The sheer number of vineyards in Napa and Sonoma can make a wine-tasting excursion seem overwhelming. Oenophiles can spend weeks or months plotting a course to visit their favorite tasting rooms, some of which require reservations far in advance.
In a recent Chowhound discussion, PHXeater posed an interesting question: If you had time to visit just one big-name, big-taste Cabernet producer, where should you go? Here’s what hounds had to say:
• Chateau Montelena: A pleasant tasting room and French-inspired garden put this winery at the top of moto‘s list.
• Duckhorn Vineyards: Chowhound nokitchen appreciates the beautiful gardens and leisurely pace.
• Hall: Not well known, goldangl95 says, but a favorite among Napa Cabernet enthusiasts. Making an appointment to visit the Rutherford facility is a better bet than a stop at the tasting room on Highway 29.
Chateau Montelena [Napa Valley]
1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga
707-942-5105
Duckhorn Vineyards [Napa Valley]
1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena
888-354-8885
Hall [Napa Valley]
56 Auberge Road, Rutherford
707-967-0700
Discuss: Best Big Name winery and Oakland lunch help
Photo of Chateau Montelena by Flickr member LABabble under Creative Commons
