Cost Of Getting Around In Napa
Then dont forget about a driver. Getting a DUI on vacation isnt something youd want to happen in addition, its a good idea as there are occasional bikers on the road and running into them could be horrific . With that being said, if you are super budget conscious try uber and lyft. Just make sure the wineries youre going to are not on highway 29 or silverado trail. More than once Ive received calls from people stuck up in the hillsides/mountainsides of the valley. You can email our concierge at to get some advice on locations and to be on the safe side. Expect to spend around $200 or so on ubers up and down the valley as there are spikes in rates and often times traffic at the end of a busy saturday.
The Best Wineries That You Love To Drink At Home To Go Taste At While Youre In Town
Caymus Vineyards Great wines! Some of my favorite in Napa. And a absolute picturesque outdoor tasting area. I love their pinot noir and their chardonnay.
Cakebread Wines
I love Cakebreads chardonnay and cabernets, so wine tasting here is always great. Its a quick tasting, and located right off of Highway 29, making it an easy stop in a busy wine tasting day. Its a little commercial feeling compared to some of the smaller, more family-run wineries, but I LOVE their wine and patio so beautiful in the summertime!
Rombauer My go-to chardonnay. I always come home with at least a few bottles from here. Its a great spot for a casual, pop in tasting. But keep in mind this is more of a commercial feeling winery since they have gotten SO popular in recent years, so if youre expecting that mom-and-pop winery feeling, you should choose elsewhere. But if you love their wine like me and want to check it out, I highly recommend!
Joseph Phelps Winery Youve probably heard of Joseph Phelps famed Insignia label an insanely good cabernet sauvignon that is worth the trip to this winery alone. Add in a cozy lodge-like tasting room and a terrace like this?! This one is a must do.
Twomey located in Healdsburg and also in Calistoga, this is one of my go-tos for a casual drop-in tasting in the valley. Twomey is by the same label as Silver Oak, and their pinots are so good and I always end up walking out with a few bottles.
Take A Cooking Class Or Food Tour
CIA at Copia is a must-see attraction in Napa. One of its biggest draws is its variety of cooking demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes. If you love to cook or if you are interested in learning how to cook the CIA at Copia has a class for you. Learn new skills with a half-day cooking class, try out a wine and food-paring session or a cocktail-making class, or take the History of Napa Valley in 8 Glasses as an intro to your wine tasting exploration. All classes are led by expert chefs, so you know youre getting top-quality education.
Two other things not to be missed: The Restaurant at CIA Copia and TheStore at CIA Copia .
And if you are more interested in just eating delicious foods of Napa Valley, book a walking culinary tour with Gourmet Food and Wine Tours to learn and taste all that Napa has to offer! Culinary tours are a great way to learn some history and eat some delicious food while youre at it.
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We Love Wine As Much As You Do At Our Napa Valley Inn
Our classic Napa Bed and Breakfast is exactly where you want to start and end your day of wine tasting in Napa Valley. And our love of Napa Valley wine continues with some nice selections available to you here at the Inn. Have a glass in front of our cozy fireplace or in the privacy of your guest suite.
Let us take care of you with our warm hospitality, homemade breakfasts, and cozy guest suites. Our proximity to downtown is unparalleled and has you within minutes of romantic restaurants, tasting rooms, and nightlife. For those who prefer to stay in and relax, an afternoon by the pool or a leisurely stroll around our historic grounds does just the trick. We pride ourselves in going above and beyond to make your stay comfortable and only the first of many visits in the future. Book your next amazing vacation at our Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast today!
Best Time To Visit Napa Valley California
Overview of Napa Valleys weather: Napa Valleys Mediterranean climate provides near-perfect weather year-round. Evening temperatures can be 30 degrees cooler than in the day time, and daytime temperatures can vary as much as 10 degrees between the northern and southern portions of the valley.
You can visit anytime in the year without having to deal with harsh weather conditions, but our favorite times to visit include harvest season and in the wintertime.
Harvest Season: Late August to October
Thanks to relatively sunny weather year-round, Californias Napa Valley welcomes visitors throughout the year. You can come any time and still have a blast! But if youre looking for that quintessential Napa Valley experience , then the best time to visit is during the harvestin the late summer to early fallaround late August through October.
During this time, youll find vines filled with massive clusters of grapes and many sun-shiny days. The days are long and warm, sunny and the nights are cool and bearable.
One thing to note again is that this will be harvest season. As such, peak tourist season in Napa coincides with harvest season. While visiting during this time is ideal because of the great weather and abundance of activities to do, wineries are going to be much busier, there will be more traffic in the area, and you can expect to see higher rates for accommodations.
