Wine Country Holiday Getaway

Napa Valley

December is the best time to visit California wineries. Get your holiday shopping early so you take a break from the crowds at the mall or just do your shopping online. If you have 3 or 4 days to spare, Napa Valley is beautiful at Christmastime. The air is crisp, the holiday decorations are up and the usual crowds on Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail are almost non-existent. The tasting rooms usually only have a few visitors so the people working there have time to chat and answer you questions while they pour. This is a great time to learn about the wines that were harvested in September and are now going through their fermentation process.

Most of the hotels have specials at this time and you can save 50% off the price of a room at your favorite resorts. One of my favorite places to stay is the Silverado Resort. It’s a short drive from the Silverado Trail, which is home to the wineries of the Stags Leap area, known for their world famous cabs.

Two of my favorite wineries are located on the trail. The Steltzner Winery is a small family owned establishment that produces classic Bordeaux varietals. Their Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select is a delight. Smooth is the word that immediately comes to mind, followed by dark fruit. This wine is in the over $60 category.

The Regusci Winery is one of the few remaining Ghost Wineries left in the Napa Valley. Most of the wineries in the late 1800’s to 1900 were decimated by the phylloxera infestation at that time, which forced most of the wineries out of business.

The tasting room at Regusci is one of my favorites. A large rustic room with big wooden beams and a long wooden bar make it casual and inviting. The winery dogs are always fun to visit with and Regusci dogs, Trixie and Scrappy, are no exception. Of course, the real reason we like to go there is the wine. The zinfandel is a favorite and being a small winery that produces a limited quantity, this big, juicy, California-style wine goes fast. $50 - sells out quickly.

After an afternoon of tasting and sipping, there are several outstanding restaurants that are in the affordable range. It’s almost impossible to find food that isn’t good. Even the old Sizzler serves tasty food!

Depending on how much wine you buy to take home or have shipped, you can have an affordable getaway in Napa Valley. With gas prices below $1.50 a gallon, it makes driving up the coast a treat.