WEBBING

WEBBING

I am “walking in the shoes of student researchers” with this project. Since I started with very little background about California Wine Country, what I initially found out from my interviews with friends was new information which will guide my search. They both had very definite ideas about how to make your decision, and they also shared some of the highlights of their trips.

My big question is “how do you decide what vineyards to visit? What area, Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, or both, if you are visiting for 3 days?”

I emailed my friend who did the bicycle tour of wine country with her husband. I asked her how they decided where to go, or what one should consider when making plans. Her answer:

I remember that the decision, in our case, was a "no-brainer" as the trip started in San Francisco; a bus trip to nearby Healdsburg, then pretty much followed the trip below that covered both the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. I believe the Culinary Institute of America is in Napa and the Villagio Inn in Yountville was wonderful, and what I liked was you were able to walk to some of the most famous world class chef restaurants, ECT. We were interested in a bike trip on the heels of 9/11 and chose to stay in the USA for this one. (her husband’s stepsister) got us interested after returning from a trip they took in Europe.
If you go to the Backroads site you can view the Inns. Here is a link: http://www.backroads.com/trips/BWCI

Top 5 Reasons People Choose Wineries:
1. There is a certain wine you really like and you want to see where it’s made (hmmmm)
2. You like to eat accompanied by local fantastic wine
3. Biking because no one has to drive after a day of tasting
4. One valley produces a better Zinfandel (in ones own opinion) or Merlot, ECT.
5. Some might choose Napa because of the proximity to the culinary institute may make for an abundance of great chefs.

Well, that is news to me! I did not know that the culinary institute was in Napa! This is a new factor for the criteria.

I then called my friend, Carol. She and her husband, Mike, have visited wine country more than once and are very passionate about learning. Her first response to my question was, “You want to see the most beautiful landscape.” She went on to talk about the winemakers and how they love their land, their work, and their life. She suggested that we try to see some of the smaller vineyards as well as the larger, more commercial ones. She said they toured and tasted up to 3 a day, so if we are there 3 days, we could visit both Napa and Sonoma. (whew!) Remembering that I like Cakebread Chardonnay, she said we must schedule a tasting there especially since Dennis Cakebread is an alum of Indiana University. Mike called back later to say that he is bringing me a map of the regions tomorrow. He told me about Deldotta in lower Napa. Tours are by appointment only and it is in a cave. It all sounds very exciting.

OK – 3 wineries in one day sounds like a lot. I’ll take a look at the map tomorrow and with these new bits of information, I will research a few of the wineries.
I have still resisted searching the internet because there is going to be too much information. I am a global learner and like to get the big picture before making any moves. I know I would get lost in the WWW if I blindly start looking (oxymoron?)

This is the beginning of my webbing. I have interviewed 2 “real” people. I sent an email to Cakebread Cellars, explaining this will be a 1st time visit, so what would they suggest we partake in at their winery? I purchased an ebook, Fodder’s PORTABLE California Wine Country, 2006. After looking at the map, I will see what I can find in the Fodder’s book, and THEN, go to the websites of the wineries.

I am just beginning the Exploration stage in Carol Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process. I hope I have done enough narrowing that I won’t feel the uncertainty she refers to at this stage. (Actually, in thinking about me, I don’t like to make decisions, so maybe I’m not feeling uncertain because I think I’m going to perfectly plan perfect tours at the perfect wineries in both Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley.)

I want to focus my search on 5 – 6 wineries and then look for lodging. I would prefer to stay in one place and venture out each day. I don’t like to pack and repack.

2 new questions: Which 5 – 6 (in either Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley J) will we tour?
Where will we stay?