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Top Cheap Wine Tastings In Napa Valley
Ok, lets get this clear right away. Cheap in Napa Valley is very different than what cheap means to most of the country.
Jacuzzi Winery: This is one of the first wineries youll pass on your way to Napa Valley if you are coming from San Francisco. I visited once with the family and really loved the back patio and courtyard. It has a great Italian Californian feel and has lots of outdoor seating so you can enjoy the fresh air and cheap wine tasting!
Price: $10 per tasting
JaM Cellars: A funky interior tasting room thats near downtown Napa. They are famous for a great cab and sparkling wine. Visitors love hanging out in their tasting room and also enjoying their food, which is a rarity to find available in wineries.
Price: $15 per tasting
Frogs Leap: This winery is actually my favorite winery in Napa Valley. At the core, it feels like home to a gal like me who grew up on a Wisconsin farm. The tasting room is held out of a beautiful farmhouse with a wrap-around porch. Its dog-friendly and has plenty of lawn chairs all around the property. Youre allowed to take your glass and wander if you want! Read more about Frogs Leap Winery and see lots of photos in this blog post of mine.
Price: $25 per tasting.
Price: $25 per tasting
Price: $25 per tasting
Price: $20 per tasting
Price: $20 for the market room tasting
Stags Leap Wine Cellars Oakville Napa
Founded in 1970 by Warren Winiarski, this winery brought international acclaim to Napa Valley winemaking when their 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon won the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting. A bottle of 1973 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon was inducted into the Smithsonian National Museum in 1996 as a result of being awarded first in this competition and to reflect the impact that the achievement had on the US wine industry as a whole. The winerys newly remodeled facility provides a centerpiece of all encompassing views of the gorgeous vineyards and Napa countryside. The winerys cave is the moral center of the universe, according to founder Warren Winiarski. He installed an amazing floor-to-ceiling Foucault pendulum at the center of the vaulted caves. Its an awesome sight to behold as it swings methodically. And, as a side note, the winery was sold to a joint venture by Château Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori in the summer of 2007, so that Winiarski is no longer involved. Reservations are required.
Stags Leap Wine Cellars
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Where To Eat And Stay:
Coles Chop House
Housed in a historic two-story building with exposed stone walls and a mahogany bar, Coles Chop House is a classic American steakhouse. The restaurant serves up sophisticated steak, lamb chops, and seafood in an elegantly refurbished setting. Talented bartenders mix classic cocktails based on a world-class whiskey selection. Dining is available on the patio or in the elegant two-story dining room. Reservations recommended.
Ca-Momi Osteria
Ca-Momi Osteria offers diners a choice of traditional Italian pizzas, pastas, and other main dishes plus cocktails, wine, and beer. An industrial chic atmosphere lends to the casual but modern feel of the restaurant. You can order takeout, dine-in, or eat on the outdoor patio. No reservations are required.
Downtown Joes Brewery
Downtown Joes Brewery, recognized as a long-running, casual spot for house-brewed beers, also features fresh food creations and delicious burgers. A seat at the window on the second story, or outside on the balcony provides a grand view of Napa River activity. Reservations are recommended at this busy and popular mainstay.
The Inn on First
Jamie serves the delightful meals with a side of cheer. Hes always happy to sit down with guests and provide friendly tips on where to eat and what to taste in Napa.
But best of all, the Inn on First is just a short walk to downtown restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and shops. So, park your car and enjoy this lovely walkable city.
Otherwise Known As Urban Wineries Downtown Tasting Rooms Offer Similar Wine
With downtown tasting rooms located within easy walking distance from one another, those looking to experience a taste of Napa Valley without the driving will find a convenient alternative.
Wine shops often offer well-known and hard-to-find wines for sale, and never disappoint, offering a little something different for everyone.
Take a look at the directory below to find the right tasting rooms for your getaway.
Get Inspired
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Plan A Delightful Day Of Wine Tasting In Napa Valley 2021
An adventurous day of wine tasting in Napa Valley is best begun at our historic and intimate Napa Valley Inn. Youll start your morning in one of our elegant guest rooms enrobed in Comphy Brand linens. Slip into a fluffy robe for a morning of relaxation, which is best paired with a hot cup of coffee or even a mimosa if you prefer. Next up, our gourmet breakfast. You can ask to have it brought up to your room or enjoyed in our socially-distanced dining room. Either way, our house-made selections from frittata to french toast will be the fuel you want to start off your wine tasting in Napa tour the right way.
