22955 Tue Feb 11 19:54:33 -0800 2003 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 86089 I'm trying to get some input as to a good wine tour/valley to go to. Are they all pretty much the same or are some better than others? (Food, wine, etc.?) Can anyone recommend one over another? Thanks! Tue Feb 11 19:54:33 -0800 2003 0 jenalr 1 86093 I'm assuming you're referring to the big two, Sonoma & Napa. (However, Santa Cruz, Monterey, El Dorado/Placerville, and Amador are all wonderful if slightly less attention grabbing wine regions within close range of the SF Bay Area.) I'll try to give you a general picture to get you started, but I also suggest using the Control + F feature on your computer (key words: Napa, Sonoma, wine, wine country and/or the search option). Napa is a smaller area, more condensed, more popular and often consequently busier, and more expensive. Because it's a smaller area, you can visit a more diverse selection of wineries producing a more diverse selection of products in less time. Sonoma is a large county, and the wine regions are spread out, so best bet is to pick one area - say Dry Creek or Alexander Valley (both anchored by the town of Healdsburg) - and focus. Often it's less crowded (some say less snobby). I think both have great food, however the Napa restaurants seem to get more press. Tue Feb 11 20:48:52 -0800 2003 86089 0 Jennie Sheeks 2 86109 Not to be too picky but I believe the Napa wineries to be less varied than Sonoma, in part because they seem to emphasize cabernet, merlot and chardonnay, except maybe in the Carneros area where pinot grows. I would agree that it is much more compact and easier to see more wineries quicker because of that. Also Napa is cosiderably more likely to charge for tasting. Wed Feb 12 12:12:49 -0800 2003 86093 0 Tom Hall 3 86137 Any suggestions for a nice winery in Sonoma Valley? Also....what is a good sweet red wine? Thanks for your help! Wed Feb 12 18:04:47 -0800 2003 86109 0 jenalr 1 86094 I would highly recommend combining a visit to Healdsburg in Sonoma County (for shopping, dining and walking about) with a wine tasting tour out Dry Creek Road, which virtually leads right out of downtown Healdsburg. Dry Creek Road thru Dry Creek Valley is a VERY pretty spot. Wineries to visit include Pezzi King, Dry Creek Vineyard, Rafanelli, Pedroncelli, Mazzocco, Ferrari-Carano, Preston, Pedroncelli, etc. and all are within a 20 minute drive of Healdsburg. Most of these wineries are still family owned & operated and do not get the tour bus traffic. Tue Feb 11 21:24:13 -0800 2003 86089 0 DavidT 2 86114 Don't forget about Seghesio and Unti -- all close to (or in) Healdsburg and wonderful. Wed Feb 12 13:25:42 -0800 2003 86094 0 small guy