Wine Asylum

Posted by mkuller (R) on April 18, 2006 at 11:08:13

In Reply to: South African vs. California Prices posted by Frihed89 on April 11, 2006 at 11:31:55:

...of the wines in Napa shock you - all of the wineries there will charge you $5 to $10 to taste. Some will apply the charge to a purchase; others will let you keep your glass; others just keep your money.

Napa is to wine as Disneyland is to kids entertainment or Las Vegas is to adult entertainment. It's pretty overwheming with a winery about every 50 feet.

Personally, I prefer the Sonoma Valley (the next one over to the west). It's like the Napa Valley was maybe 15 years ago. You can still find some smaller, unspoiled wineries nestled in the vineyards where the winemaker is in the tasting room pouring the wine.

But either way, it helps to have a plan and know where you're going.