Lunch in the Russian River Valley Update

If you want to spend your entire day tasting in the Russian River Valley, there are few options for lunch without heading to the towns of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, or Sebastopol. However, in the heart of the Russian River Valley sits the small town of Graton. Here you can lunch at Willow Wood Market or Underwood Bar and Bistro.

The similarly named restaurants have the same owners but the food and ambience are different.  Willow Wood, which is my favorite, serves a variety of salads, hot sandwiches, and polentas.  At one time, the restaurant was a small part of a larger market, but today the restaurant and carry-out bar occupy the entire space.  You can also dine outside in the small garden behind the restaurant.  Willow Wood is open for lunch from 11:30 - 5:00, Monday - Saturday.  Brunch is served on Sunday from 11:00 - 3:00.

Under Wood is larger with bar in the front.  The lunch menu consists of tapas and small plates.  Lunch is served between 11:30 and 2:30, Tuesday - Sunday.  A similar menu is offered at the bar from 2:30 - 5:00.

If you are a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay fan, you'll definitely want to spend some time in the Russian River Valley.  Stop in Graton for lunch and you won't be disappointed.  If you would like to include a private tour of the Russian River Valley, contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com. 

Best Eating Small Town in the United States

Yountville, in the Napa Valley, must be the best easting small town in the United States.  With just over 3,000 residents, Yountville is home to one restaurant that has received three stars from the Michelin guide and three that have received one star.  To receive one star is an honor.  Three stars is as good as it gets in fine dining.  The three-star restaurant is Thomas Keller's French Laundry.  Keller also owns Bouchon, which has received one star.  The other one-star restaurants are Redd and Etoile at Domaine Chandon, the only winery in the Napa Valley to have a restaurant.

Also in town are Bistro Jeanty for fine French cuisine Bardessono for California food, and Bottega for Italian cuisine.  More casual places include Pacific Blue, Hurley's, and Cantinetta Piero.  Just north of Yountville are Mustard's Grill and Brix.  The former serves excellent American food and the latter is known for its California cuisine.

If this isn't enough, you can get excellent pastries at Bouchon Bakery, paninis at.Napa Style, and coffee at the Coffee Caboose.

Lastly, Yountville has a bunch of tasting rooms within a short walk of each other.  They include Hill Family, Hope and Grace, Girard, Jessup, and Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.

Having all of this food and wine at hand, makes Yountville the perfect place to base your Napa Valley vacation.  Staying in Yountville means you can have an excellent dinner and not worry about drinking too much wine as you can just walk back to your hotel, inn, or bed and breakfast.

Coffee in Wine Country

Sometimes a cup of coffee hits the spot in wine country. Fortunately, there are a few options for getting a good cup of Joe or an espresso drink.

In the Napa Valley, you can visit the Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company at 948 Main St. in Napa or 1400 Oak Ave. in St. Helena. Good coffee is also available from the Calistoga Roastery at 1426 Lincoln Ave. in Calistoga. Two gourmet groceries also serve good coffee: Dean & DeLuca at 600 S. St. Helena Hwy. (Hwy 29 just south of St. Helena) and Oakville Grocery (corner of Hwy 29 and Oakville Cross in Oakville). Lastly, the Yountville Coffee Caboose opened a few months ago and serves a good cup of hot java and all the regular espresso drinks from the caboose just south of the V 1870 shopping center (6523 Washington St.)

In Sonoma County, Flying Goat Coffee serves excellent coffee from three locations: 324 & 419 Center St. in Healdsburg and 10 Fourth St. in Santa Rosa. The Santa Rosa location is in historic Railroad Square and has the best pastry selection.

In Graton, which is in the heart of the Russian River Valley, you can get coffee to go at Willow Wood Market.

In the town of Sonoma, Barking Dog Roasters is located just off the plaza at 201 West Napa St. Sunflower Caffe on the west side of the plaza (421 1st St. West) also serves good coffee and espresso drinks. If you're further up the Sonoma Valley, you can get coffee to go at the Glen Ellen Village Market, in the center of town at 13751 Arnold Dr.

