Napa Getaway: Everything You Need to Know
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Calling All Wine Lovers, here is your itinerary
When you think Northern California, do you think Napa too, or is that just me? Moving out here from Florida it was one place I could not wait to visit. As a wine enthusiast, I had to see where wine comes from. If you live in the Bay Area and have not gone to Napa whether you are a wino or not, you must at least drive up there for the day. Or, if you are visiting take a day to enjoy the wine country.
Napa is a slower pace, it is an environment that is conducive to relaxation. Really makes you slow down and live in the moment. I have had the opportunity to visit 3 times in the last year and I have two more trips planned. I love it can you tell?
Each occasion was different, we went for Mikee’s 40th Birthday, we spent the afternoon there for my birthday, couples trip with a limo, a girl’s trip and another couple trip. Napa speaks to all occasions. I am going to provide you with the list of wineries, places to stay, bites and booze!
A few things to keep in mind when wine tasting, if you are a pro you can skip ahead but if this is your first time in Napa, this list is worth a scan.
10 Tips for the Perfect Napa Trip
- Have fun, enjoy the wine and take lots of pictures!
- No Stilettos. Thick heels or wedges, walking the grounds it is likely dirt, grass, or cobblestone.
- Buying a bottle of wine may waive the tasting fee.
- Celebrating? tell everyone. Extra tastings on my birthday!
- Don’t taste and drive!
- Get an early start, most vineyards close before 5 PM.
- Food is your friend! Those heavy reds will catch up to you!
- If you are in a group or have a wine date, get different tastings. Why? So, can try more, duh!
- Make reservations, especially on the weekend.
- Tours usually last 90 minutes, so plan accordingly.
Let's Talk Napa Wineries:
Where: 4045 Saint Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA 94515
Reservations: Necessary especially for a tour. Just a tour without a tasting is $30 and with a classic tasting is $45. If you want to go big you can do a wine and cheese pairing or try their meal pairing!
What to expect: Driving up to the property alone is breathtaking, the driveway is lined with tall trees and the castle at the end, with a draw bridge. It is a 13th century style castle, brick paved walkways, so watch your heels. I think a wedge is best for Napa honestly, you never know what you’ll be walking on. The tour takes you through the entire castle from where dinners are held, bedrooms, the wine cellar down stairs and the torture dungeon. You must do this at least once!
Experience: The first time we came here we did not have a reservation. So we experienced the tasting and somehow talked to the right person and got a dungeon tour! Second time around we came with another couple, we did the whole tour and a tasting. It was such an experience. The beauty of the castle is undeniable.
Another all-time fav. The wine is great, it is a higher priced vineyard. Everything from the architecture, the art hanging on the walls to the red-light restrooms is contemporary and modern.
Where: 401 Saint Helena Hwy, Saint Helena, Ca 94574
Reservation: Tastings are $40, and tours start at $40 as well. Luckily, my girlfriend who lives in Florida decided to become a Wine Club Member, so our tasting fees were waived.
What to expect: The owners of Hall are lovers of wine and art. It is the combination of a lifetime. Tasting deep Cabernet’s and exploring the eclectic art collection. Everything from the Metal Rabbit out front, to the white Camel statue before you walk in the door, to the modern art collections on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. I highly recommend walking the grounds here and exploring the different art!
Experience: I can not say enough great things about here. I love it! We came back here twice in one Napa trip. Partially because our friend became a wine club member but also because it was so damn good. We got the “Members Only” treatment on the second tasting. Sitting on a private patio, a few yards from the vines and where the tastings were brought to you. It really made me feel VIP.
I HIGHLY recommend calling ahead for the tour. It includes tastes at different parts of the vineyard and the experience is exquisite.
A sister location of Castello di Amarosa and across the street from Robert Hall.
Where: 1111 White Lane (@highway 29) Saint Helena, Ca 94574
Reservations: Necessary for a tour. Tour and tasting is $35. Wine and food pairing is offered on special dates for $75.
What to expect: Like most vineyards you can do a tour and a tasting or just the tasting. The unique thing here is that it is also a market of fine artisanal cheeses, meats and yummy snacks.
