Grand Napa Tour
NATE’S
James Cole This small production winery caters to serious tasters, but ask nicely and they’ll sneak you into the tank room to oogle the owners vintage Corvette that’s usually parked right inside. Try their luscious Mablec and their Ice Wine made with frozen Canadian grapes.
Grand Napa Tour
Best Large Wineries
Louis M. Martini A founding winery of the Napa valley since 1933, Louis M. Martini is known for Napa’s king varietal – Cabernet Sauvignon, especially those from the famous Monte Rosso vineyard. Friendly staff and an underground tasting cellar make this a can’t-miss stop.
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Fireworks at the historic Louis M. Martini winery in St. Helena
C
alifornia’s Napa Valley is the second most popular vacation destination in the state. The first? Disneyland. And just like any successful trip to Disneyland, a visit to the Napa Valley requires proper planning and preparation in order to maximize your fun. To help friends and family who email for recommendations for their trips to Napa I’ve put together this comprehensive list of experiences and things to do. I’ll give my favorites in each category for you to mix and match, and then plan out a number of themed days for folks who like to follow a specific program. I usually encourage tasters to visit no more than 3 to 4 wineries a day as the whole point of Napa is to relax and enjoy yourself. While at Disneyland it’s fun to sprint to every ride possible, in Napa you’ll get a much better value out of your experience if you take it easy long enough to forget what day it is.
Schramsberg A tasting appointment at this winery gains you entry to Schramsberg’s hand-hewn underground caves. See a master riddler (not the Batman villain) at work and taste the best sparkling wine in Napa Valley by candlelight.
Best Sparkling and Dessert Wineries
Robert Sinskey Vineyards A leader in the biodynamic/ organic wine movement, this winery boasts a beautiful tasting room on the Silverado trail with silky Pinots and crisp European inspired white blends. Each tasting arrives with a snack plate created by their in-house chef.
Domaine Carneros This hilltop winery in southern Carneros was inspired by a classic French Chateau – fitting as they are owned by the famed Taittinger family of France. Head there in the late afternoon for bottle service on the patio and great sunset views.
1 • Nate’s Grand Napa Tour
Prager Port Works This small family outfit behind the Sutter Home winery in St Helena is easily missed – but shouldn’t be. Not only are they the best Port producer in the valley, but their tasting room is fun and funky, featuring tons of currency from all over the world on the walls and ceiling.
Best Small Wineries
Regusci This Italian family winery in the Stag’s leap district of the Silverado trail is housed in one of Napa county’s oldest buildings - built from ancient lavastone. Pack a picnic and enjoy their red blends outdoors.
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Beringer Another of Napa’s big 6 founding wineries with surprisingly good service and attentive staff. You can taste wines in the visitor center or choose from a dozen different tours – including a tour of the famous Rhine house which features classic Bavarian architecture.
Best Tours
Palmaz Vineyards On this winery tour you’ll go behind the scenes of Napa valley’s most technologically advanced winery. Learn how they use satellite imagery to plot their vineyard blocks and see their gravity fed winery with rotating tanks. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars To avoid the crowds at this iconic Napa winery – busy ever since they won the Paris tasting of 1976 – skip the regular tasting and splurge for the tour. You’ll see the Fay vineyard that produced the famous Cabernet - but the real treat are their starlit caves.
3 4
Castello Di Amarosa An exact replica of a medieval Tuscan castle, it’s the most kid friendly winery in the Napa valley with a dungeon and grand ballroom. The tour reveals stunning level of detail that will sweep you away.
1. The vintage Corvette at the James Cole winery 2. A Robert Sinskey Vineyards chef puts the finishing touch on a dish 3. A master riddler at work in the Schramsberg winery 4. Pick up a picnic lunch at Dean & Deluca
Nate’s Grand Napa Tour • 2
Best Views
William Hill Estate Winery Surrounded by vineyards and perched amidst the hills of the Silverado bench, William Hill Estate’s view is the ultimate wine country experience. Sit under the arbor for a Chardonnay tasting and watch birds circle and rabbits scamper through the vines. You can also take an audio tour of the vineyard with an iPod for an even deeper look. Sterling Ride the gondola up the mountain to enjoy spectacular views of northern Napa valley and Calistoga. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and enjoy tasting room-only wines on the balcony.
