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I’ll definitely take pictures, at least of the train!
That’s funny about the carwash. I can imagine you in the carwash, picturing stills of certain parts of the process.
No tips other than to take a lot of pictures!
You might want to rent a car. Some of the wineries can be a few miles apart, and if you take one of their wine tours, you might miss ones that you’d like to see.
There’s a reasonably priced little place called the Railway Inn (I think), which is actually a converted train car. It’s quirky and neat and it’s in Yountville.
You should try to have lunch at French Laundry while you’re there - make reservations and bring lots of money.
There are some cool wineries to see there. Beringer, Grgich, Silver Oak, among a few others. Some of them give tours, which are fun, and some are just places to walk in, taste, and buy.
Have fun! It sounds like you deserve a vacation.
Now, you’re talking my language. Avitable is right, you might want to rent a car. Some of the best wineries are the ones you’ve probably never heard of that sell of their bottles as futures.
Also, that gives you flexibility to stay in less expensive places, like Fairfield, just a hop, skip, and jump from Napa. But, I’d reserve a room. It’s vacation time up here and it could get dicey just “popping in” without a reservation (if you can swing it, though, do one of the St. Helen’s B&Bs!)
Hmm, that’s two votes for a car. Maybe we can get a cheapy Geo Metro or something. Wait, do they still make those things? It’ll probably be a Kia something or other. Anyway, thanks for the tips! I’ll have to look into Fairfield as a launching point. I really don’t want to be at the mercy of tour companies.
Hell, just call me when you get to Martinez. I live literally 3 miles from there...across the water, but still, it is only 2 miles across the bridge.
Yes, you will need a car. Reason? The wineries are far, far apart (they’re farms!) and there is no public transportation up there. Not sure where you’ll get a rental car at that time of night in that area though. But Enterprise will “pick you up” or so their advertisement says.
Stay outside of the winery area in Napa County. The hotels are overpriced and IMO not very nice. Look for someplace maybe in the city of Napa or even in American Canyon. I’m only 20 minutes away so if you need me to go check out any hotels, I totally will and I’ll let you know if they’re in seedy areas. hehe
Anything else?
Oh, pretty much any restaurant you choose in the winery region will be good. Fresh veggies and organic this and thats. They do tend to be a little more pricey than it would be in other areas. The super expensive restaurants are just hype. Find a local and ask them where their favorite restaurant is...if they try to give you a touristy place, they aren’t local. Move on away from them and find someone else.
The best time to go to the wineries is on a weekday, preferably a rainy one. You’ll get much more personal attention as there aren’t 5094308453045 fake wine snobs from San Francisco elbowing you out of the way for the next tasting of White Zinfandel.
Any questions, just email me...or you can call. Do you have my number? I can’t give it to you.
Be careful not to give us your address, you just may find us camped out at your doorstep for the night because we couldn’t figure out where to go! 
LOL! Well, come on then. My mom and auntie will be here so you’ll have to take the Aerobed on the living room floor. But I have plenty of blankets. hehe
Sounds like fun, but yes, do take KG’s advice. I had friends who travelled out that way and they got stranded over night.
what KG said… I’m over in Santa Rosa… depending on the weekend, you may have festivals or barrel tasting or SOMETHING that brings out everyone and their Jean Nate wearing aunt… email me or her and we can check for you!
Sorry, no tips, except to say yes get dramamine...I have no clue...but I wanted to say it sounds like a lot of fun…
I’ve never been on a train either...can we look forward to some photos? I’m hoping for a good trip, like the one thru the carwash!
I think of that post ever time I drive through our carwash
Weekends Off | 03.27.2007 | 7:20 AM