Napa Valley, Sonoma & West Marin

Marin County is really the beginning of some of the best wine regions in the world.  Marin's neighbors, Napa Valley and Sonoma, is world-known by wine enthusiasts for it's distinquishing wines.

From the Marin Vacation Home: 

**  It is important to not that Marin County also has many vineyards, many private, but some accessible to the public.   Be sure to check-out the link "Marin Vineyards and Farms" or click "Here" for more info.


3 popular Wine Regions of the San Francisco Bay Area with fun activities:

(click on region interested in for detailed info or scroll down page):

Napa Valley

  • Just 20 minutes to beginning of Napa Wineries.Fantastic wine tasting, vineyard landscapes, Geysers, shopping and sight seeing. 
  •  .... for more details

Sonoma Valley

  • Visit Sonoma Valley - great wineries -Geysers, rivers, & other sights! (30 mins from Marin Retreat)
  •   .... for more details

Marin County

 


Napa Valley:

  •  It takes just 25 minutes from the Marin Vacation Home to Napa.

The Napa Valley is one the most known and popular Wine Regions in the world.  Home to top vintners, Napa offers much to the local and tourist traveler that is looking for good wine and fine food.   However, there is so much more!  Go Olive Oil tasting, see world class races, or visit natural hot springs.  Napa even has a beautiful recreational lake where you can rent a houseboat or watercraft! 

Napa is world known for it’s great wines and majestic vineyard scenery.  Big labels are rooted here such as Mondavi, Beringer, Sterling, Fetzer, Clos du Val, Sutter Homes, the list goes on!  The list of wineries and picnic possibilities are endless.  Visit this website for details and info:  http://www.napavintners.com/wineries/

Listed below are a few recommendations to help you enjoy your day trip from Marin Retreat Vacation home, San Rafael - Marin County.

Some Recommended Napa and Sonoma County Wineries:
Listed below are a few Napa and Sonoma wineries and vineyards that are recommended for your visit to the Napa and Sonoma area:

Mondavi 

Fetzer 

Clos du Val Clos Du Val has been named 'Winery of the Year' by Wine & Spirits Magazine, again, for 2010.

Sutter Homes   With its creation of White Zinfandel in the early 1970s and the introduction of high-quality, affordably priced varietal wines during the 1980s and '90s, Sutter Home became a household name and the second largest, independent family-run winery in the U.S.   Great sweet wines.

Bartholomew Park Winery - 
Founded in 1994 by the Bundschu family, Bartholomew Park Winery is a Sonoma Valley gem, offering access to exclusive organically-grown estate wines.  http://www.bartpark.com/
 

B.R. Cohn Winery - 
In addition to its award-winning wines, B.R. Cohn makes world-class California olive oils and vinegars too.  http://www.brcohn.com/
 

Buena Vista Careros Estates - 
Carneros has long been known for its unassailable Chardonnays, elegant Pinot Noirs and its sparkling wines.
 

Gundlach-Bundschu Winery Visit this 150 year old Northern California winery at the southernmost tip of Sonoma Valley  http://www.gunbun.com/
 

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Enjoy exquisite wines from the same family the brought you the whirlpool bath of the same name.
 

Kenwood Vineyards The small lot winemaking at Kenwood Vineyards allows the winery to bring each lot of wine to its fullest potential, including a full line of premium quality varietal wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
 

Ravenswood Winery No wimpy wines! This credo sums up Ravenwood Winery's commitment to full-flavored varietal wine and their mission to capture everything a vineyard has to offer.  http://www.ravenswoodwinery.com/
 

Roche Winery Roche is a small winery with an output of approximately 10,000 cases per year, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Muscat Canelli.
 

Beringer Napa's oldest operating winery. The Historical District Tour is recommended.
 

Cakebread Cellars Considered the best tour in Napa Valley for those interested in winemaking. Be prepared to stand for 2 hours.  http://www.cakebread.com/
 

Domaine Carneros Beautiful patio overlooking the Carneros vineyard. This winery stays open later than most so end the day here. http://www.domainecarneros.com
 

Jarvis Winery Beautiful aging cellar and testing room in a doughnut-shaped cave complete with an underground stream and waterfall.  http://www.jarviswines.com/
 

Joseph Phelps Vineyards Beautiful views, expert wine tastings and fantastic wine makes this winery a must visit. If you have the means, the 2003 Insignia is a great buy.
 

Kuleto Estate This winery considers food just as important as the wine it produces. Goats and cows are raised on property along with vegetables that are served in the tasting room to compliment the wine. The vineyards have spectacular views of Lake Hennessey.   http://www.kuletoestate.com/
 

Quintessa An organic, bio-dynamic vineyard that uses a gravity fed system. The tour is informative and more technical than many others.  http://www.quintessa.com/
 

Rutherford Hill Best place for a picnic on the hillside. It is recommended to buy a bottle of wine from the winery for your picnic.  http://www.rutherfordhill.com/
 

Schramsberg Vineyards Known as the "Grande Dame" of Sparkling Wine, this winery tour includes a venture down mile deep caves.
 