Best Small Tasting Rooms
(Note: some wineries in Napa have small tasting rooms separate from their main facility. It’s fun to visit these places to discover wines off the beaten path). Velo Vino/Clif Family Winery Cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts will be right at home at this St. Helena outpost of the Clif Bar Company, owned by St. Helena’s Gary and Kit Erickson. Stop by in the morning for a coffee and an energy gel shot, head out on a ride and return in the afternoon for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and organic trail mix.
Rescugi family winery, housed in one of Napa County’s oldest buildings
Tamber Bey Vineyards While their winery is in Yountville, this tasting room in downtown St. Helena stays open late if you’re looking to grab a glass of wine before your dinner reservation. The owners are passionate horse racers and breeders and the tasting room features beautiful portraits of their majestic stallions.
Best Breakfast
Buttercream Bakery Unchanged since 1955, you can still get a steak and egg breakfast at the counter from a sassy lady, or some of the best donuts ever made. Don’t get there late; or the Maple Bars will be sold out. Model Bakery Napa locals arrive early at this iconic bakery’s location in the Oxbow Market for their English Muffins and fresh baguettes. You can pick up all the items you’ll need for a gourmet picnic at the many other shops inside. Ritual Coffee Also located inside the Oxbow market, Ritual brings a taste of the third wave of craft Coffee from San Francisco to southern Napa. Sample their variety of Espresso blends or watch these coffee pros craft the perfect brew cup by cup.
Best Lunch
Dean and Deluca If you’re eager to head north towards Napa’s most famous wineries, you can still pick up all the items for a great picnic lunch at Dean and Deluca outside St. Helena. This food shop boasts an unparalleled cheese and charcuterie counter, plus the best sandwiches in the valley. Gott’s Roadside The Burgers, fish tacos, fries and milkshakes at this roadside-stop offer a welcome change of pace from the multitude of Michelin Star Restaurants in the valley. Line up for an early lunch at their St Helena location or visit their satellite spot in the Oxbow Market to avoid the crowds. Auberge Du Soleil If you’re looking to rub shoulders with Hollywood elite over a glass of Tempranillo then this is the place. Perched in the hills above the Silverado trail in Rutherford, you can enjoy world class views with an al fresco meal and maybe spot one of the many famous guests that frequent this posh resort.
Best Dinner
Mustard’s Grill The quintessential Napa valley restaurant that defined California wine country cuisine – celebrity chef Cindy Pawlcyn’s first restaurant is still going strong. Their most famous dish is their pork chop, but everything here is good. Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen Chef Pawlcyn’s lesser known spot is just as good as Mustard’s and the dressed-down setting makes you feels like you’re eating in at your best friend’s house. Try the Oysters Bingo – a Latin take on Oysters Rockefeller. The Wine Spectator Restaurant at the Culinary Institute - Greystone For a taste of Napa Valley’s finest cuisine at a price that won’t have you opening a new credit card head to this historic restaurant to watch the student chefs practice their craft for your benefit.
3 • Nate’s Grand Napa Tour
The Robert Sinskey tasting room on the Silverado Trail
Best Other Stuff
(There’s a lot more to Napa County than food and wine) Skyline Park This city recreational area off Imola ave offers a multitude of activities from Frisbee Golf, to archery to fishing and camping, but the best way to visit is on a Mountain bike. A $5 entry fee gains you access to the same singletrack that played host to a world cup race. Napa Premium Outlets If you want to take a break from spending money on food and wine, these outlets off of 1st street offer a fun break from the action. Lake Hennessy Just a few minutes up Sage canyon road in Rutherford is a beautiful lake for kayaking and fishing. If you want to drive farther you can continue into neighboring Pope Valley for one of the most pristine scenes in Napa County.
Full-Day Tours
So now for those who like to follow a specific program, a couple of full day tours. Historic Napa Valley Tour Regusci, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Louis Martini & Beringer – CIA for dinner. Off the Beaten Path Tour Schramsberg, Velo Vino, Prager Portworks and Robert Sinskey –Lunch or dinner at Gott’s Roadside. Scenic Beauty Tour Domaine Carneros, Palmaz, William Hill Estate, Sterling – Auberge Du Soleil.
