Explore the Beauty of Wine Country

Sam’s Wines and Spirits President, Brian Rosen, Plans a Trip to Napa for You!

With fall soon approaching and the grapes ready to be harvested, our mouths start watering with the thought of a trip to the rolling hills of wine country in California. For many of us, navigating the vast countryside can be extremely overwhelming. Brian Rosen from Sam’s Wines and Spirits takes the guesswork out of planning a long weekend trip with the perfect itinerary to explore the beautiful vineyards and restaurants of Napa Valley.

For accommodations, Brian suggests to stay at the Meadowood Resort to experience the beauty and hospitality of the wine country.

Day One

Spring Mountain: A compilation of three breath-taking estates, the 845 acre vineyard totals with about 135 different vineyard blocks. Due to the diverse composition of the land, Spring Mountain provides truly unique and powerful red wines, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon.

For lunch, Mustard’s Grill offers seasonal dishes of freshest local ingredients and produce. Make sure you save room for dessert for local Guittard bittersweet chocolate, Jack Daniels brown sugar ice cream and coffee caramel sauce.

After an afternoon of relaxation, head to La Toque. One of Nappa’s infamous restaurants where Chef Ken Frank serves a French-inspired prix fixe menu with choices at each course.

Day Two:

Mount.Veeder: Start off the day by visiting the tasting room at Franciscan, then work your way to the three ranches at Mount Veeder, The Winery Ranch, The North Ranch and The Rosenquist Ranch. The vines at Mount Veeder resemble a staircase with wide terraces planted into the steep slopes.

For lunch, pack a picnic of your favorite cheeses and your favorite bottle of wine that you discovered at Mount Veeder and head up to Rutherford Hill.

For dinner, Press Restaurant offers the perfect wine country dining experience. This modern steakhouse features prime dry-aged beef and other protein dishes prepared on a custom wood burning grill and rotisserie.

Day Three:

Sterling Vineyards: This vineyard’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the number one ranked wine in the “By the Glass” category in the Wine & Spirits Magazine 17th Annual Restaurant Poll. The winery is accessible by aerial tram and offers stunning views of the surrounding wine country.

Next, explore the Chateau Montelena Winery which is known for its rich history. Jade Lake is considered one of Napa Valley's most beautiful sanctuaries, home to a variety of fish and wildlife, and surrounded by willows and native fauna.

After the long weekend, relax at Tra Vigne and try their local pizza. With their no corkage fee, you can bring in your own special bottle of wine to recount the wonderful experiences in Napa.

About Sam’s Wine and Spirits: Founded in 1946, the Rosen family has built Sam’s Wine and Spirits into the single leading beverage retailer in the world. President of Sam’s Wine and Spirits, Brian Rosen, contributes the company’s success to its customer service, selection, price, and knowledgeable staff. The company has been honored by both Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator magazines as Retailer of the Year. Additionally, the Company earned Forbes' Best of the Web award in 2004 and 2005. Sam’s Wine and Spirits has four Chicago-area locations in Lincoln Park, Downers Grove, Highland Park, and the South Loop. To learn more about what Sam’s Wine and Spirits has to offer visit www.samswine.com.