Rather like the sexes, Napa and Sonoma sometimes seem worlds apart. Farmers
are from Sonoma, people often say, while the technology barons and other
members of the monied set call neighboring Napa home instead.
In some ways these stereotypes ring true: I’m yet to spot a Ferrari in
Sonoma but am rarely in Napa for more than 15 minutes before one or even
two of the slick machines whiz by me en route to brunch at Bouchon or gallery
hopping in St. Helena.
But disparate Ferrari populations aside, become a little better acquainted
with these areas and I think you’ll find they’ve got more in common than
first meets the eye. And, as is the case with men and women, they
can even get along alright on the same trip – albeit with a little extra
planning and flexibility.
Going both ways in wine country
Separated by a little mountain range
called the Mayacamas, neighbors Napa and Sonoma are geographically close
enough to allow visitors to stay in one spot while ably getting to know
both areas.
The key to doing so successfully is compromise.
For example: Although staying in Napa’s northerly Calistoga means a little
more driving to the northern reaches of the valley, visitors who make the
trek are rewarded with some of the most reasonable hotel rates in the valley,
charming restaurants and easy access to Sonoma by way of nearby Highway
128.
In minutes, the short drive from Calistoga through Knight’s Valley on 128
deposits visitors smack dab in the middle of the Sonoma’s Alexander Valley,
where you’ve got ready access to the area’s world class wineries including
Alexander Valley Vineyards, White Oak and Hafner, amongst many more.
A few more minutes in the car brings you to the heart of the quaint Sonoma
town of Healdsburg, where visitors can refuel with a gourmet lunch and great
shopping around the town’s charming plaza. Continue westward from
there to Sonoma’s Dry Creek or Russian River valleys for more tasting or
head back to Napa and hit up a couple more wineries before dinner.
Two timing was never so easy!
Two-timing itinerary tips
Looking for a little more guidance on how
to go both ways in wine country? Besides
staying in a central location (Sonoma’s Santa Rosa also affords
easy access to both counties along with reasonable hotel rates), some other
things to keep in mind are the following:
Don’t try to do too much.
If your goal is truly to get to know both
areas then you’re best off aiming to simply get a flavor of them on this
trip. In other words, save
the in-depth exploration of a single AVA (American Viticultural
Area) like Russian River or Chalk Hill for another visit. Instead,
focus on taking in a few wineries in each region while soaking in the unique
personalities of the neighboring areas.
Skip the outlying AVAs.
By the same rationale, keep your focus on
the AVAs that aren’t too far afield from your launching point. The
dynamic Sonoma Coast AVA, for example, beckons with a handful of energetic
new wineries, but visiting the area can easily take up an entire day. Along
with the Sonoma AVAs mentioned earlier, Napa’s westerly Spring Mountain,
Oakville and Rutherford AVAs are good bets, as is Carneros, which straddles
the two counties.
Stay for two full days.
In these busy times it can be tough to get
away for a full weekend, but doing so will allow you to get the most out
of your two-timing itinerary. And
although splitting your time between the two counties in a single
day IS possible, you’ll capture more of their flavor by sticking around
an extra day. This also gives you the option of doing a full day of
Napa followed by a full day of Sonoma, or two combo days.
Who says you can’t have your two-timing wine country travels and enjoy
them too?
