“All beautiful wines are created in beautiful places” – Andre Ostertag
A week ago my wife and I realized we would both be in California for work, so we decided to book a last minute trip to Napa Valley. We were able to spend some time together in one of our favorite places. September and October are the best months to visit because you can often see vineyards producing wine. It’s a great time to explore the area because of the mild and sunny weather. The weather is beautiful this time of year and there are fewer people in the peak summer months. It is hard to find good deals when visiting the valley. If you’re looking for a bargain, you may want to stay in the Sonoma Valley. We had a decision to make, should we go to Napa on a budget or try to plan the perfect weekend? We decided to treat ourselves and plan the perfect weekend in the valley. We decided to go for it and plan the perfect weekend for our recent wedding and my wife’s new job. We were so excited to see what the future had in store for us. Most hotels in the area start at $500 per night. In the surrounding areas, there are many affordable lodging options.
Try to make reservations at the vineyards you want to visit because they can get very crowded during the peak summer months. It’s a good idea to check the websites of the vineyards before you go to see what they have to offer. It is always worth it to take advantage of the more premium and private tastings. You will be able to learn more about the wine with these private tastings. Wine tasting can range from $30-$60 per person. Guests can learn more about the wines they are sampling during wine tastings that last about an hour. Wine tasting experiences can range from $150 to $250 per person. A tour of the vineyard and a selection of wines are included in these experiences. The most frequent premium tastings are offered at 11 am and either 1 or 2 pm. It’s a good idea to check in advance with the winery for exact times, as they can vary based on season and availability.
We wanted to plan the perfect weekend in the valley. Most of the wineries in the valley are exceptional, so you can’t really go wrong with your selection. The place to go if you want to taste a variety of different wines or find that perfect bottle is Napa Valley. If you want to visit as many wineries as you can, I recommend only visiting 3-4 total wineries for a 48 hour trip. If you plan out your trip in advance, you can maximize your time and make sure you hit all of the wineries you want to visit. I recommend this for the perfect weekend in the valley. You won’t want to miss out on the many art galleries and unique shopping experiences that this picturesque destination has to offer, from relaxing vineyard tours to sampling the region’s best wines and cuisine.
Friday
Let’s go to Napa at 2 pm. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than at a wine tasting. Go to the airport early. Pack your bags and don’t forget your passport, you’re ready to go! Pay attention to the taste of the bottle of wine you order on the plane. The local wines on the flight can provide a unique and delicious experience. There are some of the best wines in the world.
Depending on traffic, this can take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. You will be surrounded by vineyards and scenery when you arrive at the renowned wine-making region of Napa Valley. On a You should be able to get there in under two hours. It’s a good idea to bring a book with you.
8:00 pm – check in at Auberge Du Soleil, arguably the most luxurious place to stay in Napa and one of the top resorts in the United States (#5 in Conde Nast Traveler). The restaurant was founded in 1983 and is now surrounded by a resort. Visitors and locals alike come to the restaurant to experience the beauty and flavors of the valley.
Grab a late dinner at the Michelin star Auberge restaurant and select a There is a large wine list on an iPad. The sommelier at the restaurant was very knowledgeable and suggested a good match for my meal. It goes on forever, but if they have a You should order it from Robert Mondavi. Robert Mondavi produced his first vintage in 1966. Robert Mondavi has become a symbol of innovation and excellence in the world of wine. The cedar and spice notes in his vintage Cabernets allow you to taste the history of the area. Both prix fixe and a la carte are available at Auberge. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring that each guest has a memorable experience. The local duck and veal were perfect. There is a wide selection of sides to accompany the main dishes at the restaurant. Make sure that you ask for an Auberge reservation on the patio so you can watch the sunset – one of the highlights of Napa. We saw this sunset from Auberge. It was a beautiful sight and we will always remember it.
Saturday
If you are an early riser, some wineries start tastings at 9 am, so I recommend grabbing breakfast on the patio and reading a newspaper of your choice. Before you start your day of wine tasting, take the time to relax and enjoy the morning air. The best croissants I have had in Paris are the ones that are baked fresh every morning. They are light, flaky and delicious, making them the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
A private car driver will pick you up. The driver will take me to my destination by 11:00 am. Private drivers can be expensive, but they are worth a look. Car services that offer rides in the area may be a more cost-effective option. Not only does it allow you to drink and not drive, but the drivers are often super knowledgeable and can tell you about the vineyards as you drive around. Another option is a bus tour which will take you to 4-5 wineries, but the tour often picks the wineries and they can get very crowded. If you go easy on the wine, you can drive. If you’re going to have a few drinks, it might be better to take a taxi or ride-sharing service instead of taking the bus.
