Napa Valley, California

Less than 100 kilometers separating San Francisco's powerful Californian wine region of Napa Valley. It is very close. Perfect to enjoy two days watered the spectacular wines and sparkling wines. Go to San Francisco and do not give a hop in Napa Valley is a sin.

The Vale won forces in the decade of 70, to beat some traditional French wines in a competition in France. Then he went to the first division in the art of producing wines. And no longer stopped. Has a combination of soil, relief, climate and moisture perfect for the cultivation of parreiras. Today receives more than four million visitors per year avid for tasting the good harvests in the region. Quality and innovation are the marks of Napa.There are produced some grapes considered national heritage as the are served at Zinfandel. In addition, unusual combinations are made that conquer the wine lovers.

The trip may begin by Golden Gate or by Bay Bridge. Last week the bridge, the blue of the sea is being left behind and soon immense grapevines pass to dominate the scene. They are half by citadels of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Santa Helena and Calistoga, in addition to hundreds of wineries.

The first and largest city to appear in the path is Napa. It appoints the region but is far from being the most interesting part of the journey. Napa receives this name only by being the margins of river Napa. Is nothing special. The best is yet to come. Following by CA-29 as soon begin to succeed wineries and more wineries in a quantity that impresses.

Napa (the first city of the region) until Calistoga (last) are only 42 kilometers full of lovely places to visit and enjoy wonderful wines and sparkling wines. Is everything Barra and very well signposted. The hotels and information centers have material very well done and updated on the whole region.

A bit before arriving in Napa, an obligatory stop for those who enjoy a beautiful sparkling is the Domaine Carneros by Taittinger.... The castelinho up the hill surrounded of vines alone already draws attention. Impossible to pass and do not have the political will to visit.

 The company established itself in Napa Valley in 1987. It is relatively recent, but already born with surname important coming from the Champagne region, in France. Their sparkling wines are recognized worldwide for its excellent quality.

All the region's wineries are open for visitation, for free. If you want to make a tour to know in detail the property, the cultivation of grapes, the preparation of wines and taste some products from the house then you must pay a fee and do a previous schedule.

This was the first stop to warm the strategic drums and enter the romantic atmosphere of the valley ethyl. A few kilometers more and we arrived in Yountville, city that we chose to serve as a base to explore the region. Perfect choice.Best impossible. Hint of a friend who lives in Palo Alto and knows very well the Napa Valley.

Yountville is almost a Jerusalém of so cute. Has just one street and is full of houses very well cared for, colorful, of one or two floors. A grace. In Beira sidewalks parreiras and Hortas do the time of gardens. Kitchen gardens of Thomas Keller and hotel Bardessono are brilliant. You can see what will eat to stroll around the city. The concept of Horta for the table is taken very seriously. Everything very fresh. Harvested in time.