A day out in Napa and Sonoma Wine Country

April 14, 2021 Food and Drink Photography San Francisco Things to do
I recently had an enjoyable day out in Napa and Sonoma Wine Country. Our tour started with a pickup in San Francisco before heading across the Golden Gate Bridge. After a 10 minute photo stop at North Vista Point with spectacular views over the San Francisco Bay we headed on to Sonoma Valley.

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

The first winery we visited was Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, a family famous for their hot tubs and now wine. Set in a magnificent building with a courtyard and roman fountain, it is the quintessential image of a winery. We had a tasting in a large private hall but there is also a tasting bar for those not in groups. We tried all of the wines in the image above, my favorite being La Dolce Vigna. After our wine tasting we explored the grounds and went up into the observation tower for a breathtaking view of the valley. Jacuzzi is also famous for their olive press. You can sample all of the different olive oils and balsamic vinegar in the separate tasting room. Jacuzzi really is a must do if you want that grand opulent winery experience.

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Robledo Family Vineyards

Next stop was Robledo Family Winery, founded by Reynaldo Robledo who arrived in America from Mexico at the age of 16. This winery has a more rustic feel to it which was made for a relaxed atmosphere. Most people working at the winery are Robledo family members, including the founder who still works beside his children and grandchildren. We tasted 5 different wines including a very nice Moscato Dessert Wine which wasn’t too sweet. I really liked Robledo Family Winery because there was a nie feeling to it due to the family atmosphere and the passion they have for their wine. Go visit La Familia the next time you are in Sonoma Wine Country.

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Lunch in Yountville

For lunch we stopped in downtown Yountville. We ate at Ottimo, owned by Michael Chiarello from Iron Chef fame. They make their own mozzarella on premises and you can choose from some amazing meat and cheese plates, personal pizzas and paninis.

Markham Vineyards

After lunch we headed to Markham Vineyards. The tasting manager Steven was great! He was informative and engaging, and he had everyone laughing. We visited their barrel room which was stacked to the ceiling with wine barrels. It was interesting to smell the oak and let you understand how the barrels affect the taste of the wine. The main tasting room of Markham has a very modern feel, almost like an art gallery. In fact there was a lot of Bay Area and San Francisco related art on display on the walls, featuring the likes of Jerry Garcia and Jimi Hendrix.

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Conclusion

Although every wine country tour is different and the wineries may vary on each tour, we felt that these were great choices for a full day wine tour. We had a wonderful day with lots of new inspiration about wine and with a breathtaking scenery all around! If you want to visit the Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Country, book a tour with us today.