Wine Country Trip Tips

What can CM Destinations do for you? 

CM DESTINATIONS & CONSULTING·

CM Destinations & Consulting is a small company, focusing on small winery Direct-To-Consumer sales, events and visits to wine country of the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. 

1. We work with wineries to market their brand, bring guests to them and may also perform Direct To Consumer duties, national sales, Wine Club Management, Social Media management, and tasting room staff training. 

2. Guests hire CMD to design a trip to wine country that is customized to their budget, style of wine, the pace of the day and experiences desired. Lodging, wineries, restaurants, and adventures are booked and the concierge is available to the guests during their entire stay. CM Destinations will plan your vacation of a lifetime in wine country.  We cover Napa County and Sonoma County areas. The $500 flat fee includes assistance and booking of lodging, drivers, dinners, picnics, wine tasting experiences, adventures (hot air ballooning, wine blending, zip lining, hiking and more). During your trip, we are ON CALL 24/7. (707) 927-8108. Call anytime for a free consultation.

Romantic Couple Getaway

Let CM Destinations plan a quiet, intimate vacation for you and your special someone in wine country. Relax in a resort, B&B or adorable Inn.

John and Suzanne were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in Napa and Sonoma. They had visited the area previously and had seen the larger wineries with great reputations. This trip they wanted to focus on wineries they had never heard of, or the “Christopher Columbus” trip of discovery.

”Day 1: We drove up from the bay area and met our driver at the bed & breakfast. We dropped our bags off and the driver used our car, which saved us quite a bit of money. She was great! We tasted wines at two small wineries that took our breath away. One was owned, farmed and run by a one-woman team! She was a delight to sit with and learn about her seven different vineyards around the Napa region. The vineyards right in front of us were nearly ready for picking and we got to taste the fruit. We really felt like we made a friend in the valley and joined her wine club. She makes such small amounts of wine, we didn’t want to miss out on any new releases. The second winery gave us a barrel tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon from two vineyards very close to each other, but with very different soils. So cool! They also let us bring a boxed lunch, which we enjoyed on the patio with a view of Mt. Veeder. Later we went into downtown Napa to shop the boutiques and CM Destinations had set up a perfume blending class for us. It was amazing! We had a great dinner at a world-famous chef’s restaurant and retired to the B&B.  

Day 2: A balloon company picked us up at our B&B at 6 am and took us to our balloon. We sailed above Yountville and really enjoyed the sights. It was not scary at all, as I had expected. Watching the massive balloon being inflated and the landing were my favorite part. I would definitely do it again. Getting up early was absolutely worth it! Our driver picked up our car at the B&B and picked us up after our beautiful champagne brunch, so we could begin our day. We toured 3 wineries, one with a sit-down lunch with wine pairing and met a member of the winemaking team. Each winery had its own personality, great view and was so much fun. One of the wineries emphasized the farming of the vines. We learned about growing vines and winemaking from this salt-of-the-earth farmer.  The best part of the day was meeting a winemaker who only produces 600 cases a year and has such a passion for his biodynamic farming and winemaking practices. He was so charming and interesting that we asked him to dinner with us and he and his wife said yes! That was a special evening.

Day 3: We enjoyed a leisure jog through the vineyards and an incredible breakfast. Our driver arrived at 9:30 am and we headed to our first appointment in Sonoma. Our first winery of the day was with a gentleman who farms and makes wine with his father. The winemaking facility was in a modern barn that was just rustic enough to be fun, but still welcoming. The father was bringing in fruit from a Chardonnay vineyard and let us taste the fruit. What a treat! The Merlot and Cabernet were amazing! We then visited a gorgeous property with a gigantic winery dog and incredible Zinfandels. There was a catered lunch on the manicured lawn and great photos with the family logo pick-up truck. We visited downtown Healdsburg and did some shopping and a tasting with a very small production winery in their warehouse/winemaking facility. The young man who owns it makes nine different wines in small batches. He was proud to show us his wines and we can’t wait to share them with friends at home. After an incredible meal we were driven back to our lodging to rest up for the trip home. We can’t wait to have CM Destinations plan another trip for us. It was exactly what we wanted.”

