deals. It has a sleek look, a great staff and it is popular with both business travelers and tourists. It is just a couple of blocks off of Union Square which is the heart of the premium shopping district.
It has about 15,000 square feet spread over a dozen plus mixed spaces including board rooms, meeting spaces, banquet rooms, terraces and an expansive apartment that was once the original owners. While it is not suitable for a conference needing numerous identical seminar rooms, for a smaller event it offers a plenty of flexibility.
The overall look of the place is understated, from the outside it is hard to tell that it is a hotel. The way to find it is look the hotel up on Google Maps and get the street view. The lobby is surprisingly dark and mysterious. The front desk staff is typically young and attractive, with some of the haughtiness that you expect from aspiring models. In all, it gives the hotel a sleek look and that makes a nice change from the generic business lodging.
Even though it is not a 'convention' hotel, it often becomes part of large conventions for the sake of its guest rooms and convenient location so near Union Square, Market Street and the Moscone Convention Center. They are a couple of blocks from Powell Street and the trolley line and about five blocks from the nicer shopping on Market Street.
Other convention hotels nearby include the Westin St. Francis, the Sir Francis Drake and the Grand Hyatt, all to the east by Union Square. To the south are the Hilton Market Street and the Nikko. On the other side of Market Street is the profusion of hotels around the Moscone.
495 Geary St. San Francisco 94102 www.clifthotel.com (415) 775-4700
Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf
Hyat Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf
This is the best and largest event venue on Fisherman's Wharf, with sixteen event rooms, 19,000 square feet of event space, including a great Ball Room with Skylight, and another 6000 plus of pre-event space that can be used for banquets. It includes the sunny Knuckles Restaurant and the Enoteca Musto wine bar. Of course, finding good restaurants near the Wharf is incredibly easy.
Even though it is located in a big tourist area, this is a good business hotel with a great room desk and ergonomic chair, Wi-Fi throughout the venue and complimentary transportation to the Financial District and a 24 hour business center. Being a tourist hotel, it also includes a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and the hotel is steps from the Trolley Terminus.
The reports back from our clients who have used the hotel has been very good. Be aware, in the summer time this is a very busy hotel and the lobby can get a little crazy. Also, the concierge desk at one end of the lobby is run by one of the local tour companies, so while they while they will point you to tourist venues, favoring their own, for real concierge duties you have to depend on the front desk.
A nice feature of the hotel is that it is contains four stories above the ground and one partially below, and with three hundred plus very comfortable rooms, it is an easy hotel to navigate. There are numerous other hotels walking distance, so if you are staging an event and need more rooms they are available, except during the high season when this area is awash with tourists.
555 N. Point St. San Francisco CA 94133 www.fishermanswharf.hyatt.com (415) 563-1234
At Opus they pour wine by the glass, albeit a small glass, for the price that you would pay for a flight of five at most other high end wineries. Then you take you glass and relax on the terrace above the winery. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps from www.AmicisTours.com
Whether you are staying in San Francisco or in the North Bay area this is a a great place for a walk on the beach. Tucked behind the Marin Headlands in a protected hollow this is very popular with the locals. The water is typically cold and the surf strong, but the sun and the views are stunning. Take the ride. Part of the San Francisco Business Travelers App from www.AmicisSeminars.com
This charming tasting room in downtown St Helena. The names come from their Arabian horses and the space has a distinctive equestrian theme. The doors to the private tasting room looks like a stable door. It is one of the nicest downtown tasting rooms in downtown St. Helena, which does not have many tasting rooms. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
This charming, stylish hotel is in downtown St Helena a short walk to the best restaurants. It has 12 rooms. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
This by appointment tasting room in downtown St Helena in a second story classic office building. The video is about finding the place which is helpful since there are no signs other than the number on the building. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps.
This great restaurant and bakery is located in downtown St Helena. It is a major meeting place for the locals. There is a second one next to the Oxbow Market in downtown Napa, although that one is more purely a bakery. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps.
