Last week we spent some time with friends in California visiting some new-to-us wineries as well as several “old” favorites. By reserving a few key tastings and also keeping our schedule open enough to allow for some spontaneous stops, we enjoyed some really special wines and a relaxed and fun experience. Our first day began in Calistoga, at the north end of the Napa Valley, at one of our favorites, Lava Vine winery along the Silverado Trail. We like the friendly greeting we always get in the unpretentious but welcoming tasting room, and the wines certainly meet our standards for quality (and a reasonable price). We chatted and sipped for a while, and then John asked if we’d like to do a few barrel tastes. (Note to novice wine tasters: Never, if possible, pass up the chance to barrel taste!) We had plans to visit other wineries that day but had left enough time between appointments to allow for just such a happy occurrence. We spent the next half hour trying a little of this and that, enjoying the chance to get a glimpse into the future (including some I’ve-died-and-gone-to-heaven Port-style lovelies). Speaking of the future, that afternoon we had an appointment for a special tasting at Del Dotto Vineyards at the family-owned Venetian Estate Winery and Caves in St. Helena. This special tour, with a fee of $60, allowed us barrel tastings (and the chance to buy the futures) of really spectacular Cabernet Sauvignons, Pinot Noirs and Syrahs, all estate-grown and reserve wines. We don’t normally pay that much for a wine tasting, but we decided that the occasional splurge justifies the expense, and in this case it definitely provided us with a wonderful experience. The site alone impresses with its marble-floored caves,   Venetian chandeliers dimly illuminating the brick-lined barrel vaults and rows of barrels,   and the soaring tasting room   adorned with paintings and sculptures worthy of a doge’s palace.   With so many options in the Napa and Sonoma valleys, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and select a few places for must-see visits. Small-production wineries or more exclusive spots may require advance reservations (especially for large groups), and they are certainly worth the effort for a more unique experience. Keep your schedule open enough, though, to allow for a spontaneous chance for a barrel tasting or to visit that little place down the lane that a fellow taster or friendly tasting room staffer might recommend. Be aware of distances between your stops and slow traffic or crowded tasting rooms, and don’t try to pack too much into a single day. A combination of advance planning and flexibility will lead you to truly memorable experiences. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor