Napa Valley Vs Sonoma Valley
The second biggest confusion is Napa Valley vs. Sonoma Valley. These are to different wine regions! While they are near each other, a large mountain range runs between them which makes it a very bad idea to try to go wine tasting in both Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley on the same day
Also, Sonoma Valley has the town of Sonoma just like Napa Valley has the town of Napa, so that confuses people a LOT.
Sonoma Valley also has a really different vibe, landscape and wine specialties compared to Napa Valley. I chat more about that in this post.
Use A Smartphone To Take Down Notes
Still, youll struggle to remember even if youre spitting a dozen alcoholic beverages a day later. You would still be confused if you preferred Brunello or Chianti Classico. Remembering the distinct taste and name of the bottle wont be difficult if you take notes.
One good tip is to using phones camera to document your favorite wines. But if you are uncertain about describing the taste, be straightforward by adding a plus or minus sign to the wine and wine producer.
American Canyon Where To Stay In Napa Valley On A Budget
A low-profile Wine Country destination compared to others on the list, American Canyon is just being discovered as a NorCal gem.
Famed for its beautiful bay views, the city offers a number of nature points to explore when you want to take a breather from wine tours.
Wetlands Edge Park places you right on the Napa River and Bay Trail to explore a watershed system that connects to the San Francisco Bay.
For bird watchers, theres no better spot in American Canyon than Glass Beach.
For a complete change of pace from Americans Canyons vast network of nature trails, plan a trip to the 24-hour Napa Valley Casino.
As far as accommodations, American Canyon is a budget option when compared to other towns in Napa Valley.
The city has a steady supply of lower-end hotel chains without the huge variety of spas and resorts that youll find just a few miles away.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NAPA VALLEY IN AMERCIAN CANYON
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St Helena Best Place To Stay In Napa For Families
St Helena has a little of everything. Its famous for its wait for it wine, but it also has amazing shopping and is surrounded by green spaces. This is what makes it the best choice when youre deciding where to stay in Napa for families.
As if that wasnt enough, St Helena is also home to some interesting art galleries and a chocolate discovery factory! Its a charming and laid back area to be in, making a great base for exploring the rest of the region.
Your Napa Valley Wine Country Planning Guide
Exploring the Napa Valley wine country is exciting and enjoyable. The more you plan your Napa Valley vacation, the more worthwhile it will be. We are experienced Napa Valley wine travelers. Let us help you plan your Napa Valley escape with our handy guide to the Napa Valley. We suggest wine trails, where to dine, and lodge, and other great things to do in one of the great wine regions of the world.
Please Note: Napa Valley is open to visitors. However, most wineries require reservations. Drops-in tastings are limited.
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Day Trip To Sonoma And Sonoma County
One of the coolest things about comparing Napa Valley and Sonoma County is that, even though they are a stones throw away from each other, each area has its own completely unique feel. While Napa is the more established and higher-end of the two, Sonoma is the more spirited yet laid-back region. Its the largest county in wine country, and what youll find is that there are more intimate, family-run start-up wineries here. Things also tend to cost a lot less here than in the Napa Valley.
A few of my favorite spots to explore include Downtown Sonoma , Healdsburg , and Guerneville .
Carneros Resort & Spa
With its two-cottage suites, residences and multi-bedroom private homes, Carneros Resort & Spa is an ideal place to stay with a family of all ages. Youll love the 11ha of bucolic, sprawling farmland, with its kiddie-dedicated pool, bicycle hire and vegetable garden with chicken coop. Rooms are self-catering for family ease but theres also a choice of three excellent restaurants, ranging from the lively Boon Fly Café to the grander Farm restaurant and Hilltop Dining Room, with plenty of child-friendly dishes on offer. You can request packed lunches for your afternoon activities, or put your own together from the swanky, on-site general store.
For those wanting a fantastic wine-and-dine experience without having to leave the children at night, you can order a wine tasting and dinner in the comfort of your own residence while the little ones are in bed. The winemaker from the resorts partner winery, Cuvaison Estate Wines, will even join you for a private tasting if you wish.
For those itching to get out, however, the resort can help organise a babysitter for you especially good to know once you check out all the events at its Pavilion venue.
- Address: 4048 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA 94559
- Tel: +1 299 4900
- Rates: cottage rates from $500
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Best Area To Stay On A Budget
Yes, you can get a taste of Napa without burning your budget. Whether you’re celebrating romance or adventure, there are packages that best suit your interests and will help you make the most out of your stay in Napa. Enjoy a one night stay, complete with a hot air balloon ride for two, through Napa Winery Inn‘s “Up, Up, and Away” package. Want to be rewarded for planning ahead? For a limited time, Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa is offering savings of up to 25% off of regular rates for advanced reservations.
Napa Wine Tours & Experiences
If youre still looking for additional recommendations or guided tours around Napa Valley, here are some of the most highly-rated options you can find in the region right now.
If you enjoyed this guide, consider joining the for additional insight and travel inspiration around the world. You can also pre-register for the Winetraveler Wine Club to receive unique wines and itinerary suggestions to your door. Let us know your favorite Napa wineries in the comment section below!
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Where To Stay In Napa Valley For 2022
Malia ArtsitasLast Updated: February 24, 2022
The rolling hills of the Napa Valley have no shortage of world-class places to stay. Though the Valley is known for being filled with high-end hotels, weve included options for a variety of budgets. Keep reading for our top recommendations of where to stay in Napa Valley.
Our Partnership with Booking.com. If you like our content, please book by clicking on our Booking.com links. The price is the same for you and we get a small commission that helps support our helpful blog content. Weve partnered with Booking.com because they have the most options, great prices, and a solid loyalty program.
Which Wineries Should I Visit In Napa County
Napa has dozens of other worthy wineries such as Beaulieu, Cakebread, Clos Pegase, Ehlers, Mondavi, Pine Ridge, Shrader, Silver Oak, and many more. Smaller wineries often only accept guests by appointment, so always call ahead or check their website for availability.
Southern oregon wineriesWhat is the best wine in Oregon? The best wines in Oregon are Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, followed by Chardonnay, Merlot and Riesling. The valley also produces Pinot Blanc and Viognier, as well as some sparkling wines. 73 grape varieties are grown in Oregon.What is the best tasting wine to drink?Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is considered the best red wine for health and one of the healthiest wines due to its low calorie content.
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Things To Know About Napa
Lets start with why Napa Valley is famous: really, really good wines. Napa Valley is ideally situated to make some of the worlds best wines. The grapes get long hours of California sunshine to ripen, but the area quickly drops around 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night due to the cool Pacific Oceans influence. The reliably cool, foggy mornings and evenings allow the grapes to retain acidity, which leads to more balance to the wines.
Mountains surround the valley on both sides: the Vaca Range to the East and the Mayacamas to the West. Within less than an hours drive, soil types and microclimates vary widely, and between these two mountain ranges, wineries and vineyards are sprinkled throughout!
It takes less than an hour to get from one end of Napa Valley to the other, but the wineries density could quickly fill up a week of wine tasting.
Most Napa tourists stick to Highway 29, which is lined by dozens of wineries . Traffic can lurch on the weekends, but driving Highway 29 and stopping wherever tickles your fancy is the easiest way to visit Napa without much planning. Just be prepared for crowded tasting rooms and potentially slower service!
Carneros Resort And Spa
For a relaxing stay surrounded by rolling hills of farm lands and vineyards, head to the Carneros Resort and Spa, where a rustic-chic vibe coupled with luxurious amenities make it an idyllic place to stay in Wine Country. Here, private cottages come with stylish interiors, in-room wine dispensers, outdoor soaking tubs or showers, and fire pits everything you need to embrace those vacation vibes. The resorts seasonally-focused restaurants, two pools , and renovated spa only add to the overall allure of a visit. Dont miss enhancing your stay with a curated backyard experience, from outdoor movies to smores kits to stargazing through a telescope.
WineCountry Perks Use Promo Code WINECOUNTRY to receive a $100 resort credit and a complimentary bottle of wine. Who can say no to that?
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Best Area To Stay For A Luxurious Getaway
Throw on your bathrobe, kick up your feet, and raise a glass! These luxurious resorts have the most upscale amenities and ambiance that visitors can imagine. Silverado Resort & Spa has accommodations ranging from mansion estates to cottage homes, all surrounded by lush greenery and championship golf courses. The Meritage Resort & Spa has a private nine-acre vineyard with walking trails, a lounge with six bowling lanes, and much more just footsteps away from your room. Vista Collina Resort offers unique culinary experiences, featuring in-suite cooking and nine on-site tasting rooms that make wine tasting all the more convenient during your stay.
Top 10 Things To Do In Napa Valley
The beautiful Napa Valley, a short 90-minute drive north from San Francisco, is undoubtedly a well-sought and famous grape-growing region of world-class vineyards and wine production. The dreamy landscape of rolling hills, luxurious resorts, charming inns, stellar climate, renowned food, and, of course, wine make for an unbeatable destination. Instead of hopping from winery to winery, weve harvested a compilation of unexpected surprises from unique attractions, hands-on classes, wellness activities, hilltop, and misty forest views, and restaurants defying the Napa cuisine norm and non-vino bottle souvenirs.
Kate is a freelance writer based in New York. Shes the founder of the creative collaborative, From Your Desks. Shes a Contributing Editor at Fathom and her work has appeared in AFAR, Bon Appetit, Departures, Forbes, The Huffington Post and Refinery 29. She travels for the food. Follow Kate on Twitter: .
