A Long Weekend in Napa Valley: The Ultimate Itinerary for Wine & Food Lovers

Image Source: VisitNapaValley.com

With over 500 tasting rooms, dozens of top notch restaurants and thirty scenic miles of green rolling hills & sprawling oak trees, Napa Valley is truly a wine lover's dream.

When thinking about Napa, two grapes probably come to mind: Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. While there's no doubt Napa produces some of the most exceptional wines from these grapes on the planet (and we're going to tell you where to try some of them), Napa has so much more to offer...

Using our guide below, you can get a taste of the very best of Napa in just three days.

DAY ONE

Stop #1: Quintessa Vineyard

Image source: Matthew Millman

• We love them for: their flagship Quintessa Estate Red Wine, which is one of the best expressions of Napa Cab we've ever had and a favorite among top sommeliers. It's no wonder the current release (2019) received a perfect 100-point score (WE)! They also offer a limited-production white: Illumination Sauvignon Blanc, which we found to be a balanced & refreshing change of pace in a region where Chardonnay dominates.

• Recommended tasting experience: We'd suggest the Estate Experience ($150/person, 90 minutes). Enjoy a private walking tour of the Quintessa Estate grounds, soak in sweeping views of the Rutherford appellation, and end with a seated tasting of current + library vintages. You can check out all tasting experiences here.

• Website: Quintessa.com

Stop #2: Jarvis Estate

Image source: Jarvis Estate

• We love them for: their exquisitely crafted Finch Hollow Chardonnay, stunning red blends (Lake William and DTR, to name a couple), plus a beautiful & unique cave tasting experience.

• Recommended tasting experience: We'd suggest the Vintage Tasting ($150/person, 90 minutes). You'll tour the impressive 45,000 sq ft wine cave, passing by an underground waterfall, and end with an intimate seated tasting experience, sampling six exceptional Estate & Reserve wines. You can check out all tasting experiences here.

• Website: JarvisWines.com

Stop #3: Spottswoode Winery

Image source: Spottswoode

• We love them for: their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a phenomenal example of Napa Cab with dazzling reviews from top critics and a favorite among wine collectors.

• Recommended tasting experience: a visit to the estate is by private appointment only, $150/person. Note that these appointments book up FAST and you should plan to reserve 6-8 weeks ahead of time.

• Website: Spottswoode.com

DAY TWO

Stop #1: Quixote Winery

Image source: Quixote Winery

• We love them for: their gorgeous & unique reds, particularly their Malbec and Petite Sirah — which are less commonly used varietals for their location within the Stags Leap district, traditionally known for & dominated by Cab Sauvignon (which can also be said of Napa at large). Not only is their unique lineup a great way to diversify your Napa tasting experience, but the quality of the wine will definitely impress you. Lastly, the winery's architectural design is a feast for the eyes as much as the wines are for the palate.

• Recommended tasting experience: We'd suggest the Estate Tour & Tasting ($100/person, 90 minutes). You'll tour the historical property and production facility before sitting down to a tasting of delicious estate wines accompanied by a gourmet cheese plate. You can check out all tasting experiences here.

• Website: QuixoteWinery.com

Stop #2: Corison Winery

Image source: The Napa Wine Project

• We love them for: their world-class, age-worthy reds made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (the Kronos knocked our socks off). Also, despite being a SERIOUS force in Napa Cab, the feeling you get here is very much of a small family farm — super relaxed with zero pretension.

• Recommended tasting experience: We'd suggest the Library Tasting ($75/person, which they waive if you purchase 4 bottles or join the club). On the tour you'll witness a small winery in action before tasting their powerful lineup of Cabs. You can check out all tasting experiences here.

• Website: Corison.com

Stop #3: Matthiasson Wines

Image source: Bloomberg

• We love them for: their beautiful expression of classical Napa varietals like Chardonnay and Cab (they are darlings among sommeliers at some of the best restaurants in the country) but also their more unique & interesting wines made from Ribolla Gialla, Malbec & Syrah, which tend to be offered as wine club exclusives.

• Recommended tasting experience: the Outdoor Tasting ($65/person, 75 minutes), offers a relaxed atmosphere sitting right next to the vines, learning from the friendly & knowledgeable staff and tasting a comprehensive lineup of 5-6 beautifully-made wines. You can book your tasting here.

• Website: Matthiasson.com

DAY THREE

Stop #1: Grgich Hills Estate

Image source: Grgich Hills

• We love them for: their high quality, exceptional value whites and reds, particularly their Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay (inspired by the fateful 1976 'Judgment of Paris' in which the wine Mike Grgich crafted for Chateau Montelena was ranked #1 in a blind tasting, above the French Burgundies — putting Napa on the map). Their Old Vine Zinfandel is another favorite — exceptional quality and value!

• Recommended tasting experience: we suggest the Miljenko's Seated Flight ($60/person, 90 minutes). Your host will guide you through five limited-production/specialty wines and you can add a cheese plate to accompany your delicious wines for $25. You can see all tasting options here.

• Website: Grgich.com

• Stop #2: Far Niente Winery

Image source: Far Niente Winery

• We love them for: their gorgeous Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon-based offerings — quintessential of high quality Napa wines — and their memorable tasting tour & stunning grounds.

