BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Wine Napa and Sonoma visit recommendations

I've noticed a few of you listing Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries that are your favourites in another topic's conversations and thought this might be a helpful thread for those of us planning on visiting the area soon.

So what wineries in Napa and Sonoma must we make time to visit and why? Let us know too if there's a charge for tasting! If you stayed somewhere that was a fabulous find, tell us that too- if you're sharing that secret!

I went to Napa last August for the first time and literally wanted to move there - its heaven! We didnt't get to spend a lot of time there but here is a list of wineries I would suggest:
Schramsberg - they make sparkling wines and do a cave tour
Mondavi - although a bit commercial they do a great and informative tour
Cakebread - small and casual, great wine
BV - fun tasting, good wines

Just back from Sonoma and Napa- although weekend traffic made us turn around and explore the Russian River area wineries. We would heartily recommend Valley of the Moon near Santa Rosa, Korbel in Russian River area for champagne (stop by their deli and pick up lunch fixings for a picnic in the redwoods at Anderson State Park just minutes away- $6 entry fee is well worth it) and Cuvaison just inside the Napa line where they serve you your flight in deck chairs overlooking the vineyards.
We camped at Sugarloaf Ridge Park ($20 p/n) and bought wine during the day as well as food for an evening cook out along the way.
Beauty on a budget all the way. What a great time. We visited about 15 wineries over 3 days and that was plenty but hardly scratched the surface. Must go back!
Jill, I'll make note of your recommendations for next time.
T

It sounds like you had a great trip! I feel the same way about Napa, as soon as we got back I was planning our next visit - so much to do!

There are so many fun wineries to visit in Sonoma. One of my favorites that I'd recommend to red wine lovers is Wilson Winery on at 1960 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. This winery is not known to many and they have some fabulous reds and a great view as well. They make several wonderful Zinfandels as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah. Merlot, Petite Sirah, Late Harvest Zinfandel, and Blushing Flamingo.