Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Sonoma Cheese Factory.
Pick
up a snack or picnic lunch at this
venerable local favorite; options
include caviar, homemade cheese,
gourmet salads, and sandwiches.
2 Spain St.
y
707/996-1000. $$.
5
★★
Domain Chandon Vine-
yards.
The grounds of the valley's
most renowned sparkling-wine
maker, founded by French cham-
pagne house Moët et Chandon, are
predictably grand. Take the free win-
ery tour, or simply enjoy the tastings
($9-$14).
1 California Dr. (at Hwy.
29), Yountville.
y
707/944-2280.
www.chandon.com. Call ahead;
hours vary by season.
6
★
Robert Mondavi Winery.
Forget notions of mass-market wines.
Mondavi's reserve reds are excellent.
Moreover, the tours at this winery are
among the most extensive in Napa.
The basic, free tour includes an
excursion into the vineyards. Reserva-
tions for it and other, more detailed
tours are recommended.
7801 St.
Helena Hwy. (Hwy. 29), Oakville.
y
800/MONDAVI or 707/226-1395.
www.robertmondaviwinery.com.
Tastings: $5-$8. Daily 10am-4pm.
Special tours at the Mondavi winery
include a stroll through their barrel rooms.
favorite stop for serious wine lovers.
The tours are intimate and compre-
hensive, and the wines are a knock-
out.
Taplin Rd. (off the Silverado
Trail), St. Helena.
y
800/707-5789.
www.jpvwines.com. Tastings: $6-$12.
Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 9am-4pm.
9
St. Helena.
This quiet, attrac-
tive little town with an Old West feel
has expensive boutiques, beautiful
old homes, and first-rate restaurants.
Located 6 miles north of Oakville on
Calif. 121.
0
Tra Vigne.
Dine at one of the
valley's favorite haunts, which fea-
tures Italian-style California
cuisine
(1050 Charter Oak Ave., St.
Helena;
y
707/963-4444. www.
travignerestaurant.com. $$)
or for
a more casual option, try
the best
diner you'll ever visit:
!
Taylor's
Automatic Refresher,
established
in 1949, serves naturally raised beef
burgers, ahi tuna burgers, tacos,
and incredible milkshakes
(933 Main
St., St. Helena.
y
707/963-3486.
www.taylorsrefresher.com. $).
7
★★★
Oakville Grocery Co.
One of the finest gourmet-food
spots in the area, here you can pick
up an array of top-quality fare like
fresh foie gras, bread, cheese, sand-
wiches, salads, and California wines,
plus coffee drinks from the in-store
espresso bar. (The staff can also pre-
pare a picnic basket for you—call 24
hr. in advance.)
7856 St. Helena Hwy.
(at Oakville Cross Rd), Oakville.
y
707/944-8802. www.
oakvillegrocery.com. $.
8
★★
Joseph Phelps Vine-
yards.
This modern, state-of-the-
art winery with a big-city vibe is a
