California - Yet another Napa trip thread...

So I finally signed up for FT after lurking for about 2-3 years :p . Looking for advice/feedback on a honeymoon trip to the Napa Valley at the end of February for 7 nights 7.5 days. We married in May but scheduling has precluded any trip yet (and dictates nearby/reasonably short. We figure Feb avoids the major crowds. Current plan below:

Flight: IAD-SFO on UA award ticket. Option 1 is non-stop IAD-SFO (not the most convenient flight times). Not a huge fan of domestic F on UA. Option 2 IAD-JFK-SFO so we can do the JFK-SFO leg in C in the 'PS' cabin. What are the thoughts on the United "PS" product is it worth the detour?

Hotel: Narrowed it down to to either the Napa River Inn or the Avia Napa. Wife is a fan of soaking tubs. I know most on here are big fans of Carneros, but it just doesn't look that appealing to us and we would like to be in Napa proper. Anyone stayed at either of those and have some feedback?

Wineries: Initial list in rough order of importance, We've done the wine tasting thing before (we're enthusiasts not snobs! ;)) and are looking more towards small/interesting producers. Thoughts? (we're not gonna hit this whole list, just preliminary)
Heitz Cellars
Mayacamas
Ravenswood
Anderson's Conn Valley
Jarvis
Pride Mountain
Nickel and Nickel
Valley of the Moon
Hess Collection Winery
Lokoya Winery
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Viader Vineyard
Darioush
Stag's Leap
Rutherford Wine co.
St. Clement Vineyards
V Sattui Winery
Signorello Vineyards
Cakebread Cellars
Sterling

Thanks in advance for the advice/input/critique/flame!

I would love to hear someone's comments as well on the wineries above as Mrs. GoCanes and I are going to Napa in November and are having a tough time picking out wineries . . . although we got some good sparkling wine wineries we want to check out

Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
Schramsberg Vineyards
Domaine Chandon
Domaine Carneros
Mumm Napa Valley

Anyone visited these?

I would encourage you to visit the following two -

1) Rombauer

http://www.rombauer.com//index.cfm

2) Frank Family Vineyards

http://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/


They are quite near each other at the north end of the valley between St Helena and Calistoga.

I am new to FT. But, I couldn't resist the Napa thread.
We go to Napa at least three times a year. We love the weather, normally a break from our hot days and nights. And the wine!
February is a great time to go. It may rain every single day you are there. However, we are generally the only people in the tasting rooms.
You have a mix of cheap and expensive, crowded and not crowded wineries on your list. I would suggest Nickel & Nickel, Viader, Sterling (only for the tram ride, talk them into a discount), Merryvale, Domaine Chandon.
Rombauer is also a good choice. We used to love Frank Family, but the last three times we have been there the wine is served warm and they seem to have lost the reason why they were so great.
Schramsberg is a cool tour. Mumm has a view from the tasting room.

Love the Napa River Inn's soaking tub.

What are the thoughts on the United "PS" product is it worth the detour?


Wineries: Initial list in rough order of importance, We've done the wine tasting thing before (we're enthusiasts not snobs! ;)) and are looking more towards small/interesting producers. Thoughts? (we're not gonna hit this whole list, just preliminary)
Heitz Cellars - Good reputation.
Mayacamas
Ravenswood
Anderson's Conn Valley [/B[B]]*** The Todd. :D Been to the cave and have to say it's a real treat. ACV sells wines at a reasonable price, and IMHO, are worth twice the price.
Jarvis
Pride Mountain
Nickel and Nickel
Valley of the Moon
Hess Collection Winery
Lokoya Winery
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Viader Vineyard
Darioush *** headed here later today. Good juice.
Stag's Leap
Rutherford Wine co.
St. Clement Vineyards
V Sattui Winery
Signorello Vineyards
Cakebread Cellars
Sterling



See bolded above.

United P.S. - Go for it. You'll appreciate the detour.

Not a snob? With this list you appear to know what you're doing. ;)
I commented on a few of the above. Have you checked out the Parker wine boards?


Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
Schramsberg Vineyards
Domaine Chandon
Domaine Carneros
Mumm Napa Valley


I love Ferrer, Schramsberg and Chandon bubbly. I've never been to their tasting rooms. Good QPR (quality price ratio).


2) Frank Family Vineyards

http://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/

The folks in the tasting room sure know how to put on a show. Last year, it was still free.

Also Agree with the Rombauer. One of our favorites.

Also, try for dinner The Martini House. One of my favorite restaurants.

To add to the wineries list that are worth checking out:

Twomey. Small shop / tasting room on same road as Sterling.
Nicholson Ranch - more towards Sonoma but not a huge trek from Napa and you can swing in past Domaine Carneros on the way past.

Darioush is very expensive compared to most others. It's a nice facility but REALLY, $25 for a taste? I'd put them last. Try Black Stallion which is right down the street from Darioush. Very small, under distributed place with some very nice choices.
Enjoy!