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Show On the road with - i Shirley Smith In the Wine Country A visit to California's wine country , can mean a simple afternoon's excursion from San Francisco or, it can mean, as it did recently to a group of Park City and Ogden wine lovers, a several day visit to some of Napa and Sonoma Valleys' finest wineries. Any time is a good time to visit the Wine Country, but late fall is especially enjoyable. The crushing of the grapes is finished, the crowds have thinned and the vines are turning marvelous shades of gold and red. We started our visit with a stop at Domain Chandon in Yountville. Owned by the French Champagne firm of Moet Chandon, the beautiful winery produces some of California's finest sparkling wines and perhaps the most delectable food in the Napa Valley. Plan a tour of the facilities - an interesting and informative introduction to the making of sparkling wines - for late morning and conclude your visit with lunch in the spacious restaurant. Our meal began with an extraordinary tomato soup crowned with a golden pouf of puff pastry and went on to include a choice of smoked quail, stuffed duck's leg or paella fragrant with spices. A dessert buffet extodinaire - and of course champagne throughout - completed a meal not to be soon forgotten. It was a leisurely stop and late in the afternoon we made our way north on hwy 29 through St. Helena to Sterling Vineyards. The stark white buildings of the winery, Spanish or perhaps Greek in mood sit high on a hill to the east of the rad and are reached by gondola. Our personal guide took us to areas of the winery reserved for special guests and concluded our visit with a private tasting of their very fine Merlot and Sauvingnon Blanc. Our personal guide took us to areas of the winery reserved for special guests and concluded our visit with a private tasting of their very fine Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. It was but a short drive then to our lodgings at the Hotel St. Helena - and more wine, served in the lobby compliments of the management. The hotel, on St. Helena's main street, is ideally situated as a base for a wine country visit. It was originally opened in 1881 and has recently been completely refurbished to provide the subtle richness and serenity of a bygone era. (Room rates start at $70) Dinner that evening, for some, at the highly recommended Calistoga Inn 9 miles up the road in the town of Calistoga where the veal, fresh seafood and service were superb. A good night's sleep and a leisurely breakfast of juice, fresh fruit, coffee and croissants prepared everyone for the half hour drive to the far south end of the valley and Carneros Creek Winery - visits by appointment. Even at 10:30 a.m. their Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir were superb. Heading back north again we made a not to be missed stop for picnic supplies at the Oakville Grocery and laden with artichoke hearts, olives, smoked fowl, cheese, sausages, mustards, fresh fruit, bread, and, of course, wine eventually resumed our journey. Destination: Chateau Mont Elena on Tubbs road just north of Calistoga. Their Chardonnays are reknowned and their picnic area unique. How often can you enjoy a gourmet lunch in a pagoda on an island in a small lake, eeese auacking at the water's edge for tidbits. A leisurely afternoon browsing in St. Helena's shops, napping, lounging by the fire and were' revived in time to spend a hilarious evening drinking Margaritas, eating great Mexican food and yodeling - yes, yodeling - at Pancho's y Panchita's, the local Mexican restaurant. The next morning brought one of the highlights of the trip -a private tour and tasting at Jordan Vineyard and Winery in the Alexander Valley where all visits are by appointment only. A visit to the mustard yellow chateau spread accross a secluded hilltop is a visual treat and a taste of their 1978 . Cabernet will soon convince one that this winery, founded in 1972 with the commitment to produce a truly distinctive wine, has achieved its goal. ; J - J , Each winery, of course, has its own character, its own -j special wines, its own policies on visitors and with a little ,: planning your visit to the wine country can be just what you want it Xq be.. , . .; . , - ' P.S. If you are going to San Francisco and don't have time " fot a wine country tour, pay a visit instead to Connoisseur Wjne Imports at 462 Bryant St. where Arthur Formicelli and . hi$ associates can offer you, under one very large roof, the tiiiest selection of imported and domestic wines you're ever Hlcely to see - plus the knowledge to help you make just the .! right selections. : - , |