Does anybody really need to hear my two cents about a bunch of Napa Valley wineries that are right along the highway and are open to the general public? Probably not. On the other hand, part of what Booker & Butler does is edit the universe of wine country experiences down to the handful of places you might want to see. So even though these Napa California wine destinations are easy to get access to, I’m writing to tell you that they are also very much worth the trip . . .

Chimney Rock: If you’ve driven up Silverado Trail, you’ve seen this white stucco building; its Dutch Cape architecture is hard to miss. They’re in Stags Leap so naturally the conversation is mostly about cabernet. But the wine that really struck me is their Sauvignon Gris. There are only two places in California where Sauvignon Gris is planted and this is one of them. It’s a mutant clone (I just like saying that) with an odd copper color. It tastes rich and tropical like a Chardonnay but it has the bright fruits of a Sauvignon Blanc. Pour some of this for your friends and they’ll be both stumped and delighted.

Odette Estate: This is part of the old Steltzner property but is now owned by the group behind Plumpjack and Cade wineries. They are building out an uber-green LEED-certified winery with a living roof. It’s Plumpjack so the emphasis is on fun, not fussiness. Last summer they had drive-in movie night catered by Gott’s Roadside.

Pine Ridge: Where most wineries strive to be about one particular place – an appellation in wine-speak, Pine Ridge makes wines from five different places all within Napa Valley. The winery’s 200-acre estate is comprised of four parcels in Stags Leap, three in Rutherford, three in Carneros, and one each in Howell Mountain and Oakville. Eight different varietals are produced. Nobody does that. What this means for the visitor is that there are A LOT of different tasting experiences to be had here. My host for the day showed me all of the special places to enjoy a private tasting. The ne plus ultra is their “5 x 5 Tasting” where they pair five of their estate Cabernets with small bites prepared by their executive chef. True, it costs $95 but it’s money well spent; you will eat well, drink well and learn a lot.

Nickel & Nickel: My visit here was extra special as I was taken around by my friend Julie Zanze, wine club manager for all the Nickel & Nickel brands. The property has rich history including the John C. Sullenger House circa 1865 named for the original owner of the farmstead. The Gleason barn also on the property was originally built in New Hampshire around the time of the Revolutionary War. It was spared demolition by the owners who spent two years dismantling, refurbishing and blueprinting it before they shipped it to Napa. The wines have a similarly compelling story. Nickel & Nickel pioneered the practice of producing 100% varietal (Cabernets), single vineyard wines. Yes, they were the ones. They make 12 different Cabs in all, from Napa’s top (benchland and lowland) AVAs. Another heady educational experience.

Far Niente is another of Napa’s great wine estates. And by great I mean historic, sprawling, gilded and utterly magnificent. There is a small army of gardeners employed here to tend to the estate’s 13 acres of “Southern” style gardens. If you’re a shutterbug, you’ll want to be here when things are in full bloom. The word that comes to mind is “dramatic.”

Car buffs are also in for a treat. Gil Nickel was an avid collector and racer. His fleet has everything from grand touring to track cars to cruisers. The Ferraris alone (a Daytona and a 500 Superfast) are worth the trip.

I should add that Far Niente also owns Dolce, a late harvest Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend, and En Route, a Russian River Pinot Noir brand.