All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
You don’t come to Napa Valley to be the first. The region has been well-established for about as long as wine has been commercially produced in California. What you come here for is just about everything else—farm-to-table cuisine, prestigious wines, historic hot springs, and design-driven hotels (not to mention its gentle mountain ranges and rippling river that can be admired via hot air balloon or leisurely hike). Despite lacking any sort of under-the-radar quality, it’s still a destination with ceaseless appeal.
First and foremost, the Napa Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) is home to some of the most coveted wineries in the country. It runs about 30 miles north to south but only five miles at its widest point, which lends itself well to providing a diverse range of climates that allow for a breadth of wine varieties to be made here. The towns where you’ll spend most of your time exploring are Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga, with a total of 17 sub-appellations (nested AVAs) comprising the broader Napa Valley AVA. Getting around is best conquered by car, but if you’re wine tasting you’ll need to look into transportation via taxi or a private driver; Uber and Lyft aren t so reliable in these parts.
Though a visit to Napa requires nothing more than a desire to slow down and savor, there are a number of new and noteworthy openings across food, wine, and accommodations that justify prioritizing a trip to Northern California right now. Below, your complete guide to Napa Valley.
- Where to Stay
- Where to Eat
- Where to Taste Wine
- What to Do
- When to Visit
- Napa vs. Napa County vs. Napa Valley
- What to Pack
- How Long to Spend in Napa
- How to Get There
Where to Stay
There’s a sensation when stepping foot on Stanly Ranch that the outside world no longer exists. The sun shines a little brighter, soft insect sounds buzz a little more merrily, and the afternoons linger on a little longer. Opened in April 2022, it’s the third Auberge Resorts Collection property in Napa Valley and an instant favorite. Their cottages and suites, outfitted in modern farmhouse decor, scatter across 712 acres of vineyards and ranch land (the private terraces with fire pits are ideal at the end of a day of tasting). Bear is Stanly Ranch’s signature restaurant, with chef Anthony Stagnaro at the helm and farm director Nick Runkle supplying fresh-from-the-earth ingredients. And when you’re not eating or tasting wine, spend your days lounging by the pool, unwinding at the Halehouse on-property spa, or joining an activity like lunchtime at the chicken coop or fishing on the Napa River.
Address: 200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa, CA, 94559
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, pool, spa, fitness center, complimentary bicycle rentals
There are some iconic, historic hotels that fail to live up to the hype—Meadowood is not one of those hotels. Opened in 1961 and tucked within a private valley surrounded by wooded canyons, it’s a quintessential Napa Valley stay. The lodging has evolved since its early days and is now made up of 36 suites and rooms that feel suspended among the estate’s trees. If you can pry yourself away from your room (did we mention there are wood-burning fireplaces and private outdoor decks?) you’ll want to book a wine tasting class at The Wine Center or a guided winery tour with one of the center’s experts. A treatment at the award-winning spa is also a must, as is a hike on Meadowood’s network of trails that lead to panoramic views of St. Helena (tip: make it a morning hike and spot the hot air balloons in the distance).
Address: 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA, 94574
Amenities: Restaurant, café, pools, spa, fitness center, tennis courts, wine center
For those who seek out a pied-à-terre atmosphere when traveling, Poetry Inn more than fits the bill. The five-suite hideaway is owned by Cliff Lede Vineyards and is the kind of place where, when you arrive at the top of its steep, gated driveway, the staff is already out front ready and waving. Each suite is uniquely decorated and ascribed its own literary theme (Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, e.e. Cummings, and Robert Louis Stevenson are among the writers referenced), all with outdoor showers, original artwork, fresh flowers, and wood-burning fireplaces. And the service here is outstanding—there is a personalized concierge, private dining by arrangement, and a thorough menu of spa treatments. When you’re not savoring a food pairing or a sound bath session, simply meander out onto your private terrace to take in the sweeping valley views.
