24729 Fri Jun 27 14:23:34 -0700 2003 22 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 97177 I'm fleshing out the details of one day on our upcoming trip. I have some random questions that I thought to throw out. Here goes: ** Russian River Valley vineyards: Looking to make an early morning (10ish) visit to a vineyard in the area. Any ideas for PN, Chardonnay, Sav Blanc? We're already hitting Gary Farrel and Hartford. Wanted to hit Rochioli but their PN is no longer available. We'll be doing sparkling later in the day so would prefer not to duplicate that. ** Drive time: Also, at this morning time on a weekend, how long should I estimate for the drive to the Russian River Valley from Yountville? ** Lunch recommendation: After a tasting in Healdsburg, we have some time for lunch before at tasting in Calistoga. I was thinking Oakville Grocery, but let me know if you have any other recommendations. Nothing too big and heavy as we'll be going to FL later that evening. Thanks as always... Fri Jun 27 14:23:34 -0700 2003 0 HungryHoward 1 97180 Consider tasting Porter Creek Winery Pinot Noir, and anything else they have. They are close to GF. Between H'burg and Calistoga, on Hwy 128 is Jimtown Store, which is charming and has a variety of prepared foods. Fri Jun 27 14:43:12 -0700 2003 97177 0 MarkB 2 97200 Porter Creek has a nice setting, although the tasting room is basically a shack. Wines are decent though. You can get good PN at Martinelli which is on the main artery (River Rd, I think). Fri Jun 27 16:53:33 -0700 2003 97180 0 Hans Gruber 3 97251 For Martinelli, I'd offer the same advice as for Rochioli - best to call ahead to see what they're pouring before trying to squeeze it into a tight itinerary. And, yes, it's on River Road, not that far from Joseph Swan Vineyards. Sat Jun 28 04:27:30 -0700 2003 97200 0 Melanie Wong 1 97184 1 - Try the PN and SB at Dutton Ranch / Sebastopol. I haven't tried their wines recently, but I was quite impressed with their PN when I tasted there about 2 years ago. 2 - I'd estimate an hour if things go smoothly. Oakville Grade is probably the most direct route, and a lot of fun if you like mountain roads. Another vice of mine, after food and wine, is driving my Miata just a bit too fast on twisty roads. (g) 3 - Opinions on Oakville Grocer tend to be strongly polarized around here. I happen to like it, though I admit it is a bit pricey. The one in Healdsburg is nice because you can sit outside in the courtyard next to the town square. I'm sure there are other great lunch places that chowhounds can recommend, but I don't think you'll go wrong with Oakville Grocer. -Nick Fri Jun 27 16:01:00 -0700 2003 97177 0 nja 2 97187 Instead of Oakville Grade, I would recommend north to Calistoga, then follow the signs to Santa Rosa but take the fork to Mark West Springs Road (please check a map for the appropriate turns). This is a much less windy and steep road than Oakville Grade, quicker and more direct. This will wind up at the intersection of River Road and Hwy 101 which is the Russian River Valley appellation. Time from Calistoga to 101 should be about 30 mins. if there's no traffic. All bets are off if it's busy. Fri Jun 27 16:09:53 -0700 2003 97184 0 Melanie Wong 3 97201 Thanks for the suggestions! Fri Jun 27 17:01:33 -0700 2003 97187 0 HungryHoward 3 97202 The turn for Santa Rosa is onto Petrified Forest Road 1 mile N from stoplight in Calistoga, look for the stopsign and turn left). 