Wine

Hazards of the job include purple teeth, daily interaction with fruit flies, the ever-present smell of yeast and fermenting grapes and the very real possibility that a year’s worth of work could end up tasting like grape juice—or maybe becoming a cult classic that you spend the rest of your life trying to recreate. Such is the life of a winemaker, yet each year more and more flock to the valley to make a go of the Wine Country lifestyle. Thank goodness. There are hundreds of wineries in the counties immediately north of San Francisco, each creating something slightly different than their neighbors—which is one of the reasons that makes California wine so special.

>>2006 Winners in the Wine Category

Best Winemaker

Winemaker Steve Reynolds isn’t afraid of mixing things up, literally. Described by his tasting room staff as something of a “mad scientist,” Reynolds is always, trying something new, whether its futzing with the vines or experimenting with new blends. One of his most successful efforts so far is a wine called Thirteen, which uses grapes from 13 of Napa Valley’s 14 appellations. When he’s not working in his laboratory, Reynolds is the owner and winemaker for Reynolds Family Winery, a small, boutique winery specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon.

Best Tasting Room

What makes a great tasting room isn’t just the setting: though the hamlet of Glen Ellen makes for an almost storybook backdrop. It isn’t acres of vineyards, walkways lined with antique equipment or vine-covered cottages dotted throughout the estate. What makes this tasting room a favorite are the friendly folks who man the tasting stations, pouring Benziger’s biodynamic, earth-friendly wines in a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss the daily tram rides if you visit.

Best Winebar

Belly up to the bar, or set yourself down in the saddle for a giddy-up-and-go tasting of some of the best and rarest wines in the region. Bounty Hunter has a stellar collection of hard-to-find wines that you can either purchase, or simply oogle over while you taste from the wide-ranging menu of both local and far-off wines by the pour. Just try not to steam up the protective glass cases, cowboy.