Signorello Vineyards Spectacular views from the patio and wonderful food and wine parings make this winery a must see.  http://www.signorellovineyards.com/
 

Sterling Vineyards This winery has self-guided tours, is kid friendly and has a scenic tram ride with aerial views of the vineyard.  http://www.sterlingvineyards.com
 

Cline Cellars - Innovation and experimentation have allowed Cline Cellars to produce rich, distinctive Rhône-style wines and flavorful Zinfandels to much acclaim.  http://www.clinecellars.com/
 

Valley of the Moon - Since 1860, Valley of the Moon has been producing ultra-premium Sonoma wines.  http://www.valleyofthemoonwinery.com/
 

Viansa Winery - Select from a premium array of Italian varietal wines, including Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Aleatico, Arneis, Pinot Grigio, Primitivo, and Tocai Friulano. In 2007, the Viansa Winery has been awarded over 85 medals – including 23 gold or double gold.  http://www.viansa.com/

Other Recommended Napa and Sonoma County Wine Tours
Listed below are a few wine tours that are recommended to visit while you are in the Napa and Sonoma area:
 

  • Napa Valley Wine Train Offers a unique experience to ride a train through Napa Valley to St. Helena. Various packages can be purchased that include wine tasting, tours and food service.  http://www.winetrain.com/
  • Olive Oil Tasting:  California doesn't stop with just great wines.  Olive Oil is california's other "Golden Elixir".  Experience a different type of day then swirling wine, or ad it to your day, and taste the elixir from the fruit of the Olive.


**  For other activities to do in Napa -

  • visit the link "Top attractions nearby" or click "Here" for activities.

Sonoma County:

Sonoma offers great wines and culinary delights, and is definitely up to par with Napa Valley, just not as known.  Besides the wines, there is plenty to do of interest.   Take the family to "Train Town" or drive along Sonoma's magnificent Pacific Coastline on Hwy1.  


Wine Tasting:  Not as well known as Napa Valley, but certainly just as good!  Numerous wineries and Napa vineyards grow grapes here.
http://www.sonoma.com/wineries/alphalistings.html

Olive Oil Tasting:  California doesn't stop with just great wines.  Olive Oil is california's other "Golden Elixir".  Experience a different type of day then swirling wine, or ad it to your day, and taste the elixir from the fruit of the Olive.

  • McEnvoy Ranch:  5935 Red Hill Rd,  Petaluma.  #707-778-2307  Website:  www.mcevoyranch.com
  • The Olive Press:  24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. (Shared w/Jacuzzi Winery)  #800-965-4839  website: www.TheOlivePress.com



Marin County:

Marin offers great Wines and cheeses as well, many "Organic".  In fact, Prince Charles visited West Marin to learn of it's organic practices!

Marin County Vintners:

 (Visit Marin Vineyards and Farms link at left, or click "Here" for more comprehensive info beyond wines, such as organic cheeses, etc...)


  • Pacheco Ranch Winery:
    • The whole family, including head winemaker, Jamie Meves, oversees the Pacheco Ranch winemaking process. Meves has 25 years experience and is an award winning winemaker and graduate of the University of California at Davis Fermentation Science program. The winery annually produces around 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. 415.883.5583
  • Pey Marin Vineyards
    • Proprietors Jonathan and Susan Pey produce their Marin-grown wines under two labels: Pey-Marin Vineyards (Pinot Noir and Riesling) and Mount Tamalpais Vineyards (Merlot and Vin Gris). 415.455.9463
    • This family owned and operated winery offers an inn and a tasting room featuring Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. 12700 Highway One (Point Reyes Station). 415.663.1011
  • Ross Valley Winery
    • Paul Kreider’s winery, which started 20 years ago in a garage, now occupies a prime space in downtown San Anselmo. Each year the neighborhood is invited to help pick grapes and take part in the bottling of the wineries Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Red Blend, Montepulciano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel-Port, Chardonnay-Port and Walnut-Port. 415.457.5157
    • Website: http://www.rossvalleywinery.com
  • Experience California Wine Country in the heart of charming downtown Sausalito with a view of the Bay. Taste wines from Napa, Sonoma, and the best California appellations. Learn how the wines are made, the difference between different wines, vineyards, and styles. Wine classes and private parties in our art gallery. Wine and gifts can be shipped to all 50 states


marin wines napa

Above Picture: Some of Marin's great organic Pinot Noirs & Reislings.


(Visit Marin Vineyards and Farms link at left, or click "Here" for more comprehensive info beyond wines.)