Mid Valley

Day two in Napa Valley began with a delicious breakfast at the inn, where I had the best (mushroom) quiche of my life. The fall days began quite chilly, but gradually warmed up to a perfect 79 degrees. I could get used to that! We headed south on the main road to our first destination.

Mondavi is a winery designed in a Spanish mission style. I had signed us up for their Wine Tasting Basics class. It was held in a large dining room and the only other students were two young women. Our teacher was a charming retiree and winemaker named Channing. He went over everything from wine labels to stemware and then led us on a short tasting with a tasting wheel that had categories like woody, earthy, chemical, floral, spicy, herbaceous, etc. It was rather complicated because then the wheel spun out to different catergories within those main ones, and we were to decide whether it was a woody cedar, bacon, or burnt toast. An interesting and fun experience that I would recommend to beginners and more seasoned wine drinkers alike.

The next stop was just for me because I love my champs (or as they call it in the valley, 'bubbles.') Mumm Napa featured a nice terrace overlooking vineyards. Next door was a photo gallery featuring the works of Ansel Adams and a guest photographer. I don't remember his name, but his works were all underwater pictures taken in Hawaii.

Our next destination was both of our favorites of the entire trip. We had a reserved sit-down tasting on the porch at Frog's Leap. Our server poured us our tastings and told us all about their unique method of dry farming. We were also given a cheese plate with crackers, olives and their homemade peach jam. After asking us where we were from, she sent out the manager, who was also from Cleveland, and we chatted with her for a while. Totally relaxing afternoon, and when we left, they told us that the manager had comped our visit. A very nice surprise!

We also wandered around their farm, where they grow food for local restaurants and raise chickens. We were excited to see pomegranate and persimmon trees for the first time ever. Or maybe we just don't get out much?

Our next stop was a winery that's been in the valley a long time and still does complimentary tastings: Heitz Cellars. I was tired of tasting by then, but my husband was impressed that they were giving free tastings of some older wines like this that were over $100 a bottle.

Across the street was our final stop of the day which was strictly for my husband: Prager Port Works. I'm not a huge fan of port, but my husband is. The place was like a hole-in-the wall to me, run by three brothers (I believe this is two of them). You basically stand in one room covered in dollar bills from around the world. Nothing fancy about this place, but I guess if you are a guy who enjoys port, then you'd like this place.

I might mention that their claim to fame is this really old spider web. Not kidding.

We then headed for dinner at Brasswood. I had read reviews online where everyone says to ask for this appetizer that is not on the menu. They bring out a plate with four slices of grilled bread, drizzled in olive oil. Then they place warm mozzarella on top that they pull with two forks. Lastly, you are given a plate of heirloom tomatoes in olive oil and balsamic. It was definitely the best thing I ate on the trip. We both really enjoyed our meals as well.

It was still early, so we wandered around the shops in downtown St. Helena and then got gelato to eat outside. A great ending to the day.