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Choose from a four-night getaway to Nice, a six-night stay in Paris with a river cruise and cabaret tickets, or a weeklong tour of the Loire Valley's castles and vineyards.
Jennifer Paull: Sounds like an enviable trip! One restaurant that leaps to mind is Cyrus, in Healdsburg. Talk about luxury: the chef seems to try to fit in truffles and foie gras wherever possible. The dining room is quite formal but you can construct your multicourse tasting menu in any number of ways. And this is one place where you should have a cocktail, not just wine—the list is amazing.
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Oceanside, N.Y.: My wife and I have three days to spend in the Paso Robles wine region in April. We like fine dining. What restaurants do you recommend? Are there inns that have restaurants and that offer fine accommodations?
Jennifer Paull: The restaurant Artisan, which is relatively new, has been getting strong reviews for its homey yet sophisticated cooking. It's the kind of place that serves homemade ketchup with its fries. The space is quite polished, a more urban look that you'll usually find in Paso Robles.
Your best bet for lodging may be the Hotel Cheval. While it doesn't have a special restaurant under the same roof, it is just a short walk from Paso's main square and many of its best places to eat.
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Colville, Wash.: I'm planning a visit to Paso Robles in the spring. I'm looking for suggestions for accommodations, preferably in town, and also for recommended wineries to visit during a 2 day stay.
Jennifer Paull: The Hotel Cheval, mentioned in the reply to Oceanside, is both handy and atmospheric. It's central, so you can stroll around Paso's downtown, and each room has a picture of a namesake racehorse. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can even get a free ride to a local restaurant in the inn's carriage drawn by a Belgian draft horse.
One of the best bargains in town is the family-run Adelaide Inn. Although it's near a busy intersection, the rooms are quiet and well-equipped (coffeemakers, irons, hair dryers) for a very reasonable price.
There's a definite east side / west side split to the local vineyards. To the east of the Salinas River are wide open spaces with more extreme temperatures; this area is known for chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Meridian Vineyards is a popular stop, especially since you can try and buy their reserve wines exclusively at the tasting room.
Mountains rise up to the west, where you'll find some great red wines, especially zinfandel and syrah. Don't miss Tablas Creek, known for their Rhone varietal blends. On the tours, you can even graft a grapevine. This side also has a cult favorite: Justin Vineyards & Winery, which also has an on-site B&B. Sip the rich, complex red blends and you'll know what all the fuss is about.
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Baltimore, Md.: My husband and I are traveling to wine country in April and plan to stay for approximately 5 days. There is so much to see in so little time. What are some places and features that can't be missed? Thank you
Jennifer Paull: Hello—would you mind clarifying which area you'll be visiting? If you'll be in the Napa / Sonoma area, take a peek at the ideas posted for the honeymooning reader from Orlando.
Travelers who are new to winetasting usually get a lot out of the tour at the Robert Mondavi winery in Oakville (Napa). Their operation is a very well-oiled machine. The other two big-name attractions nearby are Opus One (for bragging rights) and the small, historic Oakville Grocery, a perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch.
If you'll be further south, check out my notes to the readers from Colville and Oceanside, just above, for a few possibilities.
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Little Falls, N.J.: My husband and I are planning our first trip to Napa/Yountville in May. We will spend two and a half days there. Which wineries would you recommend that we visit on our first trip to Napa?