RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

We were only in the Napa area for two nights, which meant we had two dinners and two lunches to consider. I will note that I brought my own champagne to both dinners, as most Napa restaurants allow corkage. They typically waive the first corkage fee (usually $25-$35) if you also buy a bottle off their list (which we did.) For this trip I brought unique grower champagnes to ensure I was not bringing something from their list. My basic corkage etiquette is to not bring a cheap bottle, and never bring something already on their wine list.

TORC

This is an upscale fine dining establishment with outstanding food and a fascinating wine list. I brought a Champagne Frerejean Frères VV26 Blanc de Blancs to kick off the evening. This was a great pairing for the Deviled Egg appetizers (the best I have ever tasted.)

Our selection from the wine list was the 2021 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé, which some consider to be the best rosé in the world. This wine can be hard to find here in the states, so I wasn’t about to pass it up. I knew it would pair perfectly with our entrées, the Diver Scallops with coconut basmati rice and the Duck Breast with mammoth red rock cabbage. As happy as I was with the Tempier rosé, the most fascinating wine selection we saw was on the dessert wine list. There were three Ratafia selections made by three grower Champagne houses we had visited last October. What is Ratafia, you ask? Ratafia is made with the last pressing of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Pinot Meunier, and then fortified by adding grapebased brandy to the must. We ordered a glass of the Champagne Geoffroy Ratafia, and it was perhaps the highlight of the evening.

Farmstead At Long Meadow Ranch

This is a great spot for lunch. The appetizer of Caramelized Beets flavored with chimichurri was amazing. I also enjoyed their steak tartare. We each ordered a glass of their Long Meadow Ranch rosé of Pinot Noir for our meal, but it lacked the crisp acidity needed to pair well with our food. That was the one small detractor to an otherwise delicious lunch.

Final Thoughts

Napa Valley has changed a lot since I last visited over 30 years ago. Most Napa wineries require reservations these days, and I recommend making them in advance of your visit. You can certainly do “speed tasting” and visit several wineries in a day, but I believe you’ll get more out of it with a relaxed schedule of three wineries per day at most. Keep in mind that unless you are an existing wine club member or have other special access, you will likely have to pay for the tastings. However, most wineries will waive the tasting fees with a qualifying wine purchase or if you start a club membership. With the costs for the hotel stay, tasting fees, wine purchases, and meals, your budget can quickly balloon beyond expectations.

I am greatly in favor of a detailed plan with both winery and restaurant reservations to help avoid the disappointment of being turned away. Whether you want to visit your favorite wineries or discover new ones, there are hundreds of opportunities for you to explore. Despite the commercialization that seems to have overtaken Napa Valley, I was thrilled with my return visit. I’m certain you can easily create your own memorable experience you will cherish for years to come. Cheers!

Follow Jim on Instagram, @tx_wine_pilot, for more wine tips and reviews.

Jim Peterson is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who mainly flew the A-10 fighter jet. He has ties to the wine business going back over 20 years and is an avid wine collector. His extensive wine knowledge includes travel to many wine regions, tasting many of the world’s top wines, and ongoing personal wine exploration. He has cultivated a large following on his Instagram account, @tx_ wine_pilot. He works in marketing now, but you can also find him helping customers on Saturdays at JS Fine Wines in San Antonio, Texas.