Visiting SF Bay area

I'd recommend Milat in Napa. It's on the west side of 29, right at the Oakville cut (Silver Oak, Plumpjack, Groth, etc.). They used to provide the " minty" Cab for Silver Oak Napa, but now do their own Cab, Merlot and IIRC a nice Zin too. David Duckhorn (son of Dan Duckhorn) is their dir. of marketing and often works the tasting room. Small, excellent wine and easy to get to right on the hwy. Usually, you'll also get to visit with the winery doggie at the entrance.

Hunt

I enjoyed Gundlach-Bundschu during my trip a few years ago.

For those "well made Pinot's" -

Visit David Bruce (Santa Cruz mountains) while on your way down to Monterey.

Paul Parker wrote:

I like many in Sonoma and most are off the beaten path. Rafanelli and Teldeschi have interesting Zins as does Rosenblum and Ravenswood. I would still go to Ferrari Carrano as they have a beautiful tasting room and usually some interesting winery only wines. Just going down some of the smaller roads in Sonoma you can find interesting wineries you have never heard of that have some really good wines. Also Gan Eden. I don't find that much anymore in Napa because the cost is so much higher for land and most of the operations are large. If you can get some private tastings in Napa like Schramsburg sparkling wines, Nickel and Nickel, Quintessa, and Plumpjack. These you need to call ahead or get a hotel in the area to book for you.I always like to go to Clos Pegas for the winery, the wines are fair. I never miss Prager Port Works in St Helena.