We go to the California Wine Country every year for short vacation.  One of things we have found over the years, is that it is very difficult to get suggestions of itineraries and wineries to visit.  Sure there are a lot of them, and taste is an individual thing, but without some type of guidance you’ll probably just be fishing in a large pond, and only catching small fish when what you really want is that trophy Bass.  Therefore I thought that I’d try to start a travel section within the Wine Tonite site.  You will note very quickly that we normally only visit places by appointment and normally avoid the mass market wineries unless they have speciality sections.   Granted its only my opinion, but for what its worth, here is my favorite Napa routing for an absolutely perfect day. 

Starting at the bottom of the valley just outside of Napa on Rapp lane is a wonderfull estate winery, that tries hard to hide, called Frazier.  http://frazierwinery.com/  The wine cave here is tremendous and the cave tasting room is wonderfully intimate.  The Cabernets here will compete with the best anywhere at a much lower price point than other premium wines like to sell for.  The top Cab is called Memento and is100% free run from the best of the best.  You can continue to step down the ladder to whatever price point you are looking for.  No outsourcing here and all grapes are hand selected.  We are members of this wine club and it is top quality.  Visit by appointment only.   Start you day here early and then head North to Kuleto.

Kuleto Estates, http://kuletoestate.com/ takes a little time to get to as it is up on the eastern ridge overlooking the valley so allow enough time.  It’s by appointment only as well and once you book a time they will send you the gate code to get in.  It is owned by famed restaurateur Pat Kuletowho also lives on the ridge with the winery.  As a side note there is very private guest house that can be rented with some of the most unbelievable views you will have ever seen.  The wines are hand crafted and wonderfull.  This stop could very well be the highlight of day if not the trip.  We just got our winter shipment.  Most lots bottled are under 300 cases.  When you can tear yourself away, head back down to valley floor to Kelham.

Kelham vineyards, http://www.kelhamvineyards.com/home/ on Zinfandel lane is really hidden Gem that does not advertise.  For many years the Kelham family only farmed the prime acreage they owned and sold to the very top wineries in Napa.  A few years back they decided to literally take the best of the grapes from their oakville property and put their own label on it.  This property is bordered by Opus One and Far Niente and Swanson.  You don’t get much better than that.  One of the best parts is that they hold the wine an additional year or 2 before release so much of the tannins etc have mellowed and it is normally drinkable without excessive cellaring.  Plan on sitting on their porch and enjoying the scenery while enjoying some of the best of Napa at very reasonable price points.  By appointment only.  If you can tear yourself away and there is still some time left in the day, head south just a couple of miles to Swanson.

Swanson vineyards, http://www.swansonvineyards.com// has an elaborate and elegant tasting house just off of the main road.  You will need an appointment and gate code to get in.  The actual vineyard borders Kelham, Opus, etc as well so the wines are universally good.  The best part of their wine club is you get to customize your shipments and they are really easy to work with.  We don’t normally buy many white wines, however both the Kelham and Swanson whites are some of the best we have ever had- even though the selections are heavy to the red. 

While 4 wineries in a day may not seem like a lot, I will guarantee you that by the time you finish these 4 the day will be over and you will feel like you have just had one of the best days of your life.  You not only went fishing in the big pond you got 4 trophies.  You could actually build them in any order based upon reservations, but this suggestion minimizes the driving time assuming you are staying somewhere in the southern Napa area. 

If this thread seems to satisfy a need, I will build some more.  There are additional Napa suggestions as well as Sonoma, and Russian River Valley trips I could document.  Hope you enjoy the ramblings of this wine lover.  Till next time.