Someone I work with goes yearly and I asked her for suggestions for a tip my parents took two years ago. This is what she gave me.
Napa Valley 2011
Getting Around
September is a great time of year to visit Napa. Crush can make traffic a little heavier on Highway 29 the main drag through the Valley. The Silverado Trail parallels 29 and there are numerous cross roads that will take you back to 29. I have found this road to be a great alternative. I would recommend this map:
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Map and Guide (California Wine Region Maps): Global Graphics: 0085464112025: Amazon.com: Books
Favorite Restaurants
Rutherford Grill great for lunch - Yountville/Rutherford area
Mustards - Yountville/Rutherford area
Cindys Backstreet Grill great for lunch and dinner St. Helena
Tra Vigne great for dinner St. Helena they also have a pizza shop in the same complex very good for lunch outdoors.
Cook small Italian restaurant in St. Helena
**Would recommend making dinner reservations in advance we used Open Table last year a couple of weeks before our visit.
Wineries
St. Supery recommend the second floor tasting room try to have your tasting with Joe Meck great guy will be a lot of fun.
Mumm Napa beautiful patio with a great view perfect spot to sip champagne, err, I mean Sparkling Wine champagne only comes from France
Schramsberg speaking of bubbly I have never visited this historic property, but I have friends who have done the tour and tasting and really enjoyed it. They require an appointment
Beringer another historic property would recommend tasting in the Rhine House only would also recommend the reserve tasting.
Frank Family - very good wines can be a very lively place we have had some fun tastings there
Pride Mountain This is a great place for a tour. It is located on Spring Mountain and the drive can be a little adventurous but worth it. Tours and tastings are by appointment.
Conn Creek - We visited this winery for the first time last year they have some very good red wines.
Robert Sinsky this winery was also new for us last year. The tasting room is very nice and this is the only place that I have ever visited that offered fresh baked appetizers to enjoy with the wine.
General
Tasting Coupons check winery websites for deals and also the place where you are staying may have coupons as well.
If you plan to visit several wineries in a day have a supply of bottled water and crackers in your car. We typically start at the furthest from our hotel and work our way back.
St. Helena is at the northern end of the valley very nice area with shopping and restaurants worth a visit.