Vintage 1870, in Yountville, has a delightful multimedia "Napa Valley Show" that offers a four seasons look at the valley and a fine collection of shops. One favorite sells special jams and mustards; another specializes in railroad memorabilia. Wine prices at the large shop here were lower than average. Some balloon flights leave from this area too. The last time we flew we had our post flight brunch in the local park.
We don't play golf, but Louis used to visit Tom Stowe, his old pro from the Berkeley Tennis Club at the Silverado Country Club. Friends argue bitterly about the relative merits of the par 72 north and south courses. The south course is reportedly easier. The new Chardonnay Club is reportedly worth a visit; its 72 par is rated at 73.5
St. Helena centers the big wineries such as Christian Brothers massive Greystone, one of the largest stone buildings in the world. The Silverado Museum at 1490 Library Lane highlights 1,500 pieces Robert Louis Stevenson memorabilia. The manuscripts and photographs are quite interesting. Indeed, visitors to the valley might want to read THE SILVERADO SQUATTERS first. There are too many shops and restaurants to list. Allow two hours if you want to browse. Many of our favorite wineries are so close to each other that bikers with a thirst can peddle from one to another. This is, on crowded weekends a great way to avoid traffic and parking problems. Nobody should try to sample everything as the current winery count for Napa County is 225! The Hans Kornell Champagne Cellars, on Larkmead Lane, offer wonderful tasting and tours. Berringer, another large winery, on Main Street in St. Helena, has some fine whites. All these large wineries offer tasting, tours and retail sales. However, our favorite, and a consistent prizewinner, Stag's Leap, sells wine but has no tasting, and tours are by appointment only. This is not unusual at smaller, premium wineries where tasting rooms could drink up too much of the limited production. So wine buffs are well advised to write their favorite wineries in advance to sample this year’s vintages.
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