433944 Wed Aug 22 13:49:30 -0700 2007 4 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2870750 We have a group of 6-8 people going up to Napa on Saturday. We are all between 25-30. We are looking for some recs for fun or funky wineries that perhaps offer a unique experience. We would also love a dinner rec for an early (5:00 pm) dinner, maybe $30-40/person for food, plus an atmosphere that can handle us after 6 hours of wine drinking. Any type of cuisine will work. TIA Wed Aug 22 13:49:30 -0700 2007 103870 Fussy Foodie 1 2871380 Some of the wineries we're thinking of are: Castello Di Amorosa Darioush Sterling Beringer Schramsberg Chateau Montelena Clos du Val Domaine Carneros Viansa For dinner we're thinking of Tra Vigne. Any Thoughts? Wed Aug 22 16:33:56 -0700 2007 2870750 103870 Fussy Foodie 2 2871415 Did you see the article on this webpage.. called the "Other Napa," under the Travel section, I thought they had some good insights. Putting French Laundry in the "overrated" section upset some people however. I like Tra Vigne, but never went when Chiarello was there, so nothing to compare with, but I love the wine braised short ribs, and also the fried calimari. Nice atmosphere, down to earth. Wed Aug 22 16:48:54 -0700 2007 2871380 120855 misterchinn 2 2875572 All the wineries you mention are relatively large and attract lots of tourists. Some of them are extremely crowded and busy. You also should include some of the excellent smaller wineries that are more private and give you more personal attention. Some examples: Joseph Phelps, Jarvis, Caymus, Burgess, Storybook Mountain, Far Niente, Duckhorn, Quintessa. Most require an appointment, so you have to call in advance. Some charge for tours/tastings (Jarvis is pretty expensive but worth it)--but just about all the places you mention also charge. There are many others. You can pick up magazines and maps that list the wineries and their visitor policies at almost any winery in Napa. Tra Vigna is also a very busy place. I prefer some of the really good smaller restaurants--Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, Redd (Yountville), and Terra are good. Thu Aug 23 16:40:35 -0700 2007 2871380 11017 stebro 3 2875607 Some of the more "festive" restaurants we visited were Brix and Bouchon. A 5:00 table should not be too difficult. Also, Don Giovanni seems to be pretty lively. 6 "slightly inebriated" diners should fit right in. Thu Aug 23 16:48:50 -0700 2007 2875572 50082 TonyO