This pretty shop/olive oil outlet is in downtown St Helena.It makes a nice change from wine tasting. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
This great restaurant is located in downtown St Helena. It is cozy and tasty with a great staff. It sits between two olive oil shops and near the Woodhouse Chocolate shop. While this is a favorite among the locals for dinner, lunchtime during a wine tour is great here, because the service is quick and friendly. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
The Salon St Helena is a by appointment tasting room in downtown St Helena that pours the wines of the Jones Family Vineyards and Harris Estate Vineyards. Above the space is a loft that is home to an interior design company that created the tasting room look, which is quite sleek and a tad eccentric. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
This great restaurant is located in downtown St Helena. It is one of Cindy Pawlcyn's places, a well known chef in the area and one of the originators of California cuisine. It is cozy and tasty and very romantic. It is one block off of main street, Hwy 29 in the downtown. In the busy season make a reservation. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
Terra is a great restaurant located in downtown St Helena. The style is Asian fusion and the reputation is wonderful. This is not a large place so reservations are strongly recommended. They recently opened a bar lounge with a separate menu which is a bit more accessible. There is no sign on the outside of the building other than the menu in the door and their name on the directory. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
The St Helena Wine Center is a great shop in downtown St Helena. You will find many famous labels in the area and the prices reflect that. They occasionally do tastings at their little bar . Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
Olivier is a pretty shop/olive oil outlet in downtown St Helena. It makes a nice change from wine tasting. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
Gott's (formerly called Taylor's, same owners and management) iconic burger drive in is famous in the area. It is just south of downtown St Helena. On the weekends it can get slammed with business, but if you time it well, early, you can get your food a bit faster. Part of the Napa Valley Wine tour apps from www.amicistours.com
The Hope and Grace Winery Tasting room is located in downtown Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. They are nice place to visit for a tasting during a walking wine tour. The video is part of the Napa Valley Wine tour App from www.AmicisTours.com
Jessup Cellars Tasting room is located in downtown Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. They are nice place to visit for a tasting during a walking wine tour. The video is part of the Napa Valley Wine tour App from www.AmicisTours.com
The Ranch Market is located in downtown Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. They are the only place nearby to pick an array of necessary items. The video is part of the Napa Valley Wine tour App from www.AmicisTours.com
The Somerston Tasting room is located in downtown Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. They are nice place to visit for a tasting during a walking wine tour. The video is part of the Napa Valley Wine tour App from www.AmicisTours.com
Hill Family Estate Tasting room is located in downtown Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. They are nice place to visit for a tasting during a walking wine tour. The video is part of the Napa Valley Wine tour App.
Cornerstone Cellars Tasting Room is located in downtown Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. They are nice place to visit for a tasting during a walking wine tour. The video is part of the Napa Valley Wine tour App.
Sonoma Valley Map
This is quintessential Sonoma, individualistic, hard-working, unpretentious,and mindful of their history, which is considerable. Just fi ve miles fromthe Plaza, housed in the old stage coach building is B.R. Cohn, surrounded byvines and olive trees, great wines, gift shop, picnic area, classic cars and musicmemorabilia.
They also host wonderful concerts and events. Around the corneron Madrone is Valley of the Moon (the other name for Sonoma Valley), a big,spacious country-style winery with good quality and a relaxed feel.Just up from B.R. Cohn, a pair of gems shares a driveway just past acurve in the road; Imagery and Arrowood.
Imagery’s great label-inspired artcollection is a joy to behold, the friendly staff and pretty grounds complementtheir distinctive wines, including many unusual varietals. Next door, Arrowoodis a graceful, elegant property, a refl ection of their wines which are fi rst rate.Glen Ellen is home to several good wineries, most notably the everpopularBenziger, with their famous tram tour and biodynamic commitment,a must visit.
Arnold Drive is Glen Ellen’s main street and accessible from eitherMadrone Road or the light off of Highway 12, by Mayo Family, a friendly, casualwinery with an amazingly wide variety of good value wines.The Eric Ross tasting room just south of town is intimate and friendly,and just across from the Jack London Village (Yes, the author of White Fanglived up on Sonoma Mountain).
The shops here include Wine Country Chocolates, offering two other typesof tasting that complement all of that wine. In central Glen Ellen there are twopoints of note. First is the Glen Ellen Market, a wonderful place to stock upfor a picnic, general supplies and a great selection of wine magazines. Another spot is the Audelssa tasting room. This is a very classy, comfortable and intimatespace at the intersection of Arnold Ave and London Ranch Road.
