Aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train

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Day 2 Breakfast: Westin Verasa Napa go In the comfortable suite with a full kitchen we created our breakfast, and started our day with a view of the quiet river, the green woodland and sparkling pool below our deck.
9:30 am - 2:30 pm Enjoyed a leisurely bike tour of three wineries, a box lunch, plus a surprise visit to a fourth winery. photos

Napa Valley Adventure Tours go founded by Paul Henricks, who set up a unique personalized wine country experience for our group of widely different ages and riding abilities. We met at Oxbow, Paul gave an orientation, then provided us with modified mountain bikes, safety helmets, maps and water bottles. We set off caravan style, one behind the other with Paul leading. Riding at first on the hidden bike paths along the river which brought us to the Silverado Trail and to our first stop: Judd's Hill Winery go.

We tasted two reds, available only at the winery, a new Sauvingnon Blanc 2008 release and a Gold Medal winning Cabernet Sauvignon. Judd's has a humorous online video series with wine related content, updates and on air interviews. Known for their Micro Crush business and a Bottle Blending Day Camp - they can - with 24 hours notice, assist groups of up to 12 to create their own wine - to be hand bottled with custom label and be ready same day. Food and Wine Magazine states this is "the place to go to make custom wine in Napa Valley". After 20 minutes we're back on bikes continuing north toward Razi Winery to hopefully taste their famous Estate Chardonnay.

The newly opened tasting room at Razi Winery go with its sleek Zen feel is literally and uniquely within 5 feet of the estate vineyard. Open by reservation only, its patio welcomes guests relax there. Besides their own wines, Razi pours from producers they are involved with, offering guests opportunities to sample premium wines. Razi "is focused on very small production, ultra-premium wines made from excellent quality grapes" stated winemaker Massimo Monticelli. We viewed the cellar and custom crush operation with it's state-of-the-art production facility. Some sampled wine from the tanks - courtesy of the winemaker.

We're spurred to get on the road again with a promise of a gourmet picnic lunch at a Napa Valley historic "Ghost Winery": Regusci Winery go. It's now noonish and getting pretty warm. Upon our arrival the picnic is set out on table in the shade with a valley view. Our accompanying van has carried our gear, provided roadside assistance and brought the great lunch. The Winery is set back from the road - built up against a towering palisade -on the east side of the Silverado trail in the Stags Leap District.

Today Ragusci Winery produces several Estate reds that are intense, complex but supple. After sampling, some of us took the van back to town. Others rode back, turning south for a surprise visit to Van der Heyden Vineyards go.

Return to Westin Verasa Napa; recovery nap, swim in pool, dip in hot tub

4-6 pm Meet at Napa Valley Visitors Center, The Center provides a Downtown Wine Tasting Card - part of the Taste of Napa go promotion - with which, by walking or using a free trolley,13 tasting rooms can be visited. The card entitles very low cost sampling or free corkage at participating restaurants, or a free gift when staying in a downtown participating lodging. George Webber of Napa Walking Tour go guided our downtown tour. Interesting shops and restaurants were passed as we were led to Napa's historic buildings, churches and Victorian homes.

Many of the largest preserved Victorians have been converted for new uses. The McClelland-Priest Bed & Breakfast Inn go welcomed us to view interior details. Celeste Carducci, owner, talked about the joys and difficulties of converting and improving a historic structure and allowed us to examine various spaces in the lovingly restored building. As we strolled around, George pointed out the differences between Victorian styles and brought important architectural details to our attention.

An entertaining storyteller, George shared history and tall tales; bringing to life the experience of living in Napa's past. Napa was the center of leather production in the late 1800's with much of the production shipped by water transport to ports around the world. Remnants of wharfs and embarcaderos are still visible but now the restored Napa River mainly functions as a flood plain and bird sanctuary, providing recreation and lovely vistas to its residents. Our two hour tour ended at Veteran's Memorial Park an open, paved plaza on the Riverwalk; a place to rest, contemplate, people watch. photos

6:30-9:30 Hosted Dinner Compadres Rio Grille go A local favorite with a distinct food style, western cooking with a mexican accent - Compadres is possibly the most unique Napa Valley dining and party venue. Backing up to the Napa River, its wide outdoor decks offer space to socialize, sit, sip, linger, feed the Koi or view the art collections. Rick Enos related the history and development of this unique venue. Regulars love to come for Tuesday Taco Fiesta, daily Progressive Margaritas Party, Aloha Friday or Breakfast and Bloodys Weekends. Compadres' chef, who learned to cook at his mothers side, prepares his food as for family. His Tuscan style Cheese Crisp was as delicious as it was beautiful. photos

stay: Westin Verasa Napa go; night swim/refresh in pool/hot tub photos