My happy place.
I usually visit Napa Valley on the weekends, but this time around, I visited during the week and I got to see a different side of Napa. No crowds and time passed by much slower. There are about 400 wineries in Napa Valley alone and it’s overwhelming trying to choose which ones to visit. Each one has its own story, so how do you choose which one to go to?! I’m always looking for cool and trendy tasting rooms so here are a few I discovered. All in all, my trip was too short and I can’t wait to be back.
Here are some highlights from my trip…
STAY
Such a charming resort that has so many amenities to enjoy. This property has a pool, spa, golf course, tennis court, etc. I stayed in a one bedroom suite that felt like a home away from home (see pictures below) and I highly recommend staying in a room like this if you’re traveling with a group of friends or with your family.
SIP
I was blown away with how beautiful this tasting room is. There are two areas to taste wines: the Tasting Hall and NOMAD Heritage Library, but you can also sit outside to sip your glass of wine. The attention to detail in each room is impeccable and I think it’s worth visiting just for that! The Gather Cafe was closed that day, but from what I hear from locals, the coffee, juice, and food are delicious. This tasting room is located in the quiet town of Yountville and is wonderful to spend an afternoon outside sipping on a glass of wine. I was a big fan of the 2016 Sonoma Mountain Rose and 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Tastings range from $35 to $85 per person.
If you’re looking for something different than your average tasting room, this one is it. It has a rich (but dark) history that is SO interesting and they based this history around the branding of the wine. It’s fun to walk around the tasting room with friends (ask if you can go upstairs) and they also have events in case you’re looking for something to do at night. The 2014 Muscat and 2012 Reserve stood out to me the most. Tastings range from $20 to $55 per person.
SAVOR
Don’t be fooled by the outside when you drive up. This place is more than a grocery store. Open since 1881, the Oakville Grocery is a great place to stop for a casual quick bite to eat or to just browse all the unique goods they sell. The iced latte, a sandwich, and a salad I ate for lunch were delicious.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
This restaurant has great reviews for a reason. It’s located on Long Meadow Ranch, where you can also find a cafe, a farmer’s market, and sometimes live music (check here for events). They serve farm to table dishes with vegetables that are grown right on the property. There’s no stuffiness found here, it’s all about enjoying good food and good company. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, so I suggest ordering a bunch of dishes to share.
Think of this place as a gourmet food court. If you’re traveling with a group that has differing food tastes, Oxbow is the place to visit. It’s also fun to walk around because not only are there restaurants, but there’s also a grocery store coffee shop, a stationary store, a juicery, etc. I’m always amazed at how good the food is in Napa, I feel like everything is Food Network-worthy!
SHOP
I visited a few boutiques while I was there and this one stood out the most. See more in my post here.
BEAUTY
I didn’t have time to enjoy any spa facilities, but I’m already planning a trip to do that soon!
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Keep scrolling for more pictures and details…
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Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
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