Experience: I can’t remember why we didn’t do a tasting, I think the line was too long. But, we did grab a bottle of vino and snacks. Everything we ate was delicious. We sat outside in a grassy field at a picnic table looking out at the vineyards and the highway. Next to the highway, my girlfriend saw the perfect photo opp, so we had a little photo shoot. The guys loved it! (Sarcasm)
When I was doing research for our trip, I stumbled upon this just 10 minutes from Opus One. How could we not go? Our last name is Sullivan after all!
Where: 1090 Galleron Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
Reservations: Recommended. A Classic Tasting is $50 to try 5 wines, red and white. You can also get a charcuterie board for snacking. There is a Reserve tasting for $85. If I have not had the wine, I do the Classic Tasting as opposed to the Reserve. It is a chance to save a little but also get a feel for the wine. Don’t forget my tip above, if there are two or more of you get both tastings so you can HAVE IT ALL!
What to expect: This was a family owned vineyard, they sold it in 2018, it is now the Sullivan Rutherford Vineyard. It is tucked away off the highway. You drive through vineyards and white flowers to get to it. The tasting room is large with grand dinner tables where you sit across from your tasting buddies. It has a more relaxed feel with the wood accents. I like the vibe of the tasting because they serve you at a shared table as opposed to being at a bar. Feels like you are in a beautiful home tasting their wine!
Experience: I told the concierge that it was Mikee’s birthday and that our last name is Sullivan. Five Star treatment, they rolled out all the stops. They brought a cupcake out with a candle to sing happy birthday! WOW, talk about hospitality!
Where: 1155 Mee Lane, Saint Helena Ca 94574
Reservation: Recommended to avoid a wait and Required after 2 PM on Saturdays. Alpha Omega is kid and dog friendly. The tour and tasting are $65.
What to Expect: A large, open indoor tasting room with a view of the fountains and the vines. The structure gives a modern feel with the wood interior giving it a touch of home. An outdoor courtyard area has a view of the fountains in the pond surrounded by the vineyard, with cozy seats to take in the views.
Experience: We didn’t make a reservation and still got seated right away. I keep talking about the views in Napa and I cannot help myself, for an area that is filled with vines you would think all vineyards would look the same, but everywhere we go it is different. Here you sip vino looking out past fountains in the pond with vines behind it. We had heard about this vineyard through a friend. I am always down for a recommendation.
Where: 7900 Saint Helena Highway Oakville, CA 94562
Reservations: Necessary – APPOINTMENT ONLY
What to expect: This is a top of the line wine, with a top of the line price. Just a tasting is $50. At vineyards you taste more than one wine, hence being called a tasting, here you will get a full glass for the $50. Stay with me here, it is worth it.
The architecture of the large Estate is a combination of modern California and French. You can take a tour of the Estate, or you can show yourself around and enjoy your wine on the second level deck overlooking the lush green vineyard.
Experience: Mikee and I each got a glass to try two different wines. We splurged and got a third glass so that we could say we tried them all! It was his 40th Birthday, so Wine Not? This is Mikee’s favorite wine of all times, if you are not interested in spending $50 on one glass (totally understand) there are so many other options to get a ‘really nice’ tastings!
Where: 6150 Silverado Trail, Napa California 94558
Reservations: You can do a tour or just a tasting. The tour is $65 and the pricing for the tasting is not listed.
What to expect: The wines keep getting better as they bring them out to you. You can do a tasting inside or out on the patio. We sat on the patio looking out at the bright yellow vines and the recently singed mountains. It was a truly moving moment, being their right after the fires and talking to the locals. It was scare for some and a reality for too many.
Experience: I love the wine and I love the vineyard! We tried coming here for Mikee’s birthday, but we were too late, and they were already closed. When we visited fires in 2018, you could see how close the fire came and where the fire stopped, just right in front of the vines. Such a moving and beautiful backdrop!
Where: There are two locations. I recommend: 2485 Stockton St. Napa, California 94559 (it is the actual distillery) If you are not able to get here you can check out the tasting room in downtown Napa: (at the Oxbow Public Market) 610 1st Street #8 Napa, California 94559
Reservations: Necessary for the Distillery and Suggested for Oxbow. There is usually a discount for tastings on their website or on Groupon. The Distillery is $20 for a tour and tasting and the Oxbow tasting room is $15.
What to expect: We have gone to the Distillery twice. It is a big warehouse off the highway. When you step in the door it has an old timey feel that takes you back to prohibition. This is the first distillery in Napa since Prohibition. The Spirit Guides as they call themselves are knowledgeable and will teach you a thing or two about drinking! Are you intrigued? I was, I do not even like bourbon, whiskey or gin and after participating in the tasting I have a deeper respect for the booze.
