Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Napa's second-oldest winery, Schramsberg makes some of California's best brut sparkling
wines, and in 1972 was the first domestic wine served at the White House. Blanc de
Blancs is the signature. The appointment-only tasting and tour (book well ahead) is ex-
pensive, but you'll sample all the
tête de cuvées
, not just the low-end wines. Tours include
a walk through the caves; bring a sweater. Bottles cost $22 to $100.
Castello di Amorosa
WINERY, CASTLE
mission & tasting $19-29, incl guided tour $34-75; 9:30am-6pm, to 5pm Nov-Feb)
It took 14 years to build this perfectly replicated, 12th-century Italian castle, complete with
moat, hand-cut stone walls, ceiling frescoes by Italian artisans, Roman-style cross-vault
brick catacombs, and a torture chamber with period equipment. You can taste without an
appointment, but this is one tour worth taking. Oh, the wine? Some respectable Italian
varietals, including a velvety Tuscan blend, and a Merlot blend that goes great with pizza.
Bottles are $20 to $125.
Lava Vine
WINERY
707-942-9500;
www.lavavine.com
;
965 Silverado Trail; tasting $10;
10am-5pm; )
Breaking ranks with Napa snobbery, the party kids at Lava Vine take a lighthearted ap-
proach to their seriously good wines - don't be surprised if they bust out musical instru-
ments and start jamming. Children and dogs play outside, while you tap your toe to up-
tempo tunes in the tiny tasting room. Picnicking allowed. Reservations recommended.
Bottles cost $25 to $55.
Vincent Arroyo
WINERY
707-942-6995;
www.vincentarroyo.com
;
2361 Greenwood Ave, Calistoga;
by appointment)
The tasting room is a garage, where you may even meet Mr Arroyo, known for his all-
estate-grown petite Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. They're distributed nowhere else and
are so consistently good that 75% of production is sold before it's bottled. Tastings are
free, but appointments are required. Bottles are $22 to $45.
