With more than 400 wineries in Napa and 250+ in Sonoma, the #1 question I get from people trying to plan trips is…there are so many wineries, where do I even begin? The first time I went, I spent hours doing online research and got analysis paralysis. Are you overwhelmed with trying to figure out what wineries to visit, where to stay, and how to get around? Here are five things you should know before you go! I’ve also sprinkled in a short list of my favorite wineries, restaurants, and activities! Contact me to create a custom itinerary!
Step 1: Pick A Time of Year and a Valley
The weather is great year round. In fact, it’s generally warmer in Napa/Sonoma than San Francisco. Fall is peak season because it’s harvest time and that’s when they crush grapes. Last fall, the area was hit with devastating wildfires a few weeks before our trip. The conditions improved significantly in the days leading up to our trip, so we decided not to cancel. Overall, the area was back up and running, and they appreciated the tourism. It was tough to see remnants of the fires, but inspiring to see how the community pulled together to support each other and to thank the first responders, who did an amazing job!
Napa and Sonoma cover a large area of land. You can spend several days exploring just one of the valleys. If you want to see both, spend 1-2 days in Sonoma and 1-2 in Napa. Get a hotel in Sonoma and a different one in Napa. Driving back and forth takes a while, so it’s more efficient to switch hotels. Sonoma has a laid back vibe and tastings are often less expensive than Napa (and sometimes free). Both are tons of fun!
Step 2: Select Your Ideal Experience
Decide if you’re most interested in touring the actual vineyards or just sipping wine and enjoying the views. You can typically visit 3-4 wineries a day if you start early. A standard wine tasting is the fastest way to learn about wines and usually takes less than an hour. You’re presented with “flights” or pours to choose from. Some wineries offer pairings (e.g. chocolate, cheese, or meat), others offer elaborate small bites, and a few offer lunch. If you want a more involved experience, many wineries offer tours of the vineyard and wine cellars. Prices vary widely. Some of my favorite wineries are listed below!
Sonoma:
Gloria Ferrer: Great for sparkling wine.
Ram’s Gate: Amazing views and sleek, modern tasting room.
Petroni: Fabulous wine cave and beautiful hillside location.
Benziger: Biodynamic Winery. Take the tractor tour through the estate.
Napa:
Porter Family: Breathtaking hilltop views and excellent cave wine tasting.
Grgich Hills: Try the grape stomp in the fall!
Brown Estate: Napa’s only Black owned estate winery! Visit the Downtown tasting room.
Round Pond: Great views. I recommend the wine and food pairing.
Domaine Carneros: Another option for bubbly. Perched on top of a hill with beautiful vistas.
Step 3: Map it Out & Hire a Driver
Pick wineries in the same vicinity to minimize the commute. For example, it can take an hour to get from Downtown Napa to Calistoga, so plan accordingly. Consider hiring a company to drive your group on a private tour. I used Flex Wine Tours for Sonoma and A Limo Excursion & Wine Tours for Napa. I highly recommend both, and the tour companies can also suggest wineries to visit. If you’re looking to save money, there are also companies that host public group tours.
Step 4: Where to Stay
There are so many wonderful hotels! We were supposed to stay at the Silverado Resort and Spa Napa, but due to the wildfires we had to switch to The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa for the first few days. I like to help clients find unique luxury/boutique experiences. Although I didn’t stay at all of the places below, I visited each property, spoke with management, and toured the rooms. You might want to stay near Downtown Napa the first few days and then stay somewhere farther north (like Solage Calistoga) for the second half of your trip. I suggest adding a day in San Francisco to the end of your trip so that you’re closer to the airport when it’s time to leave.
The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa: Excellent service, beverages in the lobby, free wine tastings, and a great restaurant for breakfast! The hotel is at the southern end of Sonoma; driving distance from Downtown Napa, but a trek at night on the dark roads, so I suggest dinner in Sonoma.
Las Alcobas: Expensive, but oh so beautiful! The room I toured was amazing and had a huge balcony overlooking Beringer vineyard! If you don’t stay there, at least check out their restaurant, Acacia House. We ate there and loved the experience.
Solage Calistoga: Beautiful property with a great spa! Stay here if you’re visiting wineries in the northern part of Napa. Otherwise, even if you don’t stay there, definitely add it to your list for a spa day!
Carneros Resort and Spa: They have cute cottages with front porches, living space, and large bathrooms.
Step 5: Eat
Napa is almost as famous for its cuisine as the wine! French Laundry is one of the hardest places to get a reservation for…period. I didn’t make it there, but here are a few spots I love:
Kitchen Door: Wood oven pizza & mouth watering rotisserie chicken wings
Acacia House: Stunning restaurant at Las Alcobas led by a Top Chef Masters winner
Bottega: Great Italian food by the legendary Michael Chiarello
Celadon: Unique outdoor/indoor vibe with great food and excellent service
Brix: Dine al fresco on their back patio that overlooks a vegetable garden and vineyard
R+D Kitchen: Casual stop for a burger or lunch during wine tasting
Girl & the Fig (Sonoma): Great charcuterie and burger in Sonoma town square.
Step 6: Do Something Other than Wine Tasting
After two days of wine tasting, you’ll want to try some additional activities. We went on a hot air balloon ride with Napa Valley Aloft! You have to get up early, but the flight is worth it! I also recommend a spa day. We didn’t have time to get spa services, but I toured the spa facilities at Solage Calistoga (picture above) and Las Alcobas and was impressed. I’m adding both to the list for next time!
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