Expert: Ernest Tufft - 5/25/2008

Question
We're interested in touring the Napa Valley, and understand that many wineries
have attractions besides wine.  I think I saw one had a Chinese garden, one a
castle, and something about a culinary school.  Could you tell me where to find  
more of this sort of information?  Do you know some fun places to visit?  
Surprisingly, we're not all that interested in wine tasting.  Many thanks!

Answer
Hi Linda,

This is a very good question that merits some background for the response.  The wine industry provides rich educational and sensory activities for novice consumers such as you, since appreciation of wine is a sophisticated acquired taste, making food, forethought, and moderation part of the good life.  Wine is a chemically more complex beverage than beer, and unlike a mixed cocktail, it is a naturally crafted toward smoothness without benefit of sugar.  A great place to learn the basics of wine and food is at the COPIA in the town of Napa.  It is located on first street and can be easily found on-line with a keyword search.

But, if you truely are not interested in wine, I don't recommend going to the wine country.  There are other places in the San Francisco Bay Area better worth the time.  The activities provided by wineries are generally based upon the invitation to taste and buy the extraordinary vinified products crafted in the Napa Valley.  However, where a spouse or someone in a group of tasters is unable to appreciate wine, for one reason or another, good wineries do strive to provide some access to alternative beverages and colorful activities to keep the non-taster or designated driver happy.

There are several hundred wineries in the Napa Valley, most of which have unique winery architecture and gardens, and a great many of which have additional art galleries, and there are a few with recreational activities.  So, I can't begin to help with specifics here, but  I have photographed and written about many of these at www.virtualtourist.com under the member name of atufft.

I hope this helps.