In which I list out my unsolicited Napa tips and recommendations

Now that I've been to Napa six times, I have a good feel for what wineries I like and which are worth a return visit.  Here's just a few!  In an advance disclosure, I generally prefer smaller, quieter, and simpler wineries; the $40 million castle or busy picnic grounds are enough to district me from feeling like I'm at Disneyland when I need to check in with someone with an iPad when I walk up.

Favorite wineries:
- Vincent Arroyo:  This has to be one of the last places in Napa that doesn't charge a tasting fee anymore!  But besides that, the friendly staff, great wine at a fair price point, the adorable cat called Nameless, and private tour make this appointment-only spot worth a visit.  It's laidback, no frills, and exactly my cup of tea.  If you get bored with the fancy wineries and exorbiant price tags, head on over to Vincent Arroyo in Calistoga.
- Opus One: Ha!  Talk about the opposite of Vincent Arroyo ;) I am a girl of varied tastes.  Opus One is one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa and an attitude to boot it.  They only produce one wine per year, a Bordeaux blend, and the tasting consists of a 4 ounce pour (versus trying 1 ounce of several varietals elsewhere).  Located in the heart of Oakville on busy Highway 29, it's in the middle of all the madness I try to avoid.  However, thanks to the appointment only tastings and stunning Greek modern architecture, it retains a calm, private atmosphere to enjoy some of Napa's best wine.
- Etude Winery: There isn't anything particularly special about Etude besides the fact that I love their wine.  That's reason enough to make it on to my favorites list, right?  While I love big Napa cabernets, my first foray into drinking wine was Oregon pinot noirs, thus, I get bored of drinking cabs the whole weekend in Napa... so then I head to Etude for their delicious pinots!  Don't miss Carneros for the smaller wineries and cooler climate grapes.
- Frog's Leap Cellars: This Southern-style tasting room is one of the most beautiful wineries I’ve ever been to. There’s a few adorable winery cats and the porch where you taste reminds me of a stately Southern house. (Bonus: the tasting is seated, which is lovely after you've been standing at a bar all day!) I also highly recommend their tours, which are informative and include some interesting anecdotes of how the winery was founded.  Since they're an organic farm it retains some of the rural charm that many of the larger Napa wineries lack nowadays.

- Silverado Vineyards: This is another gorgeous tasting room. There’s an outdoor patio with seating and a spectacular view of the valley. The building looks like an expensive Mediterranean villa without any of the snobbiness. The wine is great, too. Not much else to add besides the atmosphere is killer!

- Pride Mountain Vineyard: Another new favorite from this most recent trip!  Pride is at the top of Spring Mountain straddling the line between Napa and Sonoma.  It's a bit of a trek off the main highway but your rewarded with a really beautiful hillside view and peace and quiet!  The tour takes you around property, including caves where you get to taste from the barrel.  While we were there, the winemaker was at the barrels getting trials and she stopped to chat with us for a bit, which I thought was a very special touch.  The wines are expensive, but small production and award winning, and in my opinion, a good value.


Favorite restaurants:
- Gott's/Taylor's Roadside:  Gott's formerly known as Taylor's, is an awesome St. Helena spot that combines the classic comfort food of a small rural town with a signature gourmet wine country twist.  Burgers, french fries, milkshakes, and even amazing salads are enjoyed in their only outdoor picnic seating.  It's almost like your at your next-door neighbor's barbecue, but with a wine list that rivals the best restaurant in town.  Get here early (around noon) to beat the rush!
- Farmstead: Hands down my favorite nice restaurant in St. Helena/Napa area.  I first dined there in 2012 with my family and we still talk about how amazing it was!  We didn't get dinner there this time and I kind of regretted it... we settled for a drink at the outside bar and the friendly employees almost made us stay.  The food is seriously tasty and locally sourced from their farm.  Plus, did I mention how friendly and nice everyone is who works there?  It must be the wine or something ;)
- Genova's Italian Deli: This local's only spot is hidden in a downtown Napa strip mall (read: awful atmosphere), which is actually fine with me as it keeps the line manageable!  This is the spot to stock up on cheese, dried meat, bread, snacks, drinks, and sandwiches before your day starts; bring everything to the wineries for a beautiful picnic.  Don't believe me that it's the best sandwich ever?  Fine, maybe you'll believe the five hundred five star reviews on Yelp instead.
- La Condesa: When you're sick of red wine, California cuisine, and general wine country stuffiness, head to La Condesa for margaritas and tacos.  Fish tacos are especially good, as is the Mexican street corn, and any cocktails.


Amanda's Napa Superlatives 2014 Version:
- For interesting architecture: Artesa, Opus One (see above), Clos Pegase (designed by Michael Graves), Quintessa, Hall Winery (brand new building, my architect boyfriend was enamored), Quixote Winery
- For picnics: Monticello Vineyards, Clos du Val (also have a bocce ball court), Miner Family, Rutherford Hill, Casa Nuestra
- For sparkling wine: Domaine Carneros, Mumm Napa, Schramsberg (amazing tour and oldest caves in Napa!), Domaine Chandon
- Off the beaten track: Stony Hill (they only do whites! perfect when you're tired of drinking Napa Caps), Saintsbury, Atlas Peak, Spring Mountain, anywhere in the newest APA of Coombsville
- For kids: V. Sattui (great picnic-ing area), Calistoga Geyser (they have a petting zoo), Beringer, Sterling Vineyard (gondola ride!)

Okay, enough wine talk for now :)