Then wed love to help you plan your day of wine tasting in Napa Valley. At the Candlelight Inn, we have all of the insider knowledge youll need to make the most of your wine tasting in Napa experience a success. We even offer some thoughtfully curated Napa Valley wine tasting packages. Heres a list of just a handful of classic spots you wont want to miss:
Thrifty Tips To Save Money
- It’s perfectly acceptable to split a tasting with a friend. Just ask your server. You may not want to taste every wine on the list anyway…plus you’ll share the wine tasting fee to boot.
- Some wineries offer two-for-one wine tasting coupons. Your hotel concierge may have a few on hand. Don’t be shy to ask about them.
- Wine tasting fees are sometimes waived with a wine purchase. Be sure to ask your wine server.
COVID-19 Update
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the wineries, restaurants and entertainment venues featured on this site have new guidelines for visitors. Some have temporarily closed, changed their hours of operation, or have new restrictions. It’s a good idea to check with businesses before your visit.
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Castello Di Amorosa Calistoga Napa
Castello di Amorosa knows how to make a huge first impression. Set on a Calistoga knoll, this authentically styled, 13th Century Tuscan castle winery is unlike any other. It took some 15 years for owner Dario Sattui to construct the castle, embracing all the elements youd expect from an authentic Italian castle. A moat with drawbridge, high stone walls, gargoyles, a church, and a fully equipped torture chamber will fascinate and delight your senses. The castle winery produces hand-crafted Italian-styled wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Primitivo, and Sangiovese. A number of guided tours and tastings are available. The castle hits all the marks: delicious wines exclusively available at the winery, unforgettably gorgeous grounds, delectable food, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Busy and crowded. A $25 entrance fee allows for access to the castle grounds and five tastings.
Castello di AmorosaSpottswoodes quaint Victorian estate is nestled up against the vineyards West of St. Helena. Photo by Thomas Heinser
The Best Downtown Napa Restaurants
There are so many great Downtown Napa valley restaurants, it can be hard to choose which ones to eat at, especially on a short weekend trip. We havent been able to eat at every single one, but I asked a couple of local gals to give me the locals scope on the best places to eat in Downtown Napa to help me flush out this list.
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The Best Wine Tours In Napa Valley
There are so many great Napa Valley wine tasting experiences, many of which simply require you to go to the winery or a downtown tasting room. However, wine tours can be a great way to experience Napa Valleys wine as well. Here are a few of the regions top wine tours:
Whether you take one of these tours or plan out a self-guided itinerary, we know youll have an exquisite time Napa Valley wine tasting. To make your stay even more memorable, make sure you book a stay at our incredible Select Registry Bed and Breakfast in the area. You can even combine a visit to Napa Valley with a trip to Californias other wine tasting destinations, like Paso Robles and Temecula. Read a recent blog we put together about this for more information!
Exciting Things To Do In Napa Valley Besides Wine Tasting
For those of you who havent heard, Napa Valley is the ultimate destination for wining and dining. The region is a popular day trip from the San Francisco Bay Area, and for good reason. About one hour away is a world of amazing gastronomy, unforgettable wine experiences, and raw outdoor adventure. Whether youre planning a special event with friends, planning a weekend trip with your significant other, or vacationing with the entire family, Napa Valley is your destination for a grand ol time.
Despite the fact that Napa Valley is a world-class wine region, there are actually a ton of other things to do here other than wine taste. Im not a huge wine drinker myself, yet I still love coming to Napa Valley whenever I get the chance. The sunny weather, the relaxed atmosphere, the foodie culture, and the extremely friendly people keep me coming back multiple times a year.
And honestly, we are so blessed to be living in the Bay Area, with Napa Valley just 45 minutes away from where we live in Berkeley, CA! As weve been exploring Napa more and more over the recent months, we want to share with you all that weve discovered!
Families traveling with kids can also enjoy activities such as the Safari West wildlife compound and catching Californias Old Faithful Geyser spray its waters high up in the sky. To see Napa from a different perspective, you can hop onto horseback, hop on a wine train, or hop aboard a hot air balloon!
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Great Places For Wine Tasting In Napa In 2021
Wine tasting in Napa Valley is undeniably one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. Luckily, our Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast is right in the heart of where the fun begins. Were only about 10 minutes away from more than 100 wineries! This year still looks a little bit different than traditional years, but many of our favorite wineries are offering tastings in safe, outdoor, and socially distanced environments. Most tastings are offered by appointment only, which better serves for a perfectly planned day of hopping from one winery to the next.
For starters, the weather in Napa, checking in at around a lovely 60 degrees in winter, cant be beaten in terms of outdoor areas. Take in the fantastic views of rolling vineyards while wine tasting and swirling that vino in the company of your closest friends and family. First things first, book your room at our Napa Bed and Breakfast.