Address: 6380 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Amenities: Three-course breakfast, pool, private dining, spa, personalized concierge
.jpeg)
Despite California wine country being among the most sought-after landscapes in the world, Auberge du Soleil takes it up a notch and also sprinkles in design elements that channel the south of France. (Napa with a side of Provence—why not?) The property is located in peaceful Rutherford and is nestled on a hillside with 33 surrounding acres of olive and oak trees. There are only 50 guest rooms and suites, and its Michelin-starred restaurant recently debuted a sweeping redesign conceptualized by Suzanne Tucker. If you’re not familiar with the backstory, French restaurateur Claude Rouas founded his fine-dining establishment with the same Napa-meets-Provence concept, and five years later it expanded into the mainstay hotel that it is today. Take a walk in the sculpture garden or nibble on charcuterie and fruit with a French-inspired picnic at Parc du Soleil—there’s no activity too indulgent here.
Address: 180 Rutherford Hill Rd, St. Helena, CA, 94574
Amenities: Restaurant, pool, spa, bar, private picnics, fitness center, tennis courts
If you prefer your bed and breakfasts to be on the National Register of Historic Places, The Francis House in Calistoga beckons. The three-story stone building was constructed in 1886 as a family home but went uninhabited for 52 years until a San Francisco couple (one an interior designer, the other a real estate developer) discovered it in 2015 and restored the French Second Empire architecture to its original glory. And this is no ordinary B&B: guests can enjoy an infrared sauna and salt room, outdoor fire pit, tennis court, heated pool, and a Tesla charger. As for breakfast? Artisanal all the way. The team sources local produce, fresh eggs, and even has its own herb garden to craft dishes like lemon ricotta parsley pancakes and labneh with roasted tomatoes.
Address: 1403 Myrtle Street, Calistoga, CA 94515
Amenities: Breakfast, infrared sauna and salt room, tennis court, pool, fire pit, bar billiards, library
Where to Eat
Chef Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry is a fine-dining institution considered by many to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. (Tasting menu prices start at $425 per person.) The restaurant is set within a rustic stone cottage that was built as a saloon in 1900, and diners are treated to a daily-changing menu of contemporary American cuisine with French influences. You can also book The French Laundry s culinary garden tour ($100 per person) at their 3.5-acre farm located just across the street.
A perennial favorite among locals and tourists alike, Mustards has gone more or less unchanged since it opened in 1983. Billing their menu items as “deluxe truck stop classics,” you can feast upon burgers, onion rings, and grilled cheese to your heart s content.
For a Mexico-style taqueria, head to Mothers for their handmade corn tortillas, made-from-scratch salsas, seasonal grilled Elote, and meats marinated piece by piece; vegan and vegetarian options are also in the mix. (Tip: If Mexican food is your love language, eat your way through the Napa Valley Taco Trail.)
Scala Osteria (sister restaurant to the ever-popular Bistro Don Giovanni) brings seafood-driven southern Italian cuisine to Napa with its bright, spacious setting and covetable oyster bar.
It s a fact: a burger and shake at Gott’s Roadside can’t be beat. The fast-casual, James Beard award-winning restaurant just celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and is a perfect inclusion on any Napa Valley itinerary.
If you want a taste of chef Keller’s fare without The French Laundry price tag, head to his casual eatery Ad Hoc + Addendum. It’s a daily-changing menu and features American favorites like fried chicken and barbecue that are served family style. (If you re not in the mood to dine out, they also offer buttermilk fried chicken to-go.)
For a croissant that will kickstart your morning, head for Moulin (French for “mill”). This artisan bakery is owned and operated by husband and wife Zach and Chloé Kaylor who focus on sourdough breads and viennoiseries. They use a range of organic whole grains, which are milled in house on a stone mill. The coffee is pretty great too, and comes from Camellia Coffee Roasters in Sacramento as well as a rotating guest roaster program.
While it’s not hard to find restaurants in Napa that source their ingredients locally, Charlie’s takes it up a notch by partnering with a large and diverse network of regional partners ranging from fresh truffle purveyors to a cultured abalone farm. The restaurant is owned by Elliott Bell, who is the former executive sous chef at The French Laundry (and also previously at Gramercy Tavern). Choose from dishes like hearth-roasted beer can chicken and crispy Watsonville artichokes paired with refreshing cocktails, wine, and beer.
Of course, there’s always Oxbow Public Market with its many food vendors, including a live fire pizzeria and Hog Island Oyster Co., which offers happy hour Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Also not to be missed: Chef Morad Lahlou s Moro, which is inspired by the food stalls at Marrakesh’s famous night market, Jeema el-Fnaa.
