How to Plan the Perfect Napa Getaway
Read on for our best Napa Valley tips for your next visit.
Read on for our best Napa Valley tips for your next visit.
Many consider Napa Valley the ultimate bucket list wine tasting experience in California and arguably, the world. But it’s easy to get overwhelmed when planning a visit. We’re here to break it all down so you can make the most of it, whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a total newbie.
Though Napa Valley looms large in the minds of wine lovers everywhere, it’s actually geographically quite small. Only 35 miles long and 5 miles wide (at its widest), it’s home to distinct towns including Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. There are 16 “nested” appellations within the greater Napa Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area). The Napa Valley AVA was America’s first and today there are more than 500 wineries and 700 grape growers. That’s a lot of great wine packed into 780 square miles!
People have been growing wine in Napa Valley for over 180 years. Though Catholic missionaries first brought winegrapes to California in the 1770s, the first vines were planted in Napa by Yountville’s namesake, George Calvert Yount in 1839. The Gold Rush beginning in 1848 brought an increased demand for wine, so more wineries were established in the region, particularly in Sonoma.
In 1861 Charles Krug established the first commercial winery and by 1869, with tracks being laid for the Pacific Railroad, the wine industry in the Bay Area exploded. By 1889 there were more than 140 wineries in Napa Valley. Some of the first wineries in the region are still around today including Beaulieu Vineyard, Beringer Vineyards, Chateau Montelena Winery, Far Niente Winery, Inglenook, Schramsberg Vineyards and Charles Krug.
When Prohibition ended in 1933, wine production in Napa Valley exploded. In 1944 the Napa Valley Vintners, a trade association, was established to promote the wines of the region. And winemakers started to really focus on increasing the quality of wines grown there, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.
By the mid-1970s Napa Valley vintners were producing exquisite, high-quality wines. But it was the 1976 Judgment of Paris that really put the spotlight on several producers in the region. The Judgement of Paris was a tasting organized by British wine merchant Steven Spurrier who had traveled to California and was impressed by the wines he sampled in Napa. During the tasting, nine French judges blind-tasted and ranked wines from California and France. California dominated the white wine category with a 1973 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena as the winner, with three other Napa wines in the top five. In the red category, a 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars came out on top. The French judges were shocked, to say the least, but it put California on the map as a serious destination for wine lovers.
You know what they say – location is everything! Napa Valley is situated about 60 miles north of San Francisco. Because of its ideal location, varied topography and soil types, and diverse collection of microclimates, Napa Valley is the perfect place to grow many different varieties of winegrapes.
Though Napa Valley has 16 unique sub-appellations, it can be divided into three major categories: the valley floor, the mountain regions both to the west and east and to the south, the bay. In the valley, you’ll find Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Stags Leap, Oak Knoll District and Coombsville. With annual rainfall typically around 35-55 inches and deep alluvial, fluvial (riverside) and volcanic soils, these AVAs are especially known for their lush and refined Cabernet Sauvignon.
The mountain regions of Napa Valley include Howell Mountain, Chiles Valley District, Atlas Peak and Wild Horse Valley on the eastern, Vaca Mountains. On the western side of the valley are the Mayacamas Mountains which include Diamond Mountain District, Spring Mountain District and Mount Veder AVAs. The soil on both mountain ranges is shallower with rocky colluvial soils and a smaller amount of volcanic soils as well. Annual rainfall measures around 35-55 inches and the elevation ranges from 400-2,600 feet. These more challenging growing conditions create the right climate for dusty, gripping and bold red wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. The one exception is Wild Horse Valley in the south. Thanks to its coastal influence, this AVA is the coolest in Napa Valley. It’s also the smallest with only 100 acres under vine, the majority being Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Closest to the San Pablo Bay sits Los Carneros. It gets the least amount of rainfall in Napa Valley and has alluvial and some dark loam soils. The pronounced marine influence and cooling breezes make this an ideal location to grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
Napa Valley is famous for its red wines, most especially for its Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, over half the total winegrape acreage is devoted to Cab. But don’t worry, there are plenty of wines for white wine lovers too – the next most planted grape is Chardonnay. Other popular wines grown in Napa are Merlot, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc (in that order), but you’ll also find more than three dozen grape varieties from Albarino to Zinfandel grown in Napa Valley.
Despite its small size, there is a lot of diversity when it comes to location, soil type and microclimates. That means that winemakers there can make many different styles of wine, from delicate Pinot Noirs to big, bold, tannic reds (and everything in between). Over the years, Napa Valley winemakers have become experts in terroir or sense of place. They’ve learned which grapes thrive in certain types of soils and microclimates. Where grapes grow and how they are tended can have a huge impact on their style.
With 500+ wineries in Napa Valley, it’s really hard to narrow down the best places to taste wine. That’s why we recommend visiting more than once (obviously). A good rule of thumb is to plan on visiting 2-3 wineries a day and staying for at least a few days. Be aware that reservations are a MUST and tastings can last anywhere from 60-90 minutes. Be sure to allow travel time in between wineries as well (and it’s always a good idea to hire a driver). First-timers shouldn’t miss a visit to the 1881 Napa Wine History Museum & Tasting Saloon in Oakville Grocery to learn more about the history of Napa Valley or taste over 60 wines by the glass from Napa’s finest producers. See our list of Napa wineries here.
Which is the Best Town in Napa Valley to Stay In?
Each town within Napa Valley has its own vibe. Before you go, decide which wineries you’d like to visit and where you’d like to eat. That may help you narrow down the best location for you to kick your feet up after a busy day of wine tasting.
Napa Valley Eats
Napa Valley is famous for its incredible farm-to-fork cuisine and most especially for its high concentration of Michelin-starred and rated restaurants. One thing’s for sure – when you’re visiting Napa Valley you’re going to eat well. It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to restaurants here. And remember, many restaurants feature plenty of California wines on their menus to wash it all down.
Napa Valley is a premier destination for wine lovers. Whether you’re there for a romantic getaway, a girls weekend or an educational wine tasting experience, you will be hard-pressed to run out of things to sip, savor and see. It’s a place with so much beauty, history and winermakers and winegrowers who are committed to preserving the land for generations to come.