Their winery and vineyards can be visited by appointment but this tasting room needs no appointment. They sit near the famous Monte Rosso vineyards. Glen Ellen is a more convenient place totaste their ‘in demand’ wines.
Just north of the light on Dunbar Road, parallel to Highway 12, are Loxton and Wellington. Both are worth a visit, friendly, casual, well-madewines with a great story. Just below B.R. Cohn is the Little Winery, well-namedsince it’s a small, newer winery surrounded by vineyards. Robert Hunter, also by appointment, caters to collectors, produces elegantsparkling wines, Chard and Pinot Noir, and tastings take place in a remarkable garden with the owners.
Downtown to Glen Ellen Tour
From the Golden Gate Bridge, it is 35 to 40 minutes to the Sonoma Plaza via Hwy 101 North,Hwy 37 East and Hwy 121 North to Broadway, & Napa Street.
Directions: Visit the Sonoma Plaza. Pick up picnic items to eat at BuenaVista or Imagery’s picnic tables later. Whole Food Market, Sonoma Market,or Sonoma Cheese Shop. Follow Napa Street to Old WineryRoad. There are signs for Buena Vista along the way.
Buena Vista Winery: 18000 Old Winery Rd. Sonoma (Carneros)This historic winery founded in 1857 includes huge, old style barrels and a nicepicnic areas among the Eucalyptus trees. A spacious, friendly tasting room, good,properly priced wines and a great location. On the second fl oor loft is a great displaymapping out the winery's complicated history. It is quite a story and worthseeing. This is where modern winemaking began in California, when the Countbrought thousands of European varietals home and distributed them from here.
Directions: Heading from the Plaza to Imagery Estate Winery: 6 miles,approx 15 minutes. The entrance comes up immediately after a curve to theright, look for the banners. They share the drive with Arrowood.
Imagery Estate Winery, 14335 Highway 12 Glen Ellen. This is owned by theBenziger family and it has the largest collection of art created for labels in theworld. The wines are only sold there. Great picnic areas on both patio and grass.Hrs: 10-4:30 TF: $ - $$$ Wines: Cab Franc, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Sangiovese,Malbec, White Burgundy, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Petite Sirah Port, Interlude:Chocolate Infused Port, Blends (WOW Red, WOW Oui).
Directions: Turn Right to Chateau St. Jean Winery: 4.4 miles.
Chateau St. Jean Winery, 8555 Sonoma Hwy Kenwood. This is big graciouswinery that includes a tasting room with a gift shop and deli. They also have aReserve Tasting room in the mansion next door. Beautiful grounds, lots of placesto picnic, excellent wines. Hrs: 10-5 TF: $ - $$$ Wines: Pinot Blanc, Chard,Viognier, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Cab Sauv.
Directions: Turn left to Dunbar Rd to Loxton Cellars: 2.7 miles. 5 minutes
Loxton Cellars, 11466 Dunbar Rd. Glen Ellen. This is a small charming winerywhere you walk past the equipment to get into the door of the barrel/tastingroom. Chris, the wine maker, is often at hand to pour and the staff is knowledgeableand friendly. Great wines at a great price. Hrs: 11-5 TF: $ Wines: RoséVin Gris of Syrah, Zin, Syrah, Cab Sauv, Syrah Port, Chard, Shiraz.
Sonoma Valley and Glen Ellen
5: Tour, Sonoma Plaza, Valley of the Moon and Glen Ellen
Charles Creek Vineyard, 483 First St. W. Sonoma. This tasting room is afriendly, sunny place with great wines, nice gifts and a wonderful location, justacross from the duck pond. Look for the full-sized cork cow. Hrs: 11-6. TF: $ - $$.Wines: Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Chard, Grenache, Chocolate Dessert Wine.
Directions: Get picnic supplies at a local markets. Map on page 34. TakeSpain St. West to the light, turn right onto Hwy 12, to the Kunde Family Estate:9.8 miles, 18 minutes. Kunde looks like a Georgian style barn on the right side.
Kunde Family Estate, 10155 Sonoma Hwy Kenwood. This is across from theKenwood Restaurant and surrounded by beautiful hillside vineyards. Caves, giftshop, reserve tastings. Kunde family has provided grapes for area wine makersfor generations. Hrs: 10:30–4:30, TF: $ - $$$. Wines: Sauv Blanc, Chard,Syrah, Zin, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Barbera, Gewürztraminer,Grenache Rosé, Claret, Zin Port.