Budget: $600 - $800 per day. This daily budget includes a driver, lunch, dinner, tasting fees and one adventure. Tasting fees are waived with purchases.

Wine Country in the Winter.

We know the great reasons to visit Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wine Country in the summer. You see the green leaves of the vineyards and the grapes hanging on the vine. You can catch a glimpse of the grapes changing color in July or of harvest in full action in September. It is exciting!

Northern California does not receive rain in the summer and the days are warm with cool evenings. During the winter months, there is a big chance of rain. Daily temperatures are typically in the 40s to upper 60s, with evening temperatures of 50 and lower. 

So, what are the advantages to visiting in the winter? 

1. Get the appointment or reservation time that you want! It is quiet from late November through early May. Plan ahead, just a little, and you can have the 7 pm slot at the hottest restaurant. 

2. Save $ on your lodging. Winter demand is lower and this means you will get a better deal on hotel rooms, bed & breakfasts or private home rentals.

3. Wine Country is gorgeous year-round. The colors are there, they are just transversed from the mountains and vineyards. With all the rain, the mountains are covered in rich green grass and the vines are now brown. This is the opposite of the painted colors of the summer. It doesn’t rain every day and it is impressive terrain any month of the year.

4. Get special attention. Summer and Fall are so busy for the winemaking staff. If you want to meet the vintner, winemaker, or cellar master, you have a much better chance of enjoying a glass of wine and intimate conversation during the winter and early spring months. 

5. Everyone is excited to see you! The valet, the driver, your server, and wine educator are absolutely thrilled that you chose the winter to visit and they are sure to show you the wine country experience of a lifetime.

6. It might be winter in wine country, but it looks nothing like a winter in Chicago, Minnesota or New York. Do you see roses blooming at home in December? 

Girls Weekend in Wine Country - Planned by CM Destinations

Allison called CM Destinations 3 months before her birthday. She and some friends wanted to celebrate with a weekend in wine country. Most of the guests had been to Napa before, but wanted someone to curate a trip with high-end wines and smaller labels that they had never heard of before. CM Destinations helped with hints about what airports to use, where to gather and what time their transportation would meet them at baggage claim. Seven ladies made the trip and this is what it looked like. Picture yourself on this trip!

Arrive Oakland Airport at 11:30 am. Flights all arrived within 60 minutes of each other from Seattle, Orlando and Dallas. Mercedes Sprinter picked up all the guests with bottled water, boxed lunches and sparkling wine aboard.

1: 30 pm. First stop was in Sonoma, (Carneros Region) for a tasting with a small production winery. The winemaker was present to greet the ladies and answer questions about his Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Cabernet. The tasting fee is $20 and was waived for each purchase of 3 bottles that ranged in price from $24-$80. This winemaker is a farmer and a charmer. The group spent over an hour tasting and chatting. The driver helped the ladies aboard and they were off to their next destination.

3 pm. Bubble Time! The next stop is a beautiful French-style Chateau that is great for photos, bubbles and conversation. They chose a table outside on the deck with a great view of Carneros, a rose garden, fountain and a sunny spot to relax. Each guest got to choose a flight of several sparkling wine to taste and some even chose Pinot Noir to taste. The tasting fee is based on which flight you choose and ranges in price from $30 to $50. You may also order wines by the glass.

5 pm. Dropping luggage and wine purchase in the hotel in downtown Napa. This historic Inn is located on the Napa River, includes breakfast by Sweetie Pies Bakery and has comfortable rooms with bedding that makes you want to fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow. An hour was set aside for freshening up.

6 pm. Let’s go to dinner. Not just any dinner! The ladies were greeted at a winery in the foothills of Howell Mountain, where a personal Chef created a tasty steak dinner paired with red wines from this 5,000 case production winery. After a short tour of the winemaking facility, they were offered a seat on the second floor with a gorgeous view of the vineyards. This was a special evening. There were no other guests present. Just the ladies, the Chef and their winery representative. The photos were amazing too!

9 pm. Back to the hotel.

Day 2:

After breakfast the ladies took a walk around downtown to discover their surroundings.

