Winery hopping, where there's more than a loaf of bread

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Several wineries in the Napa Valley offer wine and food pairings to entice more visitors into their tasting rooms. (Mark Boster / LAT)

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Tameron Reynolds, Emily Schrieber and Erin Armstrong sample the wares at Robert Sinskey Vineyards in Napa Valley, Calif. (Mark Boster / LAT)

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Domaine Chandon champagne is on offer at an open-air tasting bar in Yountville, Calif. (Mark Boster / LAT)

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At the Robert Sinskey Vineyards in Napa, Calif., Alsatian Onion Tartlets with Pecans are paired with the Pinot Blanc, Los Carneros-2005. (Mark Boster / LAT)

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Kevin McCullough and Christopher Spazek, visitors to the Robert Sinskey Vineyards, sample Duck Burgers on Gougere served by Chef Natalie Felice Niksa, with Pinot Noir, Vandal Vineyard, Los Carneros-2002. (Mark Boster / LAT)

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Posed on the stone patio of the Robert Sinskey Vineyards overlooking the Napa Valley, Morel Mushroom and Crescenza Pizza with Cabernet Franc, Vandal Vineyard, Los Carneros-2002 make the perfect food-wine couple. (Mark Boster / LAT)

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Cabernet sauvignon grapes on the vine at the Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville, Calif. (Mark Boster / LAT)

Oct. 15, 2006 12 AM PT

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GETTING THERE

Napa Valley is about 400 miles north of Los Angeles. The closest airport is San Francisco International, about 55 miles southwest of Napa. American, Frontier and United fly nonstop from LAX to SFO. Restricted round-trip fares start at $98.

WHERE TO STAY

Ambrose Bierce House, 1515 Main St., St. Helena; (707) 963-3003, www.ambrosebiercehouse.com. Quaint bed-and-breakfast (four rooms). Includes Champagne breakfast and wine and cheese in the afternoon. Doubles $189-$299.

Hotel St. Helena, 1309 Main St., St. Helena; (707) 963-4388, www.hotelsthelena.com. Quirky bed-and-breakfast with porcelain dolls and lots of lace. Rooms are very small, but the location is great, within walking distance of several restaurants. Continental breakfast included. Doubles with shared bath $95-$155, private bath $125-$225.

Meadowood Napa Valley, 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena; (707) 963-3646, www.meadowood.com. Luxury cottages on a private estate. Spa, golf, tennis, swimming pool and restaurants on site. Doubles $500-$925, suites $675-$4,300.

WHERE TO EAT: NAPA

Cakebread Cellars, 8300 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford; (800) 588-0298, www.cakebread.com. Guided food-wine pairing, Thursdays and Fridays only, $20. Reservations required.

COPIA, 500 1st St., Napa; (888) 512-6742, www.copia.org. Exhibitions, demonstrations, wine programs and events, $5 general admission. COPIA Atrium serves wine flights with tasting plates $15-$20. Julia’s Kitchen restaurant, (707) 265-5700, www.juliaskitchen.org. Lunch $16-$22 (four-course tasting menu $45); dinner entrees $18-$33 (six-course tasting menu $70).

Darioush, 4240 Silverado Trail, Napa; (707) 257-2345, www.darioush.com. Pairing, daily, of special-release wine and artisan cheese $50. Reservations required. The chef-in-residence tasting program begins in the spring.

Domaine Chandon, 1 California Drive, Yountville; (707) 204-7530, www.chandon.com. Étoile restaurant; (707) 204-7529. Lunch entrees $29-$34; dinner entrees $28-$37; seven-course tasting menu $95, with wine pairings $155. Reservations recommended. After 6 p.m., the Wine Tasting Salon serves a mini version of the restaurant menu with smaller portions $7-$20. Regular tastings with paired appetizers $7-$17.

Duckhorn Wine Co., 1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena; (707) 963-7108, www.duckhornvineyards.com. Guided food-wine tasting program $25. Reservations required.

Peju Province Winery, 8466 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford; (707) 963-3600, www.peju.com. Prix-fixe four-course lunch paired with wines $40. Offered spring, summer and fall. Reservations required.

Robert Sinskey Vineyards, 6320 Silverado Trail, Napa; (800) 869-2030, www.robertsinskey.com. Bento-box food-wine tasting, Saturdays and Sundays only, $40. Reservations required. Culinary tour with wine and cheese tasting $30. Reservations required.

WHERE TO EAT: SONOMA

Chateau St. Jean, 8555 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12), Kenwood; (707) 833-4134, www.chateaustjean.com. Guided food-wine pairing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays $25. Reservations required.

De Loach Vineyards, 1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa; (707) 526-9111, www.deloachvineyards.com. Tour and artisan wine-cheese tasting, $20. Reservations required.

J Vineyards & Winery, 11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg; (707) 431-3646, www.jwine.com. Tasting Bar: four wines with appetizers $20. Garden Pavilion: four wines with cheeses and cured meats $30. Bubble Room: four wines with tapas $45. Reservations recommended.

Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton; (707) 571-8100, www.kendalljackson.com. Reserve wine and tapas-style food $18. Reservations required.

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, 10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg; (707) 473-2900, www.garyfarrellwines.com. Tour and tasting of four wines with crudités $10. Reservations required.

Mayo Winery Reserve Room, 9200 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood; (707) 833-5504, www.mayofamilywinery.com. 11 a.m.-7 p.m .daily. Also, Tasting Room at 340 Center St., Healdsburg; (707) 433-9400. Open Thursday-Monday only. Seven-course food-wine tasting at either location, $20-$25. Reservations recommended.

Simi Winery, 16275 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg; (800) 746-4880, www.simiwinery.com. Wine-cheese pairing with four wines, Saturdays and Sundays, $15. Reservations required.

— Jenn Garbee

Winery hopping, where there’s more than a loaf of bread

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