POST CARD FROM NAPA

Favorite Napa Day 

     Living in the Napa Valley, in many ways, is like living in paradise.  Picking a favorite day is very difficult because every day is special here.  But when planning a day of touring and site-seeing for a friend who is new to Napa Valley I would chose interesting, historic places as well as newer attractions.  And I would try to match my friend's tastes in wine with the wineries we visit.  I would like to tell you about a few of my favorite places to take first time visitors.

     The luxury of a early start should be a part of the plan.  We would go to Gordon's in Yountville for cranberry-orange muffins and strong coffee.  Gordon's is a hangout for locals and a few in-the-know out of towners.  You can see winemakers, winery owners, Valley celebrities, and enjoy wonderful morning comfort food.  An added benefit of Gordon's is that you can also get your picnic supplies.  Remember that some of the wineries are not close to restaurants, and many have wonderful picnic locations.

     From Gordon's we would drive about five miles north to the village of Rutherford, and pay a visit to Niebaum-Coppola Winery.  It was the old Inglenook Winery, purchased in 1995 by movie director and Oscar@ winner Francis Ford Coppola.  Mr. Coppola had purchased and lived in the old Niebaum Estate since 1975, and a dream was realized when he reunited the historic property.  Arriving when they first open is recommended.  There are many interesting photo opportunities both outside and inside, and one can view some of the valley's most interesting artifacts.  The tasting rooms and gift shops are among the most entertaining in all of Napa Valley.  The grand staircase leads upstairs to Mr. Coppola's movie memorabilia.  It is fun to see real life Oscars.

     The Coppola wine portfolio contains something for everyone.  They have lighter, everyday wines and incredibly complex Rutherford Reds.  The Pennino Zinfandel is heavenly and the Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon  is handmade from some of Napa Valley's most prized grapes. It will be a wine to put into your cellar for ten years, to be brought out for a special occasion.

     From Niebaum-Coppola our day continues with a historical family theme.  Taking the Rutherford Crossroad east is a nice drive through glorious vines and relics of a Napa Valley past.  Nichelini Winery is in Napa's eastern hills, eight miles from the Silverado Trail.  It is a drive back in time. Anton Nichelini, a Swiss-Italian immigrant had built a cabin in 1884 and a winery in 1890.  It is beautiful stonework, a craft brought to Napa by Swiss-Italians.  Anton's grandchildren still own and operate the winery.  In front of the gorgeous winery is a an ancient Roman wine press.  The Nichelini's old vine reds are the result of one hundred years of farming.

     We are starting to get hungry for lunch about now, and time to start toward our picnic destination, Rutherford Hill Winery.  The tables are shaded by oak and olive trees, and there are some incredible views.  The tasting room and winery are housed in a rustic, barnlike building. Their estate Cabernets and Merlots are very nice, and the Chardonnay is a good picnic choice. Buy a bottle of Zinfandel Port for later.

     Driving back down the Silverado Trail we decide to visit another historic winery, Regusci Winery in the Stag's Leap District.  The beautiful stone three-story winery was built in the late 1800's.  The Regusci family has owned the property for generations.  They started producing wine commercially six years ago and opened a tasting room.  It is a favorite stop for many because of its wonderfully unpretentious atmosphere.  The grapes from the sun-drenched eastern slopes of the Valley can be transformed into rich, yet soft wines.  Regusci's estate Zinfandel is a prime example.  The Cabernets and Merlots are nice too. 

     By now it is about two hours until dinner, so we go to my house and rest by the pool with flavored iced tea or sparkling ice cold mineral water.  We remember to make dinner reservations at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville.  By the time we arrive at the Bistro, I am craving the tomato soup in a puff pastry shell, and the sole resting on a bed of mashed potatoes.  Back in the mood for wine, and afterall it is a French restaurant, we have a glass of champagne. For dessert, although there was hardly room, I had the creme brulee.  We ended up taking some dessert home, opened up the Zinfandel Port from Rutherford Hill, and sat by the fire talking about the day.