Driver picked them up at 10 am and drove them to a 1,000 case production winery that is family run and owned. They sat in the garden, surrounded by vineyards and tasted Sauvignon Blanc, several Cabernet Sauvignons and met the winery cat. After a lovely visit they drove to the next stop.

12 pm. Wow! A short drive delivered the gals to a small winery, also 1,000 case production and family owned, that produces a sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. They sat on a patio with vineyards and a beautiful pergola that shaded them from the sun. They met with the vintner, who shared her journey of moving to the Napa Valley, falling in love with a vineyard manager and creating their family wine label. They also enjoyed a picnic lunch that was delivered from a local restaurant complete with a tablecloth and plates!

2 pm. Historical! Welcome to a family run winery that has owned the land for over 150 years and was one of the first to plant Bordeaux varietals in Napa. The ladies tasted a gorgeous Rose that is made by a famous winemaker who is from Provence and is responsible for getting everyone back on the bandwagon of drinking the good pink stuff! Then the Cabernet Sauvignons were tasted, including a library wine from 2007.

The driver dropped the ladies in downtown St. Helena for some shopping. There are several clothing boutiques, wine tasting rooms, shoe stores, art galleries, an historic movie theater and more. There is a wine shop, which is next door to a famous bakery, which is two doors from an incredible chocolatier.

Dinner was at 6:30 pm in downtown Yountville. The Italian food and jovial atmosphere made for a great birthday celebration. After dinner they were driven back to Napa where the bar hopping began. Between the restaurant and hotel bars you can do some great people watching and experience some hand-crafted cocktails. The evening finished at the only bar with a dance floor, complete with a DJ and disco light show.

Day 3:

The day was started a little later so that everyone could enjoy their vacation by sleeping in. Some chose to rise early and do a hike at Westwood Hills. It is a short 20 minutes to the top of a hill with a great photo opportunity. You can see the San Francisco Bay and the valley floor of Napa. Great photos! They used Uber to get there and back.

11 am. I’m on a Yacht! The Napa Valley Wine Yacht picked up the ladies from the Main Street Dock in front of their hotel. They were greeted by the Captain and a crew member who then introduced them to a winemaker who had brought their small production wines for them to taste. After a few minutes of checking out the 3 levels of the yacht, they started their tasting in the main living room and then moved to the bow of the vessel to taste the next wine. A gourmet lunch was served on the aft deck, which was prepared and delivered by a local restaurant. The three-hour cruise was relaxing and gave everyone a chance to chat and get to know the winemaker.

2 pm. Spa Time! A short walk from the dock is a world-class spa where the ladies chose from facials, wraps and massages. Some did all of the above!

4 pm. Shopping and Tasting! There are dozens of tasting rooms in the downtown areas of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. They didn’t need a driver on this day, as they could walk to each event and dinner! They stopped by two tasting rooms and then went to a casual dinner.

Day 4:

Early morning pick-up by their driver to return to the airport and reality…

Napkins Bar & Grill

Great food, great service and a fun time! 

We do not have a lot of night-life in Napa, so Napkins fits the bill. There are rumors and misconceptions regarding a “dancing permit” required by the local government. This was started in the 1950s with the Elvis the Pelvis debacle. Now, it is said that there is no such permit required, though the Napa Police have been known to shut down a rowdy group in a Napa establishment that serves alcohol and has live music by referencing the Napa Police Department under Title 9.50.010 thru 9.50.090 “The Loud and Unruly Gathering Ordinance”. I call it the “FootLoose” in Napa. So, it is great to have a place to go dance, have a great cocktail and enjoy! As a bonus, you can have a great dinner before dancing!

The bar is always hopping, no matter the day or time. A full bar is available with local and national brands. Napkins offers VIP Bottle Service which includes no cover charge, VIP seating on the dance floor, and the absolute best personal cocktail service.  The tables are pushed back, the disco ball and light show are turned on and the proper DJ starts spinning at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

So, grab some friends for dinner and a night out. Enjoy a gorgeous brunch on Saturday or Sunday morning before visiting the downtown Napa tasting rooms (Brown Downtown, Rebel, Outlands) or shopping in one of the many boutiques stores or the Antique Store on 2nd.

