Curator’s statement
The Napa Valley is home to some of the finest wine producers in the United States. Let me take you on a journey to some of the best wineries and tasting rooms in the area. From low-key and casual to upscale and decadent - Napa has it all! Whether you want to relax and sip wine while enjoying a breathtaking vineyard view, blend your own wine and be a winemaker for a day, or relax in a warm mud bath, I've got you covered.
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Day 1: Arrive in Napa
You will most likely arrive in the afternoon, so after you check-in, walk over to Chateau Buena Vista for a wine tasting. Choose from a list of options like a Cabernet & Chocolate pairing or Champagne & Caviar. Bonus: if you arrive on a Thursday evening, enjoy happy hour from 4pm -7pm. When it's time for dinner, take the 2 minute walk to Ristorante Allegria for some of the finest Italian food in Napa. Tip: the corkage fee is $25/bottle, so if you loved something at Chateau Buena Vista, bring a bottle or two with you!
Day 2: Vineyard hopping
After breakfast at your hotel, it's time to visit some wineries! I recommend hiring a driver to chauffeur you around so you can indulge a little. Start at Trefethen Vineyards, one of Napa's pioneering wineries, owned by the Trefethen family. Afterward, head over to Saddleback Cellars, a winery that has changed very little since Nils Venge founded it back in the 1970's. You next stop is at Oakville Grocery for lunch on the patio. They serve up wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches and salads. Stop in at the 150-year-old Victorian house, Oakville Merchant, next door and sample over 60 wines by the glass from Napa's finest producers. After lunch, head over to Raymond Vineyards for a walk through their Theater of Nature and learn about biodynamic wine-making. Head back to your hotel, freshen up and relax by the rooftop fire pit before heading to dinner at TORC.
Day 3: Spa and tastings
We begin this day with a rejuvenating mud bath at Indian Springs Resort in Calistoga. This iconic, one-of-a-kind resort and spa aims to keep things relaxed for their guests. After your mud bath, go for a swim in the 1910 mineral pool. Once spa time is over, grab lunch at the newly renovated Calistoga Depot. Train cars house little shops and restaurants or go inside the cafe for a variety of food options. After lunch, head to nearby Teachworth for a tasting with winemaker Taylor Berkley Boydstun. As you make your way back to downtown Napa, stop at the JCB Lounge in Yountville for an elevated tasting experience among Baccarat chandeliers and velvet decor. Enjoy wines in Baccarat crystal goblets and explore the world of JCB. Finish up the day with dinner at RH Yountville and dine in a wonderland of lighted trees.
Day 4: Farewell brunch
Before you say goodbye to Napa, enjoy brunch at Boon Fly Café on your way back to the airport for the trip home.
Travel Advisor
Melissa Elliott
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Contact me for a personalized itinerary and to learn how to receive complimentary tastings at some of these wineries!
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to California.