I can’t believe I’ve been sippin’ and swirlin’ around this valley for five years now.

Looking back, I can see how my de facto role of “consultant on all things Napa” emerged over the years among my close family, friends, their friends, and many more larger concentric circles of people I’ve come to know as they visit Napa.

The best part is, I actually love being in this role.  Seeing old friends celebrate their honeymoon or former coworkers celebrating birthdays while visiting here helps me break away from my daily rigmarole of lawyering, real estate, and having Cheerios thrown at me by my fifteen month old.

But, I did realize I’m spending a big ole’ chunk of time every week cutting and pasting emails with lists of wineries and hotels, texting contact information for drivers, and trying to secure last minute rezzies for cool restaurants here in wine country.

And voilà, Sip with Suzanne was born.   

Now that you know this blog’s raison d’être, allow me to introduce one of my sample itineraries that has been bouncing around inboxes for several years.  Of course, this list is merely a tiny, tiny snippet of Napa.  There are HUNDREDS of wineries and experiences here, but I just plucked a handful of my favorites, which are a collection of places I love, vintners I admire, and calories worth consuming.  As I venture on this little project, I’ll keep posting new itineraries, experiences, and ruminations related to wine country.

Naturally, these itineraries can be tweaked to your heart’s content… but at least you have a basic template to bounce around Napa, and make sure to book appointments to these places well in advance:

Sample Itinerary #1: Breakfast Bubbles and Cabs 101

9:30 am (Sharp!): Everyone knows I’m obsessed with a fan of bubbles (more on that later). Hear this friend: You need to start off your day in Napa with a glass of sparkling wine at Schramsberg.  The amazing caves, the wine’s place in American history, and the experience are simply unforgettable.  You will thank me later! 

11:15 am: I love Howell Mountain.  The mysterious drive up the windy road as the valley dips behind you is one of my greatest memories from my first trip to Napa.  Head up Deer Park Road and keep going until you hit Ladera. The property is gorgeous with one of the original “ghost wineries” of Napa Valley.  Really a special place.

12:45pm: At this point, unless you had a monster breakfast at your hotel/B&B (or Boon Fly, my favorite!) and/or packed some goodies along the way, you will need to stop and grab a bite.  My favorites on this route are Farmstead, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, or Gott’s.  Honestly, this is a tough call, so check out the menus and you decide!

2:00 pm: Women in wine is one of my favorite topics, and Cathy Corison is one of those individuals that has truly left an impact.  Check out Corison for a beautiful expression of Napa Valley Cabernet.

3:30 pm: If you are not vino’d out, and you are a fan of Port, I’d suggest Prager Port Works nearby as a fun and quirky spot.  If port’s not your bag and you want to check out a cool spot that combines art with fabulous wine, make an appointment at Maisonry in Yountville to end your day.

This is a lot of wine folks, so I hope you’ve hydrated throughout the day. If you decide to take a siesta, make sure to set an alarm or you will sleep through your dinner reservation… but where should I dine Suzanne? Ah, that is another story to tell altogether…