When you take a private wine country tour with Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel, you can stop for coffee at any time. For more information, phone (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or send an e-mail message by clicking here.

Best Sonoma County Restaurants - 2009/2010

The new "Zagat 2010 Bay Area Restaurants" and "The Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area, and Wine Country Restaurants 2010" were recently released. Here's an update on the critics' favorite restaurants in the Sonoma County.

The only restaurant Michelin awarded three stars was The French Laundry in the Napa Valley. Michelin awarded two stars to four Bay Area restaurants with Cyrus in Healdsburg being the only Sonoma County recipient. Thirty-four restaurants received one star. The Sonoma County recipients are Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant in Forestville, Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, and Sante in Sonoma city.

Only 1 of the 25 most popular Bay Area restaurants according to Zagat is in Sonoma County: Cyrus. Not one other restaurant in Sonoma County made Zagat's most popular list.

The top rated restaurants for food in Sonoma County according to Zagat are Cyrus (29 points), Applewood Inn and Restaurant in Guerneville (27 points), and Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant (26 points).

"The San Francisco Chronicle's" top rating is four stars, which were awarded to one Sonoma County restaurant: Cyrus. Three Sonoma County restaurants received 3.5 stars: Madrona Manor, Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, and Dry Creek Kitchen (Healsburg). Eight restaurants are the recipients of three stars.

Lunchtime on my tours in Sonoma County usually finds my guests in either Healdsburg or the town of Sonoma. My favorite lunch spot in Healdsburg is Willi's Seafood, which features small plates of the freshest seafood. In Sonoma city, I recommend The Girl and the Fig for French influenced California food and Della Santina's for Italian cuisine. If you would like to take a private tour in Sonoma County that includes a meal at one of these great restaurants, contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Best Napa Valley Restaurants - 2009/2010

The new "Zagat 2010 Bay Area Restaurants" and "The Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area, and Wine Country Restaurants 2010" were recently released. Here's an update on the critics' favorite restaurants in the Napa Valley.

The only restaurant Michelin awarded three stars was The French Laundry in Yountville. Michelin awarded two stars to four Bay Area restaurants with The Restaurant at Meadowood being the only Napa recipient. Thirty-four restaurants received one star. The Napa recipients are Etoile at Domaine Chandon, Bouchon, and Redd in Yountville; La Toque and Ubuntu in Napa city, Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, Terra in St. Helena and Solbar in the Solage resort in Calistoga.

Only 2 of the 25 most popular Bay Area restaurants according to Zagat are in the Napa Valley: The French Laundry and Bouchon. Other Napa Valley restaurants on the list are Auberge du Soleil, Bistro Jeanty (Yountville), Ad Hoc (Yountville), Mustard's Grill(Yountville), Redd (Yountville), and Hog Island Oyster (Napa city).

The top rated restaurants for food in the Napa Valley according to Zagat are The French Laundry (29 points), Terra (27), Redd (27), Etoile (26), and La Toque (26)

"The San Francisco Chronicle's" top rating is four stars, which were awarded to one Napa Valley restaurant: The French Laundry. The following Napa Valley restaurants received 3.5 stars: Bistro Don Giovanni (Napa city), Redd, The Restaurant at Meadowood, and Terra. Twelve restaurants are the recipients of three stars.

My favorite lunch spot in the Napa Valley remains Auberge du Soleil. The combination of food, service, and view can't be beat. I've taken many happy guests to this restaurant. If you would like to take a private tour of the Napa Valley that includes a meal at one of these great restaurants, contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Barbecue on the Coast

If you travel to or from the Anderson Valley via the coast, you will pass through the small town of Gualala. There's not much to see in town -- just a bunch of shops and small strip malls spread along the sides of Route 1. However, at the south end of town we found a surprise overlooking the ocean -- a barbecue joint.

One doesn't usually associate the California coast with barbecue; coastal cuisine predominates. So looking for lunch and finding Bones Roadhouse was a pleasant surprise. Here we found good beer on tap; lots of Texas-style, wood-pit BBQ'd pork, chicken, ribs, and brisket; burgers; the usual sides; and an assortment of bar food. To top it off, you can gaze out over the Pacific while enjoying some pretty good barbecue. You can't do that in Texas!

