Other Than Wineries Suggestions for Napa/Sonoma

[learnoff]

Hi! My husband and I are going to be in San Francisco/Napa/Sonoma for about 10 days the end of Sepetember. We'll visit wineries but would love recommendations for "foodie" type acitivites other than wine - place where they make their own olive oil? Chocolate? Please where we might take a cheese making class? Thanks!

[Michelle Grinnell]

As Kresge86 mentioned, Napa valley Olive Oil Comany and Long Meadow Ranch are both great spots to consider for Olive Oil. I would also encourage a visit to Round Pond for wine and olive oil tastings (located in Rutherford just south of St. Helena). http://www.roundpond.com/

For chocolates, you must consider making a stop in at Woodhouse in St. Helena, where the chocolates are handcrafted there in the back of the shop. You won't be dissapointed - they are truly incredible. http://www.woodhousechocolate.com/

[Robert Lauriston]

Copia's eminently skippable, and V. Sattui is best avoided.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/493413
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You might consider skiipping Napa Valey entirely, the Sonoma wine areas are much nicer, there's less traffic, fewer tourists, and the area has maintained more of its agricultural diversity.

[RevrendAndy]

Dean & DeLuca is a must stop. After gazing wonderously at all the products, pick up some lunch and walk across the street to the picnic tables at V Sattui. Visit Copia in Napa.

[kresge86]

This is not a definitive list, but here are some of my favorites.

1. Napa Valley Olive Oil Company - Funky store/deli down Charter Oak from Tra Vigne in St. Helena that sells really good olive oil in plain jugs. Nice sense of old Napa.
2. Long Meadow Ranch - Take the basic tour. LMR produces wine, olive oil, produce and Highland Beef - all organic. Beautiful location and interesting tour.
3. Oxbow Public Market - A fun stop in the town of Napa, next door to Copia.
4. Hess Winery - Beautiful location on Redwood Road, with an interesting art collection.
5. Scharffenberger Chocolates - Take the tour. Located in Berkeley.
6. Marin Sun Farms - If they are offering a farm tour, sign up. If not, check out their butcher shop in Pt. Reyes Station.
7. Cowgirl Creamery in Pt. Reyes Station - You can watch them making cheese, and taste from their amazing selection (not just their own cheese).
8. Wild Flower Bakery - Fantastic bakery in Freestone (Sonoma Co).
9. Lucas Wharf at Bodega Bay - Watch the boats unload their catch. Some of the cleanest fish around SF.
10. SF Cheese School - Not cheese-making, but they offer some great cheese classes.
11. Harley Farms - If you make it down to Pescadero (South of SF), stop by this fantastic goat cheese farm and/or take a tour.
12. SF Ferry Building Farmers Market - A definite "must" for any foodie.

[sonomajom]

McElroy's olive oil in Petaluma has open days from time to time you might want to Google that
Wine Country Chocolates in Glen Ellen has good chocolates they make themselves - i believe on the premises. They also have a retail store in on eof the alleyways off the plaza in Sonoma
I believe the new winery Jacuzzi, on highway 121 on the way into Sonoma also makes olive oil
Redwood Hill goat cheeses in west Sonoma county also has open days but I think they are usually in spring

[Robert Lauriston]

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