5 miles along Petrified Forest Road you come to Porter Creek Road (nowhere near the winery, by the way), turn right and about 10 miles later you'll be on River Road which takes you to the RRV appellation. I would recommend Joseph Swan on Laguna Road, turn left on Trenton off River and immediately left on Laguna. They have a bone dry (0.0 residual sugar) Gewurztraminer, excellent Pinots, Zins and Rhone varietals as well. I believe they are open from 11am-4:30pm Saturday and Sunday only. It is close enough to Gary Farrell ~10 minutes, that you could go to Joseph Swan 2nd and then head to Porter Creek or elsewhere (Lambert Bridge, maybe). I would definitely recommend Oakville or Jimtown for lunch and drive down 128 through Alexander Valley and then Knight's Valley back to Calistoga and beyond. After Jimtown, the road turns 90 degrees to the right and about 1.5 miles down is Hanna Winery on the left. They have a very nice Sauvignon Blanc as well as view up the Alexander Valley from their tasting room. Fri Jun 27 17:27:37 -0700 2003 97187 0 Andy Jacob 4 97210 Great directions and recommendations. Incidentally, Hanna caught my eye last night while reviewing the WS detailing the Top 100 of 2002. Fri Jun 27 18:28:10 -0700 2003 97202 0 HungryHoward 5 97250 Bless Andy for filling in the details. He's laid out a nice roundtrip for you. Another traffic issue - getting through St. Helena can be a bear - best to take the Silverado Trail from Yountville to Calistoga to go around downtown congestion. Sat Jun 28 04:22:23 -0700 2003 97210 0 Melanie Wong 6 97253 Should you plan on driving down Hwy 128 through Knight's Valley, you might consider an appointment at Peter Michael Winery off of Trout Farm Road. If at all possible, I highly recommend that you check out there guest house which is available for something on the order of $150 per couple per night (max 3 couples) for future reference. Hiking trail, with art, a lake with catch and release fishing (Smallmouth Bass, Trout and Catfish), a deck w/ hottub with a view of Mt. St. Helena - could it get any better? I have had a delicious homemade meal there with friends that may be my new favorite way to prepare Salmon. (To keep this about food). Broiled Salmon with Apple Butter Reduction - 3 Apples cored and diced, 3 sticks of cinnamon, 1/2 stick butter, 1/2 cup cream, 1/2 cup oil. Reduce for 1.5 hours on low heat stirring occaisionally. Cook Salmon to doneness and portion the Apple Butter Reduction over the top. Even after 2nds I was still ready to lick the pan. Sat Jun 28 06:25:37 -0700 2003 97250 0 Andy Jacob 7 97268 What wine do you like with that prep: a riesling or gewurtz perhaps? Thanks. Sat Jun 28 15:48:39 -0700 2003 97253 0 Tom Hall 8 97273 Whatever's open at the time. ;-) Seriously, your suggestions are good. That night we actually had a very special wine - 3 L Joseph Phelps 1984 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It was wonderful, full bodied and had staying power through the meal. Lately, I have been discovering the Pinot Noir Rose's and I believe that would go nicely as well. Sat Jun 28 16:50:20 -0700 2003 97268 0 Andy Jacob 2 97220 Unless you are a masochist driver, DO NOT take Oakville Grade. My wife and I are experienced mountain drivers, and it is (in the vernacular) a bitch. Follow Melanie's advice...she knows the drill in that part of the wine country. Fri Jun 27 19:56:58 -0700 2003 97184 0 Jim H. 3 97224 If you're like the guy in the car commercial who zones out when he sees the road with all the switchbacks, you GOTTA take the Oakville cutoff. But do it in the opposite direction, because after you've weathered the winding road up to and over the crest you'll be rewarded with the sudden dramatic view of the Napa Valley spread out before your eyes. There's even a short turnout, on the left side, where you can stop and drink in the view. Be aware that the Oakville cutoff is called "Trinity Road" if you approach it from the Sonoma side (on Highway 12). Fri Jun 27 20:22:18 -0700 2003 97220 0 Gary Soup 1 97270 You're all amazing. New wineries to visit. Specific directions there and back. And even a new, must recipe for salmon. A couple more questions, if I can... -- At least according to the search engine, there are not a slew of posts on Roux beyond Ruth's from spring 2002. Are there any "can't miss" dishes you'd point us to? -- We're taking Saturday to spend the day in SF. Unlike our days in Napa/Sonoma, we thankfully don't have much planned. Well, as recommended in earlier discussions, we will be going to lunch at Zuni Cafe