Napa Valley hot spot Ciccio is housed within a century-old Italian grocery store in Downtown Yountville and serves wood-fired pizza alongside fresh pastas and salad. (We re also partial to the meatball stuffed peppers.)
This Michelin-star restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley serves a weekly-changing, five-course tasting menu with highlights like California white duck, butter-poached Norwegian crab, and hazelnut chocolate tart.
San Francisco wine bar Decant just opened its female-queer-BIPOC-owned outpost in downtown Napa to much fanfare. The bottle shop and bar has a fire pit terrace (Pendleton blankets included for nippy nights) and an off-the-charts wine list that changes frequently.
Where to Taste Wine
Pro Tip: Make the best use of your time by clustering wine tastings in specific regions of Napa Valley so you won’t have to race from one place to the next. Napa Valley is made up of five towns—Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa, and American Canyon—with a total of 17 sub-appellations nested within the broader Napa Valley AVA.
If you’re looking for a dramatic atmosphere to taste Coombsville wines in, head for Faust Haus in St. Helena. Their tasting room is in an 1878-era Victorian Gothic home painted in an inky hue and features a winding staircase and stone basement wine cellar.
This Oakville estate winery was established in 1885 and is devoted to elegant chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Considered a heritage winery in Napa Valley, visits to Far Niente offer a true taste of history. Their most prestigious cabernet sauvignon—which goes for $500 a bottle—is the Benson Vale, and is crafted with grapes from the vineyard’s finest blocks.
This is one of the oldest wineries in the valley, dating back to 1879 and with current ownership by Francis Ford Coppola who acquired it in the mid-’70s. The Inglenook estate is graced with a picturesque chateau and the property has 235 planted acres dedicated to the production of five quintessential wine styles that are crafted by director of winemaking, Philippe Bascaules.
Well-known for its success in the 1976 wine tasting known as the Judgment of Paris (which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026), Chateau Montelena helped put Napa on the global stage. Visit the estate to taste its iconic chardonnays and cabernet sauvignons and to enjoy the century-old namesake chateau.
Delivering a fresh perspective to tasting experiences in the valley, Ashes Diamonds stands out with its zig-zag roof and mid-century modern design by Barbara Bestor Architecture.
Also a nod to the mid-century era, The Residence at Stony Hill offers guests various well-designed nooks to enjoy the winery’s current releases, including chardonnay, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and L’Escalier (a blend of old-vine riesling, gewürztraminer, and chardonnay).
Schramsberg is another big shot in Napa Valley and for over 50 years has been committed to world-renowned sparkling wines in the méthode champenoise style. During “crush” season, the winery invites visitors to enroll in multi-day fall harvest camps.
These organically-farmed property at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains dates back to the 19th century and is a non-profit winery (proceeds benefit cardiovascular research). Join for a guided four-course lunch paired with Ehlers Estate s wines, from cabernet franc to superb red blends.
The Donum Estate has one of the largest accessible private sculpture collections in the world, with works by contemporary artists like Ai Weiwei and Louise Bourgeois. For a truly memorable visit, book the Transcend Experience—a private, guided journey through the art-filled landscape paired with Donum’s acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A tour at Promontory Wine (sure to be a highlight of your entire trip) will take you along the western hills of Oakville and overlooking the valley, tasting wines by the legendary Harlan family.
Over in Carneros-Napa (an AVA that runs between both Napa and Sonoma), Bouchaine Vineyards offers unique wine tastings like Sensory Olympics and Vine to Vessel learning experiences. During harvest season, guests can make grape-juice-dyed t-shirts to take home.
.jpeg)
Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and redesigning its Yountville property, Chandon is a lovely destination for sparkling wine and design lovers alike. At the heart of the estate’s new look are a series of guest experiences and events, ranging from dinners under the stars to tastings beneath an old Oak grove.
For some of the best merlots in the valley, head to Sullivan Rutherford Estate to enjoy a privately guided tour around the scenic estate followed by a customized tasting.
At the base of beautiful Howell Mountain, Amulet Estate offers private tours and tastings of their portfolio of singular chardonnays and vineyard-designate bottlings of 100% cabernet sauvignon.
