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Napa Valley Wine Travel Guide

BY CARPE TRAVEL

The Napa Valley is hands down the most famous of the American wine regions. With more than 475 wineries within 30 miles, the Valley offers something for every wine lovers palate. However, there is a lot more to any Napa Valley vacation than wine.

The Napa Valley is conveniently located just an hour from the San Francisco Bay Area and consists of six distinctive towns and the outdoor recreation area of Lake Berryessa. There is a lot to sip in when visiting Napa Valley!

The following Napa Valley Wine Travel Guide shares a brief history of wine country, along with where to sip, where to stay and things to do beyond the vines. This guide will help you plan the perfect Napa Valley vacation. Cheers!

CLICK TO SEE TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTORY OF NAPA VALLEY
WINE REGIONS
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
WHEN TO VISIT
WHERE TO STAY
WHERE TO EAT
WHERE TO SIP
GETTING TO & AROUND
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
MORE THINGS TO DO IN NAPA VALLEY
INTERVIEWS WITH WINEMAKERS
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Getting to the Roots of Napa Valley's History

The first vineyards in the Napa Valley were planted in 1838 by George Calvert Yount, who was the first permanent settler in Napa Valley. The Mexican government granted him 11,000 acres in an area that stretches from what we now call Yountville, through Oakville and north through Rutherford. He planted the first vines and named his new community Sebastopol. There were four other towns with the same name in California, so when Yount died in 1867, the town chose to renamed itself to Yountville, in his honor.

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George Calvert Yount planted the first vines in Napa Valley, his wine was only for personal consumption.

The Gold Rush began bringing immigrants who knew about wine making into the Valley in the 1850’s but it wasn’t until 1858 that the Valley’s first commercial winery was established by John Patchett on the outskirts of the town of Napa in 1858. His winemaker, Charles Krug, left in 1861 to establish his own winery in the town of St. Helena. The winery that is still in operation today.

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Charles Krug is the family winery that was purchased by the Mondavi family. Both Robert Mondavi and his brother Peter operated it until Robert left in 1966 to establish the Robert Mondavi Winery.

St. Helena was growing in popularity as a wine destination. In 1976, the little town in Napa Valley brought German immigrants Jacob and Frederick Beringer who founded Beringer Brothers Winery (now Beringer Vineyards). By 1889 Napa Valley boasted more than 140 wineries, the area was thriving! This is until the pesky little aphid arrived. The “small yellow root-feeding aphid” known as Phylloxera wreaked havoc in vineyards for the next few years. The Valley’s plantings declined from 15,800 acres in 1888 to just 2,000 acres by 1900.

Just when winemakers in the Valley thought they could recover from Phylloxera, National Prohibition hit. From 1919 to 1933 wine sales were illegal, forcing most wineries to close. Only a few were able to survive by exploiting the loopholes—either by making wine for religious or medical use or by supplying unfermented grape juice to home winemakers. By the time Prohibition ended, there were just a few dozen wineries in the Napa Valley.

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Beringer Brothers Winery (now Beringer Vineyards) is the oldest continuously operating Napa winery, and one of the few that were able to stay open during Prohibition by producing sacramental wine.

The wine industry in Napa Valley reopened for business in 1933, but the region wasn’t on the world wine map until 1976 when a few wines were submitted to what has been named the “Judgment of Paris” and WON!

The “Judgment of Paris” was a blind tasting among French judges who unknowingly selected California wines as the top Chardonnay and top red blend. This shook up the world of wine since it was the first time American wines had beat French wines. This alone, peaked interest in the region, resulting in wine production doubling in California over the next decade. (There’s a great movie on this – Bottle Shock – if you want to go all cork dork with me.)

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American Wines that won the Judgment of Paris: 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars |1973 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena

While the Judgment of Paris spurred tremendous growth and notoriety in the Napa Valley, it also resulted in kick-starting wine growth throughout the country with Napa Valley still leading the way for the American wine industry. There is a lot more wine history in to uncork in the Napa Valley, if you want to get into more cork dorking, take a look at the resources at the end of this guide.

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WINE REGIONS OF NAPA VALLEY

Napa Valley is one of the most renowned wine regions in the world, but it is also one of the smallest. The valley floor is roughly 30 miles long and five miles wide. While Napa Valley may be small it’s rich in minerals. The Napa Valley contains half of the soil orders that exist within the world. To be more precise, Napa Valley contains 33 soil series with more than 100 soil variations.

Napa Valley contains 16 sub-AVAs that delineate different terroirs within the region. The primary AVAs within the Napa Valley are the are nine that follow the course of the Napa River down the valley. From north to south, these are noted below.

