Avital Binshtock: Great question -- and great timing! Autumn happens to be the best season for visiting wine country, since it's harvest time and the wineries are in full operational mode. Plus, the landscape is swept with rich autumnal colors.

As far as festivals go... October? Festival? Put them together and what do you get? Oktoberfest, of course. And, yes, wine country's got one. It happens Oct. 20 at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma. There'll be live oompah music, plenty of German foods to try, and more than 20 kinds of beer. Get more info at http://www.budgettravelonline.com/.

For other October events, it depends on what you and your wife are interested in. If you two are animal lovers and will already be in California on Oct. 1, check out Twiga at Twilight at Safari West. During this evening event, you'll get up close and personal with giraffes, cheetahs, lemurs and other exotic wildlife species. Wine tasting and dinner are included, and reservations are required. Proceeds benefit the Safari West Wildlife Foundation.

If the two of you are art aficionados, you'll want to check out the di Rosa Preserve's 6th Annual Benefit Art Auction. Unfortunately, it's on the same day as Petaluma's Oktoberfest, but it features original works of art donated by notable Bay Area artists, live and silent auctions, cocktails, dinner and an after-party with live music. Tickets go on sale in June and aren't cheap: $300 each.
On Oct. 27 is Christopher Creek winery's annual celebration of Zinfandel -- and it's free! During the all-day event, you'll taste "dueling zins" and enjoy hearty fall food.

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Minneapolis, MN: Hello, My cousin and I are looking for a lovely place to stay under $200 Nov. 2-5 in the wine country. Are there rooms available with two beds other than the typical hotel room? Thank you.

Avital Binshtock: Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort has doubles in your price range, as does Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort. While the guestrooms at these two properties aren't the most unique in wine country, they're at spa resorts located in Calistoga, a lovely little walking town.
In Sonoma, The Glenelly Inn & Cottages, a cute inn dating back to 1916, has one room (called Vallejo) that can convert to accommodate two twin beds. Rate is $195.

At Napa's 3-diamond Embassy Suites, the bedroom closes off from the living room, and the living room's couch pulls out into a bed. The property itself is really nice; it's got a swan pond, a wooden mill and a large atrium where breakfast (the cost of which is included in your stay) is cooked to order. If you book online now for your dates, you can get in for $199.
If you're looking for more unique accommodations, such as a B&B or specialty inn, you might want to consider booking a single room -- it's less expensive than a double -- and ordering a trundle bed, which is often provided for free or for an additional charge of up to $20. Check with the property first before booking to make sure this is an option.

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Los Angeles, CA: What is the best way to get around safely while visiting wineries in Napa? Are there group shuttle/limo services you can recommend?

Avital Binshtock: Absolutely. I would never condone that wine-tasting visitors to Napa drive themselves around without a designated driver or chauffeur.
Limos are big business here; there are tens of companies chomping at the bit to chauffer your wine tasting in safety and style. Among the best: Pure Luxury, Beau Wine Tours and Limousine Service, and Celebrity Limousine. Rates for limos hover around $75 per hour.
Many local companies also specialize in all kinds of individual and group tours; among those to consider are Napa Insiders, J. Shaw & Co., Wine & Dine Tours, and California Wine Tours.

 Antique Tours Limousine Service drives clients around in restored 1947 Packard Convertibles, while Women & Wine caters only to, well, women.
There are also several local taxi companies, including Napa Valley Cab (707-257-6444), Yellow Cab (707-226-3731) and Wine Valley Taxi (707-251-9463). Taxis might not be the best option for winery-to-winery transport (your bill will grow astronomically while your cabbie waits around for you), but they're great if, say, you're just going to or from a restaurant.