If you find yourself passing through Gualala at lunch time, give Bones a try. If you're in town during the evening, you might find live music. Bones is at 39350 S. Highway One, but the address is not of much use. Just look for the restaurant on the west side of Highway One, just north of the Gualala River bridge. The phone number is (707) 884-1188.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Sonoma and Mendocino coast and the Anderson Valley that includes a stop at Bones Roadhouse, contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 327-4237 (toll free) or at Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Great Breakfast on the Mendocino Coast

As I've written in the past, the small village of Elk is one of my favorite places on the Mendocino coast. There are at least 5 bed and breakfasts sitting on the bluff overlooking the coast.

On our recent trip, we stayed in a vacation rental so had to cook our own breakfast or eat out. We, of course, headed to Queenie's Roadhouse Cafe. This unpretentious restaurant shares an old building with an auto mechanic. When you walk into the cafe, you are likely to see locals and tourists enjoying Queenie's egg dishes, waffles, pancakes, and other breakfast specialties. You'll also notice the fresh made pie sitting on the counter and the many signs on the walls extolling the virtues of being a Queen.

Come with an appetite as the portions are huge. But don't come if you're in a hurry. Each dish is individually prepared by Queenie herself so your breakfast may take some time to come to the table. Just remember that you're on vacation and good food is the top priority. Also, people watching on the Mendocino coast can be interesting. To paraphrase Dorothy, you'll know that you're not in Kansas anymore. When the food arrives at your table, you won't be disappointed.

Queenie's is open for breakfast and lunch from Thursday through Monday. Elk is located on California Route 1 about 20 minutes south of the town of Mendocino. Queenie's has a street address but it won't do you much good. Just look for the sign on the inland side of the road near the southern end of Elk. If you're coming from the Anderson Valley, take the Philo-Greenwood Road and turn right on Route 1.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Anderson Valley wine country and the Mendocino County coast that includes one of Queenie's meals, please contact contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Casual Lunch in the Russian River Valley

Graton is a small town in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Its business district is one block long but houses two nice, casual restaurants for lunch: Willow Wood Market and Underwood Bar and Bistro. The similar names are no coincidence; the restaurants have the same owner.

Both are good, but I prefer Willow Wood. I like both the atmosphere and food a little better at Willow Wood. I also like the option of dining outside. Willow Wood's lunch menu features a number of excellent salads, sandwiches, and dishes featuring polenta. My favorites are the smoked trout salad and roast pork tenderloin sandwich. On Sundays, Willow Wood also serves brunch, with a menu that includes many egg dishes. Willowwood Market serves lunch from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, brunch is served from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Underwood's menu is a little more substantial than Willow Wood's. The lunch menu includes a selection of oysters, salads, sandwiches, fish and pasta selections, and other hearty dishes. Underwood is open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Nearby wineries include Lynmar, Iron Horse, and Dutton Estate Sebastopol Vineyards.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Russian River Valley that includes lunch at Willow Wood Mark or Underwood Bar and Bistro, please contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel by calling (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or by clicking here.

Fine Dining at Mendocino's Cafe Beaujolais

Cafe Beaujolais has been serving visitors to Mendocino since 1969. After Margaret Fox purchased the restaurant in 1977, Cafe Beaujolais became nationally known for its outstanding breakfasts. In 1984, the restaurant began serving dinner. In 1990, the Beaujolais Brickery opened and diners could purchase wood-fired, brick-oven bread. Margaret Fox sold the restaurant in 2000 and the restaurant changed hands again in 2006.

Last year, I had a chance to buy some excellent breads from the Brickery but was not able to sample the new owners' dinners. In May, I finally had the chance to taste Executive Chef David LaMonica's French/California cuisine and can report that it was one of the best meals I've had along the Mendocino Coast. The filet mignon and sturgeon were both excellent. Service was attentive but informal, as one expects along the coast.

