The Newcomers Guide to 5 Days in Napa Valley

You've made it -- take in the expanse of vineyards and prepare for an afternoon of delight! Your adventures will start in St. Helena, a charming village in the center of the valley. As any seasoned wine traveler knows, you'll want a satisfying meal before beginning any wine tasting. Head to Gott's, a modern roadside with a California twist for a quick lunch. Fun fact: Gott's is owned by renowned vintner Joel Gott, and boasts a pretty impressive wine list for such a casual spot. My personal favorites are the spicy tomato soup and Vietnamese salad.

Once you've had your fill, head to Acme Fine Wines for a private tasting. Acme is a tiny wine shop tucked into the alleys of downtown St. Helena. You may think it's curious to begin your wine tasting away from a traditional winery, but I promise you won't regret it! They specialize in local and up-and-coming wines and their wine educators know their stuff. If you don't have a lot of experience with wine tasting, they'll help you identify your favorite varietals and styles so that you'll be well-informed before tackling the vineyards head on. Even if you've been wine tasting a hundred times, I still couldn't recommend Acme more -- it's one of my favorite tastings in the Napa Valley.

After your tasting, take a stroll through the streets of St. Helena. My personal favorite shops to explore are Main Street Bookmine, Olivier Napa Valley and Acres Home and Garden.

While most wineries will be closing down for the afternoon, there's one more stop on your agenda: Ashes & Diamonds, one of few wineries offering an evening tasting (last tasting begins between 5:00 - 5:30PM). Make your way south on Highway 29 to Napa, where you'll find this youthful, mid-century modern winery owned by the son of prominent Napa vintner Darioush Khaledi. Enjoy an A&D Wine + Cheeses experience while you watch the sunset and build your appetite for dinner.

Finally, you'll end your evening in the heart of downtown Napa for dinner at Torc. This high-energy restaurant is the epitome of Napa cuisine and features a menu constantly changing to highlight seasonal goods. While this makes recommending the perfect dish challenging, I know you wont' be disappointed.

If you haven't already, it's time to check-in to your hotel for a good night's sleep. You'll need it; you have a big day ahead!

Today will be an active day, so get a head start with breakfast at Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery. A luxe French bakery, you can't go wrong with a buttery croissant or pain au chocolat. You may also want to consider grabbing a small box of macarons for the road (I'm a fan of the raspberry!).

From there, you're a quick walk to Napa Valley Bike Tours' Yountville location. While Napa Valley Bike Tours' offers lovely, guided tours, I much prefer a self-guided tour to choose my own pace and destinations. Rent either a cruiser ($55/day) or an electric bike ($95/day), grab their Napa Valley Bike Route map and you'll be on your way. You'll find today's destinations on the nearby "green loop" for recreational bikers.

Bike your way to the day's first winery, Turnbull Wine Cellars. Their Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon and Leopoldina Cabernet Sauvignon are some of my favorites in the valley. Although the Gallery Tasting in their main tasting room is an excellent introduction to the wines, I recommend a splurge for the Private Estate Tasting. This tasting includes a secluded set-up in the estate's living room or patio as well as your own dedicated wine educator -- who may give you a few extra pours if you ask nicely!

Have you worked up an appetite yet? Hop back on your bike and pedal your way to Napa Valley institution, Oakville Grocery, for lunch. Oakville Grocery has all of the fixings for a perfect picnic, in addition to delicious, made-to-order sandwiches and salads. If you're leaning towards the picnic route, their breaded chicken tenders or soba noodles are the perfect addition.

With a sated stomach, you'll be ready for your second winery of the day, Piazza Del Dotto. An Italian-style villa, you'll be transported immediately from Highway 29 to the Tuscan countryside. You'll remember where you are just in the knick of time for your Barrel Tasting and Cave Experience. No trip to the Napa Valley is complete without at least one cave tour, and these caves are not to be missed. Not only will you see how the wines are barreled and stored, you'll be able to taste a number of wines directly from the barrels themselves. If you're lucky, they'll add on a taste of their freshly prepared, seasonal sourdough pizza. Once you've had your fill, grab a bottle of Cave Blend for the road and bike your way back to Napa Valley Bike Tours to return your rentals.

After freshening up, continue your Italian theme with a well-deserved dinner at Oenotri. This laid back southern Italian restaurant next to the Archer Napa Valley is one of the locals' favorites. Enjoy!

Rise and shine! Day three begins bright and early with one of Napa Valley travelers' favorite pastimes: hot air balloons. I've had amazing experiences with Napa Valley Balloons, who take off each morning from Yountville. As they prepare you for flight, you'll be treated with fresh coffee and pastries. And, before you know it, you'll be enjoying unparalleled views of the valley below! Although most tours will give the option of adding on a celebratory brunch once you've returned to earth, I would defer this -- plenty of other culinary pleasures await you today.

