Take A Napa Valley Tour

There is something both familiar and exciting about Napa, something that hits you the very moment you arrive and stays with you long after you’ve left. I guess it could be the fabulous views, partly made famous by Microsoft (yes, the green hillside photo on your computer was taken here), it could well be the friendliness you find at some of the 400 or so wineries here, it might even be the great food and sunshine but, in my opinion, it’s mostly to do with the world class wine.
Driving along Highway 29 is a surreal experience; you wind your way north through the Napa wine country, passing through the towns of Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga as well as countless wineries sprinkled along the sides of the highway against the ever-present hilly backdrop. Every winery shrouded by its manicured crop, each grown with their own techniques and a string of trade secrets. Rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot pass you by and continually whet your appetite for that first tasting, that chance to see why this is such a big deal.
And a big deal it really is, the wine industry here employs more than 8000 people, going up to 40000 if you include all the hospitality service that has grown around it, over 9 million cases are produced here each year and shipped all over the world. So is it really worth it? Tasting after tasting reveals that: yes it is definitely worth it! You never get tired of being led into one of the many cellars to appreciate how every winemaker has his/her very own style and philosophy. In the wine world it is all about the philosophy. Every cool and damp cellar hides a wealth of knowledge and a new exciting experience for your taste buds.
Wine tasting here is almost ceremonial and always very upscale. Everyone in the room concentrate on getting the most out of the wine and focus on a training of the senses. With every sniff a floral bouquet or a red berry undertone is studied and noted, the first sip is something of a fusion of flavors with most reds from Napa giving a strong complex expression, the whole experience is then rounded off with a good look at the movement of the wine in the glass, clinging to its crystal canvas like a rich red paint.
Of course everyone will have a different experience at each tasting, the beauty of Napa is that every producer has something to offer and every visitor will eventually find a favorite. And part of the fun is finding that special winery you love so much. Whether you do a very in-depth tour at Cakebread cellars, or you want to see fantastic architecture with the Italian castle at Castello di Amorosa or the French Chateau at Chateau Montelena, there really is something for everyone. Some wineries expect appointments but there are also many drop-in options. The ever famous Robert Mondavi, where you might have to fight the crowds a little, offers plenty of tours and, as well as being very informative, they give a little insight into the real beginning of California’s road to success. Between tastings you can indulge in a little picnic at one of the wineries or maybe a spot of lunch at Bouchon, where mussels, some baguettes and a couple of glasses of wine will recharge you quickly and in style!
The key to a good Napa tour is doing some research before hand and utilizing the services of an expert. In my case I chose to travel with www.napawinetours2go.com, they organized luxury transportation from winery to winery as well as a beautifully crafted wine tour that fit within the time constraints I had – a top service indeed.
All in all, Napa Valley presents the perfect balance for a winery tour, the fantastic wines; the excellent food and the unwaveringly beautiful scenery will make you want to return again and again. It sure seems like an eternity has past since the first grapes were planted here in 1838 and I presume that the first wine-maker, George Yount, would never have pictured how a few acres of vines could have led to such a blessed and wonderful travel destination as it is today.

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An ordinary guy making a life out of sharing extraordinary experiences,places and events with others.

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