Itinerary Inspiration for Napa Valley’s Immersive Playground

The 1976 Judgement of Paris put California wine on the map and specifically Napa Valley, where there are five distinctive towns in Napa Valley to choose from, namely: (1) American Canyon, (2) City of Napa, (3) Yountville, (4) St. Helena, and (5) Calistoga. This area is currently home to more than 400 wineries and more than 90 tasting rooms. Within the 12 AVAs of Napa, are also exciting places to eat and explore by hot air balloon, wine train, bicycle or car. Below is a three-day wine tasting itinerary for you to dabble:

JCB Parlor

Calistoga Depot

Day 1

For your first day in Napa, I suggest scheduling 2 or 3 tasting rooms along or just off Route 29 after having a quick complimentary breakfast at your hotel or if one is not offered stop at Bouchon Bakery (Thomas Keller bakery inspired by classic boulangeries in France but here in Yountville). If possible, schedule your tastings with the farthest from your hotel and working back toward your hotel. Also consider that many hotels offer complimentary happy hours, which is a nice topper before getting ready for dinner.

After the first tasting and depending on where your next stop may be, grab lunch at one of the following:

1. Calistoga Depot – 4 restaurants (Distillery Bar and Provisions Deli, Casa Obsidiana, and JCB Parlor) and 4 bars with small-batch spirits, fine wines, and artisanal foods inspired by the history of Calistoga. Afterwards stop for some artisan chocolates at the Wine Tran Collective.

2. Giugris Deli in St. Helena has sandwiches, chips and drinks. Add some Giugni juice to your sandwich or take home a bottle for later. If you have time, stroll down the main street to take in some of the most charming stores.

3. Oakville Grocery (order ahead for pick up if possible) – a wine country institution since 1881. There you can order wood-fired pizza, artisan sandwiches, or purchase meats, cheese and bread to make your own sharable platter. If you have time to kill before your next appointment in the afternoon, you can always head into the Oakville Wine Merchant next door for tastings by the ounce, taste, glass or bottle.

4. For a sit-down option, try either Brasswood Bar+Kitchen (St. Helena) or RH restaurant (Yountville). An added incentive to eat at RH is the Wine Vault tasting room (historic Masonry building) next door featuring US and European wines by the flight, glass or bottle.

Brasswood Bar+Kitchen

For dinner, it is hard to choose from all of the standout restaurants, but consider a farm-to-table option for the first night. Afterall, the five districts are communities built on farming. Below are some farm-to-table options.

1. The Grove at CIA Copia (downtown Napa)

2. The Kitchen at Priest Ranch (Yountville)

3. The French Laundry (Yountville)

4. Bear (Stanley Ranch, South Napa)

5. Violetto (St.Helena)

“Stone Sky” Pool at Memento Mori Winery

Day 2

Following a very busy day along Route 29, it is worth next discovering 2 or 3 tasting rooms along the Silverado Trail Road. Start your day with breakfast either at the hotel or hitting up Model Bakery (downtown Napa and Yountville) or Sweetie Pie (downtown Napa). Since there are not many options along the Silverado Trail you may want to grab breakfast and lunch box to go from Carneros Resort’s Market. Otherwise, after the first tasting, here are a couple of lunch options.

1. Genova Delicatessen (north downtown Napa)

2. For sit down, Solbar at Auberge (Calistoga) is hard to beat.

For Dinner, try one of the top restaurants in the area such as,

1. The French Laundry (if you can manage to get a reservation - Yountville)

2. Morimoto (downtown Napa)

3. Bottega (Yountville)

4. Bistro Jeanty (Yountville)

5. Press (St. Helena)

6. Goose & Gander (St. Helena)

Day 3

On your last day, it is time to hit the areas staples.  First, don’t miss having a sit-down breakfast at Boon Fly Café. (known for their Boon Fly donuts) but my personal favorite is the Boon Fly Benedict. After Boon Fly, head over to the unforgettable Domain Carneros.

Domaine Carneros

After sipping on some Champagne at Domain Carneros, head into downtown Napa for lunch at any number of wonderful eateries in the Oxbow Public Market. If it is too crowded or not in your mood for the day, try:

1. Gott’s Napa for burgers

2. Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin BBQ

After lunch, visit some of the tasting rooms and walk around 1st Street and Main Street. This is your last day so take a little stroll along the Napa River.

Dine near your hotel so that you are well relaxed at the end of your packed 3 day excursion.

My hotel suggestions in no particular order:

1. Carneros Resort and Spa (Carneros)

2. Solage, Auberge Resort (Calistoga)

3. Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford)

4. Ailia Napa Valley (St. Helena)

5. The Francis House (Calistoga)

6. The Meritage Resort and Spa (Napa)

7. Hotel Yountville  (Yountville)

8. North Block Hotel (Yountville)

9. Andaz Napa (downtown Napa)

10. Napa River Inn (downtown Napa)

11. UpValley Inn & Hot Springs (Calistoga)

If you would like expert advice considering your budget, contact us to plan your itinerary with or without guides and/or transportation.