Nate’s Grand Napa Tour • 4
James Cole This small production winery caters to serious tasters, but ask nicely and they’ll sneak you into the tank room to oogle the owners vintage Corvette that’s usually parked right inside. Try their luscious Mablec and their Ice Wine made with frozen Canadian grapes.
Grand Napa Tour
Best Large Wineries
Louis M. Martini A founding winery of the Napa valley since 1933, Louis M. Martini is known for Napa’s king varietal – Cabernet Sauvignon, especially those from the famous Monte Rosso vineyard. Friendly staff and an underground tasting cellar make this a can’t-miss stop.
1
Fireworks at the historic Louis M. Martini winery in St. Helena
C
alifornia’s Napa Valley is the second most popular vacation destination in the state. The first? Disneyland. And just like any successful trip to Disneyland, a visit to the Napa Valley requires proper planning and preparation in order to maximize your fun. To help friends and family who email for recommendations for their trips to Napa I’ve put together this comprehensive list of experiences and things to do. I’ll give my favorites in each category for you to mix and match, and then plan out a number of themed days for folks who like to follow a specific program. I usually encourage tasters to visit no more than 3 to 4 wineries a day as the whole point of Napa is to relax and enjoy yourself. While at Disneyland it’s fun to sprint to every ride possible, in Napa you’ll get a much better value out of your experience if you take it easy long enough to forget what day it is.
Schramsberg A tasting appointment at this winery gains you entry to Schramsberg’s hand-hewn underground caves. See a master riddler (not the Batman villain) at work and taste the best sparkling wine in Napa Valley by candlelight.
Best Sparkling and Dessert Wineries
Robert Sinskey Vineyards A leader in the biodynamic/ organic wine movement, this winery boasts a beautiful tasting room on the Silverado trail with silky Pinots and crisp European inspired white blends. Each tasting arrives with a snack plate created by their in-house chef.
Domaine Carneros This hilltop winery in southern Carneros was inspired by a classic French Chateau – fitting as they are owned by the famed Taittinger family of France. Head there in the late afternoon for bottle service on the patio and great sunset views.
1 • Nate’s Grand Napa Tour
Prager Port Works This small family outfit behind the Sutter Home winery in St Helena is easily missed – but shouldn’t be. Not only are they the best Port producer in the valley, but their tasting room is fun and funky, featuring tons of currency from all over the world on the walls and ceiling.
Best Small Wineries
Regusci This Italian family winery in the Stag’s leap district of the Silverado trail is housed in one of Napa county’s oldest buildings - built from ancient lavastone. Pack a picnic and enjoy their red blends outdoors.
2
Beringer Another of Napa’s big 6 founding wineries with surprisingly good service and attentive staff. You can taste wines in the visitor center or choose from a dozen different tours – including a tour of the famous Rhine house which features classic Bavarian architecture.
Best Tours
Palmaz Vineyards On this winery tour you’ll go behind the scenes of Napa valley’s most technologically advanced winery. Learn how they use satellite imagery to plot their vineyard blocks and see their gravity fed winery with rotating tanks. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars To avoid the crowds at this iconic Napa winery – busy ever since they won the Paris tasting of 1976 – skip the regular tasting and splurge for the tour. You’ll see the Fay vineyard that produced the famous Cabernet - but the real treat are their starlit caves.
3 4
Castello Di Amarosa An exact replica of a medieval Tuscan castle, it’s the most kid friendly winery in the Napa valley with a dungeon and grand ballroom. The tour reveals stunning level of detail that will sweep you away.
1. The vintage Corvette at the James Cole winery 2. A Robert Sinskey Vineyards chef puts the finishing touch on a dish 3. A master riddler at work in the Schramsberg winery 4. Pick up a picnic lunch at Dean & Deluca
Nate’s Grand Napa Tour • 2
Best Views
William Hill Estate Winery Surrounded by vineyards and perched amidst the hills of the Silverado bench, William Hill Estate’s view is the ultimate wine country experience. Sit under the arbor for a Chardonnay tasting and watch birds circle and rabbits scamper through the vines. You can also take an audio tour of the vineyard with an iPod for an even deeper look. Sterling Ride the gondola up the mountain to enjoy spectacular views of northern Napa valley and Calistoga. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and enjoy tasting room-only wines on the balcony.
Best Small Tasting Rooms
(Note: some wineries in Napa have small tasting rooms separate from their main facility. It’s fun to visit these places to discover wines off the beaten path). Velo Vino/Clif Family Winery Cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts will be right at home at this St. Helena outpost of the Clif Bar Company, owned by St. Helena’s Gary and Kit Erickson. Stop by in the morning for a coffee and an energy gel shot, head out on a ride and return in the afternoon for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and organic trail mix.
Rescugi family winery, housed in one of Napa County’s oldest buildings
Tamber Bey Vineyards While their winery is in Yountville, this tasting room in downtown St. Helena stays open late if you’re looking to grab a glass of wine before your dinner reservation. The owners are passionate horse racers and breeders and the tasting room features beautiful portraits of their majestic stallions.
Best Breakfast
Buttercream Bakery Unchanged since 1955, you can still get a steak and egg breakfast at the counter from a sassy lady, or some of the best donuts ever made. Don’t get there late; or the Maple Bars will be sold out. Model Bakery Napa locals arrive early at this iconic bakery’s location in the Oxbow Market for their English Muffins and fresh baguettes. You can pick up all the items you’ll need for a gourmet picnic at the many other shops inside. Ritual Coffee Also located inside the Oxbow market, Ritual brings a taste of the third wave of craft Coffee from San Francisco to southern Napa. Sample their variety of Espresso blends or watch these coffee pros craft the perfect brew cup by cup.
Best Lunch
Dean and Deluca If you’re eager to head north towards Napa’s most famous wineries, you can still pick up all the items for a great picnic lunch at Dean and Deluca outside St. Helena. This food shop boasts an unparalleled cheese and charcuterie counter, plus the best sandwiches in the valley. Gott’s Roadside The Burgers, fish tacos, fries and milkshakes at this roadside-stop offer a welcome change of pace from the multitude of Michelin Star Restaurants in the valley. Line up for an early lunch at their St Helena location or visit their satellite spot in the Oxbow Market to avoid the crowds. Auberge Du Soleil If you’re looking to rub shoulders with Hollywood elite over a glass of Tempranillo then this is the place. Perched in the hills above the Silverado trail in Rutherford, you can enjoy world class views with an al fresco meal and maybe spot one of the many famous guests that frequent this posh resort.
Best Dinner
Mustard’s Grill The quintessential Napa valley restaurant that defined California wine country cuisine – celebrity chef Cindy Pawlcyn’s first restaurant is still going strong. Their most famous dish is their pork chop, but everything here is good. Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen Chef Pawlcyn’s lesser known spot is just as good as Mustard’s and the dressed-down setting makes you feels like you’re eating in at your best friend’s house. Try the Oysters Bingo – a Latin take on Oysters Rockefeller. The Wine Spectator Restaurant at the Culinary Institute - Greystone For a taste of Napa Valley’s finest cuisine at a price that won’t have you opening a new credit card head to this historic restaurant to watch the student chefs practice their craft for your benefit.
3 • Nate’s Grand Napa Tour
The Robert Sinskey tasting room on the Silverado Trail
Best Other Stuff
(There’s a lot more to Napa County than food and wine) Skyline Park This city recreational area off Imola ave offers a multitude of activities from Frisbee Golf, to archery to fishing and camping, but the best way to visit is on a Mountain bike. A $5 entry fee gains you access to the same singletrack that played host to a world cup race. Napa Premium Outlets If you want to take a break from spending money on food and wine, these outlets off of 1st street offer a fun break from the action. Lake Hennessy Just a few minutes up Sage canyon road in Rutherford is a beautiful lake for kayaking and fishing. If you want to drive farther you can continue into neighboring Pope Valley for one of the most pristine scenes in Napa County.
Full-Day Tours
So now for those who like to follow a specific program, a couple of full day tours. Historic Napa Valley Tour Regusci, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Louis Martini & Beringer – CIA for dinner. Off the Beaten Path Tour Schramsberg, Velo Vino, Prager Portworks and Robert Sinskey –Lunch or dinner at Gott’s Roadside. Scenic Beauty Tour Domaine Carneros, Palmaz, William Hill Estate, Sterling – Auberge Du Soleil.
Nate’s Grand Napa Tour • 4
