NAPA TWO

More on our trip.....

We took a group tour while we were in  Napa one day

 and the next day we went on a private tour. 

Our last day we went out on our own.

Both of tours were with the same company and

the itineraries were not set on either tour until the drivers talked with us and everyone

to find out what we wanted and where we wanted to go. 

We both thought the group tour was a lot of fun because we were able to meet people 

and our driver Kevin was great.

Probably the best part is that they do not cater or contract with the larger/touristy wineries,

but had great connections with the smaller family owned ones. 

This is Oakville Grocery,

a little general store where you can get great gourmet picnics and snacks. 

Some pictures of the different wineries we went to:

dipping a bottle in gold wax

This winery was releasing a special bottle of wine the next day and let our group help them dip the bottles.

down in a cave at a barrel tasting

They hung artificial grapes up for camera happy people like me! 

In reality, this is what the vines looked like.

They call this time of year "Bud Season".

I would love to go back in the fall and see all of the grapes hanging on the vines!

This is a little more elaborate winery.

There was italian opera playing, chandeliers and candles everywhere down in this cave.

The man that owns this winery imported every stone of this castle from Italy.

This was a little touristy and we didn't want to pay to go in, we just walked around the grounds

and enjoyed the views. 

 Cheers!