While you might think it would be a tough not getting to choose from a menu at a restaurant, the model works. In business since 2007, ad hoc continues to be one of the most popular restaurants in the Napa area. Rather than having to focus on making several different dishes well, the kitchen focuses on making one meal extraordinary. Make a reservation because it’s a popular spot, and save your decision making for the wine list.

Syrah grapes ripening on the vine at K Syrah Syrah vineyards in the Oak Knoll District of Napa, California. Most of the grapes produced at the vineyard are sold to other wine producers, however a small amount of juice is kept annually and produced under their own label.

Early autumn is a magical time in Napa. Vineyards are harvesting their crops and preparing to crush the fruit. Both “harvest” and “crush” celebrations are plentiful this time of year in the valley. Temperatures have been cooler than average this summer, which is leading to a later harvest. Late harvest could mean excellent wine production for the year, as the flavors in the fruit have more time to mature. The only risk is that early autumn rains could bring the threat of increased mildew and crop rot. Determining when to harvest is a delicate science that we’ll trust to the professionals.

Pictured: Vineyards in the Oak Knoll District, early Autumn, with fog rolling into the valley in the distance.

Harvest STOMP 2010

The highlight of the event for me is the all-you-can-eat oyster raw bar provided by the Hog Island Oyster Company. For many others, it’s the auction. Fabulous auction lots include make-your-own-wine packages, all-inclusive vacations, dove shoots, and delivered-to-your-door Thanksgiving dinners! Be prepared to open your checkbook as there are some big spenders in the audience. The typical lot goes for well over $10,000. For the more modest spender, you can buy raffle tickets for $100 or less to put your name in the hat for the “instant wine cellar.” The winemakers of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers kick down a mixed lot of 100 bottles of wine and they announce the winner right after dinner.

Mark your calendars and get on their mailing list, as space is limited and the event sells out quickly every year. Check out the photos from the 2010 and the 2011 Harvest STOMP events.

This year I had the pleasure of sitting at the Boyd Family Vineyard and K Syrah Syrah Vineyard table.

Photo courtesy of Art Poskanzer/Flickr

Frequent fog seeps through the region’s rolling hills, steep mountains, and coastal redwoods that surround the Navarro River. The ensuing hot days and cool nights yield fantastic Pinot Noirs and temperate-loving whites that have won international wine competitions in the past decade. A former logging community and sheep-ranching center, sparsely populated Anderson Valley has always been an isolated refuge for those looking to escape modern society.

Until recently, even Northern Californians didn’t know much about the valley. Most locals drove through the twisting roads and rugged hills of pastoral Anderson Valley without giving it a second glance on their way to more famous destinations such as Mendocino and the Pacific Coast Highway. The remote hamlets of Boonville, Navarro, Philo, and Yorkville were so far off the beaten path that the Boonville locals developed their own language, Boontling, in the late 19^th century.

But increasingly, Bay Area residents and out-of-state wine lovers, as well as general tourists, are discovering the spectacular scenery and the quiet small-town feel (time moves slowly here, and the lack of cell phone service makes checking out of reality easy).

A range of accommodation satisfies any budget, from camping to bed-and-breakfast indulgence. Relax on a balcony of the historic Boonville Hotel, built in 1862, and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Rent a secluded hilltop retreat for the weekend if you really want to escape; private cabins and cottages abound. A unique option is a stay at the Philo Apple Farm, which boasts stylish guest cottages and also hosts weekend cooking classes. If you’re passing through, stop at its rustic farm stand which peddles organic apples, pears, and old-fashioned jams and jellies. Bring small bills as they rely on the honor system.

Navarro Vineyards offers the best view of the valley and is the spot for a picnic. Lazy Creek’s off the beaten path locale offers fabulous Pinot Noir, as does Husch Vineyards, the oldest winery in the region. Breggo Cellars excels with whites, notably Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

If you prefer hops to tannins, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company produces some of the finest Bavarian-style beers in Northern California. Business is booming; production was up 25 percent in 2010. Boont Amber Ale may be their most popular, it’s sold everywhere in San Francisco.

Stock up on picnic supplies at the Saturday morning farmer’s market (9:45 a.m. – noon in the Boonville Hotel’s parking lot, it’s the most happening event of the week) or the Boonville General Store, which is gourmet all the way, and head into Hendy Woods or Navarro River Redwoods State Parks. The valley gets hot in the summertime so seek out a moss and fern-filled hike through the shaded, towering redwood forest, or take a dip in the chilly Navarro River.

If you’re planning to pike (Boontling for travel) to the Anderson Valley, take Highway 128 off of route 101. Don’t be Charlie Balled (i.e. bashful) in harping and hooting with the locals, they may share their secrets of the best frattey and gorm (wine and food) in the region.

