Top Things to do in Napa Valley
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The 10 Best Things to do for Honeymoon in Napa Valley, Napa Valley
Vines, wines and the people who love them are central to the economy of Napa Valley. Other treats for taste buds are in store, too, in the form of local olive oils, tomatoes, cheeses and mustard. The other senses are catered for with a vibrant visual arts scene. Rent a car or book a taxi or limousine to get between sights safely. The Napa Valley Wine Train offers an unusual way to experience the views and vintages. A relaxing array of spas and mud baths and the Old Faithful geyser are attractions in Calistoga.
Restaurants in Napa Valley
1. Vincent Arroyo Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 317 reviews
Reviewed By Sasi_Perreault - Mountain View, United States
This is our favorite winery of all time after going to so many different ones over the years. We normally went to a few each time we came to Sonoma/Napa area, but over the last three times, we just came straight to Vincent Arroyo and ONLY here. Other than the most obvious reason why we keep coming back (BEST petite sirah in the WORLD), this winery has the most happy, genuine, friendly, and generous staff. I think we were with Jeffrey twice and he was brilliant. This last time we were with David, and he was absolutely pure joy and amazing!! He was so generous with his time and explanation (and the generous pour!!). We had the most wonderful & pleasant conversation with him about wine and wine making for a very long time. We were very grateful for the time and knowledge (and fun stories) he shared. We highly recommend this place. Forget about all other ‘more famous’ wineries and just come straight here!! :-)
2. Hendry Ranch Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 301 reviews
Reviewed By BobandDeb - Santa Rosa, United States
What a treat wine tasting is at Hendry! Four of us had reservations for the 11:00 wine tasting (the earlier tour with George was full). When you enter the house, Tamara greeted us and brought us into a room with two other couples. Sitting at the table, Tamara gave us an informative lesson on the Hendry family, the grapes, and of course, we learned about the six different wines that we tasted. We all learned so much, and it was really interesting, not boring at all! It made us want to come back another time to book a tour. We went to two other wineries after this one, and they didn't even compare to this! The tasting fee is waived with wine purchases - you will want to buy their wine! The ambience of the ranch, and friendliness of the employees was outstanding. Thanks Tamara for a great day!
3. Bell Wine Cellars
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 135 reviews
Established in 1991, Bell Wine Cellars is a small, family owned winery committed to hand-crafting limited edition bottling of extraordinary wines. We're less than a mile south of Yountville on Washington Street, in an exquisite pale stone winery, surrounded by vineyard and cloaked in quiet.If you enjoy Cabernet, you'll enjoy Bell. We make six different Cabernets as well as Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah; total production is under 15,000 cases annually. Nestled between the towering stainless steel tanks, guests can taste our signature wines at the intimate, elegant Tasting Bar. We also host more extensive educational tastings in our lovely, enclosed Reserve Room overlooking the barrels. During much of the year, our spacious Patio is also open for tasting appointments, under the arbor as the sun slowly arcs toward the Mayacamas to the west.Come visit and taste what Anthony Bell, a globally educated winemaker with over 35 years of experience in Napa, can produce. We guarantee you'll leave speaking Cabernet fluently, and with a smile.
Reviewed By 568sienap - Bicester, United Kingdom
We loved the eccentric and knowledgeable tasting guide, the peaceful setting among the vines and most of all the wines which packed a punch!
