Fall Guide to the Napa Valley

During the fall, Napa Valley is a quiet retreat with golden vineyards, temperate days, and chilly nights. It’s the perfect time to use that unused PTO stacking up in your account to treat yourself to a wine country retreat. 

Take it from a local — it can be overwhelming to visit Napa. Where do you taste? Where you do eat? How do I possibly get from point A to point B?

I created the perfect weekend trip to Napa Valley from a local’s perspective. It’s a blend of under-the-radar wineries, food staples, and where to end your wine country night.

FRIDAY

Alright, so you checked into your hotel. What's next?

Friday Night Wine

LA TABERNA

La Taberna is one of my favorite wine bars when you want an intimate, fun experience. It is a classic Spanish tavern style with a modern twist. When you take a seat at the bar, you won't want to miss their pig ears. Trust me, it's worth it.

SATURDAY

Wine o'clock has begun! Here are a few of my recommended morning winery stops. In my opinion, the perfect day has two to three tastings at the max. If you go beyond that, you truly lose the full experience at each winery. When you go wine tasting, allow for ample time between appointments with lots of water and snacks. 

ELYSE WINERY

10:00 AM 

Small and intimate with a booming personality. Elyse Winery is the type of place that reminds you of the old Napa Valley. It's tucked away from the bustling crowds and allows visitors to stop and relax. But don't think they serve anything less than a rockstar lineup of wines. The labels coming out of this winery include Institution, Standard Deviation, and more which are all curated by 100-point winemaker, Russell Bevan.

12:00 PM

In Yountville, you have many choices for outstanding food. R&D Kitchen, Southside Cafe, and Bistro Jeanty are all amazing choices. 

2:00 PM

GOOSECROSS

Yes, your last tasting of the day. Head over to Goosecross Winery and take a seat among the vines. Ask for a splash of Branta when you're there! This winery is an under-the-radar gem that doesn't get enough love in my opinion. 

Pre-Dinner Drinks

ARCHER ROOFTOP

Locals love it. The hotel guests love it. And well, it's the trendy place to grab a cocktail, despite being a hotel. Head on up straight to the roof for a craft cocktail or my personal favorite -- an Aperol Spritz. Take in the beautiful view of downtown before your dinner reservation. When it comes to dinner, you can't go wrong in Napa. Take a chance on something new and give love to our local businesses. 

SUNDAY

Brunchin' in the Valley

10:00 AM 

General Store. Tarla. Archer Roof Top. Jax Diner. There are so many choices for breakfast! However, if you want a delicious spread, well then head over to Jax Diner. Order the Bottlerock Tots. Just do it.

1:00 PM TASTING

VINCENT ARROYO

Have you heard of Vincent Arroyo? Napa Valley has over 400 wineries, but few have such a cult following while still being relatively unheard of by the masses. I absolutely love this place! Your tasting takes place on a cute picnic table overlooking the vines and there is usually a dog wandering around to greet guests. Promise me, you will ask to taste their wine from the Rattlesnake Vineyard. This Petite Sirah is glorious, robust, and memorable. 

Here is where I would close my tastings for the day. After a mimosa brunch, afternoon tasting in Calistoga, and copious amounts of water, I would finish my exploration with shopping in the local towns. Calistoga is filled with little shops for buying specialty goods for gifts.

Overall, if you follow my suggestions you will see the perfect slice of Napa Valley. However, you could visit over ten times and still have a new experience each time. Plan your visit with intention and know that the valley isn't as small as you may think. Be kind to you wine educators, patient with your servers and thank you for wanting to visit our valley!

Previous
Previous

CELEBRATING THE BOUNTY OF NAPA VALLEY

Next
Next

Content Creation Challenges and How to Overcome Them