Brunch, lunch and dinner are served seven days a week. I love the roasted beet salad, fish tacos, and the fresh made guacamole.  Sit outside on the patio and enjoy the night air and do some people watching. This is a great place for locals and visitors alike.

BRUNCH MENU SAMPLE: Spinach Mushroom Omelet, Ham And Cheese Omelet,Three Cheese Chorizo Omelet, Breakfast Burrito, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Shrimp Linguine, Grilled Shrimp & Grits, Steak & Eggs.

LUNCH MENU SAMPLE: Salads, Burgers, Sandwiches,  Baby Back Ribs, Slow Roasted Vegetable Wellington, Citrus Habanero Organic Chicken, Grilled Salmon, Grilled Fish Tacos,  Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop, Grilled Quail, Grilled Hangar Steak.  

DINNER MENU SAMPLE: Starters, Salads, Burgers, Sandwiches,  Tostada with Fish of the Day, Grilled Angus Ribeye,  Citrus Habanero Chicken, Grilled Hangar Steak, Grileed Berkshire Pork Chop.

WINE COUNTRY ETIQUETTE Some things you may not know, but will assist you during your trip to wine country. 1. Wearing perfume or strong smelling lotions interrupts everyone’s ability to smell and taste their wine. Please refrain. 2. Chewing gum and drinking coffee during a tasting will change the taste of the wine you are trying to decide if you like. 3.  Sharing tastings is a great way to save money and set a pace for imbibing. 4.  Reservations are necessary for some wineries, because their permit requires that they see guests “by appointment”. In addition, they have staff available for you at the appointed time. Please be courteous and be on time. If you hit a snag, just call and let them know your ETA. 6.  Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. It’s OKAY to leave wine in your glass or pour it in the dump bucket. No one is offended. 5.  Remember that you may be offered a tour of the vineyard. Stilettos don’t do well. Dress cute, but comfortable. Wearing white is dangerous. One ill directed swirl and you will wear that the rest of the day. 6.  Please use a driver. You are going to be offered so many tasty wines. Let someone else worry about directions to the next stop. 7.  Learn how to swirl! Start with your glass on the counter. It DOES make a difference when you aerate the wine. 8.  Have fun! This is the happiest place on earth. 9.  Ask questions. Everyone loves to share what they do here (farming, winemaking, food pairing) 10. Come back for another trip. You can’t experience it all in one or 100 visits.Have more questions or additional Tips? Tell me. LINKVisiting Wine Country Tips:

What style of winery do you want to visit in Napa Valley or Sonoma? Do you want to meet vintners or see architecture and gardens or just taste and play! These are some explanations to describe different kinds of wineries? In an attempt to quantify the terms used to label a winery’s production, here is our dictionary, although this is our version. There is no law used to define them: Boutique Winery: under 1,000 cases produced annually. Guests will most likely meet the winemaker and/or vintner when visiting in their home or vineyard. You have not heard of them because they do not distribute their wines across the country. Maybe a friend shared a bottle with you after their trip here. Small-Production Winery: under 5,000 case production annually. Staff or Wine Educators give your tour/tasting at a commercial, though small, tasting room. Cult Winery: You know the name of this winery. Everyone does. This label is on every restaurant wine list across the country and you just “have” to visit. If you can access an appointment, you feel like a 5-year old child, getting to meet Mickey Mouse! The price of this wine is significant and you will have to agree to buying a minimum amount in order to visit. Estate Winery: Guests will visit the palatial estate where the vineyards grow, the wine is made, and bottle. The staff welcomes you! It is one-stop shopping. You  will see where each grape was grown and the process to get in your bottle. Professional Wine Educators assist you. There will be a lot of other people there too. You can pay more for an intimate tasting.

I am a past restaurant owner. So, I am tough on restaurants as far as hospitality, service, cleanliness, food and wine lists. When someone does it well, I love to shout to the world about them. When you are looking for Mediterranean food, a relaxed environment, fairly priced food and friendly service while in Napa, CA, you really should visit Tarla Grill. Lunch or dinner; I love this place. 

I have also used them for catering private events and they nailed it! 