If you are planning a trip along the Mendocino coast, I definitely recommend dining at Cafe Beaujolais. It is open for lunch from Wednesday - Sunday and for dinner nightly. It stopped serving breakfasts many years ago, but you can purchase a cookbook with Margaret Fox's recipes. The restaurant is located at 961 Ukiah Street in the village of Mendocino. Advance reservations are recommended. If you would like to take a tour of the Anderson Valley and the Mendocino coast that includes dinner at Cafe Beaujolais, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Go Fish Update

A year ago I wrote about a then new seafood restaurant in the Napa Valley - Go Fish. At that time I found the food to be very good and the service to be problematic. Servers were friendly and courteous, but seemed to disappear for extended periods. Plus each step of the dining process took way too long.

Over the past year, I have lunched at the restaurant about a half a dozen times and can now report that the service problems have been fixed. The past three times, we were quickly greeted by our friendly servers and our meals came without extended delays.

The menu has been tweaked a bit over the past 12 months, but it still features an extensive menu of sushi and sashimi as well as a good number of western cooked meals.

Now I can unequivocally recommend Go Fish as a place to dine on your next visit to the Napa Valley. If you would like to take a private tour of Napa that includes lunch at Go Fish, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Food and Lodging in the Russian River Valley

One of my favorite restaurants is outside the small town of Forestville in the Russian River Valley. The Farmhouse Inn is a Michelin one-star restaurant serving excellent California cuisine. I have eaten at the Farmhouse a few times and the meals have always been superb. Of course I am a sucker for a good cheese course, and the Farmhouse Inn has one. You'll probably want some wine with your meal and you are sure to find something tasty on the restaurant's 20-page wine list. The restaurant is open for dinner from Thursday through Monday.

After your scrumptious dinner, you probably won't want to drive far to go home or to your hotel room. The Farmhouse solves that problem for you. Just walk across the driveway and spend the night (or two) in one of the Inn's well-appointed cottages. All of the rooms have queen or king beds. Many have fireplaces. Some rooms have jacuzzi tubs or saunas. There's no TV reception at the Farmhouse, but rooms are equipped with DVD players and flat-screen TVs. Bring your own discs or borrow some from the inn's library.

Even though you will go to sleep feeling well sated from dinner, you will probably wake up ready for some breakfast. That's no problem as a delicious country breakfast is included with the price of your room.

Lodging prices vary depending on the season and day of the week. During summer and fall try to reserve your room and/or dinner well in advance to avoid being disappointed.

Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel can pick you up at the Farmhouse to take you on a tour of the Russian River Valley and other nearby wine regions. To book a tour, call me toll free at (866) 326-4237 or e-mail me by clicking here.

Friendly French Cafe in Occidental

Last February I wrote about the small town of Occidental in the Russian River Valley and the Inn at Occidental. At that time, I did not have the opportunity to dine at the well-regarded Bistro des Copains. So on a recent overnight in Bodega Bay, I decided to drive the 30 minutes to check out this restaurant.

It was a typical winter's night in Occidental. The rain was pouring and the winds were blowing. When we entered the cozy restaurant, we were warmly greeted by owner, Michel Augsburger. We had many tables to chose from as not many folks were venturing out on this wet, chilly Monday night. We selected a window seat and decided on a red wine to help ward off the cold. While we were in California's wine country, Michel helped us select a French red to accompany the Provencal cuisine.

The bistro offers a very reasonably priced three-course tasting menu that changes daily. Since cassoulet - one of my favorites - was featured, my choice was easy. My wife opted for a salad and a thin-crust pizza. The food was good and the service casual and friendly. I definitely recommend dining at Bistro des Copains if you find yourself in West Sonoma.

I'd be happy to help you plan a vacation that includes a visit to the Russian River Valley or the Sonoma Coast. Just call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Sandwiches and Salads on Sonoma Plaza

If you are winetasting in Carneros or Sonoma Valley and just want a quick sandwich or salad for lunch, the Sunflower Caffe on Sonoma Plaza is the place to go. (The sign on the restaurant says, "Caffe," but all the internet listings say, "Cafe.") Using the freshest of ingredients, this pleasant bistro prepares a variety of light meals. On summer weekends, the Sunflower also offers sandwiches with freshly barbecued meats.

