Isn’t the proverb, ‘When in Rome…do as the Romans do”? When in Napa, I am not sure what the Napans do (or the “Napkins” which is their informal nickname). I do not think they do a lot of wine tasting, as it has become quite expensive. I read the cost of tastings soared between 2021 & 2022, with the average base tasting hitting $81. Yikes!
To visit a winery, most no longer allow walk-ins; you must make a reservation. A curated wine tasting seems to run between $50 and $95+ per person, depending on the estate and the wine selections. I do believe you can visit downtown tasting rooms for $35 ish for a tasting. So, if you want to visit several wineries, it will be quite costly. Dave and I decided to visit just one and chose a pet friendly winery (and there were many to choose from!).
We visited Laird Family Estate, a farming family with over 50 years of experience growing grapes in the Napa Valley. They own more than 2,000 acres on nine different ranches and sell 97% of their grapes to other premium wineries, keeping only 3% for their own estate wines.
We arrived early afternoon with the temperatures just perfect, in the high 70’s. We were seated on a beautiful patio, where Ben, our host greeted us. Dave and I each selected five wines for tasting accompanied by a small charcuterie board. Murphy sat tableside, patiently waiting for a piece of cheese while glancing over at the the cute yellow lab nearby. The red blend proved to be our favorite, so we bought two bottles to enjoy later.
With Napa’s countless dining options, Dave and I opted to stop at the Hog Island Oyster Co. in the busy Oxbow Public Market for a light dinner. One of the hosts at the winery claimed the “Hog’s” clam chowder was the best in Napa. We choose a half dozen of their farm raised oysters and each ordered a bowl of clam chowder. The hearty chowder was loaded with clams (in their shells) with large pieces of potatoes, carrots, celery, and savory bacon. Another delicious dinner.
Besides wine tasting, Napa has many local hikes. Unfortunately, there are great hikes in the hills right above our campground, but dogs are not allowed as mountain bikes also use the trails. We choose two other nearby hikes, a hike up in the Westwood hills for a view of the valley and walk along a paved river trail along the Napa River. Murphy was not happy he couldn’t swim in the fast moving river.
As you all know my love of Mexican food, we were lucky to receive a recommendation for a great, casual Mexican restaurant in nearby Sonoma. Ginger, our good friend in St. Pete, mother lives in Castro Valley, just about an hour south of Napa. Ginger’s mom texted me and suggested we try El Molino. After our hikes, we headed over to Sonoma (just 30 minutes away) to give it a try. Little did I know that El Molino had received Michelin’s Bib Gourmand designation, recognized for good quality and good value. Naturally, my expectations were set pretty high, and El Molino did not disappoint. The menu offered a large selection of authentic Mexican food, making it so difficult to decide. Dave and I started with freshly made tortilla chips and their salsa chipotle. Next, we enjoyed beef birria tacos, beer battered fish tacos, and flan for dessert. Every dish was bursting with authentic flavors, and the ingredients were clearly fresh. Deliciosa! A big thanks to Viki for her recommendation. I would have gone back for breakfast the next morning if we were a bit closer.
In closing, just a few quick bits. First, when Dave was walking Murphy on our first day here, he spied a Southern Pacific rattlesnake along the fence line. Boy, did I keep my eye out on all future walks. And, one morning I had a craving for donuts. Me? Wanting donuts? No way! While still laying in bed, I googled “the best donuts in Napa” and guess what? Happy’s Donut Tree was just 3 miles away. So, Murphy and I headed over and yes, I bought too many. I just could not decide!
Thanks for following along. Off to yet another National Park with a few surprise stops along the way.
So many great wines to choose from Brenda, So many wines, so little time Dave, and I just don’t get why I couldn’t swim in the river Murphy.
What a change! Wine tasting was free the last time we went !
Glad that you enjoyed the wine country. Stay safe on your continued adventure.
Reta