What to Do
Between the long list of wineries and Michelin-star restaurants to visit, it might be easy to forget there are other things to do in Napa Valley—but don’t! Take full advantage of California’s scenic beauty and rise before dawn to hop aboard a hot air balloon ride to watch the sunrise over the valley. If you’re more comfortable on solid ground, head for one of the many hiking trails in the area such as the River to Ridge trail, Napa-Solano Ridge, or Skyline Wilderness Park. Or, you can set off for a day of tasting via bike tour. (Fun fact: most of Napa’s roads are flat and when there are hills, they’re pretty manageable.)
There’s also the Napa Valley Wine Train, which is as fun as it sounds. Your journey begins on an antique Pullman-style train and experiences can range from an hours-long trek through the valley with a multi-course paired menu and vineyard tasting all the way to a murder mystery dinner with sparkling wine and a meal.
And if you’re in search of self-care, the area of Calistoga has long been known for its hot springs and natural mud baths. In the late 1800s, tourism boomed as visitors learned of Calistoga’s geothermal properties and now there are several spas with treatments centered around these rich minerals. Side note: the recently reimagined mud baths at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort Mineral Springs should be on your radar.
For those who want to pepper in a couple hours of shopping throughout their visit, Vintage Home Napa Valley stocks a mix of local and European goods. (This is a great place to swing by if you forgot to bring a floaty dress for a day of wine tasting, or if you’re on the hunt for the perfect hostess gift.) There’s Carter and Co in St. Helena that offers an aesthetically pleasing assortment of ceramics, and Alchemy Works in Yountville for a stylish mix of home, vintage, jewelry, and apparel. And if you finished your book and need a new read for the weekend, head for independently-owned Wild Plum Books to browse their latest titles.
Napa vs. Napa County vs. Napa Valley
Napa is the name of both a town and county in Northern California. Napa Valley refers specifically to the wine region, which is a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA). In casual conversation, the term “Napa” is often used to refer to any of the three, which can lead to confusion for visitors. When in doubt, just ask for clarification.
When to Visit
Due to its Mediterranean climate, there’s no terrible time to visit Napa Valley with regards to weather (though it can get nippy in the winter). But as with any major tourist destination, choosing when to visit depends on your priorities. Do you want to avoid crowds? Hoping for lower hotel rates? Interested in seasonal activities like harvest dinners? A few callouts to consider below.
High Season (June to October): Plenty of sunny days and lush vineyards, which create a picture-perfect setting for wine tasting. Harvest season falls within this time period (August to October), bringing with it unique programming for visitors. Expect higher prices, larger crowds, and more difficulty getting reservations.
Low Season (December to February): While the weather is cooler, rain is likely, and the vineyards are arguably less scenic, there are much better hotel deals, fewer crowds, and cozy tasting room experiences. It’s also a much easier time of year to snap up covetable reservations.
Shoulder Season (March to May; November): Both spring and late autumn offer fewer tourists and lower hotel rates than high season. While the weather can be unpredictable during both of these shoulder seasons, spring brings wildflowers and November’s foliage can be quite lovely to see if you time it well.
Wild Mustard Season (January to March): Who needs wine harvest when you can experience Napa Valley in all its mustard glory? During these months the valley is blanketed in yellow buds, and properties like Bardessono Hotel Spa offer themed treatments like the Mustard Remedy Bath and Sweet Mustard Massage to celebrate the season in full.
What to Pack
Skip the high heels and spill-prone white clothing and opt for California-cool separates that you’ll feel comfortable wearing all day long. Bring a hat and sunscreen for al fresco tastings, and a light knit or scarf in case you do a cellar tour. If you’ve made a dinner reservation at a higher-end spot, pack a polished look to change into before heading out for the evening.
How Long to Spend in Napa
Three days is the sweet spot for a trip to Napa Valley that won’t leave you feeling like you haven’t seen or done enough. If you’re able to take more time, renting a car and leisurely exploring the region over the span of a week sounds pretty fabulous, as well.
How to Get There
Napa Valley is north of San Francisco Bay and the closest airport is Sonoma County Airport (STS). There aren’t many direct flights to STS, however, so you can also land at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is about one to two hours by car and takes you across the scenic Golden Gate Bridge. If you don’t rent a car, there are also private transportation services; many of which can also be booked for wine tours once you re in Napa County. (Napa Valley Chauffeur is a smart pick.)
Pro Tip: Plan to arrive at a time that avoids rush-hour traffic, and travel in a group so you can utilize the carpool lane.