Directions: Head south on Hwy 12 to the light, turn right to London RanchRd, turn right to Benziger Family Winery: 4.8 miles approx 7 minutes.
Benziger Family Winery, 1883 London Ranch Rd. Glen Ellen. This is in anamazing valley tucked onto the hillsides of Sonoma Mountain. They’ve won ‘BestOf’ for their tours many times. Both standard and reserve tastings, a great staffand gift shop. Good picnic areas. Hrs: 10–5 TF: $ - $$$. Wines: Zin, CabSauv, Merlot, Barbera, Malbec, Cab Franc, Petite Blanc, Sangiovese, Pinot Blanc,Chard, Viognier, Fumé Blanc, Syrah, White Burgundy, Claret, Muscat Canelli.
Directions: Head back down the hill, at the stop sign, the Audelssa tasting room is on the right near corner in the red stone building. To Gloria Ferrer ChampagneCaves: 14.5 miles approx 26 minutes.
Audelssa Estate Winery, 750 Arnold Drive Glen Ellen. This tasting roomis a very comfortable place for a sit down tasting. Their wines are in demand,great fl avors, excellent vineyards, friendly, informative staff. Hours may fl uctuatebecause they run out of wine. Hrs: 11-5 Fri-Mon TF: $$. Wines: Bordeaux,Rhone, Chard, Cab Sauv, Syrah. Notes: Their Winery at 2992 CavedaleRd. in Glen Ellen, is visited by appointment.
Alternative: Back track to the light at Hwy 12, turn rightand visit B.R. Cohn, Gloria Ferrer or Cline.
Sonoma Tour #4
Sonoma Tour #4: Carneros to the Plaza. Great from the City!
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, 24724 Arnold Dr. Sonoma. This is a newer winery,
lovely, featuring Italian varietals and sharing the building with The Olive
Press. Both have great gift shops. Hrs: 10-5:30 TF: $ Wines: Chard, Pinot Noir,
Directions: From Sebastiani, turn right to Lovall Valley Road. Turn left on
Gehricke to Ravenswood. 5 minutes.
Ravenswood Winery: 18701 Gehricke Rd. Sonoma
A friendly, relaxed tasting room perched on a hill just minutes from the Plaza,
with a friendly staff and a great gift shop. They specialize in old vine Zinfandels,
but their whole list is good. They do a general tours at 10:30 am, and blending
seminars, and wine & cheese tours in the vineyards by appointment.
Directions: Back track down Broadway south to Hwy 121, bear right to the
light. Turn left and the Cline Cellars will be on the right hand side past Gloria
Ferrer: 9 miles, approx 18 minutes.
Cline Cellars: 24737 Arnold Dr. Sonoma (Carneros)
This is the site of the original San Francisco Solano mission, which was the fi nal,
and 21st mission established in California. Later the mission was moved to the
Plaza. The Cline family offers a wonderful collection of wines, with a friendly
tasting staff, park-like grounds, a mission museum & other attractions. Open
to 6pm.
Directions: To return to San Francisco, turn right out of the drive and follow
Hwy 121 to Hwy 37. Turn right and follow that to Hwy 101 South. In light
traffi c, it is 45 minutes to San Francisco, in rush hour an hour and a half.
This is a small, private winery in the Coombsville AVA in the eastern hills of Napa. At the most they produce about 1200 cases of wine, a Cab blend and a mixed blend of the five Bordeaux blend. They taste in the cave. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App from www.AmicisTour.com
There are not a lot of picnic areas in the Napa Valley thanks to the regulations. Rutherford Hill is a popular site to picnic because of its beautiful views. The winery is happy to sell you a cold bottle of wine and loan you some glasses to go with your picnic.
Pancha's of Yountville bar is located in downtown Yountville in the Napa valley. It is a family run place that has been there for years. In a town that a rediculous number of Michelin Stars, this is old time Napa, casual, rustic and homey. If you don't like cigarettes, being a family owned and operated restaurant they are supposedly exempt from California's smoke free regulations. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App
The Pacific Blues restaurant is located in downtown Yountville in the Napa valley. It is a great place, reasonably priced and very popular, in the center of the downtown. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps.
