Even novice can enjoy wine valley tour

SONOMA, Calif. -- There is no wine cellar in my home and at supper, well, water frequently graces the table. So when I set out for California's Napa and Sonoma counties recently, I approached the wine country with the trepidation of a beginner.

My anxiety turned out to be baseless. Even among the most sophisticated oenophiles (wine talk for connoisseurs), my husband and I felt welcome and our novice palates were no impediment to enjoyment.

Our first visit was to the Gloria Ferrer champagne caves, the American outpost of a wine empire based in Spain. We had not bothered to call ahead, but luckily were in time for a tour. The 30-minute stroll included an explanation of how Gloria Ferrer makes its sparkling wine, a product that is made according to the method used in Champagne, France.

Machines do much of the work in the new, multimillion-dollar caves where the wines mature, but a few thousand bottles are still rotated and otherwise prepared by hand. The real highlight was the beautiful view from the winery deck, where we slowly slipped a $7 flute of sparkling wine.

The next stop was the Benziger Family Winery, where visitors boarded a tram for a ride around the vineyards. The guide often stopped to discuss the agricultural process, or micro-climactic differences from each of the slopes. But, again, the real fun came afterward in the winery's tasting room.

Many of the wines here are free to taste, but for a mere $5 we sampled the winery's reserve, or higher-end offerings. We weren't disappointed. The tastes (about 1/3 of a glass each) of five different wines were a delight, only made better by the friendly winery employee behind the bar who explained what we were tasting and what types of foods it might best complement. We left giddy -- and wishing we had both gone into professions that allowed us to drink $45 bottles of wine with every meal.

A trip for tastings

We also got some unexpected help with our plans for the next day, two coupons for free tastings to use at Imagery, another Benziger winery that sells its creations exclusively on the premises. The wine was equally delicious, but the surroundings completely different.

This tasting room was lighter, brighter and more contemporary. Artists are commissioned to design a unique label for each issue, and the original artworks are displayed. This time we each had a tasting, but instead of trying five wines, we shared sips of 10. Once again, there was no heavy sales push. Instead, the employee helping us seemed more interested in making sure we enjoyed ourselves and learned about the winery's views on winemaking.

Our final stop was at Robert Mondavi, one of the best known U.S. winemakers. A friend had recommended the tour of the company's flagship winery in Napa, despite a charge of $10 per person. It was money well spent. Our guide spent an hour and a half with our group of about a dozen. First we got a brief lesson on viticulture and then we toured the winery's newest fermentation facilities. Again, education, not sales, was the focus. And it was obvious the guide, who spends most of his time managing the winery's tasting rooms, enjoyed spending time with visitors who for the most part knew little about wine. The tour ended with a leisurely tasting of a few different wines.

Check for travel deals

My husband and I had just two days to spend in Napa and Sonoma, the heart of California's wine-producing community. The key, we discovered, was to relax and concentrate on quality -- rather than quantity.

We used the Internet and friends' suggestions to get a general idea of where we wanted to go and what types of tours- tastings were available. Keep an eye out for special events. For example, the weekend after we left, Robert Mondavi, which hosts a variety of specialty events and tours, sponsored a cabernet and chocolate festival.

Wine country can be expensive, particularly when it comes to lodging. You may be able to cut your costs by coming during the week or visiting during the winter when harvesting does not occur. Sonoma County tends to be lower-profile than Napa County, so prices may be a little more competitive. Some of the wineries offer coupons online.

Also, don't feel obligated to drink everything set in front of you. In the interest of sobriety, my husband and I often shared a single tasting. Most wineries offer little, if any, food and the alcohol quickly takes effect.

Finally, don't be intimidated or feel pressured to buy. It's OK to taste wine and not make a purchase (although if you do, most wineries will package it for the plane or even ship it for you). And, if you are a novice, rest assured. Wine country is filled with visitors just like you. Don't be afraid to ask questions.