AIR:  The closest major airport to the Napa wine country is Oakland. There is a daily non-stop flight to Oakland now from Nashville. Most other airports will require a change of planes. Napa is about 40 miles from Oakland, 46 miles from San Francisco, and about 58 miles from Sacramento.

ORIENTATION:  It is very important to become familiar with the territory before you go. Napa looks compact on a map, but it will take longer to get from place to place than you think. If you belong to AAA, they have an excellent Wineries Guide Map, and their travel book on California has lots of useful information. It is a good idea to get a California highway map before you go. Local maps can be acquired through www.napavalleytourmap.com or www.napavalleyguidebook.com or www.napavintners.com/maps/. Just typing "Napa Wineries" into your search engine will generate numerous additional sites. Napa wine country is located between the towns of Napa in the south, and Calistoga to the north, with Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena in between. There are two main north-south routes through the Valley. The most heavily traveled, but the shortest distance between these points, is Rt. 29. For a more leisurely drive, use the Silverado Trail, which parallels Rt. 29 to the east. Some of the world’s best and most famous wineries are located along these two roads.

TRANSPORTATION:  Several tour companies provide service from Bay area airports to the wine country. If you have only one day, this is a good option. In the town of Napa, three companies offer limousine service, accommodating up to 8 passengers per limo. Alternatively, there is a winery shuttle that picks up and drops off at most Napa hotels and bed and breakfasts. Most will provide lunches and pick up your wine purchases also. If you are doing the wine country on your own, you will want a rental car, but keep in mind that you will need a “designated driver” if you plan to make a lot of tasting stops.

LODGING AND RESTAURANTS:  It is best to go to your local bookstore and purchase a travel guide that describes in detail the options that are available. We recommend Insiders’ Guide to California’s Wine Country ($18.95). There isn’t a lot of inexpensive “no frills” lodging in Napa, but, after all, this place is about pleasure and good living. There are dozens of charming bed and breakfasts, hotels, inns, spas, and resorts to choose from. Many come with fireplaces, hot tubs, saunas, sweeping views, and complimentary wines. If charm and romance appeal to you, this is the place! Good food, of course, is a natural companion to good wines, and great restaurants abound in Napa, trending toward California cuisine with French or Italian accents. Some of the more upscale restaurants may require jackets and reservations, but most are California “laid-back”.

WINERIES:  Now we come to the main reason for your visit. There are about 400 wineries in Napa alone, so planning how to spend your time is crucial. Random drives up and down the byroads can only lead to frustration and disappointment. Depending on your starting point, look at the winery map and guide and decide which ones you want to visit. Are there vintners whose wines you have particularly enjoyed? Brands that you have seen or heard of that you want to try? Or are you looking for boutique wines that you have never heard of and maybe can’t get back home? Some wineries aren’t open to the public. Others aren’t open every day. Some offer tours and tastings by appointment only. An increasing number of them charge for tastings. Keep in mind that a tour and tasting is going to take an hour or more. You won’t be able to try every wine on the table, and you can only visit so many wineries in one day, so learn to be selective. Be on the lookout for varietals that you’ve never tried before. Discovering something new like Charbono, Nebbiolo, or Marsanne can make your Napa visit especially memorable. Don’t forget to inquire about “calendar” wines. These are older vintages that have been cellared for several years. Vintners take great pride in these more mature wines, and may be moved to provide you with a taste. It is useful to keep notes on the wines you’ve tasted and how you rated them. If you are interested in specific wineries, most have websites that give driving directions, visiting hours, varieties of wines produced, and other information.

ACTIVITIES:  If you will be in Napa for several days, and your palate needs a rest, you may want to check out other activities. One of the big attractions is the Wine Train that goes from Napa to St. Helena and back, passing 26 wineries along the way. The cars are fitted with antique mahogany, brass, and crystal; the vineyards are beautiful; and meals and wines are available. Several outfits in Napa offer balloon rides over the vineyards in early morning with a continental breakfast and a sparkling California white afterwards. More energetic visitors can opt for a bike tour along the back roads of wine country. A support van carries the picnic lunches and wines, and provides a lift back for weary cyclists. A must-do in downtown Napa is Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts. This is a cultural museum and education center featuring special programs, classes, exhibitions, and demonstrations that bring together famous chefs, home cooks, winemakers, wine lovers, and artists. If nothing else strikes your fancy, you can even take a gondola ride down the Napa River!

The wine industry puts $45 billion annually into California’s economy, and life in Napa revolves around the grapes. If you plan to visit during the crush- the busy season mid-September to late October when grapes are being harvested- you’d better reserve early. You’ll be more knowledgeable after your visit to wine country, and you’ll take home memories to last a lifetime. All the wine guys have been there, done that. Tuck this advice away, and ask Jeff, Jerry, Bob, or Jack about their wine country experiences the next time you are in the store.