and I want to spend some time at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Almost forgot, my wife is itching to grab a tourist cocktail at the Top of the Mark. Any other suggestions for a real SF experience are welcome. Also, any suggestions on what to do with the rental car is appreciated (dump it in a lot? drive point to point...?). Many thanks! Sat Jun 28 16:08:02 -0700 2003 97177 0 HungryHoward 2 97274 Irish Coffee's were invented at the Buena Vista cafe overlooking Aquatic Park. I've never had any complaints taking guests there. I'd park all day if I were you. The walk back to the Fisherman's Wharf area through North Beach is not bad. Sat Jun 28 16:56:09 -0700 2003 97270 0 Andy Jacob 2 97278 You might want to check the ferry schedules for either Vallejo or Corte Madero. Park in their lots and take the boat into the City. Sat Jun 28 17:10:11 -0700 2003 97270 0 Melanie Wong 3 97304 Oops, make that the Larkspur ferry, not Corte Madera. Sun Jun 29 15:59:26 -0700 2003 97278 0 Melanie Wong 4 97337 Thanks for the input. Mon Jun 30 11:20:50 -0700 2003 97304 0 HungryHoward 2 97279 Maybe dump it in a lot near the Ferry Plaza Market (you're acquiring a cooler for this trip, right? Wouldn't want to leave fresh produce, cheese and wine in a hot car). Parking in SF -- like most big cities -- can be a nightmare, plus some people find the hills rather daunting -- Melanie can tell her story about driving Jim Leff on one of our "disappearing" streets. Muni sells a one-day pass for something like $6 that's good on all Muni, including the cable cars (what better way to get to the Top of the Mark than by cable car?). If I just had one day in San Francisco I'd definitely use some sort of combination of walking and public transit -- hopping on and off when you see an area you want to explore. I think the most "only in SF" thing about SF is the amazing mosaic of neighborhoods, the topography and the architecture. From the top of Nob hill is only a couple of blocks to the heart of Chinatown, and Chinatown bleeds into Northbeach. If I were you I'd start at the Ferry Plaza market, take the California St. cable car up Nob Hill, then walk downhill a couple of blocks to Grant, walk down Grant to Columbus (stop at Golden Gate Bakery on Grant for the best egg custard tarts in town), walk up Columbus to Washington Square (stop along the way for either a cappuchino or a gelato, depending on the weather, and perhaps detour a couple of block farther on Columbus to XOX for truffles), then up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, down the steps on the other side to the Embarcadero, and catch the F street car to Zuni for a late lunch (since you snacked in Chinatown and Northbeach). I'll let someone else plan your afternoon for you! And you're going to take the Golden Gate bridge out of town on your way to the wine country, right? Don't forget to stop at the vista point on the north end of the bridge and also take a few minutes to take the road to the headlands on the west side of the bridge -- there are lots of turn outs and wide shoulders where people get out to gape at one of the most spectacular views in the world (yes, it really is that much better than the view from the vista point)! Sat Jun 28 17:20:03 -0700 2003 97270 0 Ruth Lafler 3 97347 A perfect SF walking tour from Ruth. I would add only one "classic SF" stop: Caffe Trieste at Vallejo and Grant in North Beach. On Saturdays they have live music. Read all about it in the link. Another great stop (a MUST if you are a musician) is Clarion Music in Chinatown to see--and if you're lucky, play with--their huge collection of instruments from all over the world. http://www.clarionmusic.com Link: http://www.caffetrieste.com Mon Jun 30 12:41:38 -0700 2003 97279 0 nja 1 97521 Try to stop by J Winery. Their Pinot Noir is great; the tasting room is beautiful and it comes with food pairings. For lunch, a comfortable place with good food is Bear Republic Brewing Company. Wed Jul 02 02:25:29 -0700 2003 97177 0 Cassie