A Guide to Wine

DAY ONE

Check in at your hotel. Consider making a reservation at a wine-centric property such as Calistoga Wine Way Inn. The Wine Country Inn has rooms with stunning vineyard views.

Start your wine tasting experience where it all began, at Chateau Montelena. Besting French whites in the ’76 Judgment of Paris, it was a Chateau Montelena ’73 chardonnay that placed first in the grand tasting at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Paris. The results proved Chateau Montelena as a fine wine producer, and California’s wine industry had come of age. Beyond its world-class wines, the chateau is eye candy for architectural enthusiasts. Are you ready to schedule an exclusive tour of the property? You may want to book an experience to taste wines in one of the private, Chinese pagodas in the center of Jade Lake.

From Chateau Montelena, enjoy a leisurely drive down the scenic Silverado Trail to Davis Estates, a posh winery with a rustic vibe. Indulge in tasting a wine flight in the unparalleled tasting room with its stellar view of Castello di Amorosa.

Come back downtown for dinner at Evangeline, a French-Cajun-style bistro with a phenomenal wine list featuring New and Old World options. The sweet and spicy flavors from the kitchen mingle with scent of jasmine on its patio trellis sure to carry you away for an evening of relaxation.

DAY TWO

Pick up a cup of coffee and a light breakfast at Calistoga Roastery and warm up for a day of wine tasting adventures!

Head to Jericho Canyon Vineyard and buckle up for a thrilling Polaris ride through its steep, hillside vineyards (weather dependent). The view from the top of the hill is beyond spectacular. Off-road, the adventure continues with an exclusive tasting of small-production, high-end wines served in the wine cave. A bit down the road from Jericho Canyon, stop in to Amici Cellars for a friendly, laid back tasting experience in the barrel room, or, if pre-arranged, upstairs in the more formal tasting room with a glorious view of Calistoga.

Now that you’ve spent your morning wine tasting and exploring, it may be time for a lunch break at Lovina, a relaxed restaurant in downtown Calistoga with a farm-to-table style menu and a wine list featuring primarily Calistoga wines. Plus, you’ll also find a fun wine list addition of “Kaitlin’s Unicorn Wines”, exclusive wines from small batch wineries available at Lovina. Fun Fact: If visiting on a Thursday, bring a bottle from your new favorite Calistoga winery and Lovina will waive your corkage fee!

Make one last winery visit of the day! At Brian Arden Winery, one of the newest wineries in Calistoga, one that features a panoramic view of the Palisades Mountains. Schedule an appointment for the Chef Bites Tasting experience and you’ll be greeted with a glass of bubbly, followed by a garden and vineyard tour and a seated tasting paired with seasonal, culinary bites.

DAY THREE

Begin the day with a laidback brunch at Calistoga Inn, Restaurant & Brewery. If weather permits, and it usually does, choose to sit outside in the garden patio. Inside is pretty cozy, too.

Now that your appetite is satiated, are you ready for wine tasting? You may want to register in advance for a private wine blending session at Bennett Lane Winery, an unforgettable experience that includes a vineyard tour, sensory evaluation seminar, custom blending and cheese pairing. You’ll have fun blending, bottling, and even cork, foil and label your own bottle of Maximus Red Feasting Wine. Once you’re done, you can taste your own blend and other Bennett Lane wines, all paired with an assortment of cheese. This is an experience that simply can’t be missed for any self-proclaimed oenophile!

Down the road a bit is Tamber Bey Vineyards, located on Sundance Ranch, a world-class equestrian facility. Tour the property and catch a glimpse of the performance horses in action before enjoying a signature wine-tasting flight and savory cookie pairing. This should be enough to tide you over until a late lunch.

If you would rather tour the wineries of Calistoga and the Napa Valley with a guide, sign up for a private tour with Platypus Tours. Or if you are feeling adventurous, head to Calistoga Bikeshop for maps and some wheels to explore Calistoga on a bike.

After a light and refreshing lunch, wander through downtown Calistoga and check out Calistoga Wine Stop Be sure to stop in to browse through wine-inspired gifts at Blackbird of Calistoga and wine books and journals inside Copperfield’s Books.

Finish out your visit to Calistoga with an appointment at Larkmead Vineyards. Explore the classic red wines of Napa Valley from the heart of the vineyards along Larkmead Lane, as well as unusual blends created by their award-winning winemaker. Be sure to pack up your case of newfound favorite wines to ship home with Adams Street Shipping. You can even bring a case of wine with you on your Alaska Airlines flight from the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport!