The first time I visited Napa Valley wine country, I was 19 years old. It was on that family trip, that I fell in love with Napa and more specifically, Napa Cabs. Since then, I have visited the area almost every other year, as it is one of the best long weekend getaway destinations. I created this travel guide to Napa Valley, California as a compilation of my most favorite spots to sip, stay, and play in Napa. There is still so much for me to see and discover there, that by no means is this an exhaustive list.
When I plan a trip down south, it’s not something I take lightly. I put an absurd amount of concentrated effort into all of the details. It’s all down to a science of what wineries we visit, what food we consume, where we stay…how to get the best deal on everything and maximize our time while we are there. I’m relentless in my pursuit. I hope this travel guide helps you experience the the best of the best on your next trip to Napa!
Getting There
First, you need to decide if you are going to drive or fly. We prefer driving because when you come back with two plus cases of wine, it can be expensive to either ship it or check it. However if you fly, consider flying into Santa Rosa Airport (STS) as it’s the closet airport to Napa and makes for the easiest commute to the area. If you would rather fly into a larger airport, Oakland (OAK) and San Francisco (SFO) are your next best options.
Napa or Sonoma?
In order to answer this question, you need to figure out what kind of experience you want. Sonoma, slower-paced, laid-back, has wineries more spread out that tend to be more intimate, with fewer crowds and lower tasting fees. While in Napa you can expect to pay anywhere from $15-$50 per person in tasting fees, but you have the convenience of beginning on one end of the valley and tasting your way to the other along the Silverado Trail or Highway 29. There literally is tasting room after tasting room available for the picking.
Both regions, separated by a mountain-range, are far from equal. And honestly, don’t get too ambitious like we did on our first wine excursion south. Just pick one region and save the other for your next trip. You’ll be grateful you did.
Stay
Once you’ve picked your region, begin to look for places to stay. This can be daunting. To help narrow it down use my guide on How To Choose The Right Hotel.
If you want to be able to walk to wineries and dinner, I’d suggest Yountville. If you don’t care about walking to wineries, but want a downtown scene and great foodie choices then head to Napa. Let’s say you are having a romantical getaway with your other half, then check out St. Helena. Are you on a budget? Then check out the out-lying areas of American Canyon, Fairfield or Santa Rosa.
A few stand out favorites that never disappoint are:
Eat
Brunch Spots:
Boon Fly Cafe, Auberge du Soliel, Goose & Gander, Farmstead
Lunch Spots:
Oakville Grocery, Bouchon Bakery, Dean & Deluca, Oxbow Public Market, Gott’s Roadside
Casual Dinner Spots:
Redd Wood, Rutherford Grill, Archetype, Acacia House, Ad Hoc, RH
Dinner Spots:
Mustards, Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, Two Birds/One Stone, The Charter Oak, Bottega,
Domaine Carneros
Taste
Do you plan things out and make appointments? Maybe you are a bit regimented and like to know where you’re going before you get there? Think of wineries as like restaurants — each will have their own aesthetic, ambiance, layout, and menu, plus you need to usually make reservations! Here are a few wineries I recommend which require prior arrangements.
Palmaz: Gravity-flow wine making and one of the largest wine caves in Napa makes this one of the most impressive wine tours we have been on yet- the wine will definitely make you swoon.
Quintessa: Gorgeous setting, gorgeous wine. Be prepared- their wine is not cheap, but the sit down tasting is an experience in of itself.
Mumm: Bubbles anyone? Reserve a tasting on their Oak Terrace and enjoy small bites and bubbly…we love their library wines. Great way to start the morning!
Schramsberg: Whether you are a sparkling fan or not, this is where you come to learn the amount of effort that goes into each bottle. Wine is more than just a beverage as there is science and artistry..which you will learn about on the tour. The tasting is also a fave which ends with a grand tasting of the blanc de blanc (100% chardonnay), blanc de noir (89% pinot noir), J Schram, and Reserve.
Other places to enjoy bubbles:
Domaine Carneros, Domaine Chandon
Kuleto: If you could wave a wand and create a magical tasting experience..this would be it. . It is definitely a bit off the beaten path, in a good way. The drive up the mountain is fun and scenic, and the winery is picturesque and beyond breathtaking. A great way to spend 90 minutes.
Round Pond: The view. Seriously. Come for a tasting, stay for a evening nibble and enjoy their expansive patio. Worth it.
Hill Family: A small, family-run winery smack dab in the middle of Yountville. It’s our secret go-to when we want those intimate feels and good wine walking distance from our hotel.
Relic: Ever heard of a cult winery? A small production with distinct characteristics is what defines a cult wine and this place definitely lives up to the name. We are huge fans of their Archive line of wines, but who are we kidding everything is good.
Swanson Vineyards: Boutique Euro-vibe winery with a whimsical atmosphere and delicious wines. We spent half the day just leisurely enjoying a bottle of 2004 Merlot
Do you hate planning ahead? Like to go just go without a plan and see where the day takes you?
Caymus: No lie. This place was my husbands pick. And you know what? We now go here every time we are in Napa. It is too good to pass up. Their Mer Soleil Chardonnay is my particular favorite but they are really well-known for Cabernet and Zinfandel.
Turnbull: Do you like cab? Do you like Ansel Adams? What about together? This is your place.
Alpha Omega: This place. They have an unfiltered Chardonnay that is simply delicious and unrestrained. The view from their patio is also defined and not to be missed.
Sequoia Grove: One of my favorite places. From the feel of the tasting room to the huge Sequoia trees surrounding you to the wine, you cannot go wrong here.
V. Sattui Winery: This is the place to kill two birds with one stone. Drink wine and eat lunch here at their huge picnic grounds with Italian deli. Be warned! This place is always packed. But, the food is super tasty, the wine good and the people nice.
Okay…now it’s your turn. What’re some of your go-to favorite wineries in the Napa Valley?
I hope you enjoyed this Travel Guide to Napa Valley, California! If you’re really into wine, consider also reading my Winery Guide to Arizona Wine Country.
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