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You are here: Home / Archives for Deli's

Napa — Unsettling Problems

October 23, 2008 by Joe Becerra

With redevelopment projects along the Napa River and the buzz created by the Oxbow Market, you would think that all is joy among Napa businesses, restaurants, and lodging establishments. Not so. The last few weeks have not brought good news to the city of Napa.

One of Copia's exhibits,
interesting or humdrum?

One of Copia's exhibits,
interesting or humdrum?

Copia continues to have its share of financial problems. Copia recently announced layoffs and surprisingly their winter hours leave Copia open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Copia store and Julie’s Kitchen restaurant remain open on a daily basis. We stated in a blog post a year ago that on our last visit to Copia we felt that the exhibits were sparse and not very compelling. The most interesting area to us was the vegetable garden and now we hear that the garden plot might be up for sale to shore up Copia’s financing. You would think that with the addition of the Oxbow Market next door, Copia would see an increase in visitors. Apparently, that has not happened.

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Filed Under: Activities, Deli's, Green Winery, Sparkling Wine, Wine Education Tagged With: Copia

Silverado Trail and Soda Canyon Store

January 21, 2008 by Joe Becerra

Insiders to the Napa Valley know that cruising along the Silverado Trail is much easier than traveling Highway 29 along the Valley. The Silverado Trail is prettier and the wineries a lot less busy than their counterparts on Highway 29. The only problem is the local drivers who cruise Silverado like it’s the fast lane on the freeway. They seem to bare down on tourists like there is no tomorrow, getting as close as possible. It almost seems like they want us to know that this is their road and to use Highway 29 if you want to Sunday drive. You just have to ignore them and pull over whenever you have the chance.
soda canyon store.jpg

Driving from Highway 80 you can get to the Siverado Trail through the backdoor by diving through the east side of the city of Napa. Just follow the Google map we have included and you are in business.

Once you are on the Silverado Trail stick to the wineries that line either side of the road all the way to Calistoga. About the only place to stock up on picnic items on the Silverado Trail is the Soda Canyon Store. Fortunately, it is located conveniently near the beginning of the Silverado Trail. We have stopped here a number of times for our picnic lunch.
soda canyon deli

The place is run by Gina Ergun and Bonnie Mott. It has a homey country atmosphere. There is no smack of Dean & DeLuca here, just a favorite spot for many of the locals who travel about in this area. The store has a terrific Deli section, an expresso bar, and a very good but small selection of Napa Valley wines. At the noon hour on any day of the week the deli is busy.

Google Map From Carquinez Bridge on Highway 80 to Soda Canyon Store. Click on ” View larger map” to get directions.


View Larger Map

Filed Under: Deli's, Picnic Information

Napa Valley Wine Country Picnic Continued — Deli Listings

March 7, 2007 by Joe Becerra

In our last Blog Post, we wrote about our search for wineries in the Napa Valley with perfect picnic facilities. We continue on the same subject but with a list of Napa Valley Deli’s where you can purchase a delicious deli lunch. A delectable deli lunch is the last piece of the puzzle for the ultimate wine country picnic experience.

As one might expect, there are several good places to purchase a deli lunch in the Napa Valley. Here are our favorites.

Napa Valley Deli

Dean & DeLuca is probably the most well-known gourmet deli shop in the Valley. Dean & DeLuca can be very crowded and touristy. However, you cannot find a better selection of gourmet food items anywhere. Dean & DeLuca is located at 607 South St. Helena Highway, just before you hit the main downtown area of St. Helena driving north.

The Oakville Grocery in Oakville is another popular spot. We usually call ahead with our order otherwise the wait can be intolerable. They make both hot and cold deli sandwiches and they also have a great selection of gourmet items.

The Sunshine Market at 1115 Main Street in St. Helena is excellent for both deli items and food shopping.

If you are coming through the east side of Napa heading for wineries on the Silverado Trail, there are two good choices. On the corner of 1st and Silverado is the Vallergas Market. This market is top notch although from the outside it looks a bit worn. Don’t be fooled by its exterior; you will find excellent and healthy food here.

The Soda Canyon Store is at 4006 Silverado Trail, just before you find the first wineries and tasting rooms. Around lunchtime, it is popular with the locals.

This by all means is not a complete list of good deli spots. If you have suggestions, we would greatly appreciate your recommendations.

By the way, it is always a good idea to have an ice cooler in your car. Who knows how long it will be before you can eat, and what about those leftovers? Lastly, a good picnic kit is always helpful. We keep ours in the garage and always toss it in the car when we leave for the wine country.

Filed Under: Deli's, Picnic Information

V. Sattui Winery

October 8, 2006 by Joe Becerra

This is one of the most visited wineries in the Napa Valley, often receiving as many as 2000 visitors on Saturdays. We visited V. Sattui out of pure necessity. We had planned on having our picnic lunch at Saddleback Cellars but were misinformed about the picnic area. Although Saddleback has picnic tables they do not have a permit that allows visitors to enjoy a lunch at the winery. Only about 40 wineries in the Napa Valley have legal picnic areas.

V. Sattui has a very spacious picnic area and a huge selection of deli items. Rather than drive the heck all around the Napa Valley looking for a picnic spot, we decided better here than anywhere else. When you are hungry any spot will do. The problem with V. Sattui is just too many people, cars, and a very big commercial enterprise.

sattui-winery

Despite all the crowds and the commercialism, the buildings are quite beautiful. The wines are very good. Our guests and we shared a bottle of delicious Semillon with our lunch. It was a good match with our Oakville Grocery deli items and sandwiches. Signs at each table remind visitors not to drink wines other than ones from V. Sattui and that ice chests are not allowed. We can understand the rule about the wine, but ice chests? That is a bit too much.

The Good: Historic buildings, good wine.
The Bad: Too many people, cars, and commercialism. It’s a circus.

Filed Under: Deli's, Tasting Rooms

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