After placing your order at the counter, you will be given your drink and a number. Find a table and then wait for your meal to be brought to you. You can lunch inside on a rainy day, but on warm days you will want to sit out back in their sunny garden or at one of the tables in front facing the plaza.

The cafe is also a good spot to stop for coffee, espresso, and/or pastry.

Sunflower Caffe is located on the west side of Sonoma Plaza at 421 First Street West.

If you would like to take a private wine country tour in Sonoma County that includes lunch at the Sunflower Caffe, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Seafood Restaurant in the Napa Valley

Yesterday I finally got a chance to lunch at Go Fish Restaurant in St. Helena. This is chef Cindy Pawlcyn's third restaurant in the Napa Valley. Her first, Mustard's Grill, was among the first quality restaurants in the valley. Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen is a casual restaurant that I wrote about on March 27, 2006.

While the food was good at Go Fish, this is my least favorite of Cindy's three restaurants. We opened with raw oysters, which were delicious. The onion rings were as tasty as those featured at Mustard's Grill. My crabcake sandwich was about as good as it gets on the West Coast. My dining companions enjoyed their fish meals. However, a $21 dish with a lonely piece of swordfish in the middle and no sides is a bit pricey. We didn't taste any of the sushi or sashimi, which looked quite good. However, the prices were higher than I am accustomed to paying in San Francisco.

The service was alright, but we waited a bit to be attended to and it took awhile for my companion's wine to arrive.

While I would not discourage anyone from dining at Go Fish, it will not be among the first restaurants I recommend to Napa Valley visitors.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Napa Valley that includes a nice lunch, please call me at (866) 326-4237 or e-mail me by clicking here.

Nice, Small Cafe in Healdsburg

I recently ran into a concierge friend on the plaza in Healdsburg who had just lunched at the nearby Palette Art Cafe. My friend said she had had a nice meal at this small cafe, which I had never seen. So I decided to check out.

Turns out this pleasant cafe and gallery is in the back of the building at 235 Healdsburg Avenue, just south of the plaza. The La Crema tasting room is in the front of the building facing the street.

The menu contains a nice array of salads, sandwiches, small plates, and fondues. It's a perfect spot for a quality lunch, with no fuss. They also have some nice wines. So if you want a light dinner with a glass of wine, the Palette Art Cafe might be the spot for you.

The gallery displays the works of local artists. You can see works in both the cafe and in the gallery space on the other side of the courtyard. Works may also be viewed at the gallery's website: www.palette-art.com.

The cafe is open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. On weekends, they open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. If you are thinking of heading there on the late side, call first -- (707) 433-2788 -- to make sure they didn't close early.

If you would like to take a private wine country tour that includes a stop at the Palette Art Cafe for lunch, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Picnicking Along the Russian River Wine Rd. - Part II

Now that you have your picnic supplies, it's time to find a nice spot to enjoy your lunch.

In the Alexander Valley, two wineries have nice picnic areas. Field Stone Winery, at the southern end of the Valley (10075 Hwy. 128), has picnic tables under the trees near the winery. This shaded area provides a perfect respite to lunch with one of Field Stone's wines. More information on Field Stone is available in my June 21, 2006 post.

In the northern half of the Alexander Valley sits Stryker Sonoma (5110 Hwy. 128). This winery is best known for small lots of Bordeaux varietals and Zinfandel. The friendly tasting room staff will help you find the perfect wine to accompany your lunch. The picnic tables are just outside of the beautiful tasting room. Some tables are partially shaded, while others receive direct sunlight. So this may not be the best spot on the hottest of days. The rest of the year, you will enjoy your view of the nearby vineyards while eating your lunch and drinking a Stryker wine. Stryker is very close to the Jim Town Store (mentioned in my last post), where you can purchase your picnic supplies.