4. Pride Mountain Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 622 reviews
Pride Mountain Vineyards specializes in red wine production, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The property is only open for wine tasting appointments to guests with a prior appointments. In compliance of our local codes and use-permits all appointments must be made in advance of arrival. Thank you, Pride Mountain Vineyards
Reviewed By brettbarry1
This was our 4th or 5th visit to Pride over the years, but this past visit was by far the most informative and entertaining/enjoyable. Our wine guide Paul was so exceptional at his work representing Pride – a caring & knowledgeable person, never arrogant – always on point (funny) and frankly one of the best wine tour guides my wife and I have met in over 30 years of visiting Napa. He is just WOW ???? I know everyone felt that way – especially my wife’s family and friends from Norway who were visiting Napa for the 1st time. We arrived 90 min earlier than our appointment - after our tour at neighboring vineyard Keenan which was abruptly ended at the start because their boisterous big dog had gotten into something poisonous and was foaming at the mouth and in distress. So we left early…(we later found out that the dog was OK thank goodness after an emergency vet run). That was jarring & scary enough, but when I arrived early @ Pride with a busload of 10 and asked Paul what to do – he didn’t hesitate or miss a beat… rolling with the situation, and starting us early on easily the best Cave tour we have ever had???? Many Napa vineyards seem to have gone into a kind of automatic mode – going through the swirling motions, not listening to their customers on tour – pushing customers to buy/buy at the end without ever connecting with them. However what you have with Paul is a truly gifted “connector” – a man who plainly loves his work, knows Pride inside the caves & out – and makes each guest feel as though they have had a very unique experience. We have always loved Pride as both a winery and source of outstanding juice. We are Spring Mountain fans for 20+ years (we knew Barbara and Jim at Paloma + we love Schweiger, Sherwin Family, and we are longtime Spring Mountain Vineyard club members). When you try the wines on Spring Mountain you will discover the biggest and richest reds in Napa - complex wines with aging potential. Our stop at Pride last Sunday was the last stop on our 3 day tour, and it left a delicious taste in everyone’s mouths. It made my wife's 50th even more memorable. The vino at Pride Mountain is TOP drawer - their famous Merlot is a monster of deep richness and structure, with massive aging potential. We are fans of the Cab as well & Chardonnay - all the wines at Pride are some of the best you will taste in Napa. Well worth a drive up the mountain. You will not easily find these incredible wines are your local store - do yourself a favor and experience the magic of Pride (and seek out Paul).
5. O'Brien Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 672 reviews
We are by appointment only. Please go to our website to inquire about our experiences. We do not take phone reservations. The cost is $55.00 per person. We regretfully are not permitted to have anyone under 21 years of age nor allow any pets on the premises. Our award winning wines come from our 40 acres in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. From grape growing to bottling, the entire winemaking process is managed at the estate. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Our wines are sought after by collectors and have received many awards, including a recent 98 point score for our 2013 Unrestrained Reserve Bordeaux Blend.
Reviewed By mrg0137
O’Brien Estate was the first Napa Valley winery that really got my wife and I hooked on Napa wine when we visited the area for the first time a few years ago, and we became members at O’Brien after that trip. Since then, we’ve continued to enjoy their wines, and we try to stop in for a free member tasting every time we make a trip to Napa. This visit was our third visit to O’Brien Estate, and we had a very good experience. As compared to most wineries in the Napa Valley, O’Brien Estate is a very small producer. The winery is family owned, with a beautiful 40-acre property in the Oak Knoll District. The O’Brien family lives right in the house on the property, and when you come here for a tasting, you’re doing it right in their backyard and getting right to the heart of the operation. Because it’s so small, O’Brien doesn’t distribute their wines, selling them only at the winery itself and to wine club members. This exclusivity makes us feel that being wine club members is really worth it, since we know it’s the only way to have their wines at home on a regular basis. This was our third time doing the tasting experience at O’Brien, and it wasn’t our favorite experience in Napa either of the previous two times we came (although we loved the wine). On our first trip to Napa, we admittedly weren’t overly educated about the area or its wines, and the guy who did our tasting was quite rude and epitomized the standoffish reputation that Napa can sometimes have. The second time, after we had become members and knew a lot more about Napa wines, the tasting was much better, but still not great. The guy who did our tasting that time was absent for most of it and just gave off an attitude of not wanting to be bothered with us. He spent most of his time giving his attention to walk-in guests who had shown up without reservations, even though O’Brien doesn’t take walk-ins and is normally focused on making the experience very intimate. Those experiences were in the past, and we’ve still stayed loyal to O’Brien since we love their wine. I’m glad to report that the third time was a charm for having a great in-person tasting experience, this time with Marilyn. Marilyn hosted us and we had the entire winery to ourselves, and she really took the time to make it fun and informative. She was a great host and we’re glad to have had such a nice experience this time. Tastings at O’Brien are held outside for most of the year, in picturesque seating areas right by the edge of the vineyard, much closer than you get to the vines at almost any other winery we’ve been to in the area. In this case, since it was chilly in January, our tasting was held inside the barn, but Marilyn still invited us to have a glass of chardonnay while taking a quick walking tour through the vineyard, which we enjoyed (walking in the vineyard was not offered to us on previous visits). It was a beautiful afternoon to be outside, and we learned a lot about the process of preparing for each growing season and even how the process of replanting works when a portion of the vineyard has outlived its useful life. The O’Briens’ adorable dog, Heidi, was also there and ran around the vineyards with us while we took our walk. Hanging out with Heidi is always a highlight of a visit to O’Brien Estate. After touring the vineyards with Marilyn, we settled down inside for a tasting of all of O’Brien’s current releases – merlot, two Bordeaux-style blends (Romance and Seduction), and the cabernet sauvignon. We’ve had all of these before, and especially love Seduction and the cabernet sauvignon, but it’s always fun to do another tasting and have a chance to relax and talk about the wine. They also provide a nice cheese plate to accompany the wine as well. They’ve just set up new seating areas for tastings in the barn, so it was a nice change of pace to do a tasting there for the first time, although in warmer weather, it is still preferable to be outside overlooking the vineyard. Our time with Marilyn was very enjoyable, and we spent close to 90 minutes with her, just talking about all kinds of things, from dogs, to the happenings at O’Brien, to Napa in general. It was informal and laid-back. We really enjoy the wines at O’Brien Estate and think a stop here is worth it (reservations are required and can be made online). The blends are priced in the $70-$80 range per bottle, and the cabernet sauvignon is now just under $100 a bottle, which I think are good prices for the quality of wine produced. We enjoy our membership at O’Brien, and even if you don’t become a member, a tasting there is a wonderful way to spend a portion of a day, in the world of a laid-back, small producer. I am very glad that we had a great tasting experience this time with Marilyn, and we now look forward to similar positive experiences in the future!
