The Silent Penguin

Skip the tours. If you aren't going to be doing a ton of tasting/drinking over a short period of time, then you're probably just better off doing it by yourself. And, you'll most likely get to taste better wines.

I don't know if you'd be by yourself, but the best way to get up there is to take 101N to 37E to 121N to 12 to 29N. Use Google Maps to get the right directional designations, but those are the highways you'll take.

29 is the main thoroughfare up and down the Napa valley. Therefore, my recommendation is to avoid it unless you need to be on it, or go up sometime other than the weekend. I like going up the Silverado Trail as much as possible. It usually a lot less crowded.

Here are some wineries I've enjoyed visiting in the past:

* Beringer. If you go here, you ideally want to approach it on Highway 29 while travelling north. Alternately, when you leave, drive on Highway 29 south. I really like the grounds, and I think the tour they give is fun.
* Chateau Montelana. They have some beautiful grounds.
* Silverado
* Joseph Phelps
* Caymus. Small vintner, but beautiful wines.
* Rombauer (of Joy of Cooking fame) rings a bell as being a nice place.
* St. Clement usually makes a nice wine.
* While Mondavi is very well known, I think the location is overdone. It's exceedingly commercial. While some might compare it to Beringer, I think Beringer is far more charming.

I'm sure there are a bunch of other really good suggestions, but it's been far too long since I've been able to make it up to Napa. Kids, you know.

As far as places to eat, there are two that I'd recommend as good lunch options. Mustards Grill has always been a favorite of mine, especially if you like onion rings. Oakville grocery is hard to beat for picking up a great sandwich and nice bottle of wine if you want to take your lunch and enjoy it at one of the wineries that have beautiful grounds.

In my experience, unless you are really rushing through things, you will do well to enjoy 4 wineries in a day. Take your time. Enjoy what each winery has to offer in terms of tasting, views, ambiance, history, and general wine knowledge. Also, give yourself time to let your tasting work its way through your system; you don't want a DUI.

Ah, just writing all of this makes me yearn for a daytrip up there. Now I just gotta figure out what to do with the kids. :-)

Oh, one last caveat. It's been a long time since I've made it up to Napa, so it could be that some of the things have changed and my recommendations may be off. I'd like to think that what was still nice 5 years ago remains nice today.

Have fun!

Minor correction. That's Chateau Montelena.

Why not contact these guys: http://gngnb.libsyn.com/

If you're up there, I believe the French Laundry is the place to eat, although you'll need to book in advance. Never been there, but had it recommended several times.

When you're in San Francisco, I highly recommend Rasselas, a jazz place with Ethiopian food (or should that be the other way around). It is *excellent*, both for food and music.