Two of my favorite picnic spots are both in the Dry Creek Valley - Lambert Bridge Winery and Passalacqua Winery. Both of these wineries have lovely picnic areas overlooking their gardens and the surrounding vineyards. Picnic tables are situated so you can sit in the sun or shade. I previously wrote about Passalacqua in my May 30, 2006. So you can check this post out for more details on this small winery.

Lambert Bridge is located at 4085 W. Dry Creek Road and sells its wine exclusively from the winery. If you want to taste Lambert Bridge's Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Chardonnay, and other varietals, you will have to visit. If you visit on a weekend, I recommend tasting the reserve wines in the barrel room.

In the Russian River Valley, I recommend picnicking at either Arista Winery or Hop Kiln Winery. Arista has one of the most beautiful gardens in all of wine country. While tasting Arista's Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, you can sit in a formal Japanese garden and enjoy your lunch. The sound of the nearby waterfall only adds to the tranquility. Arista is located at 7015 Westside Road.

Hop Kiln Winery is, not surprisingly, located in an old hop kiln. Prior to Prohibition, hops were widely grown in both Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. At Hop Kiln you can have a lovely picnic beside the duck pond or in the old fig garden. Hop Kiln is located at 6050 Westside Road.

If you would like to take a private, custom wine country tour that includes a picnic at one of these lovely wineries, please call me at (866) 326-4237 or e-mail me by clicking here.

Picnicking Along the Russian River Wine Rd. - Part I

Like my recent posts on the Napa Valley, I'll divide my recommendations for the Healdsburg area into two parts. This posting will feature places to pick up picnic supplies.

The town of Healdsburg is where the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys meet. On the southeast corner of the plaza (Matheson and Center Streets) is a branch of the Oakville Grocery, which I wrote about in the first part of my Napa picnicking post. Like the original in Oakville, this outlet is an excellent place to buy cheeses, deli meats, sandwiches, and salads.

In the Alexander Valley, the Jimtown Store, has wonderful sandwiches that you can either eat at picnic tables in the back of the store or take with you to one of the wineries. The store is located on Route 128, just west of the intersection with Pine Flat Road.

Not as upscale at the Jimtown Store is the Dry Creek General Store at the intersection of Dry Creek and Lambert Bridge Roads. Here you can pick up good sandwiches to eat at the picnic tables out front or take with you to your next winery stop.

Unfortunately, the Russian River Valley does not have a place in the heart of the wine region to pick up supplies. If you are heading that way, you may want to stop at the Whole Foods Market at 6910 McKinley Street in Sebastopol to get your food before you head further north.

In the next post I will recommend some wineries with beautiful picnic areas. Meanwhile, if you would like to take a private wine country tour that includes a picnic in the Healdsburg area, please call me at (866) 326-4237 or e-mail me by clicking here.

Picnicking in the Napa Valley - Part II

Many of the picnic areas in the Napa Valley are located at wineries on the Silverado Trail. However, one nice spot on Route 29 is Hall Winery in St. Helena. The winery is located next door to Dean and Deluca so it easy to get your supplies and then head to the winery for lunch. The historic tasting room was built in 1885. Outside is a small, picnic area under the trees.

If you are in the southern end of the Napa Valley, there are a few good spots for picnics. Clos du Val and Regusci in the Stags Leap District both have tables that are shaded by surrounding trees. Both wineries have excellent red wines. Clos du Val is best known for Cabernet, but also has Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Regusci is a small, family winery. Their production is limited, so at times they are sold out of some of their wines. However, their Cabernet and Merlot are usually available for tasting. Regusci's wines are big. If you like this style, don't miss this winery.

A little further north, where Yountville Cross meets the Silverado Trail, is Robert Sinskey Winery. Best known for Pinot Noir, this winery has an ever-changing list of wines available for tasting. The picnic area is on a terrace overlooking the valley. It's more exposed than the areas mentioned above, but has a nicer view.

Rutherford Hill Winery has a large picnic grounds on a hillside east of the town of Rutherford. The views are obstructed by the trees, but this picnic area is among the largest in Napa. If you like Merlot, Rutherford Hill should not be missed. To get to the winery take Rutherford Hill Road to the end.

