on New Year’s Eve to visit wineries, and then another 1/2 day on January 2 in Healdsburg. I’ve been appointed winery researcher for the group, so please drop me some recommendations! In terms of what we’re...

everything you’d need in the area. It would be fun for you to try a winery in each appellation . . . one in Carneros, one in Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, etc. It seems like alot to take in but on personal...

Make an appointment at Mount Eden, the oldest (by far) and best (by far) winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. (See “Vineyards in the Sky” for background info).

Okay, I’ll try again... Why not consider some mountain wineries? Disclaimer — THREE YEARS AGO, I worked at one NOT LISTED HERE. Spring Mountain: Smith-Madrone, Pride, Keener Howell Mountain: Outpost, Neal, Lamborn Most...

of Langtry lane, where Lillie Langtry lived). Barnett recently has produced some killer swill, but I’d probably direct you to Spring Mountain Vineyards, a winery within the Spring Mountain District. The grounds are...

- this one is right up the hill from Pride. The winery itself isn’t much to see, but they have a terrace deck at the top of Spring Mountain with great views. Also, their Rattlesnake Cab is excellent, but their pinot was...

How about the Santa Cruz Mountains instead? David Bruce, Mount Eden, Ridge and Varner are all great wines. It’s one of the best places in California for pinot noir and chardonnay. http://www.scmwa.com/wineries.htm

'd definitely like to reserve the Frog’s Leap tour and tasting. From what I’ve heard & read this sounds like a fun experience. I’d also like to get up to Pride Mountain. Should we just do the tasting-only...

Burke and I had a lovely afternoon about a year ago at the Ridge winery in the Santa Cruz mountains. Should be along the way, just south of San Jose. Some good stuff, a lovely view, beware of rattlesnakes. Peter wells@emusic.com...

Thanks for all of the feedback — we definitely feel like we’re on track now. But we need a little more help with wineries. We are staying near Standardsville (which is north of town) and the innkeeper recommended...

I assume you’re taking the 101? Make sure to keep an eye out for the 154 as you make your way out of santa barbara. It goes over the mountains and joins back up with the 101 out by santa maria. Not only will you find some...

local beer, and smaller vineyards/wineries to visit. Or, if there are any great brewpubs or winebars, those are great too!

and they charge way too much for a tasting. Badger Mountain/Powers had tons of wine available for tasting when we were there but I’m not wild about their stuff. Chinook Winery outside Prosser is charming, the tasting room...

; Contra Costa County is increasingly where wine grapes are grown and there are at least four wineries you could take in -Many fine wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains (Ridge—famous for zinfandels, David Bruce—known...

It would help to pare down your list if you can focus on what type of wine you like (chard / pinot / zin / cab / syrah ... - speaking generally, Sonoma has better selection of pinots and zins while Napa has better cabs) and/or...