SF / Napa valley / Santa Rosa recommendations

[jfw]

Heading to SF/Napa next weekend, anything out there I should be looking for not avalable on the east coast?

I noticed Hooker House which seems to be LDI product finished in Pinot barrels (I just got Smooth Ambler's old scout out of WV which is the same LDI mashbill, so it should be a good comparison).

I usually check K&L in SF and Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa (probably won't make it to Ledgers in Oak this trip) - any other store recommendations.

[SDpappy]

Probably wine and beer instead. Russian river brewery and lots of great wineries!

[Tico]

KL and Bottle Barn are a must, maybe check out SFWTC as well.

[mrviognier]

If you want a little wine diversion, I'd strongly suggest you go check out Siduri in Santa Rosa. Adam and Diana Lee are amazing folks who are crafting stunning Pinot Noirs from select vineyards in CA and OR. They have a second label - Novy Family - which releases 'non Pinot' wines like Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, etc. While they're located in a light industrial complex, but don't let the surroundings fool you...they make some of the best wines in CA.

[Fullbuck]

I second Russian River Brewery. they have on tap the #1 & 2 double ipa in the country. Pliny the Elder, Pliny the younger. INCREDIBLE

[RegChumpington]

Heading to SF/Napa next weekend, anything out there I should be looking for not avalable on the east coast?

I noticed Hooker House which seems to be LDI product finished in Pinot barrels (I just got Smooth Ambler's old scout out of WV which is the same LDI mashbill, so it should be a good comparison).

I usually check K&L in SF and Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa (probably won't make it to Ledgers in Oak this trip) - any other store recommendations.

Russian River for sure. If you're an IPA fan and have never had the pleasure of Pliny... do it.

K&L is a good stop; I also like The Whisky Shop on Sutter, roughly equidistant between the Powell and Montgomery BART stations. Scotch-heavy, but some other things to be had. If that's up your alley, worth a stop.

Cask nearby is decentish the last time I went (it's been a while, admittedly) but the prices are a bit high. Found some uncommon bottles there in the past though.

[CorvallisCracker]

I noticed Hooker House which seems to be LDI product finished in Pinot barrels

Yes, that's exactly what it is. They purchased it from Big Bottom in Hillsboro, Oregon (Ted Pappas of Big Bottom told me this).

The information on Hooker's web site is totally incorrect. The stuff was made in Indiana, spent its first three barrel years in Indiana and its fourth in Hillsboro, and the 54% corn 46% rye mashbill is apparently something they pulled out of thin air.

Or, more likely, smokey air, as grapes aren't the only thing growing in the Sonoma hills... :cool:

[jfw]

Russian River was in my plans. I'm not a beer drinker but it's worth a visit. I usually bring back some bottles of Russian River (various varieties) from Bottle Barn for friends back home who appreciate it more.

I go to SF/Napa at least once a year so I'm good on wineries although Siduri is a good idea.

Thanks for the info!

Joe

[Gentleman Racer]

I had Old Potrero whiskey in SF last fall. It's distilled in CA. Not too widely available I think. I wasn't a big fan, but others are. That might be something to look for.

[dridge11]

Bottle Barn has a nice 4R OBSK...and some Baby Saz if they are out in your area (I was just there like 30 mins ago)

I would suggest meeting up for a drink if I wasn't moving next weekend.

[mrviognier]

Or, more likely, smokey air, as grapes aren't the only thing growing in the Sonoma hills... :cool:

In viticulture that's known as "cover crop". :grin: