Napa: an itinerary
Being able to visit Napa easily is one of the best things about living in Bay Area hands down! This is my ideal itinerary through Napa and it combines wineries with yummy food!
*Note: Things I researched but didn’t end up doing are denoted with a `` (asterisk)**
Accommodation
Since I have only been up to Napa for day trips I have never stayed at a hotel or an AirBnB in the area! Let me know if you have any tips or advice!
Wine
Tours
- Napa valley wine train*: Allows you to sample Napa wines on a train with optional food and excursions.
- Platypus Wine Tours: You don't have to worry about designated drivers and your reservations are all handled for you!
Wineries
Be sure to make your reservations in advance (specially in summer!)
- For the Gram
- Darioush: Beautiful architecture and the wine to make you appreciate it! Recommended for red wine lovers.
- Chandon: The local supplier for the sparkling wine giant that is Chandon! Recommended for sparkling wine lovers.
- Domaine Carneros: Great to walk around and admire the French mansion and property on which the vineyard is built! Recommended for sparkling wine lovers.
- For the history
- Charles Krug Winery*: Napa's oldest winery and estate is worth a visit if it's your first trip to Napa! I haven't been as it is always booked out!
- Schramsberg Vineyards: As a lover of sparkling wines I am glad to have visited Schramsberg and have it be a part of my collection! The sparkling wine here has been served at numerous state dinners and you too can feel like a part of presidential history when you visit here!
- Castello di Amorosa*: I have only seen the castle itself and would definitely like to visit the vineyard and taste the wine ASAP!
- All wineries:
- Cakebread Cellars*: A great vineyard that produces great white and red wines!
- Reverie II Winery: The AirBnB onsite is charming and the red wine is divine! Which is saying something given I don't like red wine!
Food
- Oxbow Public Market: a food hall where you can sample all of Napa's finest!
- Gott's Roadside: a gourmet diner style restaurant! A must visit when in Napa!
- RH Yountville*: The restaurant here has amazing views of Yountville and is definitely meant for the gram with the beautiful enviable furniture!
- The French Laundry Garden: While you may not have a reservation at French Laundry you CAN visit the garden that supplies it with delicious fresh produce! And you might even be able to sneak a small berry or so!
- Bouchon Bistro*: Thomas Keller's more casual restaurant (for those without a reservation at French laundry). Nowhere near the gourmet Michelin experience that is French Laundry, but also nowhere near the bill!
- Bouchon Bakery: I recommend ordering some pastries the night before and snacking them on as you go through the many wineries that Napa has to offer!
- Brasswood Bar + Bakery: A great place to stop for lunch once you are deep in Napa's vineyards!