My favorite Mediterannean dish is Musaka, which they do perfectly! Think of lasagna, but eggplant instead of noodles. I also love Dolma and Saganaki, which is Halloumi Cheese, Truffle Honey, Chardonnay Poached Turkish Apricots and Raisins. It is lit on fire and you dip toast into it. Yum! But, my favorite dish is one created by their Chef that is a grilled Octopus Salad with arugula, garbanzo beans, beets and citrus. The warm and cold items, sweet, acidic and earthy are an amazing experience. I tell a lot of people to go there and order this dish. I am a little bossy.

I’ve had a few clients book a private dinner, rehearsal dinner or birthday in their private dining room. It holds 50 people comfortably and you can do a wine dinner or add a belly dancer for entertainment. 

Tarla Grill in Napa, CA

(707) 255-55991480 First Street, Napa, CA 94558  

HOURS

Sun-Thur 11a-9:30p Fri-Sat 11a–10:30p Brunch Sat-Sun 11a–3p Daily Happy Hour 3p-6p No Corkage Fee on Tuesdays!

So...get ready for a tiny winery you have never heard of, but you wish you had. There are nearly 1,700 labels within the Napa Valley. There are so many beautifully made wines that it will take a lifetime to try them all. I will highlight some amazing wineries for you to visit. Just call CM Destinations to plan the wine country trip of your dreams. I’d like to share a little about Seven Stones Winery.

Seven Stones winery is a 45-acre winery estate in St. Helena, nestled just above the Meadowood Resort. It was originally purchased as a family estate, planting a single acre of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1996 and building a jewel-box winery with recreational family winemaking in mind. Over time, it became evident that the property possessed the well-drained, rocky, volcanic soils that could produce world-class wine. Aaron Pott was hired as winemaker. The inaugural release was the 2005 and sold out quickly. Two more acres were planted and it will remain a small, estate winery, with no more than a few hundred cases produced each year.  

The property contains a world class art collection, much of which can be viewed on the tour. The vintner, Mr. Wornick supports young artists and many of their pieces are on display on the grounds and in the winery. But, the real reason to visit is for the wine. Only one Cab is made each year. Each vintage is a representative of the terroir of that year. When you arrive, you are greeted with some bubbles to sip on while walking the gardens and seeing the view of the Napa Valley floor and opposing mountain range (Mayacamas). The winery is the smallest in the county. It is actually adorable! Then sit in the large leather chairs above the winery and taste the rich, smooth Cabernet! Appointments are taken for those who are willing to purchase at least 3 bottles. The cost is $210 per bottle. 

CM Destinations is here to plan your ultimate vacation in Napa/Sonoma.

Whether you are having a romantic long weekend as a couple, a corporate incentive trip, business meeting, or a big group of friends wanting to experience wine country, CMD is your travel planner. Our goal is to plan the best possible trip for you within your budget, style and taste.

Earlier in my life I was a restaurant owner of a fine dining establishment, a Tapas Restaurant and a Bakery in St. Augustine, FL. I moved to Wine Country to “get a life”. No more weekend late nights for me.  I know how hard it is to get service, food and ambiance RIGHT! So, I feel compelled to share with you one of my favorite dining experiences in Napa. I have never had a bad experience at Ca’Momi Osteria. My husband and I (Retired Chef Honey - My nickname for him, you do not have to call him by this name) have taken guests, celebrated special occasions and dropped in for a bite on a whim. It is located on First Street in downtown Napa, where the restaurant scene has blossomed over the past 8 years!

I’ve heard some complain that they won’t change the ingredients for a guest’s request. It’s true! I love that Chef sticks to his recipes the way his family wrote them many years ago. Though, if you have an allergy, they completely take care of you. It is stated on the menu and on the wall of the restaurant that they are an “Obsessively Authentic Italian Eatery”. 

Enjoy a pizza in a Napoletana style, Frizzi style (a friend Pizza Napoletana) or a flatbread called Schiacciata. I like to start with a salad (Insalata Bianca) or the sweetbreads. I usually share the sweetbreads because I love them and the sauce is so rich I cannot finish it by myself. Whenever they have the Liver & Onions on the menu we order it! You also have to try the veal cutlets. The menu is great for Vegetarians, Gluten Free Guests and Carnivores. If you are a funghi lover, there are so many choices for you!

