If your heart is set on a visit to any of these wineries, don't let us stop you - but don't say we didn't warn you.
- Beringer: Because of their white zinfandel's fame, this place sometimes feels more like a crowded bus station than a relaxing wine country stop. Avoid the main tasting room and opt for a specialty tour instead.
- Robert Mondavi: To avoid a herd experience, choose something specialized from their wide variety of tours.
- Viansa: Once a lovely hilltop winery with a nice outdoor cafe now seems always overrun and we're wondering why anyone stops here (except, of course, for the busloads who have no choice).
- V. Sattui: Once a great place for picnic on the lawn, these days it feels more like you're in the middle of a freeway, and they won't allow food brought in from outside.
- Francis Ford Coppola's Winery: All the film fans stopping in to see Mr. Coppola's personal museum once threatened to overrun the historic Inglenook winery. Today, the museum focuses on the property's unique place in Wine Country history and the place has been renamed Rubicon Estate. There's still plenty of reason to stop, just don't expect to find the Godfather desk and Coppola's Palm D'Or award here any more.