• Recommended tasting experience: we suggest the Estate Tour & Tasting ($125/person, 90 minutes). You'll get to see much of the beautiful stone winery and caves before tasting the current release wines, including their famous late harvest wine Dolce. Before/after the tour you can walk the idyllic grounds and check out the impressive on-site vintage car collection. See all tour options here.

• Website: FarNiente.com

• Stop #3: Artesa Vineyards & Winery

Image source: Artesa Vineyards & Winery

• We love them for: their easy drinking Albariño, special selection Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and affordable, well-made full reds including Cab, Malbec and Tempranillo.

• Recommended tasting experience: we suggest the Terrace Tasting ($60/person, 75 minutes). Sitting out on the beautiful terrace and soaking in views of the Carneros Hills, you can choose to enjoy a tasting flight of single vineyard/reserve wines or a flight of all five of their sparkling wines. See all tour options here.

• Website: ArtesaWinery.com

WHERE TO EAT

BREAKFAST

Image source: Visit Napa Valley

• Pick up some scrumptious breakfast sandwiches from Model Bakery (our favorite menu item is the Breakfast Sausage Sandwich, served on their famed hand-grilled English Muffin). They conveniently have three locations throughout Napa (St. Helena, Downtown Napa & Yountville) and are open bright & early (6:30-7am, depending on the day).

• If you're not weary of long lines, make sure to stop by Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery in Yountville for mouthwatering fresh bread and pastries. If you're an early riser, you may be able to avoid a wait by arriving before opening (7am). Tip: take some of their delicious French macarons to-go for a pick me up between wine tastings!

LUNCH

Image source: Merryvale Vineyards

• No Napa trip is complete without a stop at Gott's Roadside in St. Helena. This James Beard-recognized hamburger stand right off Highway 29 is a cult classic and is the perfect way to soak up the vino between your tastings. Our top picks: the California Burger, Sweet Potato Fries — and for our veggie friends, the Avocado Tacos.

• Oxbow Public Market, an indoor food hall in Downtown Napa, will satisfy any appetite with their diverse mix of food & wine stalls, such as fresh oysters from Hog Island Oyster Co or artisan wood-fired pizzas from Live Fire.

• If you're looking to slow down the pace, sit down to lunch at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. A neighborhood favorite for over 20 years, this family-run restaurant serves up classic home style French dishes in a relaxed setting. Our favorites: Oeufs mimosa truffés (deviled eggs with black truffle), Salade Mâraichère (warm goat cheese & haricots verts salad) and the Moules à la Normand (mussels in cider w/creme fraiche and grilled bread).

DINNER

Image source: Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch

Given the number of phenomenal restaurants in Napa, it's tough to recommend only a few. But we'll do our best... the following are some favorites we find ourselves returning to over and over. They won't disappoint!

• Bottega (Yountville): taste acclaimed chef Michale Chiarello's bold & refined Italian dishes in a warm, rustic setting. What to order: start with a Negroni Royale cocktail & a Burrata antipasti for the table. For mains, opt for the ricotta gnocchi, braised short rib and a side of brussels sprouts with black truffle.

• Ox & The Fox (Downtown Napa): this wine & tapas bar features a delectable assortment of Napa & Sonoma wines by the glass (plus well-made cocktails if you're wined-out), which pair well with their inventive small bites menu. A few items we loved are: Sourdough Garlic Knots, Kale & Pomegranate Salad and the Hot Coppa Panini.

• Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena): enjoy farm-to-table New American fare made with locally foraged ingredients in an elegant, renovated barn. Our menu favorites include: the Caramelized Beets, Grass-Fed Beef Tartare and the 'Brick Cooked' Chicken.

OTHER CULINARY DELIGHTS

Image source: Destination Wineries

• Pick up a box of artisan-crafted chocolates from award-winning chocolatier Kollar in Yountville. These make a great gift or souvenir!

• Need a break from wine tasting? Take a cooking class at the Culinary Institute of America, a culinary college where world-class chefs from around the world come to train.

• Try a tasting flight of Micheladas, Mead or coffee at Barnhouse Napa Brews, a buzzing coffee pub in Downtown Napa.

WHERE TO STAY

Image source: Auberge du Soleil

• Auberge du Soleil is one of our absolute favorite resorts in the valley. Nestled in the hills of Rutherford among olive and oak trees, the resort is admittedly a bit of a splurge — but between the rustic, elegant rooms inspired by Provence and the breathtaking valley views, you won't regret shelling out the $$$s to stay here.

• For a more affordable alternative, check out Wine Country Inn in St. Helena. Our room was very spacious and we loved lounging on our private patio each morning listening to the birds chirping and drinking in the views of the nearby vineyard.

• If you're looking for a charming bed & breakfast, look no further than Churchill Manor, a converted mansion dating back to the late 1800s. It's located in Downtown Napa, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, nightlife and shopping. However, based on the southerly location of Downtown, you will need to pad time to get to your tasting appointments, which can be up to a 45 minute drive North of here.

We hope you've found this guide helpful as you plan your next Napa adventure. Have any feedback or suggestions you'd like to share? Email us at info@winesocietyla.com or drop us a comment!