napa

As a writer of food and drink, I have a pretty big blunder to admit. Though wine country is a mere hour away, I don't know the first thing about choosing a tasting room. On my last trip to wine country, I hit up three spots: one fantastic, another mediocre, and a third downright horrible.

If only I had known what I know now, after speaking with Tilar Mazzeo, the author of Back Lane Wineries of Napa and Back Lane Wineries of Sonoma, two helpful books that guide visitors to vineyards that are off the beaten track. After a lengthy discussion with her, I discovered that I've been approaching wine country all wrong. Not only that, but many of my perceptions about visiting wineries are completely incorrect.

Now that I'm much better equipped, I'm already plotting my next trip! Curious to know what mistakes you might be making? Read on.

If you're a fan of Californian sparkling wines, you've probably enjoyed a glass or two of Chandon. With over 200,000 bottles produced a year, an affordable price tag, and a tasting room that sees 2,000 people on a Saturday, it's one of Napa Valley's most well-known bubbly producers. What you may not know, however, is that the winery also makes some well-rounded and interesting still wines. I recently had the chance to sample its offerings, so to learn more about Chandon's Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, keep reading.

Although I've driven by the Domaine Carneros winery in Napa countless times, until this weekend, I had never checked it out. Upon arrival at the busy sparkling wine house, which sits on a hill overlooking rolling fields of grapes, one is invited to a sampling of their sparklers. My favorite pour was the 2006 Brut Cuvée ($26). It's light on the palate, refreshingly dry, with a crisp clean finish and classic pale golden color. The bubbles are tiny, ticklish, and airy, while the aroma is slightly floral and the flavor fruity. Although it's a traditional bubbly, it's perfectly executed and definitely worth a sip.

Have you tried Domaine Carneros Brut or been to the winery?

While the Napa Valley is known worldwide for its amazing wineries, the Northern California region is also home to some award-winning restaurants. Everyone's heard of Thomas Keller's famed French Laundry and Michael Chiarello's Bottega, but lesser known spots like Pat Kuleto's Martini House are definitely worth checking out. Recently Lauren was lucky enough to enjoy lunch at the St. Helena spot named for Walter Martini, an opera singer and original owner of the bungalow that houses the restaurant. An avid foodie, Lauren snapped photos of her meal and shared them in the Savory Sights group in the YumSugar Community. She says, "the food was delicious and I especially loved my New York strip steak with avocados and onions." Her images are so clear and wonderful, I can almost taste the lunch myself! Browse her collection below and don't forget to start sharing your fabulous food finds in the YumSugar Community.