Napa & Sonoma: What to See & Do: Overview

There are hundreds of wineries in Sonoma and Napa, with new ones popping up all the time. So where to start? A good place would be COPIA, where you can pick up a free map of Napa and Sonoma wineries, or attend its daily Winetasting 101 class (and receive a free Wine Country Passport, with special programs and discounts). When deciding which vineyards to tour, focus on those that produce wine you enjoy drinking. Not all of them may be open to the public; some are by appointment only, so best to check beforehand. It’s also worth going with an expert who can tailor a trip around your particular tastes and level of knowledge. Excellent wineries that are open for tours and are well worth seeing include Far Niente Winery, Opus One, Artesa Vineyards & Winery, Rudd Vineyards & Winery, Pride Mountain Vineyards and Cain Vineyard & Winery.

You might even decide to blend your own wine, which you can do at Cliff Lede Vineyards and Mayo Family Winery.