“I moved here to wine country to learn more about wine and wine-making. After working at a handful of wineries and being a tour guide for ten years I have indeed learned a thing or two and I enjoy sharing that with Platypus’ guests. It’s all too easy for me to get into mind-numbing detail about the differences between French and American barrels or malolactic fermentation so I always have to temper my enthusiasm when a guest asks me a technical question. But ultimately, I get to talk all day about something I love.” – Luis
Napa Valley and Sonoma have so much more to offer and our guides are the key. These local experts have uncovered every nook and cranny of the region from the best restaurants and romantic wineries, to the best picnic and nightlife spots. They’ve led California wine tours through countless Napa wineries and Sonoma wineries. This month, we caught up with our guide Luis and got his top picks.
- Production Tour:
I’m tempted to name any number of small, mom-and-pop wineries that show the rough and “hands-on” approach to wine-making that guests love to see but, for me, a real Wow! experience is the Palmaz Vineyards winery. It’s a high-tech, multi-level underground cave built into a mountainside that utilizes an automated/computerized gravity-flow system. It looks like a supervillain turned his underground lair into a winery. You almost expect to see sharks with lasers attached to their heads patrolling the perimeter.
- Food & Wine Pairing:
A lot of good places to choose from in both Napa and Sonoma but my pick would be the Mayo Reserve Room in Kenwood. Six tapas-style dishes paired with six wines. The menu changes every few months.
- Family Run Winery:
Sangiacomo Winery has a great family story. Great grandpa came over from Italy to find his fortune here in America. Made his way to San Francisco and eventually Sonoma. Originally farmed pears but years later the family transitioned to wine grapes. Now the family owns 1600 acres and supplies grapes to most of the sparkling wines houses in the area.
- Indoor/Outdoor Picnic Spot:
Head out to Bodega Bay. Find the Spud Point Crab Co. on the Bodega Head peninsula. Order a crab-meat sandwich and a cup of clam chowder. Continue along the road until it ends at the Bodega Bay Trailhead parking lot overlooking the Pacific. Eat and enjoy the view.
- Romantic Winery:
Lambert Bridge Winery in Dry Creek Valley. Cozy, quiet, beautiful grounds, food pairings.
- “Wined-Out”, Where Else to Enjoy Adult Beverages:
Salt and Stone in Kenwood makes a fabulous Marmalade Old Fashioned.
- Favorite Restaurant:
This is a tough one! So many good places to choose from. French, Italian, Farm-To-Table, Seafood… But I’ll pick one close to home. Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa offers small-plates dining that has something for everyone including wine flights and cocktails.
- Non-Wine Experience:
Drive through the Russian River Valley to see redwoods, canoe/kayak down the river and check out the seals hanging out on the beach at Goat Rock.
- Night Life Spot:
Vintage Space at the Flamingo Hotel & Spa
Luis is one of our many talented and lovable tour guides who helps make Platypus Wine Tours what it is today.
So whether you hop on our join-in California wine tours or book a private tour, don’t miss Luis’ recommendations. Explore Napa wineries and Sonoma wineries, dine at amazing restaurants, go on local adventures, and experience wine country like never before!