6. Palmaz Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By 208MaryK208
Fabulous tour with views of vineyard- tasting starts there and then continues through the wine making process. Finishing part is the food and wine pairing ... Outstanding!
7. Judd's Hill Winery and MicroCrush
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 678 reviews
Judd's Hill is owned and operated by two generations of the Finkelstein family. Bunnie, Judd and Holly Finkelstein are vintners dedicated to producing ultra-premium, handcrafted wines in small lots while highlighting them in entertaining and engaging customer experiences. Our family has been making wine in Napa Valley since the 1970s and continues to produce signature wines that are fruit-driven, concentrated and just simply delicious.
Reviewed By MarciV_13 - Whittier, United States
We wanted to do something different in Napa this time and the Wine Blending Day Camp turned out to be the highlight of our trip to Napa! CJ was so informative and fun! We tasted the wines individually first and then blended three options. After some discussion and more tasting we selected our blend. Next, we siphoned the wines out of the barrel, then bottled, corked and labeled our first signature blend. We can’t wait to go back with friends!!
8. Stags' Leap Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Stags' Leap Winery is truly a hidden gem in the highly acclaimed Stags Leap District. Located off a long, private road, our nineteenth-century stone winery and Victorian era Manor House are nestled against the Stags Leap Palisades east of the Silverado Trail. We invite you to make a reservation and visit this magical place with its beautiful gardens and stylish wines including the award-winning field blend, Ne Cede Malis, and opulent "The Leap" and "Audentia" Cabernet Sauvignon. We are open by appointment only and are unable to accommodate drop in guests due to traffic restrictions on our private road.
Reviewed By KCHouseman
This is a must stop for Napa Valley wine lovers. Amazing Cabernets and so much more. Make an appointment for the tour and learn a true understanding of how Napa Valley became one of the true premier Cabernet Sauvignon capitals of the world.
9. Pine Ridge Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
Located in the heart of the iconic Stags Leap District, Pine Ridge Vineyards offers intimate cave tastings and stunning views. Join us for an unforgettable experience, and discover the elegance and diversity of our highly acclaimed estate wines, sourced from 160 acres of vineyards in Napa Valley’s most renowned growing regions.
Reviewed By GGWD - Tampa, United States
This winery is excellent. The facility and grounds are beautiful, the wines were absolutely amazing (loved all of them) and they take care of our military with free tastings. Really really good wine and a great experience. Highly Recommended!!
10. Silverado Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Our family-owned winery nestled in the hillsides in the heart of the Stags Leap District, handcrafts Estate and Single Vineyard wines. Daily tasting, tours, culinary programs, events. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Napa Valley or a seasoned wine lover who travels here often, we know you’ll find something to love at Silverado Vineyards. Reservations are required.
Reviewed By YvetteBer - Leopoldsburg, Belgium
We enjoyed our visit at Silverado Vineyards very much. We were greeted warmly at the entrance. The tour guide who showed us around the barrel hall was very knowledgeable telling us about the vineyard and history of the wines being produced. This was followed by a lovely wine tasting session while seated outside on a cosy patio and the panoramic view was breathtaking. We thoroughly enjoyed tasting the different wines and the very tasty cheese plate and fresh grapes really finished it off. I recommend visiting Silverado Vineyards.
