Dear Traveler,
You are going to have a fantastic time. Napa Valley is a beautiful place.
While you can have a fantastic time flying by the seat of your pants – I wouldn’t recommend it. My top tip for going to wine country is always to have a plan. This may be partially due to my traveling style and personality. But I truly believe you can have a better time with a little preparation.
Remember that Napa Valley is comprised of several small towns spread out across the valley – most wineries open at 11 am and close at 5 pm. Having a plan can cut down on your driving and keep you from crisscrossing the valley every day.
Two wineries a day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon – keeps the trip from feeling frantic. Book the tour and tasting, not just the tasting when you have the option. You see more of the property and have a better understanding of the story behind the wine. You get to create a real connection with the winery and the people behind it. Book a tour and tasting with a light lunch at your morning winery then book an afternoon tour and tasting. Things like four-wheeler rides across the mountains with Stonestreet Winery, tours of the Jarvis caves with their underground streams or visiting the deepest man-made cave system in the country at Palmaz require making reservations but are completely worth it! These experiences make memories that last a lifetime.
Make a reservation for dinner or if you are staying in an Airbnb with your own kitchen and don’t want to go out to eat for every meal, my top tip is to order your groceries for pick-up at Raley’s. No one wants to grocery shop in an unfamiliar store on vacation. It’s exhausting. Pick-up is easy – just like at home.
Have a wonderful trip. Cheers,