The Mustards Grill restaurant is located in Yountville in the Napa valley. It is a great place just north of the downtown. It gets incrediably busy so reservations are always suggested. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App.
The Chiarello tasting room is located in the Napa Style store in downtown Yountville, the Napa valley, steps from all of the best places to eat and shopping. It is a tasting room that offers a wonderful collection of wines. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App from www.AmicisTours.com
The Brix restaurant is located in Yountville in the Napa valley. It is a great place just north of the downtown. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App from www.AmicisTours.com
The Beau Vigne tasting room is located in downtown Yountville in the Napa valley steps from all of the best places to eat and shopping. It is a tasting room for a premium winery that specializes in big red wines. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App.
The Bardessono hotel, restaurant and spa is located in downtown Yountville in the Napa valley steps from all of the best places to eat and shopping. It is a Platinum Leeds Hotel that is made out of reclaimed materials. It is rustic and elegant and very comfortable. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App.
We're starting a new series of videos for our apps and of course, this site. Restaurants, markets and foodie locations. We're starting with chocolate because we might as well start with the best. Woodhouse is a wonderful chocolate shop located in downtown St. Helena in the Napa valley. It is a jewel of a place that is always worth the visit. The holiday window displays are great. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps.
Cutting the Canes
After the New Year the grape vines are sleeping so this is when the crews go into the vineyards and cut away last year’s woody growth, that they call the canes. Here and there you will see white lines trailed along the base of the vines, crushed lime to alkalinize the earth.
In between the vines in long lines the bright yellow mustard flowers paint bright stripes that flash as you drive by. The hills are verdant green, even the roadsides are bright with scattered grasses and weeds. This winter has been a dry one so far with December surprisingly warm and sunny.
Wouldn’t it have been nice if October had been so dry, the early fall rain disrupted the North Bay harvest and cut the size of the crop substantially. Throughout California the harvest was down five percent, but in Napa and Sonoma the standards for grapes are high and the number grapes left on the vine or the ground was closer to twenty percent.
I had friends who lost fifty percent of their grapes, simply because they waited to after the rain to bring in their pinot noir. The lingering moisture brought mold into the vineyard destroying grapes that were meant to be wine.
Among the pinot growers the luckiest were the women wine makers, who brought their grapes in early when the alcohol levels were low and the fruit was stunning.
Now we've entered that time when the wine is developing in tanks and barrels and tour business slows down, after the rush that we experience between Christmas and New Years. Visitors keep coming, but not at the torrent that we experience during the high season.
It's a great time to visit and many locals consider the most beautiful time of the year, verdant green, misty, with roses by the doors and mustard flowers in the vineyards. Last years tan canes shimmer in the sunlight and while many of our trees hold onto their leaves, enough drop that the views open up and many of the amazing hillsides estate are exposed in all their glory.
You can more easily get a good table in the best restaurants and the winery staff is made up of the professionals who have a passion for their subject, wine, and they love to share their knowledge as they pour it for you.
Sheraton Petaluma: This is a medium sized hotel just off of Hwy 101 in Petaluma, about forty minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. A full service hotel with restaurant, bar, and event spaces that sits alongside the marina on the Petaluma River that connects with the Bay. This first of three videos looks at the main public spaces. Part of the San Francisco Business Travelers App from www.AmicisTours.com
This is a world class destination hotel that also handles both luxury travel and corporate events. The combination of original Fort Baker buildings and the newer luxury suites, the fantastic restaurant and the stunning location makes this hard to beat. This video is part of the San Francisco Business Travelers App.
Le Garage: A great restaurant on the docks of Sausalito a stones toss from the boats, casual style with great food and a wonderful staff. Located off of the beaten path off Liberty Ship Way to the north of the tourist areas. A favorite of ours and a great place to come for either a casual business lunch or a personal get together. Part of the San Francisco Business Travelers Smart Phone Guide from www.AmicisTours.com
This corner tasting room for Boisett is a basket of crystal on the corner of a lovely plaza in downtown Healdsburg. Boisett also ownes DeLoach, Raymond and Buena Vista. This video is part of the Sonoma Winery Tour app from www.AmicisTours.com
This tasting room for Ferrari Carano is as much a gift shop as a tasting room where they taste wines that are not offered at the winery. It faces the lovely plaza in downtown Healdsburg. This video is part of the Sonoma Winery Tour App from www.AmicisTours.com
This tasting room for Hobo wines and Branham wines is just steps from the lovely plaza in downtown Healdsburg. This video is part of the Sonoma Winery Tour Apps.
