Chateau St. Jean
C hateau St. Jean is a picturesque winery located along Highway 12 just south of Kenwood in the Sonoma Valley. Beyond a long driveway surrounded by estate vineyards sits the chateau itself, along with a large complex of equally-picturesque buildings housing the winery operations and indoor cellars. After parking in one of the ample on-site lots, you enter the winery through a large gateway offering nice views of a manicured European-style garden, with a path guiding you naturally toward the main hospitality area – a large main tasting room, which sits directly across from the 1920 chateau that was once the Summer home to the Goff family. It’s truly a grand property, and even though we spent over an hour there, I could easily see myself returning again...
August Briggs Winery
J ust shy of the town of Calistoga, near the North end of the Silverado Trail, you’ll find a blowing-dandelion sign announcing the August Briggs Winery, a tiny gem of a tasting room nestled snugly between several picturesque vineyards and an oak-studded hillside that marks the beginning foothills of where the Mayacama and Vaca ranges merge together at the top of the Napa Valley. We visited during a holiday weekend in early Spring, as the buds were just beginning to break on the vines, and I could imagine the views from their picnic areas during Summer and Autumn must be spectacular. As one of the few Napa Valley wineries offering complimentary tastings, I can also imagine this winery would get crowded during peak season, so I suggest visiting earlier in the...