When you picnic at a winery, please do not consume wines from other wineries. Not only would this violate the wineries' permits, but it is not considered good form. If you want wine with lunch, buy it from the winery. Usually they will open the bottle for you and loan you some wine glasses.

If you want to take a private tour of the Napa Valley that includes a picnic at one of these wineries, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here. I will customize the tour so you visit the wineries that best match your tastes and interest.

Picnicking in the Napa Valley - Part I

I've written about some dining options in Napa (see my March 27, 2006 post on Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen and May 9, 2006 post on Auberge du Soleil), but sometimes folks prefer a casual picnic at a winery. The first step in having a great picnic is getting quality food. There are three places I recommend in the Napa Valley.

First is the Oakville Grocery in the small town of Oakville. Located at the intersection of Hwy. 29 and Oakville Cross, this store doesn't look like much from the outside. Walk inside and you'll find a wide selection of prepared foods as well as a counter where you can order sandwiches and salads. This place tends to get mobbed at lunch time, so try to pick up your supplies early. There are a few picnic tables at the Grocery, so you enjoy your lunch under one of their redwoods if you prefer.

In the northern part of the Valley, the town of St. Helena has two places to pick up food and supplies. Dean and Deluca is located just south of the heart of St. Helena on Hwy. 29. This branch of a national chain has great cheese and deli counters as well as a counter that has prepared salads and makes sandwiches and salads on the spot. Less known in St. Helena is Sunshine Foods, which is at 1115 Main Street in the heart of St. Helena. This local grocery store has a counter that makes excellent sandwiches and salads and sells delicious prepared salads. Sunshine also has a wide selection of artisan cheeses. While Dean and Deluca has a bigger selection, Sunshine Market is far less crowded.

The next step on having a good picnic is finding the right picnic spot. I'll recommend some spots in my next post. Meanwhile if you would like to take a private, custom tour of the Napa Valley that includes a picnic lunch, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here. I always carry a cooler and picnic supplies, so you will have everything you need for a great lunch in Napa.

Fresh Seafood in Healdsburg

One of my favorite lunch spots in Healdsburg is Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar. This lively spot features small plates of fresh seafood, which are great for sharing. Their lobster and crab rolls are among the best in the Bay Area. They have tasty ceviches, skewers of grilled seafood, salads, fried oysters, and many other wonderful dishes. Accompany your meal with a local Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc and you will have a tasty lunch. You can dine either inside or on the patio in front of the restaurant.

Willi's is also open for dinner, so stop by in the evening if you are overnighting in Healdsburg.

Willi's is located at 403 Healdsburg Avenue, one block north of the Healdsburg Plaza. The phone number is (707) 433-9191.

If you would like to take a private, custom tour that includes a visit to Healdsburg and lunch at Willi's, make a reservation by calling (866) 326-4237 or e-mailing by clicking here.

Picnicking in the Dry Creek Valley

My favorite spot for picnicking in wine country is the terrace at Passalacqua Winery in the Dry Creek Valley. This small, family owned winery produces about 4,000 cases of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The terrace overlooks Passalacqua's neighbor's vineyards as well as the hills above the valley. Life doesn't get much better than enjoying a nice lunch with a good bottle of Passalacqua wine while gazing out over the lush vines on a warm, sunny day.

Before you start your lunch, be sure to taste Passalacqua's wines so you can purchase a glass or bottle to accompany your meal. The friendly staff will guide you through the full range of available wines.

Passalacqua is located at 3805 Lambert Bridge Road. The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. You can pick up picnic supplies at the Oakville Grocery in nearby Healdsburg or at the Dry Creek Store, at the corner of Lambert Bridge and Dry Creek Roads, a half mile from the winery. As at all winery picnic areas, you may only consume wine purchased at the winery.

If you would like to take a custom wine tour that includes a visit to Passalacqua, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Best Place for Lunch in the Napa Valley

Our rainy season has finally ended. The sun is shining and the days are warming up. Now is the perfect time to dine al fresco when visiting the Napa Valley. The best place to lunch outside is Auberge du Soleil. This restaurant and inn is located on a hill near Rutherford. When you make a reservation -- a must in the Spring, Summer, and Fall -- ask for outside dining. You will sit on the terrace overlooking the Valley. Not only will you have a spectacular view of the Valley, you will also dine in one of the finest restaurants around.