Haywood Winery Video with Amicis Tours. Located in downtown Sonoma on the south side of the Plaza this is the stylish tasting rooms for well known vineyards with great history just outside town..They are next to Two Amigos, steps from the Sonoma Enoteca and Westfield. Part of the Sonoma Winery Tour App.
Two Amigos Winery located in downtown Sonoma on the south side of the Plaza is one of the most interesting and entertaining tasting rooms you will ever encounter. The fact that the wines are so good and thoroughly unpretentious are wonderful additions.They are next to Haywood Vineyards, steps from the Sonoma Plaza. Part of the Sonoma Winery Tour App.
The Goosecross crush is fun because you have to walk through the outdoor winery to get to the tasting room. This is a small production winery that produces a surprisingly varied selection of wines and when you arrive during crush it happens right there in front of you. Part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App.
Ceja Tasting Room. This is a very lively tasting room owned by the very connected Ceja family. Their vineyards and winery are in the Los Carneros district. Wonderful wines and Salsa lessons. They still do events at their very lovely winery. This is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps.
Top Flight Tasting Room. This downtown tasting room pours both wine and beer. It is located just behind Gillwoods Restaurant and next to the downtown Napa Visitors Center. They pour wine from several wineries most notably Goosecross. Part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour iPhone Apps from www.AmicisTours.com
The Rutherford Grove winery, vineyards and tasting room are on Highway 29 just south of Zinfandel Lane. From their front door you can see the side of the Raymond Winery across the road. This is a family owned winery and the sign above the main sign that says Pestoni Vineyards shows some of their history. Part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps.
The Whitehall winery, vineyards and tasting room are on Highway 29 just north of the road Whitehall Lane. They are not on Whitehall Lane. This is a very good producer and the prices reflect that. the tasting room has a feeling of a bar. This video is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps from www.AmicisTours.com
The Milat Winery, vineyards and tasting room are on Highway 29 a couple of minutes from V. Sattui and Dean and DeLuca. This video is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps.
The Arger Martucci Winery and tasting room is just off Highway 29. They are just a couple of minutes from V. Sattui and Dean and DeLuca. The winery is right by the tasting room but the main vineyards are miles away in other districts of Napa. This video is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps.
The Sutter Home tasting room is on Highway 29. They are across from Louis M Martini and their own very large production facility. The wines are a wide mix and the grapes are often from other regions which makes this a refreshing break from Cab crazy Rutherford. This video is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour Apps.
The Elizabeth Spencer tasting room is in the old Rutherford Post Office across from the new one, by the corner of Rutherford Road and Highway 29. They are across from BV and the Rutherford Grill. The vineyards and winery are elsewhere and the wines are mostly Pinot and Chards. Part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App.
