Lori's Guidebook

Lori
Lori's Guidebook

Wine Experiences

A few of my favorite spots to enjoy wine...
Wonderful Wine Bar Downtown Benicia. Lynne is a welcoming host and owner.
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The Chill - Benicia Wine Bar
362 1st St
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Wonderful Wine Bar Downtown Benicia. Lynne is a welcoming host and owner.
Absolutely delicious wines and tastings.
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Black Stallion Winery
4089 Silverado Trail
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Absolutely delicious wines and tastings.
Absolutely love Caymus (the Wagner Family's) wines! Make a reservation through yelp. $50 Tasting includes the glass, may be waived with purchase, but this is not guaranteed (I would ask).
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Caymus Vineyards
8700 Conn Creek Rd
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Absolutely love Caymus (the Wagner Family's) wines! Make a reservation through yelp. $50 Tasting includes the glass, may be waived with purchase, but this is not guaranteed (I would ask).
The private tasting is phenomenal. There is a variety of wines to taste, I prefer the high end. But the experience is great at any level. Walk over to Rutherford Grill for lunch!
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Beaulieu Vineyard
1960 St Helena Hwy
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The private tasting is phenomenal. There is a variety of wines to taste, I prefer the high end. But the experience is great at any level. Walk over to Rutherford Grill for lunch!
If you've ever tasted their Chardonnay, you love Frank Family. They only pour Reserves at the Winery, so that's pretty special!
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Frank Family Vineyards
1091 Larkmead Ln
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If you've ever tasted their Chardonnay, you love Frank Family. They only pour Reserves at the Winery, so that's pretty special!

Live Music Venue

all kinds of music is played in the courtyard here and it's always a joy to walk downtown and check out the tunes ... no cover charge!
Lucca has Live Music often in the courtyard. Their food is also delicious. For more of a dining evening, you might make a reservation, then venture outside if music is playing...great for weekend brunch as well.
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Lucca Bar & Grill
439 1st Street
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Lucca has Live Music often in the courtyard. Their food is also delicious. For more of a dining evening, you might make a reservation, then venture outside if music is playing...great for weekend brunch as well.
Josh is an outstanding bartender, the owner Debra is accommodating. Very cool vibe with live music often, delicious drinks and bites. Take the bar hopper home (just be sure to tip) if you've had anything to drink. You can leave your car downtown or walk downtown (which I love to do!).
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The Rellik Tavern
726 1st St
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Josh is an outstanding bartender, the owner Debra is accommodating. Very cool vibe with live music often, delicious drinks and bites. Take the bar hopper home (just be sure to tip) if you've had anything to drink. You can leave your car downtown or walk downtown (which I love to do!).
Delicious food and a wonderful host, Gaby. Music is often playing in the courtyard. Definitely worth a visit.
Union Hotel
401 1st St
Delicious food and a wonderful host, Gaby. Music is often playing in the courtyard. Definitely worth a visit.

Food scene

Delicious and inviting experience. Prix Fixe Menus are really nice to try and right on the water of course. High end.
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Bella Siena
127 1st St
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Delicious and inviting experience. Prix Fixe Menus are really nice to try and right on the water of course. High end.
Delicious food at a reasonable cost. My favorite is Pasta Ambrosia -chicken mushroom specialty (you can request even if it's not on the menu). The homemade Spaghetti is definitely worth a try and wait until you try their bread and tapenade-YUM!
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Venticellos Ristorante Italiano
911 1st St
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Delicious food at a reasonable cost. My favorite is Pasta Ambrosia -chicken mushroom specialty (you can request even if it's not on the menu). The homemade Spaghetti is definitely worth a try and wait until you try their bread and tapenade-YUM!
Spectacular views from all areas of the restaurant. My favorite spot is either fireplace in the winter, or outside on the Patio or in the Cabana's for the summertime. Delicious fresh fish, no corkage, so bring your favorite bottle from your day of wine tasting.
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The Dead Fish
20050 San Pablo Ave
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Spectacular views from all areas of the restaurant. My favorite spot is either fireplace in the winter, or outside on the Patio or in the Cabana's for the summertime. Delicious fresh fish, no corkage, so bring your favorite bottle from your day of wine tasting.

Family Fun

Just minutes away...a wonderful amusement park. If you're part of the Six Flags family, your pass works here as well.
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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
1001 Fairgrounds Dr
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Just minutes away...a wonderful amusement park. If you're part of the Six Flags family, your pass works here as well.
Fun Family Outings only 20 minutes away...
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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord
1950 Waterworld Pkwy
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Fun Family Outings only 20 minutes away...
https://www.sonomaraceway.com Always something fun to do...wear or bring earplugs! And layer...you never know if it will be extremely hot or if the wind picks up, be prepared for a fun day!
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I-Sonoma Raceway
29355 Arnold Dr
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https://www.sonomaraceway.com Always something fun to do...wear or bring earplugs! And layer...you never know if it will be extremely hot or if the wind picks up, be prepared for a fun day!

Best Breakfast

Genuine Huevos Rancheros and strong coffee. Love to walk down to Java, sit outside, stroll the streets, then UBER or LYFT home unless you're adventurous enough to walk uphill home! Delicious, unpretentious and a hidden gem.
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Java Point Cafe
366 1st St
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Genuine Huevos Rancheros and strong coffee. Love to walk down to Java, sit outside, stroll the streets, then UBER or LYFT home unless you're adventurous enough to walk uphill home! Delicious, unpretentious and a hidden gem.

Neighborhoods

Great for families, friends, delicious wineries and restaurants. Local shopping. 30-40 minute drive.
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Sonoma
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Great for families, friends, delicious wineries and restaurants. Local shopping. 30-40 minute drive.
Wonderful wine tastings and restaurants. Highly recommend Caymus, BV, Black Stallion and Frank Family.
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Napa Valley
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Wonderful wine tastings and restaurants. Highly recommend Caymus, BV, Black Stallion and Frank Family.
Hiking, exploring, dining, visiting galleries and artist studios along with antiquing, wonderful place to visit! Benicia was the original capital of California, the original building has tours available downtown.
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Benicia
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Hiking, exploring, dining, visiting galleries and artist studios along with antiquing, wonderful place to visit! Benicia was the original capital of California, the original building has tours available downtown.