Napa Valley soil samples 

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THE WINE REGIONS OF NAPA VALLEY

Calistoga

St. Helena

Rutherford

Oakville

Yountville

Stags Leap

Oak Knoll

Coombsville

Los Carneros

Map of Napa Valley Wine Regions
GO TO INTERACTIVE NAPA VALLEY WINE MAP
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PLANNING YOUR VISIT

Read on to find Carpe Travel’s first-hand travel tips and recommendations to help make your Napa Valley vacation in wine country a memorable one.

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WHEN TO VISIT

The Napa Valley is blessed with a classic Mediterranean climate, characterized by sunny, dry summers and cool, somewhat rainy winters. In other words, there really is not a bad time to visit. With that said, the peak season for visitors is August – October given it’s harvest for wine country. This will be the most expensive and crowded time of year for a Napa Valley vacation.

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SPRING

In the spring you will be greeted with an abundance of wildflowers, including the famed mustard flowers. Better yet, you’ll see buds beginning to wake up for the next vintage.

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SUMMER

The warmer months equates to nearly perfect weather to enjoy all the outdoor activities in the Napa Valley. From hiking, camping, biking to a slew of water sports and of course sipping wine on the patio.

 

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FALL

HARVEST! This might be the best time to visit, but not the most cost effective. Wine tasting and dinner reservations are a MUST.

 

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WINTER

The mild winters are a chance to enjoy the cozy atmosphere wineries and restaurants alike.

 

WHERE TO STAY

St. Helena

Meadowood Napa Valley

Vineyard Country Inn

Harvest Inn

Rutherford

Rancho Caymus Inn

Auberge du Soleil

Yountville

Hotel Yountville

Bardessono

North Block Hotel

Napa

Silverado Resort and Spa

The Carneros Resort & Spa

Napa River Inn at the Historic Napa Mill

Calistoga

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

Solage

The Craftsman Inn

Indian Springs Resort

Calistoga Ranch

Family-Friendly Hotels in Napa Valley
Sip and Stay: Winery Hotels in the United States

WHERE TO EAT

With at six Michelin Star restaurants and countless more that are just as mouthwatering, you really can’t go wrong. Here are a few of our favorites for you to sip in on your Napa Valley vacation.

Carpe Travel's Top Picks

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Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford

The French Laundry, Yountville

Morimoto Napa, Napa

Brix Napa Valley, Napa

Bistro Don Giovanni, Napa

Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery, Calistoga

Gott’s Roadside, St. Helena

Brasswood Bar + Kitchen, St. Helena

Oakville Grocery Company, Oakville (second location in Healdsburg)

 

Winery Hotels in the United States: Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley is one of THE top stays

WHERE TO SIP

With more than 475 wineries in the Napa Valley, you’re sure to find one a great sipping spot. Here are a few of our favorites to uncork.

Carpe Travel's Top Picks

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Chataeu Montelena

Charles Krug

Clos Pegase

Duckhorn Vineyards

Jericho Canyon Vineyards

Kelham Vineyards

Regusci

Robert Mondavi Winery

Schramsberg Vineyards

Sterling Vineyards

Tanks Garage Winery

Von Strasser Estate Vineyards

 

Napa Valley Wine Tasting Reservations Worth Making
Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wineries: What the Locals Recommend

GETTING TO NAPA VALLEY

The Napa Valley is located in northern California with the closest major airports being, Oakland International Airport (50 miles south); San Francisco International Airport (55 miles south of Napa Valley) and Sacramento International Airport (60 miles west of Napa Valley).

Plan to rent a car, hire a private driver or grab an Uber into wine country. Prices will vary for each depending on the time of day and the season you’re visiting.

For those of you coming in from San Francisco International Airport, you may want to consider taking the San Francisco Ferry across the Bay to the Napa Valley Wine Train Station. Check for details.

GETTING AROUND NAPA VALLEY

The Napa Valley is roughly 30 miles long and five miles wide so while it’s small, if you want to really get into each of the cute towns during your Napa Valley vacation, you will need four wheels to get around, two if you opt to bike. Private drivers may seem like a dime a dozen in Napa Valley, but not all those dimes are equal. Look for those who are well rated and/or ask your hotel for recommendations. In the meantime, here are a few we have used and recommend.

Should you hire a driver, do a group tour or DIY your wine tastings???

Car Services

Carpe Travel’s Top Picks
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Private Limousine Service 

Sonoma Sterling Limousine

Tours

Carpe Travel’s Top Picks
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Coming soon!

Uber

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While using Uber is for sure a budget friendly way to get around wine country, keep in mind, if you buy wine you can’t leave it in your car since they will be leaving to grab their next ride. Cell service is also spotty so while you might be able to easily get an Uber in town, doing so on the hillside may not be as efficient (or even do-able). Read how Uber Wine worked for me in the Santa Barbara area.

 

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FESTIVALS & EVENTS

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Bottle Rock Napa Valley

May 22-25, 2020
BottleRock Napa Valley features an all-world lineup of artists, bands and comedic performers from a variety of genres, including rock, soul/ R&B, country, hip hop, comedy and more. Iconic restaurateurs share the culinary stage with superstar vintners.  A portion of proceeds benefit charities ranging from autism to cancer, and many great causes.

From A to Z: Top Wine Festivals in Every State Not to Miss
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BEYOND THE VINES

More ideas on things to do on your Napa Valley vacation that go beyond the vines.
Brotherhood Winery
Historic American Wineries Every Wine Lover Should Visit
Brotherhood Winery
Historic American Wineries Every Wine Lover Should Visit
Castello di Amorosa, a great family friendly winery in Napa Valley
Beyond the Vines: Things to do in Napa Valley with Kids
Castello di Amorosa, a great family friendly winery in Napa Valley
Beyond the Vines: Things to do in Napa Valley with Kids
Tips for wine tasting with kids
Family-Friendly Hotels in Napa Valley
Tips for wine tasting with kids
Family-Friendly Hotels in Napa Valley
Regusci Winery
Kid Friendly Wineries in Napa Valley. They do Exist.
Regusci Winery
Kid Friendly Wineries in Napa Valley. They do Exist.
1881 Napa, one of the worlds wine museums to sip in
Think museums are boring? Time to sip in a wine museum.
1881 Napa, one of the worlds wine museums to sip in
Think museums are boring? Time to sip in a wine museum.
Chateau Montelena
Only have one day in Napa Valley? Here’s how to spend it.
Chateau Montelena
Only have one day in Napa Valley? Here’s how to spend it.
Three Perfect Pairings for Wine Tasting and Golfing
Three Perfect Pairings for Wine Tasting and Golfing
Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wineries: What the Locals Recommend
Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wineries: What the Locals Recommend
Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wineries: What the Locals Recommend
Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wineries: What the Locals Recommend
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Reservations Worth Making
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Reservations Worth Making
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Reservations Worth Making
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Reservations Worth Making
Check-in: The Craftsman Inn
Check-in: The Craftsman Inn
Wine Facts Every Wine Lover Should Know About Napa Valley
Wine Facts Every Wine Lover Should Know About Napa Valley
planning a wine trip
So what wine region is the most affordable to visit?
planning a wine trip
So what wine region is the most affordable to visit?
Interview with a Winemaker: Renee Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Interview with a Winemaker: Renée Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Interview with a Winemaker: Renee Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Interview with a Winemaker: Renée Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Napa Valley: Charles Krug Winery – 150 years in the making
Napa Valley: Charles Krug Winery – 150 years in the making
Napa Valley: Newton Winery
Napa Valley: Newton Winery
Wine tasting in Napa Valley - Regusci Winery is a must!
Regusci Winery in Napa Valley
Wine tasting in Napa Valley - Regusci Winery is a must!
Regusci Winery in Napa Valley
The Robert Mondavi Winery
Sipping in a Robert Mondavi Winery Tour
The Robert Mondavi Winery
Sipping in a Robert Mondavi Winery Tour
Napa Valley: Opus One
Napa Valley: Opus One
A Morning in Yountville
A Morning in Yountville
Load more
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INTERVIEW WITH A WINEMAKER

Interview with a Winemaker: Robin Akhurst Clos Pegase Winery
Interview with a Winemaker: Robin Akhurst Clos Pegase Winery
Interview with a Winemaker: Leo Hansen from Stuhmuller Vineyards and Leo Steen Wines
Interview with a Winemaker: Leo Hansen, Stuhlmuller Vineyards (and Leo Steen Wines)
Interview with a Winemaker: Leo Hansen from Stuhmuller Vineyards and Leo Steen Wines
Interview with a Winemaker: Leo Hansen, Stuhlmuller Vineyards (and Leo Steen Wines)
Janet Myers Franciscan Winemaker
Interview with a Winemaker: Janet Myers at Franciscan Estate
Janet Myers Franciscan Winemaker
Interview with a Winemaker: Janet Myers at Franciscan Estate
Interview with a Winemaker: Renee Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Interview with a Winemaker: Renée Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Interview with a Winemaker: Renee Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Interview with a Winemaker: Renée Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
Load more
See the Entire Interview with a Winemaker Series
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR CORK DORKS

Wine facts every wine lover should know about Napa Valley

Visit Napa Tourism Board

Napa Valley Vintners

Bottle Shock, movie regarding the Judgement of Paris

The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty

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© 2011-2020 Elaine Schoch/Carpe Travel. All rights reserved. May not use text or photos without permission.

Nice To Meet You!

Elaine Schoch, Carpe Travel

Cheers! I’m Elaine Schoch, the editor and founder of Carpe Travel. I’m an award-winning travel writer, wine judge and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II), one of the world’s leading providers of wine education and certifications and an American Wine Expert. More…

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