Napa and Sonoma wine country
Casey Stringer
Chief winemaker, Stringer Cellars
In 2011, the Stringer family began making wine in their garage in Mequon. The passion project grew into a business – still based in the Milwaukee area today – and production was relocated to California in 2017. Prior to permanently moving there two years later, Casey Stringer would voyage out to wine country once, sometimes twice, a month from Milwaukee. He offers these suggestions when making the trek.
Transportation:
“I always found it easiest to fly into Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport instead of San Francisco. It is a small airport that is right in the heart of Sonoma wine country. Plus, you avoid the potential for horrible San Francisco traffic, and it’s only a half-hour drive over the mountain into Napa Valley.”
Accommodations and food:
“Where to even start? Napa/Sonoma is arguably the food and hospitality capital of America, so you really can’t go too wrong. My favorite town to make my home base for a trip is Calistoga, at the very north end of Napa Valley. You can easily get over to Sonoma from there and explore all of the Napa Valley to the south. I recommend staying at the Indian Springs Resort, grabbing one of the provided bikes for the day and exploring the countless wineries right around town. I would then hit the pool before eating dinner at Sol Bar, my favorite restaurant in the whole valley.”
Excursions:
“You’re coming for wine, right? I recommend hiring a driver for a few days to take you around to your winery visits. Not only does a driver get you around safely, but they have ins at smaller, off-the-beaten-path wineries that others don’t even know about. Keep in mind that Sonoma wineries often have more varied wines, including Pinot Noir and Zinfandel – and in Napa, Cabernet is king! I would also recommend taking an afternoon off wine to check out the Sonoma Coast.”
Travel tip:
“Don’t try to pack too many things into one day. It is a really big area and often the distances between wineries and restaurants are a bit of a drive. I would also recommend visiting in March or April. It’s a quiet time around here, so reservations are easier to come by and I think it’s the most beautiful.”
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