Best getaway places

I first fell in love with Napa and Sonoma during college. Back then, it was as much about trying to squeeze in as many free tastes of wine that you could and then heading back to the dorm for Domino’s pizza, and Mustard’s Grill was one of the few known white tablecloth restaurants. My tastes have evolved quite a bit since then, and so has the Wine Country scene. Napa and Sonoma have become destination spots not only for their wines, but for their restaurants unequalled in quality and stature. Of course, Thomas Keller’s French Laundry is legendary, but there are now innumerable amazing dining spots to choose from, ranging from tacquerias to bistros to fine dining. The Bed and Breakfasts have gotten so sophisticated that spas in residence have become de riguer, and the simple muffins and coffee have been transformed into gourmet feasts with sparkling wine. Napa Valley cabernets were my first love among wines, and they say there is nothing quite like your first love. As my wine addiction continues to grow, I find there is always something more to love in Napa and Sonoma.

Kenwood Inn and Spa
10400 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood, 707-833-1293, www.kenwoodinn.com
Tuscan Villa meets Sonoma. I can’t decide which I love best about the Kenwood Inn – the elegantly appointed rooms, the fireplaces in the breakfast room and the den, the swimming pool and hot tub, the wine massages at the spectacular spa (called vinotherapie), or the decadent breakfast each morning in the open kitchen.

Hotel Healdsburg
25 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2800, www.hotelhealdsburg.com
The hottest property in Healdsburg, blending sleek modern furnishings with wine country rustic charm. This sophisticated getaway also comes with its very own high end restaurant, Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen.

Milliken Creek Inn
1815 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707-255-1197, www.millikencreekinn.com
Lavish rooms, beautiful courtyard, wine tastings in the library, and magnificent breakfasts on the manicured property along the river. The only flaw is the $75 surcharge to the tab because it is a nontipping property. This immaculate and intimate hotel looks as though the owner of Pottery Barn would vacation there.

Poetry Inn
6380 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707-944-0646, www.poetryinn.com
Who needs the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons? The Poetry Inn could teach those venerable institutions a thing or two about luxury and pampering. Enjoying the Poetry Inn’s beautiful three-course breakfast on the patio overlooking the vineyards of Napa Valley is a true escape.

Best wine snob wineries

Robert Sinskey Vineyards
6320 Silverado Trail, Napa, 800-869-2030, www.robertsinskey.com
Try the aromatic pinot blanc and robust merlot. Although I personally find the pinot noir to be too floral and fruit-forward, it is artfully done.

Revana Family Vineyards
2930 St. Helena Hwy. North, St. Helena, 707-967-8814, www.revanawine.com
(By appointment only.) Sample Heidi Barrett’s Bacchus touch and see what the wine goddess behind the legendary Screaming Eagle has been up to.

Stag’s Leap
6150 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707-944-1303, www.stagsleap.com
The winery behind the infamous Tasting of Paris.

Whitehall Lane
1563 St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena, 800-963-9454, www.whitehalllane.com
Classic Napa Valley wines that are not Napa Valley expensive.

Unti
4202 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, 707-433-5590, www.untivineyards.com
(By appointment only.) This is a can’t-miss for zinfandel lovers. Also check out their dry rosés – perfect picnic wines.

Best fun wineries

Meeker
21035 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-431-2148, www.meekerwine.com
If you think wine is stuffy and overpriced, you have never been to Meeker. It’s always a party in the tasting room, and their well-priced wines are approachable and tasty.

Opus One
7900 St. Helena Hwy., Oakville, 707-944-9442, www.opusonewinery.com
Although it is a bit painful to shell out $35 for a single taste, it is necessary for the full experience. Grab a glass and take a walk around the impressive buildings of the winery and enjoy the view from the rooftop deck.

Domaine Carneros
1240 Duhig Rd., Napa, 800-716-BRUT, www.domaine.com
The sparklers at Tattinger’s California venture are quite impressive, especially for the price. Le Rêve is definitely a dreamy wine. You can also get a tour of their facilities and watch Méthode Champenoise in action.

Niebaum-Coppola
1991 St. Helena Hwy., Rutherford, 707-968-1100, www.rubiconestate.com
This winery now charges an admission fee, but if you are a Godfather fan, do not miss the Francis Ford Coppola museum upstairs from the tasting room – it will soon move to a different location.

Clos Pegase
1060 Dunaweal Ln., Calistoga, 707-942-4981, www.clospegase.com
Great art, great wine. It’s worth the trip this far north to check out both.

Best Wine Country dining besides The French Laundry

Terra
1345 Railroad Ave., St. Helena, 707-963-8931, www.terrarestaurant.com
This is Japanese-Italian-Wine Country fusion fare at its best and most elegant. It is the first venture of star chef couple Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani after they met at the original Spago, with Wolfgang Puck as matchmaker. It continues to be one of my all-time favorite restaurants anywhere.

Redd
6480 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-2222, www.reddnapavalley.com
Chef Richard Reddington and Sommelier Chris Blanchard turn out an outstanding dining experience, whether you decide to go for a casual lunch or full-out tasting menu dinner. Sit at the bar, outside on the sunny patio, or in the spacious dining room, and let the staff spoil you.

Best Wine CountryMexican food

Villa Corona
3614 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, 707-257-8685
Don’t let the location fool you. This tiny restaurant hidden in the corner of a shopping center in downtown Napa offers authentic, homemade Mexican fare. Quesadillas made with freshly handmade tortillas, carnitas burritos, and the best guacamole I have ever tasted.

La Luna Market Tacqueria
1153 Rutherford Rd., Rutherford, 707-963-3211
This local ethnic market has a kitchen in the back and turns out supremely flavorful tacos. I could eat a dozen.