11:00 am – Check in for “The Ultimate Cabernet Experience” at Hall Winery one of my favorite Napa Cabernet producers. You get A There is a lot of wine with this tasting and you will want to drink it. There is a lot to experience in this wine tasting, so be sure to savor each sip. Depending on how many wineries you have scheduled, you might want to pour some out. Hall members will receive bottles of Hall Cabernet every quarter for the rest of the year. We can’t wait to try the delicious wines from Hall. If you love wine and want to give it to someone, becoming a member of a winery can be a great investment. You will have access to exclusive member benefits, such as discounts on wine purchases and access to special events. The standouts at HALL are the Kathryn Hall ($129/bottle at winery) which put Hall on the list of best US wines, and the HALL Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($24/bottle at winery). All of the wines are great. Try them all to get the full experience.
1:00 pm – Stop for lunch at Yountville Deli. This deli is attached to a small grocery store and the sandwiches are legit. The club sandwich is my favorite sandwich. I like to eat at my favorite restaurant and get the club sandwich. Wine, cheese, and gifts are also sold at the store. You can find the perfect gift at the store.
2:00 pm – Robert Sinskey Vineyards is my favorite Napa Valley winery. The bio-dynamic wine producer makes a wide variety of great wines that are easy to drink with many types of food. The vibe at the winery is really chill and on Saturday when we were there most of the customers were young. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, making it a great experience for everyone. The standard tasting included 5 tasting samples and a plate of homemade crackers, figs, cheeses, and tarts. The harmony between wine and food is what Robert Sinskey is all about. Robert Sinskey believes that it is more than just the food and wine experience that makes a great meal.
They started allowing us to taste many of their other higher end Pinots after we showed interest in the wines. We ordered several more cases for our personal collection after we were impressed with the quality of the wines. The wines were easy to drink. They were some of the best wines I have ever tasted. The highlights included the Abraxas, Vin De Terroir, the Pinot Noir, the POV, and the absolutely delicious SLD Estate Cabernet. I would recommend each of these wines to anyone who is interested in wine. We tried 9 different wines at Robert Sinskey. The experience gave us an appreciation for the art of winemaking.
4:00 pm – You should be feeling good right now, and you should stop to notice how the light rolls off of the hills. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings and be thankful for all that you have. Take a deep breath. The fresh air fills your lungs and relaxes you. This is a good life. Making the most of every day is what makes this a good life. Now onto the next winery! Let’s keep going! Stop at Odette Estate Winery and taste one of the new estates of the Stags Leap appellation from the owner of Cade Winery – another exceptional Napa producer. I recommend you try the Adaptation Petite Sirah, as well as the Odette and Cade estate Cabernets. You will not be disappointed in any of these wines. If you just ask, they will let you taste other Cade Cabernets. If you have a request, the staff is more than happy to accommodate it. We tried 8 different wines at Odette. It was fun to try all of the different flavors and learn more about the different types of wine.
5:30 pm – Take a nap or chill out at Auberge. You can see the view from your balcony. Relax and take a deep breath in the fresh air. The view was from our balcony. I knew that I would never forget it.
8:00 pm – Head back into Yountville (a 5-10 minute drive) for dinner at Bistro Jeanty – one of the best French restaurants in the heart of Napa.
Sunday
8:00 am – Breakfast can be had at Auberge on the patio. You can take in the beautiful ocean views after breakfast.
10:00 am – You can get a massage at the hotel. Relax and enjoy a massage followed by a glass of wine. Another winery I strongly recommend is Moone-Tsai, but you need to email them to set up a personal tasting. They produce some of the most sought after wines in the world. Some other wineries worth considering for your final tasting are Stags Leap, Conn Valley Vineyard, or Baldacci Vineyards.
1:00 pm – Have lunch at The French Laundry – one of the most famous restaurants in the world if you can secure a reservation and are willing to spend $310 per person for the prix fixe meal. We were unable to get into The French Laundry on short notice, but we look forward to going in the future. We will plan ahead for our next visit so that we can experience the restaurant for ourselves. The French Laundry is open for lunch Friday – Sunday. On the way back to the airport, my wife and I picked up a burger from In-N- Out, instead of The French Laundry. The burgers were delicious and we agreed it was worth the detour.
4:00 pm – Go back to SFO to catch your flight. You should leave plenty of time to get through security.
It was my perfect weekend in the valley in 48 hours. I’m looking forward to visiting the area again and seeing more of what it has to offer.