With your feet firmly planted on the ground, you'll take a short trip north on Highway 29 to reach Ehlers Estate. Not only is their beautiful stone winery one of the oldest structures in the valley, but they are also now operated by the Leducq Charitable Trust, who donates the majority of their proceeds to research on cardiovascular disease. Here, you'll take part in "At the Table with Ehlers Estate," a several course lunch meticulously paired with their most elevated wines. I told you it'd be worth skipping out on the post-balloon brunch!

As if today wasn't spectacular enough, your next stop is sure to impress. Newton Napa Valley boasts some of the most distinct wines in California. Although their majestic, English garden-adorned property at the peak of Spring Mountain was lost in the 2020 wildfires, they are temporarily hosting in a modern bungalow with floor-to-ceiling windows and perfect mountain views, just miles north of Ehlers Estate. Their Unfiltered Chardonnay and Puzzle blend were some of the first wines I added to my collection on a visit many years ago.

When you've finally regained your appetite, close off the day with dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch. If you're a party of 2, you'll love dining at the cozy bar. Otherwise, their dining patio borders a lovely vegetable garden and vineyard. Don't miss out on the "brick cooked" chicken and, if you've had enough wine for one day, their margaritas will be a welcome change of pace.

The Napa Valley morning air is crisp and fresh year-round, making a leisurely hike an amazing way to start your day. Depending on where you've elected to stay, the West Hills Park Look (Napa, two and a half miles), Bothe Napa Valley State Park Redwood Trail (St. Helena, three miles), and Stevenson Memorial Trail (Calistoga, five miles) are excellent options. Given the option, I'd select Bothe Napa Valley State Park's Redwood Trail, as it boasts ancient California redwoods not typically found so far from the coast.

With your hike completed, it's time to reward yourself. First, with breakfast at Model Bakery. Their English muffins are the stuff of legends -- they're quite literally one of Oprah's favorite things! Second, with a day of pampering in the mud baths. Mud baths are a century-old practice in the Calistoga area due to the presence of volcanic ash in the soil; these baths are thought to improve muscle and joint pain while also removing toxins from the body. My mud bath of choice is the Spa at Solage's Signature Mud Slide, which is a three-part detoxifying experience that can be enjoyed solo or as a pair. But, if you're looking for something a bit more traditional, check out the Mudslinger at Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs, where they've been offering this treatment since the 1950s.

Once you're utterly relaxed, you'll be ready for a late afternoon wine tasting. Today's options include Melka or CADE Estate Winery, both off the Silverado trail. Melka is the passion project of Philippe Melka and his wife, Cherie. Philippe Melka is one of the most prolific vintners in the region, serving as a master wine consultant for many prominent wineries. Their tasting is led by manager and wine educator, Sylvie, who is one of the best in the valley. CADE Estate Winery, on the other hand, is in the hills of Howell Mountain and boasts impressive views. Not only will you be able to taste their understated and elegant wines, but they will also offer pours from their sister properties, Odette and Plumpjack. Their reds are not to be missed, but their Sauvignon Blanc -- which my family refers to affectionately as "Cade Water" -- is undeniably delicious.

If the sun is still shining with your tasting complete, make an additional stop at The Bar at Auberge Du Soleil for a late afternoon drink and perfect view of the sunset. Then, conclude your day at St. Helena's The Charter Oak, a new American restaurant with an unparalleled wine list. Those looking for a festive experience can dine in private, outdoor yurts, though you can't go wrong enjoying their grilled avocado, chuck tartare, and pork chop in the glow of the dining room.

Your hours may be dwindling, but we'll still make the most of your final day! Following a short, but sweet, breakfast and latte at The Station, you'll have your final wine tasting at Hall Wines. Kathryn Hall is one of the most celebrated female wine makers in the valley and, after tasting her Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, you'll understand why. Their typical tastings are held in the Modern Tasting Gallery, but I suggest splurging on a Historic Bergfeld tasting in the Peterson loft. We hosted over 60 guests in this space for a wine tasting over our wedding weekend, and it's something our friends and family still talk about today!

Your last wine tasting is complete, but we still have one more trick up our sleeves. On your way out of the valley, visit The Olive Mill at Round Pond Estate for a 1:00PM tour and olive oil tasting. This is one of two working olive mills in the Napa Valley, and their delightful olive oils and vinegars pair well with California wines and will be the perfect gift for any loved ones at home.

As you make your way out of the valley, stop for a late lunch at Oxbow Public Market, a vibrant gathering place in the heart of Napa. Here you'll reflect on your wine country memories over Hog Island Oyster or Loveski deli and, maybe, enjoy one last glass of wine for the road.