Where they Don’t Talk About Wine In wine country any time more than two people get together wine will probably be served. While that sounds nice, it also means that the only three topics of discussion are usually food, wine and weather. After a while I want to talk about something else, almost anything else, but if I want to do that I have to head south to Marin, or San Francisco. Oh yeah, one other thing, I can’t mention where I live (Napa) or what I do, wine tour guide and author, because then they’ll want to talk about wine. What do other people talk about besides wine and tourism? Family, friends, reality TV shows, shopping, politics? We rarely talk about politics in wine country, know why? Because we get millions of visitors each year in wine country, and they come here to relax and get away from the world! There is little in the news these days that is more frustrating than politics, so the last thing we want to do is remind our guests of that. Of course people talk about their work, whatever that might be. In wine country the work is grape growing, wine making and wine tour hospitality. But people do other things, right? At least I think they do, because now and then clients talk about their work while I’m driving them around Napa and Sonoma. Of course after visiting a winery or two we don’t hear much about their work anymore. Know who wants to talk about something different from wine? Beer drinkers, tequila drinkers, anyone who is a big enthusiast for another kind of alcohol! Of course, wine country has a large number of beer enthusiasts; many young wine makers drink beer and often make their own. Why, because after they spend the whole day smelling wine, pumping, wine, filtering wine, pouring wine and tasting wine, the last thing they want to have when they go home and relax is a glass of wine. I wonder, do people who work in breweries drink wine when they get home? I love to talk about food, in terms of nutrition. Food science and healing foods are endlessly fascinating to me, but in wine country the talk is about all of the foods that I don’t eat, cheese, breads, truffles and fatty meats like sausage and pate’. Those are the same foods that cause the problems. Great! I want to talk with people about the power of healing herbs, supplements, and the super foods, but in wine country people usually deal with their discomfort with more wine. The one place where I am in completely in accord with wine country is in the love of great coffee. It is one of my few indulgences, and when it is good tasting, it is so good. Considering the small population of wine country there are an amazing number of places where you can get a great cup of coffee. I realized the other day that wherever you go around the country you can always get a cup of coffee. Maybe when I go outside wine country I should just talk about coffee? That’s not going to happen, because we’re going to eventually be someplace where wine is served, and I’m going to look at the wine list, or pick up the bottle and then open my mouth and say something pithy, and then we’re off to the races.
The Mahoney Vineyards. The tasting room is located in the Oxbow center by downtown Napa. They share the tasting room with Waterstone. The vineyards are in Los Carneros and the wines are wonderful examples of that great region, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a Vermintino that is excellent and modestly priced. This video is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App.
Rutherford Hill. Enjoying great views of the Napa Valley this is one of the most hospitable wineries in the valley. With great wines, wonderful tours, the best picnic areas and beautiful grounds we visit her often on our client tours. The tour takes you through the winery and into the extensive cave complex. This video is part of the Napa Valley Wine Tour App.
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Pumpkin Seeds and Sense of Taste
When it comes to wine tasting, serious wine tasting as is found among the working crowd (those behind the tasting bar) in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the quality of one's palate typically comes up. Generally palates are rated in three groups, tolerant, sensitive and hyper-sensitive, depending on the number of taste buds on the tongue. Women normally have more taste buds, which is one of the reasons that men tolerate flavors that the ladies turn their noses up at.
In other words, while she is saying 'yuch!', he is taking a second, or third sip. That is a hyper-sensitive compared to a tolerant taster. The first drinks their coffee with cream and sugar and the second drinks it however it comes.
What about the nose? So much of the wine experience is in the nose, because while the palate only gets five major flavors the nose picks up 2,200 scents, that have been identified. While the palate seems rather short-changed consider this, how many combinations of five flavors can be created, now add in whether the individual flavors are strong or weak. Just like colors we get flavors that blend together better than others.
The cool thing about the palate and the sense of smell is that they are controlled by the limbic part of the brain which has an amazing memory. That's why you will taste something twenty years later and recall it so well, that part of you doesn't easily forget. It is the limbic system that connects to emotions which is why flavors affect us so emotionally.
So why pumpkin seed? Because you want to hold onto your sense of smell and taste. This is one of the unfair realities of aging, as men get older (it happens to women too although to a lesser extent) they get low in zinc and that deficiency causes the sense of smell to weaken. As iron is to women's health zinc is to men. It is an essential part of semen, it is critical to the immune system and important to the entire hormonal system, and it affects the sense of smell and taste.
Guess what seed is extremely high in zinc and is also very good for the prostate gland? Pumpkin! Why else would nature make it so big and bright? It is also great for ridding the body of parasites and protecting you from invasion. This is very helpful for anyone with pets or who work in agriculture. In men, one of the places where parasites head is the prostate, because it is the most mineral rich part of the body.
That failing sense of taste is one of the reasons why men like the big, powerfully flavored red wines. Women, with their more sensitive palates often find the big Cabs hard to tolerate. You can find raw, organic pumpkin seeds at any Whole Foods in the bulk department. Don't get the salted ones. Have a small handful daily and after a month or so you will find your palate and sense of smell sharpening up.
Cooking hint: when you are making a creamy soup lightly toast some pumpkin seeds in a fry pan with a little olive oil and then sprinkle them on the soup. Delicious!
These articles are copyrighted 2009, 2010, 2011 by Ralph & Lahni de Amicis and can not reproduced without express permission.
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