Amy Poehler is making her directorial debut with a new Netflix film, Wine Country, which will be streaming on 10 May. The film follows a group of friends – played by Tiny Fey, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch and more – as they take a group trip to California’s wine country. Since the film features some of the top names in comedy, their holiday is likely to be full of hilarious antics. However, most of us planning a group trip to wine country will mostly have to worry more about how to plan the ideal weekend getaway with pals.
Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph in Wine Country. Image by Colleen Hayes/Netflix
Napa & Sonoma wine country is tailor-made for travelers to gather a few friends and hit the road together. With plentiful rental properties, shuttles and vans to chauffeur you around and scores of activities designed for groups – sipping and hanging with your favorite people becomes effortless fun.
Pro-tip: every good group trip starts with great planning. Decide in advance which wineries you want to visit and which restaurants you want to sample and make advanced reservations. Things tend to book up quickly.
Napa Valley wine country mountain hillside vineyard in the morning mist and fog. Image by ©YinYang/Getty Images
Should I go to Napa or Sonoma?
The two are equally different and equally wonderful. Sonoma is a little more laid-back and down-to-earth while Napa is a little more luxury. With a lot of people, it’s easier to stay local, just choose one – whichever you pick will be the right choice.
Napa Valley is a little more compact with some 500 wineries, nearly side by side. It’s known for big bold cabs, but other varietals flourish here as well. We like Calistoga as a home base in Napa. It has a great main street lined with boutiques and a number of spas and hot springs. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park also has a phenomenal hike to the summit of the volcanic cone of Mt St Helena. While strenuous, on a clear day you will be rewarded with a 200-mile view of the verdant valley.
Sonoma is much larger, more spread out and ever-so-slightly more rugged than its gentrified neighbor. With state parks and natural wonders galore, there is no shortage of amazing views. You can also find all the best wines from Burgundy-style pinot noir and chardonnay on the west side of the county near the coast to Bordeaux-style wines like Cabernet, sauvignon blanc and merlot further inland.
Petaluma is a great landing spot for a group on a tighter budget. It’s the next town to really “pop” in the region and the chardonnay, pinot noirs and syrahs are earning a reputation for their elegance and complexity.
Merlot grapes on the wine in Sonoma. Image by ©Sherri R. Camp/Shutterstock
Where to drink in Napa and Sonoma
This is the real question on everyone’s minds. Which of these amazing wineries are worth my very short time? If you’re spending the weekend in Sonoma, don’t miss Gundlach-Bunschu. Large and spread out, this is California’s oldest family-run winery and it looks like a castle. This is a terrific winery to bike to, take a picnic, a hike or just hang out by the lake. Book a tour of the barrel-cave in advance. If you’re venturing into the Russian River Valley, check out Marcostie. Boasting the youngest female winemaker in the business, this lovely spot is making a name for itself with highly personal tastings, top-notch service and excellent chardonnay and pinot noirs.
In Napa our favorites are Tres Sabores and Frog’s Leap. The first serves elegantly-structured zinfandel and spritely sav-blanc while the estate’s charming golden retrievers chase butterflies through gnarled old vines. The latter, Frog’s Leap, is just plain fun. Wander through magical gardens and taste the stunning wines that come from the organic vineyard. Finally, a trip to the Francis Ford Coppola winery should be on your list. There is a pool, bocce, a great restaurant and of course wine. Not a bad way to spend the day with your favorites.
Where to eat in Napa and Sonoma
Groups are hard to feed and it can be challenging to find the right restaurant to accommodate everyone’s needs and taste buds. This might be the trip to skip French Laundry, however, the Napa and Sonoma Valleys have some of the best food in the US so you are sure to find something to satisfy all the needs. The Oxbow Public Market is a great stop for a group. You can find a table for everyone then graze from different stalls, bringing your findings back to share or hoard, depending on your style. There is also fabulous wine to taste and a brewery to sample. The Block in Petaluma has a rotating collection of food trucks surrounding a large outdoor patio with communal fire pits. Inside there is more seating and a bar with more than 30 beers on tap and a collection of wine and spirits as well.
Tina Fey is one of the many top actors in Wine Country. Image by Colleen Hayes/Netflix
Final thoughts on group travel
Remember, just because you came together does not mean you have to do everything together. Give yourselves permission to do things in pairs or threesomes. If this is a couples trip, maybe you have a date night and meet up for a nightcap or brunch and talk about the restaurant you chose. Maybe some in the group find solace with a spa day while others prefer a hike, you can always agree to regroup at the winery after. It will taste better when you are all truly enjoying your vacation.
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