This is not a place to rush through lunch. You'll want to relax and slowly make your way through the courses. The food is California cuisine at its best. The wine list is the size of a telephone book. I have eaten at Auberge about a half-dozen times and each meal has been superb.

Life doesn't get much better than sitting outside on a warm, sunny day; gazing over the Napa Valley vineyards; and enjoying fine food and wine.

If you cannot get a reservation or decide to visit Auberge on the spur of the moment, you can always lunch at the more casual bar, which has a few outdoor tables.

Call (800) 348-5406 to make a reservation at the restaurant or inn. If you want to include lunch at Auberge du Soleil on a tour of the Napa Valley, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Casual Dining in St. Helena

The restaurant I most frequently recommend to my guests for a nice, casual lunch in the Napa Valley is Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena. Cindy's is perfect for visitors who want a good meal, but one that will not take two hours and set them back a chunk of change.

Lunch entrees include a burger to die for, a Chinatown duck burger, tasty Cobb and chicken curry salads, and more substantial fare that usually includes fresh fish and a "Big Beefy Cab Dish." The restaurant has a fine selection of local wines, plus many non-alcoholic beverages for those who want a break from winetasting. The No Heat-O and fresh squeezed limeade and lemonade are favorites.

Cindy Pawlcyn, co-owner of the restaurant, has been cooking in the Napa Valley for over 20 years. She opened Mustard's Grill, one of the first quality restaurants in the Valley, in 1983.

Cindy's is located at 1327 Railroad Avenue (one block east of Main Street; thus, "Backstreet Kitchen," in St. Helena. I recommend calling ahead for a reservation at (707) 963-1200.

Want a Napa Valley tour that includes a stop for lunch at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen? Then call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Lunch in the Russian River Valley

The Russian River Valley is home to wineries producing some of California's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I always recommend visiting this part of wine country to my guests who love Pinot. However, lunch options are limited.

Last week, I was invited to lunch at a wonderful restaurant on the east side of the Valley: John Ash & Co. Located in the Vintners Inn, John Ash features the best of California Cuisine. This restaurant was one of the first in northern Sonoma County to feature fine dining utilizing the freshest of ingredients. My group was treated to wonderful crab cakes and pork loin. Dessert options included the biggest piece of chocolate cake I have seen in many years and a tangy meyer lemon cheesecake. Vintners Inn is owned by the Carano family, who also own Ferrari-Carano Vineyards. So lunch was accompanied by three of their fine wines including their well-known Fume Blanc and a Black Muscat dessert wine that was too sweet for my taste, but loved by everyone else in my group. We enjoyed all of this great wine and food while gazing out at beautiful vineyards.

John Ash & Co. is located at 4350 Barnes Road, near the River Road exit off US 101. Reservations may be made by calling (707) 527-7687.

If you want to taste some great Pinot Noir and have lunch at John Ash, take one of my Hidden Vineyards Tours. Reservations may be made by calling (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mailing me by clicking here.

Wonderful Food at the Madrona Manor

On Tuesday, I was treated to a delicious meal at the Madrona Manor, a stunning Victorian mansion outside of Healdsburg. The mansion was built in 1881 and today contains an inn and restaurant. Nine rooms, as well as the restaurant, are located in the main building and more rooms are located in out buildings.

We were expecting a five course meal with a different wine paired with each course, but chef Jesse Mallgren through in an extra appetizer, a sorbet to cleanse our palates, an extra desert, and a truffle to make sure we went to sleep with an appropriate sugar buzz. I particularly enjoyed the Alaskan Char,the Painted Hills beef filet, and the chocolate souffle. I am not a beef eater, but the filet was one of the tastiest and tenderest pieces of beef I have ever enjoyed.

The Madrona Manor is the perfect spot for a romantic weekend. The inn is located at 1001 Westside Road, just west of the charming town of Healdsburg. You can phone the inn at (800) 258-4003.