Heigh ho! Heigh ho! To Napa Valley we go...

And I couldn't be more excited.

I suppose this is a honeymoon of sorts, since our first one was short (three nights) and planned at the absolute last minute (much like the rest of the wedding). We have been trying to go to Italy for five years, but with two babies and a new house and one (well, maybe 1.25) income, we never have the money or time. So we have decided to go to Napa instead.

I checked out a dozen or so books from the library, and I have been poring over the pages of each book for three weeks now. We have narrowed it down to about a dozen vineyards--our short list. We will probably have to cut some more because I don't want to feel rushed on this trip.

The short list:
Schramsburg
Sterling
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Prager Winery & Port Works
V. Sattui Winery
Peju Vineyards
Swanson
Napa Wine Company (tasting room)
Domaine Chandon
Mayacamas

And in Dry Creek Valley:
Ferrari-Carrano
Bella Vineyards

Lee has a thing for Alexander Valley cabernets, so we want to spend some time up there. I haven't really looked into the wineries there at all. I don't know when we will have time. It will probably be the same day we go to Dry Creek Valley, so it may be just a drive through the valley with a stop at a tasting room.

We will also be in town for the Taste of Yountville, which should be good. And we are planning to try a Calistoga mud bath.

What we can't decide on is whether to stop at Mondavi. I'm really torn about that. I've had the wine--who hasn't? It's everywhere. It's a reliable wine--nothing spectacular, but good. The Mondavi reserves are supposedly incredible, but since that's not in my budget these days, maybe it's better if I don't know what I'm missing. Frankly I'm not overly excited about touring that particular vineyard.

That being said, I have a lot of respect for Robert Mondavi. His mass-marketing of wine changed the way Americans viewed wine, and we should be thankful for that. If it weren't for Americans' relatively new interest in wine, would we have places like Napa and Sonoma to visit? Maybe we would, but would we care? Mondavi is an incredibly successful businessman, and he made wine an accessible drink. For that reason I feel compelled to pay homage to him.

Good wine. Good food. Beautiful gardens and farms. And an entire week ALONE with my husband! I can't wait!