Yountville

On the outskirts of Yountville, at the end of Solano Avenue, lies Domaine Chandon (1 California Drive, Yountville, CA 94559) where sparkling wine is made following the principles and rigid process dictated by the French methode champenoise. A wooden footbridge spans the creek-fed ponds and huge oak trees lead to the winery tucked back into the hillside. Complimentary tours are offered on the hour between 10 am and 6 pm. First you see the fermentation process in polished stainless-steel tanks and then continue on to observe the additional steps involved in making sparkling wine. In the cellar, bottles of sparkling wine are aged and riddled (turned). In the bottling room you see the process of freezing then disgorging the sediment, corking, cleaning, and labeling the bottles. A visit here shows French and Californian vintners sharing expertise and working side by side. After the tour enjoy a tasting of three to five wines for $8 to $12. Select your favorite and purchase a glass to enjoy on the adjacent terrace. There’s an elegant restaurant that tiers down the hillside and in sunny weather lunch is served on the patio. 707-944-2280, www.chandon.com. If you are in the shopping mood in the small town of Yountville there is Vintage 1870, a complex of little shops and galleries housed in a charming old brick winery. It is located on Washington Street just after the the road divides (Washington to the left and Yount to the right) near Hwy 29. Goosecross Cellars is another interesting place to visit. (1119 State Lane, Yountville, CA 94559). This micro winery is a small family-run and -owned operation—Geoff Gorsuch and college roommate David Topper purchased it from Geoff’s parents, who live in the cute house in front of the winery. Walk through the aging vats into the tasting room to sample red varietals and a superb Chardonnay for a dollar each. Colleen Topper offers a very popular complimentary class in wine basics at 11 am every Saturday. Open 10 am to 4 pm. 707-944-1986, www.goosecross.com.