Poured & Plated: Our Weekend Trip Itinerary Exploring Napa & Sonoma's Vineyards and Kitchen

Napa and Sonoma were such a great weekend trip! The vineyards were everything I hoped for: beautiful, fun, and full of great wine. We squeezed a lot into just a short few days, and I wanted to share some of the highlights from our group adventure.

Planning tastings and vineyard visits for a group of 8 definitely was surprisingly more difficult than we anticipated for the vineyards we were interested in —reservations were a little tricky to coordinate—but we made it work! In the end, I loved how our itinerary turned out. Great wine, gorgeous views, and lots of laughs that made it such a fun experience.

Friday: Sonoma Restaurants and Vineyards

Viansa Vineyard: Viansa Vineyard in Sonoma has a lovely Italian-inspired atmosphere with a great seating area overlooking the vineyards, and a spacious lawn that’s perfect for relaxing. I thought the wines were very good, and the setting made for a very picturesque, and enjoyable visit. The people at Viansa were very accommodating, but the only downside was that the person leading our tasting seemed a bit inexperienced.

B.R. Cohn Winery: B.R. Cohn Winery in Sonoma has such a unique vibe compared to other vineyards—it feels more like visiting a family home than a traditional winery. The atmosphere is super casual and laid-back, which made it all the more fun. We had a great time and left feeling like we’d discovered a hidden gem. The winery has an interesting history too—it was founded by Bruce Cohn, the longtime manager of The Doobie Brothers, in 1984. Bruce combined his love for music and wine, creating a special place known not only for its wines but also for its olive oil and warm hospitality.

The Girl and The Fig: The Girl & The Fig is a french restaurant in Sonoma and was the perfect spot to wind down after a day of wine tastings. We stopped here for appetizers and sat on their cozy patio, which was lovely even in March. The food was delicious, and the relaxed atmosphere made it a great way to end the afternoon. It’s definitely a place worth checking out if you’re in town.

Wit & Wisdom: Wit & Wisdom in Sonoma was a standout spot for us. The restaurant's dishes combine classic American food with a creative twist, featuring everything from fresh seafood to hearty meats and vegetable-centric plates. The entire ambiance was fantastic, with outdoor fire pits adding a cozy touch to the evening. We all enjoyed the food we ordered and the ambiance of the restaurant was casual yet stylish, making it great for a group dinner. I would definitely revisit Wit & Wisdom if I was back in Sonoma. They have a great espresso martini too!

Napa Restaurants and Vineyards

Rombauer Vineyards: Rombauer Vineyards in Napa was definitely our favorite wine tasting of the trip. Their Chardonnay was incredible, and as someone who’s not usually a fan of Chardonnay, I was really surprised by how much I loved it. The wines we tried during the tasting were excellent across the board, and the views made it that much better. Plus, the person leading our tasting was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and really made the experience memorable. We ended up ordering a few cases of wine to send home from this vineyard.

Silver Oak: I’ve loved Silver Oak wines for quite some time, so I was really excited to visit their vineyard. While the wines were great, the tasting experience felt a bit stuffy and serious, lacking the more relaxed vibe we had at other wineries. The atmosphere was much more formal, which made it feel a bit reserved. Despite that, the wines definitely lived up to expectations.

Oxbow Public Market: Oxbow Public Market in Napa is a great spot for lunch after a day of tastings, and Loveski, a "Jew-ish" deli, was a highlight. With a creative spin on classic deli fare, the bagels and sandwiches were delicious and satisfying. The deli blends Jewish flavors with local California ingredients, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a flavorful meal after exploring the vineyards.

Domaine Carneros Vineyard: Domaine Carneros had great sparkling wines and it's a beautiful French-inspired chateau, but the atmosphere didn’t feel as authentic or intimate as some of the other places we visited. The whole experience felt very touristy and crowded. It’s a nice spot for photos for your trip, and if you are a fan of sparkling wines, but it didn’t stand out as much to me for the overall tasting experience.

The Charter Oak: Charter Oak was one of our favorite spots. The food, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and cooked over an open flame, was absolutely delicious. Not only was the food great, their dirty martini was a standout - honestly probably one of the best I've had. The atmosphere was warm, with both open-concept and outdoor seating, making it a great place to enjoy a memorable meal in a relaxed setting.

Poured & Plated: Our Weekend Trip Itinerary Exploring Napa & Sonoma's Vineyards and Kitchen

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