Experience
A little background on this trip. Mikee’s younger sister got us a house in Napa for his bday to stay at. Mikee introduced me to wine when I was in college and since I have been an avid wine drinker, he prefers liquor to wine. So, bringing him to the Napa Distillery was a way of giving him his fav. while still in the wine capital of the world!
The distillery was more than I could have every asked for. It is not your average tasting, you get the whole back story of how it is made, prohibition and you learn the proper way to drink. I didn’t even know I was doing it wrong.
Let's Talk Bites:
Celadon
Where: 500 Main Street Suite G. Napa, Ca 94559
Reservations: recommended. You don’t want to miss this place
What to expect: Perfect spot for a classy night out. You can expect to enjoy upscale comfort food. Fresh ingredients and a creative menu! I do not need to mention the wine list is magnificent.
Experience: I surprised Mikee with dinner at this restaurant after we had been wine tasting all day. Fifteen of his closest friends and family came out to Napa to be at the dinner when we showed up. He was shocked! Best SURPRISE I have ever pulled off! Shout out to everyone that came! Between the table we ordered everything on the menu and it was divine. You cannot go wrong here. The restaurants setting is indoor with a large enough window to make you feel as though you’re outside.
Allegria
Where: 1026 First Street Napa, Ca 94559
Reservations: Recommended but not necessary.
What to expect: Rich Italian food. If you are a spaghetti lover this place would be the spot to get it! Located in the heart of downtown it is walking distance to other restaurants and there are plenty of near by options for after dinner drinks.
Experience: I had the most decadent risotto here. It is a romantic Italian restaurant with dim lights and a balcony, patio and 3 private rooms. We met the sweetest couple while we were waiting (oops didn’t make reservations) and shared a bottle of Cabernet with them to toast their Anniversary. The locals are so sweet, so if you run into someone ask them for suggestions!
Kitchen Door
Where: Oxbow Public Market (601 1st Street, Napa)
Reservations: Not necessary
What to expect: Stands out at one of the most appealing restaurants in the Oxbow Market. We live in a quick world, very grab and go especially when it comes to food. So that is what most of the options in the Market are.
But, the Kitchen Door, pulled us in with the open layout, big wood tables and open kitchen/bar area. I knew the food was going to be fresh and seasonal. It did not disappoint. To clarify, it was not a long lunch by any means, it was just an atmosphere that was conducive to enjoying every bite as opposed to scarfing it down and not knowing what the hell it tasted like.
Experience: We had lunch here. The rotisserie chicken melts in your mouth and the wood fired pizza was undeniably delicious. The market is great to walk through and pick up anything you may need for your Napa trip. They have chocolates, cheese, souvenirs and wine of course.
Where to Stay:
We stayed here with another couple. The hotel is beautiful and accommodating. We were celebrating both our anniversaries and the hotel sent us a bottle of champagne. We spent one-night drinking wine on the patio by the fire pit, the charcuterie board was so good, we ordered two!
We have not stayed here, but we did go to the rooftop opening! With the view of the whole city and looking out over the different vineyards at sunset, it was the perfect ending to our Napa trip.
The wine and food did not disappoint!
Napa round up!
The restaurants and hotels are in Napa but most of the tastings were North in St. Helena, Oakville, Rutherford and Calistoga. I suggest staying closer to the vineyards you want to visit, to save money on rides. Napa has different buses you can do tastings with, you can Uber or get your own private car and driver to take you around. We met a fantastic Uber driver who does tours as well. I recommend that. You are going to spend money on a ride, might as well have someone who knows the area and is at your beckon call. Napa makes you feel fancy like you need someone at your beckon call.
My best suggestion and what I tell everyone that wants to go to Napa is to pick a wine you really like, that is made in Napa. Put that on your list. One of my favorites is Stags Leap. I don’t know if it was my love for the taste, the ambiance or the emotions from seeing how close the fire came, but it was a moment of euphoria. It sounds cheesy, but I hope you get the same emotion. My trips to Napa are not stopping anytime soon, so check back in to see where I visit next. I recently posted: Bucket List Trip in Napa, A Day in Sonoma, Healdsburg Vineyards and so much more!
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