Raymond Vineyards Napa Valley

Raymond vineyards may not have the historic winery surroundings like some of the iconic wineries of Napa Valley, but it has some excellent wines and some neat tasting rooms. The rooms I was allowed to get into we're the Barrel Room, The Crystal Cellar. The Red Room was off limits to me as it is a members only room, but I got a quick peek through a window and it was draped with gorgeous red velvet curtains on the ceiling and fancy red velvet couches. This place is all about high end luxury. I felt like I was on a James Bond movie set.

We came here after a recommendation from Mumm Napa because I love cabs. This place had cabs from the different regions of Napa Valley, so you can compare what the soil does to the taste. Tasting was $25 but I got a 2 for 1 tasting coupon. The bottles of cabs I tried ranged from $75 to $100 with the high end being call the 2008 Generations. I highly recommend their can flight if you like cabs.

The crystal cellar, where I spent most of my time, had chandeliers and mirrored tables along in with seductively dressed mannequins, one even hanging on a trapeze. The mini barrels used to serve wine were lined with tiger and zebra skin covers. Lots of fancy crystal jewelry on display, all of this surrounded by their huge fermentation tanks.