Navigating Napa Valley

My first introduction to Napa was while I was building my business and in the very early, scrappy phase. We got contacted to see about building a property app for this hotel called Meadowood, and we needed to come up to Napa and check it out. Driving down the windy road through the forest to the reception area, my jaw dropped as I didn't realize places like this actually existed...

Fast forward many years later, and more importantly many bottles later, and we consider Napa a second home. From hot summer days to cold, wood-burning fireplace winter nights, we have spent more days than we can count there with family and friends.

There is something for everyone, whether it's your first wine tasting in your life or you are a DRC-only drinking wine snob. We truly love visiting all types of properties, hotels, and restaurants. With some of the best food in the country as well, it is a tough one to beat!

A lot of the wineries you can just book online, and some are ultra-exclusive. Are the exclusive ones worth the chase? Very much so, yes. You can piece together your own itinerary and explore a few of the places we have been to many times below...

High End:

Promontory - A must visit. It will almost certainly be the highlight of the trip. The property and experience are on another level compared to most places in Napa.

Harlan Estate - One of the original "cult" wineries in Napa and still one of the biggest names in the valley. Very hard reservation to get and not somewhere you casually just pop into. The property is beautiful, the wines are legendary, and the whole thing feels extremely private and understated in a very Napa way.

Lokoya - Another incredible property. Very solid tasting and very good wines. Has been a cult style wine for many years in Napa. If you like mountain Cabernet this is one of the best stops you can do.

Rudd - A great spot and for some reason every girls favorite stop. Very good wine and all at a great price point per bottle. They have their own lake and "ecosystem" or whatever that means haha...you will hear all about it. Beautiful property though and always a fun tasting.

Tusk - A great last stop and good if you are already some drinks deep. The caves are some of the coolest in all of Napa and well worth the stop. Definitely more of a fun energy compared to some of the more serious tastings.

David Arthur, Continuum, OVID - All on Pritchard Hill and top notch production and facilities. Incredible views and all are beautiful. You could do all 3 and be efficient staying up on the hill all day to minimize driving also. Some of the best scenery in Napa.

The Napa Valley Reserve - Membership only and an amazing club to join. By appointment only. Very private and feels more like a luxury country club for wine people than a normal winery.

Mid Range:

Ashes and Diamonds - One of our favorites and would highly recommend doing lunch with your tasting. Very cool mid-century modern vibe and feels different from the traditional Napa wineries.

Opus One - Everyone knows it and a solid stop if you want to go to a spot everyone recognizes from wine lists. The architecture and grounds are beautiful and it's worth doing at least once.

V Sattui - Normal tasting and huge Italian grocery where you can do a tasting or buy a bottle and picnic outside on the grounds. Cool spot but gets very crowded if you go at peak times. Great more casual lunch stop.

Mondavi - One of the original families in the valley and you can see the large-scale production side if you do the full tour. Great for large groups and a good intro to Napa wine history.

Hall - Very well done estate and good tastings. Easy to book and a great summer day option with a big group. Their outdoor areas are especially nice when the weather is good.

Chappellet Winery - Amazing views up on Pritchard Hill and one of the prettier properties in Napa. Feels a little more classic and old-school Napa in a good way. Wines are consistently very solid.

Robert Sinskey - More relaxed and food focused than a lot of Napa spots. Great if you want a slower paced tasting with pairings and a less "corporate luxury" feel.

Quintessa - Beautiful property and one of the most polished tasting experiences in Napa. Feels very high-end without being overly stuffy.

Mayacamas - One of the more historic and old-school wineries in Napa. Incredible mountain setting and a completely different style of wine than the huge modern fruit bomb Cabernets most people associate with Napa.

Mumm Napa - Fun sparkling wine stop and an easy place to break up a full day of heavy reds. Great patio views and usually a pretty relaxed atmosphere.

Food:

French Laundry - Obviously everyone knows it and if you want an over the top, special dinner, this is the best spot to do it. Very hard reservation but one of those meals everyone should probably experience once.

SingleThread - Incredible 3 star experience but just pretty far north away from everything. Worth it if you are staying near Healdsburg or already tasting in Sonoma that day. One of the best overall dining experiences in California.

Auberge - Amazing view, multi-course style dinner. Good alternative if French Laundry isn't in the cards but still want a high-end meal. Sunset here is hard to beat.

Press - One of my personal favorites and highly recommended. Same owners as Rudd winery. Massive Napa wine list and probably the best steakhouse in the valley.

The Charter Oak - Very chill, incredible food. By Chef Kostow who had the 3 Michelin star at Meadowood. Get the burger, trust me. A great lunch option and one of the spots we end up returning to the most.

Ciccio - Kostow also just took it over in Yountville which is an Italian place if you are looking for great pizza/pasta dinner. You can also walk around Yountville before or after and it's a great little town.

Mustards - Classic Napa institution and one of the best casual lunch spots in the valley. Doesn't try too hard and has been around forever for a reason.

Kenzo - Very high-end Japanese tasting menu and one of the more unique dining experiences in Napa. Extremely polished and a good option if you want a break from heavy steakhouse style dinners.

La Toque - More classic fine dining Napa feel with an incredible wine program. Very good option if you want a serious tasting menu without the impossible reservation situation of French Laundry.

Hotels in Napa:

Meadowood - Probably the most iconic luxury resort in Napa and still our overall favorite. Feels very private, tucked into the forest, and much more understated luxury than the flashy type. The spa is incredible and the whole property feels like old Napa money in the best way possible. If budget allows, this is the move.

Auberge du Soleil - Amazing views over the valley and probably the most romantic overall hotel in Napa. Great if you want the full wine country luxury experience with long lunches, sunset dinners, and just hanging around the property drinking wine all day.

Poetry Inn - Very small boutique hotel owned by the Cliff Lede winery family. Only a handful of rooms and feels extremely private and peaceful. Some of the best balcony views in Napa and a great option if you want something quieter and more intimate.

Solage - More modern and relaxed vibe compared to some of the older classic Napa resorts. Big spa scene, great pool, and usually a slightly younger crowd. Very good option if you want luxury without the super formal wine country feel.

Bardessono - Right in Yountville and one of the best locations in the valley if you want to walk to restaurants and tasting rooms. Modern luxury style and a good home base if you don't want to constantly drive around Napa.

Four Seasons Calistoga - Very well done newer property and probably the best large luxury chain hotel in Napa now. Vineyard views everywhere and a really good option if you want full resort amenities while still feeling high-end and wine country focused.

Alila Napa Valley - Smaller luxury hotel right in St. Helena and walking distance to a lot of spots. Good if you want something quieter and easier versus staying at a huge resort.