Today started pretty late, after yesterday's 6:45 wakeup call so that we could start Cali's easter egg hunt. We got up around 8:30, 9, and began to make preparations to get going. We intended to head up to Napa and perhaps stay up around Calistoga and visit the geyser, etc. This didn't end up working out as planned.
I went to get coffee at Peet's around 10:15, and didn't get back until maybe 11:30, because I stopped at B&N for some mags and then got gas and a carwash. When I got home, I expected that Kathy and Cali would be waiting on me, but they were still in wake up-mode and getting packed, etc. Kathy also hadn't yet found a hotel for tonight, so we spent some time trying to figure that out and also waiting for her to finish her property taxes. I think we finally left the house around 1, 1:30.
Long story short, after an hour or so pause in Emeryville for coffee, lunch, and a stop in Borders, we were finally on our way to Napa, headed for the Meritage Resort, Napa, which had the best rate we could find at the last minute on Expedia: $140. Not too bad for a 2-queen room at a supposed 4-star hotel. Unfortunately, due to my poor navigation skills, we missed our initial turnoff for the hotel and then decided to proceed up Silverado Trail toward misc. and sundry wineries.
We ended up stopping in at Rombauer, where we had a pleasant tasting and Kathy decided to join the wine club, and then at Casa Nuestra, where I am a member. I was not too impressed by Rombauer, but when we stopped at CN, I was reminded again of why I joined their club.
Not only does CN have good wines, but they have great grounds, with picnic tables and such, but they also have a fabulous staff. We slipped in just under the wire at like 4:55 (where they close at 5pm normally), but they were kind enough to pour for us both and to entertain Cali by helping her out tossing a ball with their dog. Stephanie Trotter-Zacharia was absolutely fabulous, giving us the scoop on the wines and the vineyard, but also hooking us up with info about various other good spots around the valley. She also gave us a further discount on some sale wine and then gave us a little lesson in glassware.
One of the reasons that CN is generally open only to members except on a by-appointment basis is that they prefer not to be inundated with tasters so that they can use good glassware. Stephanie demonstrated this for us by pouring us some of the '05 Tinto Classico in Riedel glassware - first in the white wine glass, then in the appropriate red glass. The difference in the nose and the taste was immediately apparent. It's truly amazing what that difference in glass shape and size can do to open up and enhance the qualities of a given wine.
CN is probably my favorite winery in the Napa valley. Their wines may not be the very best - I prefer Peju in many ways - but they are quite good. Their people, property, and attitude, on the other hand, are unmatchable. The owners and their staff love what they do, they treat their customers well, and they want to do well by the populace at large. Check them out, you won't regret it.
Now, about the "Meritage Resort"... I don't find it very impressive. We have stayed in nice hotels before, both on business and for pleasure, and I would put a standard Kimpton (which sure as hell doesn't claim $599/night as their normal rate)hotel up against this place any day. The room is perfectly fine, they have a reasonable pool, etc. but from the outside this place looks like low-income HUD apartments. I wouldn't pay any more than $140 a night to stay here, and I wouldn't encourage anyone else to, either.
Tomorrow night we're off to Safari West for what is apparently a safari-style adventure and overnight stay. This is Kathy's idea of fun (I guess I have to admit I find it fairly interesting as well). I hope I don't get eaten by any hungry cheetahs. Stay tuned for a review.
