1. Vacation

Napa Valley Wine Tasting 6/9-10/2008

On June 9-10, 2008, we toured some wineries in the Napa Valley, CA. We spent the night at the WorldMark condos in Windsor, CA. We visited Stag's Leap Cellars, Clos Du Val Wine Company, and Van Der Hayden the first day, all along the Silverado Trail. On the second day we visited Sterling Vineyards and Rutherford Hill.

All of the wineries we visited are described at: http://www.silveradotrail.com/directory.aspx

Information about WorldMark is available at: http://www.worldmarktheclub.com/
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  • We decided to start out visit at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

    We decided to start out visit at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

  • Stags Leap Wine Cellars

    Stags Leap Wine Cellars

  • There were two tasting areas, regular and premium.  We went for regular.

    There were two tasting areas, regular and premium. We went for regular.

  • We liked the flower arrangement.

    We liked the flower arrangement.

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  • Untitled photo
  • Our second stop was Clos du Val.  Following the guidance of the yellow caution tape, we slid the giant, heavy door into the fermenting space aside to enter the tasting area.

    Our second stop was Clos du Val. Following the guidance of the yellow caution tape, we slid the giant, heavy door into the fermenting space aside to enter the tasting area.

  • Clos Du Val tasting space in their fermentation tank room - casual, direct, and interesting just inside the giant sliding door to the winery.

    Clos Du Val tasting space in their fermentation tank room - casual, direct, and interesting just inside the giant sliding door to the winery.

  • It was late in the day, so we headed to Van Der Heyden Vineyards to explore their unique late harvest Cabernet Sauvignon.

    It was late in the day, so we headed to Van Der Heyden Vineyards to explore their unique late harvest Cabernet Sauvignon.

  • The setting was fairly rustic - very open and outdoorsy

    The setting was fairly rustic - very open and outdoorsy

  • The tasting room had an outdoor annex, and the shade was appreciated.

    The tasting room had an outdoor annex, and the shade was appreciated.

  • The fermentation tanks and press were next to the tasting room.

    The fermentation tanks and press were next to the tasting room.

  • When we got there the tasting room was jumping, with regulars and newcomers eager to try the wines.

    When we got there the tasting room was jumping, with regulars and newcomers eager to try the wines.

  • We'd been at Van Der Hayden winery on Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley for some time when these eager travelers arrived to their first Napa wine-tasing experience this trip.

    We'd been at Van Der Hayden winery on Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley for some time when these eager travelers arrived to their first Napa wine-tasing experience this trip.

  • The Van Der Hayden wines were unique and interesting, especially the late harvest Cabernet Sauvignon.

    The Van Der Hayden wines were unique and interesting, especially the late harvest Cabernet Sauvignon.

  • In addition to offering unique wines, the tasting room and winery provided a unique setting.

    In addition to offering unique wines, the tasting room and winery provided a unique setting.

  • There were many displays around the walls, including vintage cork pullers.

    There were many displays around the walls, including vintage cork pullers.

  • The Van Der Hayden Winery tasting room - with lots of eager tasters at the end of the day.

    The Van Der Hayden Winery tasting room - with lots of eager tasters at the end of the day.

  • Among the decorations were several available for purchase.

    Among the decorations were several available for purchase.

  • After dinner in Filippi's Pizza Grotto And Fine Italian Food
in Napa, CA - the unique cheesecake didn't get finished in spite of all our effort.

    After dinner in Filippi's Pizza Grotto And Fine Italian Food in Napa, CA - the unique cheesecake didn't get finished in spite of all our effort.

  • WorldMark Windsor, CA - our condo is the second floor on the corner.

    WorldMark Windsor, CA - our condo is the second floor on the corner.

  • WorldMark Windsor, CA - the pool on a hot morning.

    WorldMark Windsor, CA - the pool on a hot morning.

  • WorldMark Windsor, CA - enjoying the pool, getting warmed up for a day in the nearby Napa Valley.

    WorldMark Windsor, CA - enjoying the pool, getting warmed up for a day in the nearby Napa Valley.

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  • Lavender landscaping at WorldMark.

    Lavender landscaping at WorldMark.

  • Sterling Vineyards had an interesting selection of wines.

    Sterling Vineyards had an interesting selection of wines.

  • To reach the winery at Sterling Vineyards, one rides a tram leading to the top of the hill.

    To reach the winery at Sterling Vineyards, one rides a tram leading to the top of the hill.

  • The tram provided interesting views of the Napa Valley.

    The tram provided interesting views of the Napa Valley.

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  • Two lovely Dartmouth College '09s enjoying a look at Sterling Vineyards.

    Two lovely Dartmouth College '09s enjoying a look at Sterling Vineyards.

  • The self-guided tour of Sterling Vineyards.  It would be wonderful to visit this facility during the crush in September/October, when the aromas would be unbelievable.

    The self-guided tour of Sterling Vineyards. It would be wonderful to visit this facility during the crush in September/October, when the aromas would be unbelievable.

  • The bell towers at Sterling Vineyards - they play during the day.

    The bell towers at Sterling Vineyards - they play during the day.

  • Sterling Vineyards bells.

    Sterling Vineyards bells.

  • The fermentation room at Sterling Vineyards.

    The fermentation room at Sterling Vineyards.

  • The fermentation tanks at Sterling Vineyards, they were cleaning the tanks this day.

    The fermentation tanks at Sterling Vineyards, they were cleaning the tanks this day.

  • Listening to the presentation in the fermentation room.

    Listening to the presentation in the fermentation room.

  • The truck dumping and crushing area at Sterling Vineyards.  The self-guided tour provides an exceptional overlook that would be amazing during the crush in the fall.

    The truck dumping and crushing area at Sterling Vineyards. The self-guided tour provides an exceptional overlook that would be amazing during the crush in the fall.

  • Initial storage and transfer room at Sterling Vineyards.  Those giant wooden tanks are apparently oak - amazing.

    Initial storage and transfer room at Sterling Vineyards. Those giant wooden tanks are apparently oak - amazing.

  • Storage and aging spaces at Sterling Vineyards.  The self-guided tour provides this viewing space - excellent.

    Storage and aging spaces at Sterling Vineyards. The self-guided tour provides this viewing space - excellent.

  • This is an explanation of the preparation of the oak storage vessels and the effects of that preparation on the resulting wine.

    This is an explanation of the preparation of the oak storage vessels and the effects of that preparation on the resulting wine.

  • The wine storage area viewing area.

    The wine storage area viewing area.

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  • Untitled photo
  • Looking north toward the upper end of the tram (left), the entrance to the self-guided tour, and the outdoor tasting area and patio.

    Looking north toward the upper end of the tram (left), the entrance to the self-guided tour, and the outdoor tasting area and patio.

  • The patio tasting area, where a very good Chardonnay was served.

    The patio tasting area, where a very good Chardonnay was served.

  • At the end of the self-guided tour there is a greeting area that opens to a variety of destinations in the main tasting building.  Very pleasant.

    At the end of the self-guided tour there is a greeting area that opens to a variety of destinations in the main tasting building. Very pleasant.

  • The main tasting area (excluding the wine club areas) at the end of the tour.

    The main tasting area (excluding the wine club areas) at the end of the tour.

  • Waiting for the down tram, which takes a different route to return to the parking lot.

    Waiting for the down tram, which takes a different route to return to the parking lot.

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