Guide to St. Helena Wine Country
This post may be sponsored or contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Affiliate relationship will not change the integrity of my content. This is my opinion. See my full disclosure in my menu for more details.
Wine country is soooooo much more than just NAPA!
We (myself included) lump all the regions of wine county into Napa and Sonoma, but it is so much more. St. Helena is just a few towns north of Napa, known for it’s downtown, boutique wine tastings and close to the best vineyards.
Tiffer Tips Guide to St. Helena
Getting Around St. Helena
With our new normal I fully suggest and promote AND cannot live without a car service!
* Bougie much?!?!?!?!? Kinda but, it is a time saver like no other! Ubers can take 40+ minutes and that is valuable wine tasting time you could be utilizing! Not to mention the sky high prices they have been pushing.
Also, DRUNK DRIVING, is never an option, ever!
SOOOOO, if you have more than just two of you, get a car!!!
(you can thank me later)
Check out:
Executive Car Service Napa
Andre Scott was our driver, he was super accommodating and extra nice! He had a sweet Escalade, very clean with plexiglass dividers, he checked our temps and asked that we wore our masks in the car.
It was a 6 hour minimum at $60 an hour not including gratuity. We were able to go over the 6 hours at the same cost! This is a CASH only deal – FYI
Napa Luxury Coach Car Service
Places to Stay in St. Helena
If you have a crew and plan to rent a car, you might as well get a GANGSTER AirBnb or VRBO!
For my 30th Birthday, my hubby rented a 4 bedroom house on a vineyard with a pool, and hottub! The home was super modern and right in between Napa and Sonoma! Great location!
If a hotel is more your jam, check out: HotelTonight or Booking.com or Hopper
Harvest Inn $$$$ super nice, pricey but in a good location and fancy! Weekly rates can be around $250 or a weekend stay might run you $450+.
El Bonita, is a cheaper option and the amenities are great with a pool, hottub and firepit! The rooms are very basic and the service is just OK, but it is only $200 on the weekends, so…
Southbridge and Wine Country Inn, looks beautiful and is a happy medium between Harvest Inn and El Bonita.
Now, my fave part & prob yours too... Wine Tasting in St. Helena
Hall – all time fave!!! Best Cabs, probably ever. Even though tours are on pause due to the pandemic, the views and seating are is still amazing
* Military Discount
Peju – you know the one, with the whimsical looking trees along the driveway?!?!?!? Just a heads up they are known for SMALL POURS… boo
* Military Discount
Salvestrin – adorable winery, tucked away close to Harvest Inn. They took us without a reservation and the owners wife gave us the tasting, she is so sweet! ALSO, they rent a house on their property!
Caymus/Wagner Wines – WOW, our outdoor spot was unlike any other. Our host gave us ALL the deets on the vino, the space, area and creators, it is a family owned winery and all the kids make their own wine!
*Military Discount
Alpha Omega – biggest piece of ADVICE, do the library tasting it is $75 BUT the wine is WAY better! Usually I recommend sharing if there are two of you and try both flights but skip the signature!
Dine in St. Helena
Harvest Inn – the meals look epic online, the outdoor area and bar are great hangouts!
Gotts – the best midday burger joint with milkshakes and rose’! Rose’ was yummy!
Farmstead – great for lunch or dinner! The outdoor seating has expanded, but reservations are a MUST! I suggest the mac and cheese, delish!
Charter Oak – WOW, we went big here! Did the chef’s tasting menu, it is $90 a person and the WHOLE table has to commit to it! It was over 5 courses and soooo much food! Come hungry!
* if you arrive early, you can buy one of their pre-made cocktails! Think booze in a caprisun juice box.
St. Helena has so much to offer when it comes to wine! The cabs are rich and the wineries are near by, making it possible to do 5 tastings in a day! So, venture out and try the new “Napa”!
What is your favorite region in wine country?!?!?!
Want More Wine... Travel? Wine Not
