A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That . .: Up the West Coast - Day 5 - 8/27/12

Since we were in Napa we still wanted to see some more wineries. So after breakfast we headed out without any real plan. We had gotten a map and a list of wineries that did tours from the Visitor's Center and used that as a guide. It looked like Robert Mondavi had an morning tour and we didn't need reservations so we went there first. We were one of the first ones to arrive, but found out that they charge $50 per person for a tour and tasting. The one we went last night was free and the tasting was only $10 and it was quite good too. Needless to say, we didn't stay for the tour, that price was just ridiculous, especially when we really didn't want the tasting part of it, probably just pay for the name since it is a well known winery. So we ended up just driving around stopping at couple places when we recognized a name, but they neither had tours nor tastings. We did take a quick peak at the Caymus Winery, they only had tasting, no tours. Then we headed out towards Sterling Vineyards since they had a self guided tour. We never made it there, we passed V. Sattui Winery and their sign said that they've won awards for many years in a row. So we stopped there, had their wine tasting, and have to admit that their wines are really good. Unfortunately you can't buy then anywhere but there or from their wine club. They also had a very nice store with cheeses and other stuff in the front, with free tastings. We bought a bottle of wine to take with us.

Robert Mondavi Winery

Caymus Winery

We had a lunch reservation at the CIA, Culinary Institute of America. They have a restaurant called Graystone in the campus. We have eaten at the Hyde Park, NY restaurants a few times and it has always been very good. And they didn't disappoint us this time either. Jeff had their Bouillabaisse from their regular menu and I had their special three course tasting menu.

CIA, Graystone Restuarant, St. Helena, CA

Menu, CIA, Graystone Restuarant, St. Helena, CA

CIA, Graystone Restuarant, St. Helena, CA

After our lunch it was time to head northward. But before we hit the road we stopped quickly at the Castello di Amorosa Winery. We didn't do a tour or tasting, just wanted to see it. The owner of this place is the same as V. Sattui, but it is different wines all together. He had also built this Tuscan castle in the middle of the Napa Valley. It was really quite amazing and looked like we could have been in Italy.

At the entrance to Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa

Sheep at Castello di Amorosa

Then it was time to head towards Benbow, where we had reservations at the historical Benbow Inn. The drive there was about 3 1/2 hours and you could really see how the scenery and especially plant life changed from wineries to dry hills to redwood forests. When we got to the Inn it looked like we had stepped back in time for about 100 years. It is a nice cozy inn with huge common area with games and puzzles etc.. The rooms in the older part didn't TVs but we did have internet connection. We had dinner at the hotel. They have a really good restaurant and yet again I ate way too much.