Curator’s statement
Catching up over a great bottle of wine is a tradition for the women in my family. What better place to do this than the famous Napa Valley? This place is special to me because it provides the perfect place to bond with family over great food and wine in one of the most beautiful places in the country.
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Things to do in Napa
Vineyard tour at Cakebread Cellars
Wine tasting, of course: Whether you want to visit a big-name winery or a low-key, family owned winery, Napa has it all. If you want to go the more commercialized route, then I recommend Beringer, the Prisoner, Duckhorn, or Caymus. If you want to visit a winery with a more low-key family feel, then I recommend Frog’s Leap, Cakebread, or Paraduxx.
Beringer Vineyards: When you think of Beringer, you think of the cheap wine that is mass-produced, right? Think again! This vineyard has some delicious, high-end red wines. Located on the northern end of St Helena, Beringer Vineyards is a beautiful estate established in 1876. This is a must-visit purely because of the big name and rich history. If you do a wine tasting, make sure you book a tour that includes the historic wine caves.
Duckhorn Vineyards: The Duckhorn portfolio is well-known for its labels named after ducks, bird imagery, or nature themes. Duckhorn is the flagship label and exudes luxury. Duckhorn owns nearly 300 acres of vineyards, and the flagship features a stunning Craftsmen-style estate house. I recommend the portfolio tasting, but each of your guests can choose the tasting they prefer. They are appointment-only, so book a reservation beforehand.
Frog’s Leap: This is by far one of my favorite wineries. This winery not only uses sustainable farming techniques, but also offers warm hospitality that my Texan heart loves. The owner took an 1884 barn and restored it to be used as the tasting room. They are located in Rutherford and are known for their Sauvignon Blancs, balanced Cabernet Sauvignons, and Zinfandels. They will let you walk the property and check out their chickens and gardens.
Cakebread: Another one of my favorites. Their flagship wine is a Chardonnay, and they have delicious reds as well. They are appointment-only, so make a reservation before you go. Also in Rutherford, this estate includes an old farmhouse that has been preserved by the family through the generations. The guides are very knowledgeable and hospitable. They also have an exceptional wine club you can join. I recommend the Sustainable Wine and Vines Tour and Tasting, which includes a tour of the estate and a seated tasting.
Paraduxx: Remember the ducks from earlier? Here is another label within the Duckhorn portfolio. If you haven’t caught on, I love warm hospitality, and this winery gives you just that. Relax in their lawn chairs outside as you experience nothing but blends. This is an interesting and relaxing experience. They are appointment-only, so book a reservation beforehand.
Spend a day at the spa: Calistoga is known for its spa retreats. About 45 minutes from Napa, this is an easy day trip. Calistoga Hot Springs, Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, and the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley all offer day passes if you book an experience. You must make a reservation beforehand.
Stroll around downtown Napa: There is a plethora of tasting rooms, restaurants, boutiques, and bars all nestled along the river. It’s easily walkable, and if you’re staying downtown, this is a great way to walk off all the wine from the day.
Go to the farmers market: Voted one of California’s best must-visit places, the farmers market is open on Saturdays from 8 am to noon and on Tuesdays from April through December. You can find everything from grass-fed meats to heirloom tomatoes and flower bouquets. They even have vendors that sell jewelry, art, and apparel.
Places to eat & drink in Napa
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
Gott’s: Blending high-quality ingredients with a casual atmosphere, this roadside restaurant is a must-visit. They are open from 11 am to 9 pm from Sunday through Thursday and from 11 am to 9:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. You might have to wait in line, but the wait doesn’t take longer than 15 to 20 minutes. I got the Baja fish tacos and my sister-in-laws and cousin got burgers. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either—just make sure you get the garlic fries and sweet potato fries.
Farmstead: A classic farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of St Helena, Farmstead has an array of farm-fresh eats. I’ve personally eaten here a few times and have tried a little bit of everything. I recommend getting a few appetizers and entrées and sharing as a table. The cocktails are delicious, but take it easy if you have a day full of wine tasting. I also recommend making a reservation.
Ristorante Allegria: This is a great dinner spot in the heart of Napa. Housed in a historic renovated 1916 bank, this restaurant has vaulted ceilings, a quaint bar, and a covered patio area. They have an extensive wine list and use beef tallow for frying. Any of the pasta dishes are delicious, but they’re known for their tagliatelle allo zafferano. They have excellent service and live music on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Downtown Joe’s Restaurant and Brewery: This is your brunch spot on the river. They have Napa Life Magazine award-winning bloody marys. They have hearty breakfasts that’ll carb you up before a day of drinking wine. I got an omelet and my sisters-in-law got the Eggs Benedict, and we were full until early afternoon. When the river is full, this is a beautiful spot to have breakfast and brunch. You can also hit this spot for their happy hours and brewery in the evening.
Azzuro Pizzeria: Widely considered one of Napa’s best pizza stops, this spot features Neopolitan-style pizza. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas you order. I recommend ordering a few pizzas for the table to share. Their affogato and fudge brownies are decadent.
Need to know
How to choose wineries and hotels
There are a couple of ways you can go about booking your hotel. If there are wineries you absolutely don’t want to miss, then book your wineries first and find a hotel within the area. If you care more about staying at a particular hotel, then book your hotel first and find wineries within the area.
When narrowing down which wineries you want to try, make sure you look into the wines they are known for. For example, if you know you don’t like bubbles and want to stick to reds, then booking a winery like Domaine Carneros wouldn’t be the right choice for you. If you need help finding wineries, then I’m your gal.
Transportation
You also have options with transportation. You can always book the wine train, but make sure you book early because this is very popular, especially during the harvest season (September through October). You get less flexibility with booking the wine train because it only stops at select wineries, so this is something to consider if there are particular wineries you want to try. The train starts in downtown Napa, so you might want to consider hotels in the area.
Uber is also readily available in most areas of Napa. If you pick wineries that are farther off the beaten path, then this might not be the best option for you. Ubers will take more time to get to you and will be more expensive.
Hiring a driver is another option. You can hire a driver that will drive your own car. This is a cheaper option. There are apps and websites that offer drivers that have been thoroughly vetted to drive your vehicle. If you have a large group, then you can hire a private driver that will drive you in an SUV or van the entire day. This is a more expensive option, but might be more cost-effective for groups. If one of the people in your group doesn’t mind being a designated driver, then obviously this is the cheapest option; however, they may miss out on some of the wine tasting.
Things to keep in mind
If this is your first time wine tasting or you don’t go often, then I recommend booking no more than two wineries in one day. Many of the wineries in Napa will give you extra tastings, and before you know it, you’ve had a full bottle of wine throughout your visit.
Don’t forget to plan lunch in between winery visits. This is a common mistake that I see first-timers make, and there are so many wonderful places to eat lunch in Napa. Most wineries offer small bites and snacks, but this is not enough food to offset all the wine consumed. Some wineries offer full lunch menus. Just do your research beforehand and plan time for lunch—you’ll thank me later!
Reservations are definitely helpful for tastings, lunch, and dinner. Weekends get very busy, even during the off-season. When making reservations, remember to allow plenty of time for each tasting, lunch, and travel time between wineries and restaurants. Some wineries will not let you join a tour if you are late, but most will give you some grace.
Napa is home to four Michelin-starred restaurants. If this is something you are interested in, then you will definitely want to make a reservation as early as possible. Some of these restaurants have waiting lists months in advance.
When you book with me, I can build you an itinerary that meets all of your needs. Then all you have to do is show up, relax, and have fun!
Travel Advisor
Morgan Heintzen
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