Thankgiving on the Train

If you aren’t hitting the slopes this weekend, maybe what you crave is a wine country getaway. Some fun reasons to head for Napa:

1. Eat Thanksgiving dinner aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Relax with family and friends and savor the scenery while executive chef Kelly Macdonald treats you to a multicourse traditional feast with all the trimmings.

Annual Festival of Lights in Yountville, California

2. Join the City of Yountville, the Napa Valley’s capital of gourmet dining, in celebrating the 22nd annual Festival of Lights. The tree lighting ceremony runs from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, complete with Santa’s arrival, carriage rides, and the unveiling of the Bay Area’s most spectacular outdoor ice rink.

3. Float above the Napa Valley in a hot air balloon guided by the experts at Balloons Above the Valley. The view from the air is spectacular at any time of year, but in the crisp clear air of winter you can see just that much farther.

4. Take a tour at Beringer Vineyards. The history tour  includes the winery’s original 1875 Victorian house, while the family tour features an exploration of the original winery and stone tunnels.

5. Check out the Dreams of Toyland exhibit opening at the Napa Valley Museum. Curated by renowned collector Dolph Gotelli, the exhibition features vintage and antique toys, games, decorations and Victorian ornaments.

Spotlights will shine on the first annual Napa Valley Film Fest

A labor of love by Napa Valley film buffs, the festival’s plans are enormously ambitious, with plans to spread over five days of showings in November 2011. In-person appearances by filmmakers and festive before- and after-party events sponsored by some of Napa’s top restaurants and winemakers ensure this will be no ordinary film festival, but will have a classy Napa Valley spin.

This year, the festival consisted of a two-day “launch party” featuring a handful of prestigious foreign and indie films making their first appearance in the Bay Area. A series of wine tastings and dinners showcased the organizers’ plans and highlighted the commitments of sponsoring hotels, restaurants, and wineries. Stay tuned for future developments and Cannes, watch your back.

Bringing in the grapes in Napa

Thanks to the unusually cool summer we’ve had out here in Northern California, the grape harvest is running about three weeks behind schedule. That’s good news for those of you who haven’t made it out to Napa for a harvest season weekend getaway or outing; there’s still plenty of time to be part of the excitement of the crush.

At wineries all over the valley, celebrations and festive events are happening. Franciscan Estate is having a harvest party this weekend, Raymond Vineyards is roasting a pig for their harvest dinner Saturday October 16th, Elizabeth Spencer is having their harvest party October 23rd, and release parties are happening all over the valley.

Joining the crush

There are way too many events to list here, but the Napa Valley Vintners Association keeps a running tally of all the crush celebrations, vineyard days, new release parties, and other harvest-related events.

Or, just head on out to Napa and stop by a few of your favorite wineries; there’s almost certain to be something interesting to see as the grape trucks roll in and out. A great way to get started: with our small winery tour of Napa, which lists some of the lesser-known wineries, where you’re sure to be greeted enthusiastically and given a behind-the-scenes view of what really goes on at harvest time.

Meadowood in the Napa Valley and Castello Di Amorosa in Calistoga are also hosting tastings and educational events on Friday the 15th. At Castello Di Amorosa,”Couture at the Castle” will feature dinner and a fashion show that includes celeb guest models flaunting the new resort line from Azadeh. At Meadowood, “Taste with the Masters” is a lunch and tasting with noted local sommeliers and wine buyers, including Larry Stone and Peter Granoff of Ferry Plaza Wine. Tickets to the various events are sold separately.

Turrets and drawbridges make Playground Fantastico a perfect setting for fairytale fun

Just a few blocks off Highway 29 but unknown to all but local Napa parents is Playground Fantastico, one of the wildest and most fun playgrounds in the Bay Area. Built by hand by a team of dedicated community members, Playground Fantastico is exactly what the name suggests: An imaginative construct of castle turrets, towers, drawbridges, and crazy carnival-like constructions that kids can climb up, jump off, hang from, and pretty much do what kids do best, play on.

Tucked behind a self-storage lot, it’s not the easiest place to find, but this playground is well worth stopping to ask directions to. Located just off the major north-south artery that connects the city of Napa with popular towns Yountville and St. Helena, Playground Fantastico makes the perfect pit stop to wear kids out between wine tastings.

Follow up the fun with more fun by stopping for hand-crafted organic ice cream at Three Twins, located in the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa. You’ll love the artisanal flavors, and your kids will cheer every time you suggest a weekend drive to the wine country.

See my list of Napa’s hidden travel gems for more off-the-beaten-path attractions that will make your trip to Napa much more than the average wine country getaway.