Watch the Race Video from 2017. Get ready for the ZERO Prostate Cancer Race Napa Valley on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 8 am. Napa Valley College Track. http://www.zerocancer.org

Sign up now for the 5K/10K on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Use Code: RUNCLUB18 for $5 off registration. www.zerocancer.org/napavalley because 1 in 8 men will get Prostate Cancer sometime in their lifetime. 

50% of funds raised stay locally for patients, Adventist Health equipment for treatment in St. Helena and 50% of funds go to national research. Volunteer based run. 6th annual race in Napa. There are 47 races across the country.

ZERO is looking for volunteers, runners, and sponsors. 

Join us for a Dine & Donate on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Carpe Diem Restaurant on 3rd and Main Street in downtown Napa. 15% of your dinner bill will be donated back to ZERO. Blue Balloons will be for sale for $20. Each one contains a prize worth $25-$150. 

WINE COUNTRY ETIQUETTE

Some things you may not know, but will assist you during your trip to wine country. 1. Wearing perfume or strong smelling lotions interrupts everyone's ability to smell and taste their wine. Please refrain. 2. Chewing gum and drinking coffee during a tasting will change the taste of the wine you are trying to decide if you like. 3.  Sharing tastings is a great way to save money and set a pace for imbibing. 4.  Reservations are necessary for some wineries, because their permit requires that they see guests "by appointment". In addition, they have staff available for you at the appointed time. Please be courteous and be on time. If you hit a snag, just call and let them know your ETA. 6.  Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. It's OKAY to leave wine in your glass or pour it in the dump bucket. No one is offended. 5.  Remember that you may be offered a tour of the vineyard. Stilettos don't do well. Dress cute, but comfortable. Wearing white is dangerous. One ill directed swirl and you will wear that the rest of the day. 6.  Please use a driver. You are going to be offered so many tasty wines. Let someone else worry about directions to the next stop. 7.  Learn how to swirl! Start with your glass on the counter. It DOES make a difference when you aerate the wine. 8.  Have fun! This is the happiest place on earth. 9.  Ask questions. Everyone loves to share what they do here (farming, winemaking, food pairing) 10. Come back for another trip. You can't experience it all in one or 100 visits.

One of the Adventures for you to enjoy in wine country is the Napa Valley Wine Yacht.

​3 Hour Cruises along the beautiful Napa River for up to 12 guests for $2,150. Includes Captain, Crew, fuel, soda, water and a boxed lunch! Add a massage therapist, local winemaker for wine tasting, Chef to make dinner, wine blending class, cheese-making class.... 

Transfers to/from San Francisco Bay to Napa. $5,000 for up to 12 guests. 4.5 trip includes all that is included in the 3 Hour Cruise (above).

What style of winery do you want to visit in Napa Valley or Sonoma? Do you want to meet vintners or see architecture and gardens or just taste and play! These are some explanations to describe different kinds of wineries? In an attempt to quantify the terms used to label a winery's production, here is our dictionary, although this is our version. There is no law used to define them: Boutique Winery: under 1,000 cases produced annually. Guests will most likely meet the winemaker and/or vintner when visiting in their home or vineyard. You have not heard of them because they do not distribute their wines across the country. Maybe a friend shared a bottle with you after their trip here. Small-Production Winery: under 5,000 case production annually. Staff or Wine Educators give your tour/tasting at a commercial, though small, tasting room. Cult Winery: You know the name of this winery. Everyone does. This label is on every restaurant wine list across the country and you just "have" to visit. If you can access an appointment, you feel like a 5-year old child, getting to meet Mickey Mouse! The price of this wine is significant and you will have to agree to buying a minimum amount in order to visit. Estate Winery: Guests will visit the palatial estate where the vineyards grow, the wine is made, and bottle. The staff welcomes you! It is one-stop shopping. You  will see where each grape was grown and the process to get in your bottle. Professional Wine Educators assist you. There will be a lot of other people there too. You can pay more for an intimate tasting.