How to Plan the perfect Trip to Napa (Day 3: LATE Afternoon)

Western skies at Obrien Estates, Yountville, CA.

Well we had time for one more stop.    On the way back to the hotel, in the Yountville area off Oak Knoll, there sits a small winery called, O'Brien Estates.    A winery known for its' small production, amazing winemaker and most notably it's wine bottled adorned with love poems.


I have been to this winery dozens of times, my family has been wine members there for years and we just felt that this group had to experience the O'Briens personally.    And personally is what we got.   We were greeted by none other than Owner, Barb O'Brien and winemaker, David Yorgensen.    They set up a casual tasting in the backyard of their adjoining residence.    We tasted all of their popular labels and Barb read  and then gave background the labels of each of the wines.


They allowed everyone the opportunity to walk through the vineyards, and just enjoy the afternoon and each other's company.    It seems that everywhere we went on this trip seems to top the last place; not in a bad way, but like every place just made the trip that much more memorable.      Every winery offered a unique experience, some were offered a white glove and crystal experience and others, like O'Brien offered a more relaxed atmosphere where you feel like you were in your family's backyard for a holiday.    All the wineries outdid themselves, I could not have been more pleased.

O'Brien Estates, a tasting everyone will remember!

Paul Jackson with the perfect pose!

Felt like home

Barb O'Brien delivers a personal tasting

Unique decorations everywhere

Libby Jackson listens intently

Kevin Jackson enjoys "Seduction"

Erin and Scott MCNeil walk the rows of grapes

Melissa Pogue and Laura Craddick chat in the vineyards

How to Plan the perfect Trip to Napa (Day 3: Afternoon)

View from the veranda at William Hill Estate Winery

After the morning tasting the buses drove us over the Silverado trail up on a mountain where we arrived at one of my favorite wineries, William Hill Estate Winery.    I have been to WIlliam Hill many times, we have been members there for years, and the staff is always friendly and eager to help.    When we called and said that we have 30 + Guests, the response was "Bring em on, we will make it work!" And they did!

They set up an out door picnic overlooking the valley under a wisteria cover veranda.     I really could not have asked for a better setting.    We were all at the point, after visiting many very high end wineries that we just wanted to have a relaxing lunch under the perfect wine country skies.  

They had box lunches prepared and delivered by the Soda Canyon Store, which is just down the road on the southern end of the Silverado Trail.  Standouts from the boxes where "The Best Sandwich", smoked turkey, with gorgonzola topped with a fig and olive spread and served on on sourdough and "The Tourist" smoked turkey served with a mound of double creme brie and avocado on fresh focaccia.    William Hill had the outdoor area all set complete with wine glasses and servers.   They served two wine options by the bottle, a 2008 Bench Blend Chardonnay and a 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet.    This might have been the highlight of the trip.     Just a perfect day, the forecast had called for rain, but Camille was looking down over us making sure the whole day went off without a hitch.

Rob Rickman enjoys the Chardonnay

Everyone was able to relax and enjoy the wine.    I had tons of compliments on this place, everything from comments on the view to comments on the staff.     A few guest somehow talked thier way into a private facility tour.   Not quite sure how they pulled that off, but with this group, nothing every comes as a surprise.

Side note: They allowed us to bring along a cooler full of bottled water for everyone.   It is the little things like this that makes venues like William Hill so easy to deal with.    This made things a lot easier on everyone as their staff didn't have to deal with this and we were able to save our group a little money.



William Hill is a must see for large groups of for just for one.    Their pleasant demeanor and casual style makes this place one of my favorite stops in Napa.