Peg Melnik - Explorers Guide Napa & Sonoma

PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF EXPLORERS GUIDE NAPA & SONOMA

Some of the best advice on where to go and what to do in Wine Country.

New York Times

This marvelous book, splendidly researched, packed with terrific advice and considerable insider information, is essential reading for any visitor.

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

A carefully designed, well-researched, and entertainingly written baedeker to the Napa and Sonoma wine trails.

Los Angeles Times

PRAISE FOR THE EXPLORERS GUIDE SERIES

Consistently rated the best guides to the regions covered... Readable, tasteful, appealingly designed. Strong on dining, lodging, and history.

National Geographic Traveler

Copyright 2014, 2011 by Peg Melnik and Tim Fish

Copyright 2019 by The Countryman Press

All photographs by Peg Melnik unless otherwise identified.

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Manufacturing by Versa Press

Series book design by Chris Welch

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to Permissions, The Countryman Press, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact

W. W. Norton Special Sales at specialsales@wwnorton.com or 800-233-4830

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Melnik, Peg, author. | Fish, Timothy, 1959 author.

Title: Explorers guide Napa & Sonoma / Peg Melnik with Tim Fish.

Other titles: Explorers guide Napa and Sonoma

Description: Eleventh edition. | New York : The Countryman Press, a division of W. W. Norton & Company, [2019] | Series: Explorers guide | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018056855 | ISBN 9781682682302 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Napa County (Calif.)Guidebooks. | Sonoma County

(Calif.)Guidebooks.

Classification: LCC F868.N2 M46 2019 | DDC 917.94/1904dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018056855

The Countryman Press

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A division of W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110

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We dedicate this book to our beloved, adventuresome children, Sophie and Tucker. Watching you grow up in this amazing place called Wine Country has been a delight.

EXPLORE WITH US!

This edition of Explorers Guide Napa & Sonoma orients you in the region with our smart feature Whats Trending , offering tasty eats and drinks and everything in-between. Next, we set you up with logistics in our segment Whats Where in Napa Valley & Sonoma County . In it youll find all the information to make your trip to Wine Country as seamless as possible, including tips on transportation to and around the region, climate considerations, and a list of helpful resources to guide your travel plans. What follows logistics is a primer of sorts called How to Travel Like a Wine-Savvy Insider , covering everything youll need to be in the know. For instance, youll learn about the explosive growth in the city of Napa and why it has the appeal to attract droves of tourists. Youll also learn whats behind the family-oriented resort approach at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. After we share insider information, we give you the opportunity to bone up on your wine knowledge with this irresistible offer: Take Our Crash Course in Wine Tasting . Weve included our step-by-step tasting advice, and, if youre interested in taking your wine education to the next level, youll find information about wine classes in the Napa and Sonoma area. Next, we appeal to history buffs with A Brief History of Napa & Sonoma . It provides a historical overview, where youll learn how and why wine became the organizing principle of the region. Finally, we delve into the major cities of Wine Country, providing detailed listings for To See & Do , Wineries, Lodgings, Where to Eat , Entertainment, Selected Shopping , and Special Events . Our segment on wineries has a detailed list of winery entries to give you a feel for our rich wine culture.

Pay close attention to our Top Overall Picks for each city. Here travelers will find our top recommendations for restaurants, bars, hotels, markets, and other attractions. It was tough to narrow our list, but we managed by focusing on the crme de la crme. These picks will come in handy if your time is limited.

The suggested outings will suit a range of interests: foodies, romantics, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers, and others will find recommendations tailored to their personal obsessions. See also regional highlights in our Best Day in San Francisco, Best Day in Napa Valley, and Best Day in Sonoma County.

A note on the lodging and dining listings: We use price codes to convey a general understanding of cost (because specific prices are likely to change). Here are the corresponding rates for the price codes you will find throughout.

LODGING PRICE CODES

DINING PRICE CODES

Dining price codes reflect the cost of a single meal, including appetizer, entre, and dessert, but not including cocktails, wine, tax, or tip.

Please send any comments or corrections to:

Explorers Guide Editor

The Countryman Press

A division of W. W. Norton & Company

500 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10110

Authors favorites. These are the places we think have the most to offer in each region, whether that means great food, outstanding rooms, beautiful scenery, or overall appeal.

Weddings . The wedding rings symbol appears beside facilities that frequently serve as venues for weddings and civil unions.

Special value . The special-value symbol appears next to lodgings and restaurants that combine high quality and moderate prices.

Child-friendly . The kids-alert symbol appears next to lodgings, restaurants, activities, and shops of special appeal to youngsters.

Pets . The dog-paw symbol appears next to lodgings that accept pets (usually with a reservation and deposit) as of press time.

CONTENTS

MAPS

M any people made this book possible. We want to thank all the wineries, restaurants, inns, and other businesses that put up with our phone calls, e-mail inquiries, and spontaneous visits. Numerous organizations proved to be great resources.