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The Meritage Resort And Spa
Located just south of Napa, The Meritage Resort and Spa offers a quintessential resort experience in Wine Country, where a variety of amenities make it easy to enjoy a leisurely pace. Two swimming pools, vineyard walking paths, in-room virtual wine tastings, and room service delivered anywhere on property are just some of the highlights, but dont pass up the opportunity to visit the resorts Estate Cave Spa. Located underground, this expansive spa features an extensive menu of restorative treatments for individuals and couples, each designed to leave you feeling utterly relaxed and rejuvenated.
WineCountry Perks Book using Promo Code WINECOUNTRY and receive 20% off our best available rate, a $50 resort credit, a complimentary room upgrade , and a free bottle of wine. Now thats a good deal, if we do say so ourselves.
The Best Wine Hotels In The Napa Valley For Agri
The Carneros Inn has been converted from a farm, and the collection of cottages, suites and rooms are modern and stylish. Theres also a choice of restaurants, an award-winning spa, expansive gardens with three pools and a number of hot tubs. As well as wine tastings they also offer cheesemaking classes.
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Napa Trip Report 5/9 Sorry Long Too
May 9th:
We were all looking forward to a brand new day of wine tasting. Ate a plentiful breakfast at Blackbird Inn .
10am â Schramsburg tour & tasting
Couldnât find Schramsburg. The sign was soooo small & placed very low on the ground it was hard to see & very easy to miss. Schramsburgâs explanation was that they only allow 80 people visiting them on a daily basis & they didnât want too many people to just walk-in to their property. Very interesting⦠we spent 15 min circuling around before finding this gem.
The tour was very interesting & informative. They started out telling us about the history of their winery, then followed by a visit to their underground cave. We saw layers & layers of thick spider web on the cavesâ ceiling, and a thick film of dust on the bottles. They still use the old methode champenoise to settle the yeast. For $25/pp, we get to taste their reserve , rose, and a couple others. We thought the tasting was money well spent. We liked their J Schram & wanted to get a case, but after a quick call to my friend in Houston & checked the price at Specs, we found we could purchase in Houston instead at a better price. We did purchase a couple of their sparkling wine stoppers on the way out.
Duckhorn â
JV wine & tasting bar
Thousands of wines to choose from, mostly cheaper than if ordered at the winery. We loaded up what we needed and headed back to Blackbird Inn.
Tour The Di Rosa Center For Contemporary Art
The art collector Rene di Rosa and his wife founded the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art so that the public could enjoy their 217-acre art park filled with more than 2,000 works. Comprising a sculpture meadow, two galleries, and a man-made 35-acre lake, the di Rosa Center features the artwork of more than 800 local artists.
The vast museum can be overwhelming to explore, so volunteers host 2-hour guided tours of the art park a tour is included in the price of your ticket . Tours take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Between April and October, you can take a self-guided walk around the property on weekends. You can also take in the property on horseback for about $145 per hour.
Whether you choose to take a tour or explore on your own, you can easily spend 2 to 3 hours at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.
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Napa Tours From San Francisco
Staying in San Francisco? There are a few great options for day trips to Napa Valley that include pickup and drop off in San Francisco:
- Wine & Redwoods Tour: If youre staying in San Francisco, this Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour is a full-day excursion that includes Muir Woods, the Golden Gate bridge, and winery visits in Sonoma and Napa. If you have a short trip to San Francisco with only one day to visit wine country, this option because allows you to see the beautiful redwoods in addition to wine country! The tour includes a stop for a picnic lunch in Sonoma but does not provide meals. Its fairly easy to grab a sandwich in Sonoma , or you can find something in San Francisco ahead of time.
- Napa Day Trip from San Francisco:This all-day wine tasting tour includes a tour of the Castello di Amorosas medieval castle, historic Beringer Vineyards, and panoramic views at Sterling Vineyards 3 of the most iconic and beautiful estates in Napa! Meals are not included, so bring a picnic lunch.
Is Napa Fun For Non Wine Drinkers
Heres our list to activities to do in Napa Valley that arent related to wine tasting. Hiking, hot air ballooning, exploring local art, participating in fun factory tours, dining at world-class restaurants, and even relaxing in hot springs are just a few of the things you can do in Napa without drinking wine.
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Rutherford Home To Magnificent And Historic Winery Estates
Rutherford is best known for being a Cabernet Countrytucked within Wine Country. The beautiful output here is credited to the famed Rutherford dust soil that is baked into the rolling hills.
Rutherford is home to some of the most magnificent and historic winery estates in all of Napa Valley.
The list of must-visit estates includes Cakebread Cellars, Peju Winery, Round Pond Estate, Rutherford Hill Winery, Inglenook and the St. Supery Winery.
In fact, Rutherford is one of the major highlights of the Napa Valley Wine Train.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NAPAVALLEY IN RUTHERFORD