Sonoma and Napa Private Wine Tasting Experiences

"For an authentic, old-fashioned Napa experience I took the winding Spring Mountain Road to Smith-Madrone, where winemaker Charles Smith and viticulturist Stuart Smith welcomed me amid dramatic valley views framed by a corridor of 100-year-old olive trees; tastings feature three current releases — Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon — all estate-grown on the mountain. The brothers have been growing grapes for over 45 years, and I was told to ask about their Cook's Flat Reserve, each bottle numbered and limited to roughly 1,000 bottles per vintage." - Jonathan Cristaldi