Many Napa wineries pair art with their offerings, and there are also wineries housed in historic and/or architecturally significant buildings that are artistic creations in their own right.

If you enjoy architecture – or photography, for that matter – you will want to consider the following recommendations as you make your Napa Valley winery tour plans.

Touring the valley from north to south:

Castello di Amorosa (Calistoga) – It is easy to see why this winery is often called “the Wine Country Castle” as erecting the extraordinary Tuscan-styled building – truly fit for a king! – took a $30M investment and a 15-year commitment from owner Daryl Sattui. You will definitely want to avail yourself of Castello di Amorosa’s guided tour option and, if possible, to try to visit during the off-season or to book the tour for a non-peak day/time. Be sure to wear your walking shoes, too, as the castle consists of four floors of stairs, hallways and all-around opulence!

Beringer (St. Helena) – In 2001, this iconic Napa Valley winery was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Its stone-walled buildings, stained glass windows and country estate gardens honor its heritage as one of the valley’s earliest wineries and, in fact, the oldest of those that boast continuous operation.

The grounds are extensive and several different tours, ranging from 30-90 minutes, are available. The tunnels in the mountainside behind the winery – hand-chiseled by Chinese workers who had returned to the Bay Area after helping build the Trans-Continental Railroad – provide a rare insight into the creativity of these early winemakers, and they remain a perfect place to age and store fine wine. Again, this is a popular winery; plan your visit for a non-peak day/time, if possible, and reservations are recommended.

Del Dotto Winery (St. Helena and Napa) – This winery’s two locations are both fascinating (albeit for entirely different reasons) and both offer “cave tours” and barrel-samplings of the brand’s highly revered wines. Some may reject a Del Dotto tour outright simply because of the price (at the time of this writing, $50/person at the Napa location and $60/person in St. Helena), but you really will receive “a lot of bang for your buck” here.

The St. Helena location is the newer and more opulent of the two Del Dotto locations – all decked out in Italian marble, chandeliers and statuary. The historic location (on Atlas Creek Road, about 10 miles north of downtown Napa) where the caves were dug by Chinese immigrants in the 1800s is also beautiful, but it’s decidedly more laid-back. Whichever you choose, advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Both locations are incredibly generous with their wine – which is outstanding – and this invites us to share a caveat: If you’re driving, you may need to simply taste and, with deep regret, not finish every pour. (The “Del Blotto” nickname for this winery tour is well deserved.) Also, be advised Del Dotto wines are quite expensive and typically sold for future delivery; that is, if you purchase wine here, it will probably need to be shipped to you. The wine is truly extraordinary, though, and you won’t find it in stores so if you love it, by all means buy some as a remembrance of this unique winery experience.

Chateau Montelena (Calistoga) – Built in 1882, the Chateau Montelena winery is best known for the worldwide attention its wines garnered in 1976 at the famous “Judgment of Paris” blind tasting-comparison of French and California wines. Its 1973-vintage Alexander Valley Chardonnay was judged superior to the French competition, an event chronicled in the 2008 movie Bottle Shock which used the winery as a film location. The winery’s picturesque grounds – landscaped with a Chinese theme – include a man-made lake that is home to two gazebo-studded islands and assorted ducks and geese as well as two stunning black swans. The wine is pricey, but a trip to the Napa Valley really isn’t complete without a visit here.

Opus One Winery (Oakville) – When you see Opus One, you will likely not be surprised to learn it was designed by Scott Johnson of Johnson Fain, the architectural firm responsible for a San Francisco landmark building, the Transamerica Pyramid in the city’s Financial District. A joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild (of the premier French Bordeaux winery, Chateau Mouton Rothschild) and Napa Valley’s own Robert Mondavi, the unique structure, completed in 1991, lives up to its founders’ vision to create a unity of winemaking, food and artful living. Although the winery is now owned by Constellation Brands and Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, one can assume the founders would still be proud of the world-class Bordeaux-style Cabernet blend it produces.

Far Niente (Oakville) – This winery’s lush gardens make it a wonderful stop any time of year, but its extensive plantings of camellias, azaleas, tulips, daffodils, rhododendrons, dogwoods, redbuds and magnolias make it must-see if you’re visiting Napa during the spring. Fall brings another glorious show, when the ginkos that line the entry drive turn to gold. Mediterranean landscapes more suited to the dry California climate are what you see at most Napa wineries, so this landscaping is not only beautiful but quite unique.

In addition to the spectacular grounds, the winery itself is quite beautiful. Originally built in 1885 and then abandoned for about 60 years following Prohibition, it was lovingly restored in the 1980s by owners Gil and Beth Nickel. During the restoration “Far Niente” – which translates to “without a care” – was found carved in stone on the front of the building, and the sentiment remains to welcome present-day visitors. While the winery is historic, it has definitely evolved into a 21st century operation. It recently installed a unique solar panel system that sits on the property’s pond and provides 100% of its electricity. You can watch a fascinating video about that here:

If that’s not enough to pique your interest, there’s more! Far Niente’s Carriage House offers visitors an opportunity to view the classic car collection the late Mr. Nickel assembled throughout his life. You don’t have to be a car lover to enjoy the treasures housed there – automobiles from Italy, Britain, Germany and America, including a 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast, a 1961 Corvette roadster as well as several vintage BMW motorcycles – but if you are a car lover, this is a “don’t miss” stop on your Napa vacation. Guided Far Niente tours and tastings are offered several times each day, by appointment; click the preceding link for all the details.

The Rubicon Estate Winery (Rutherford) – In 1975, film director Francis Ford Coppola used money he earned from The Godfather to purchase 1,560 acres of the historic Inglenook winery, and he and his wife made the property’s old Victorian mansion their family home. Then in 1995, when the portion of the Inglenook property which included the 1879-vintage grand chateau winery was put up for sale, Coppola bought that, too, and turned the estate into a center for celebrating the things he values most: family, food, wine and movies.

Rubicon Estate’s grounds and the ivy-draped historic stone chateau are, quite simply, beautiful. The inviting European-style courtyard includes fountains, park benches modeled after Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens and bocce ball courts. Visitors must pay an “entrance fee” ($25 at the time of this writing), but it does include a tasting of five Rubicon wines as well as valet parking, a tour of the grounds and access to the wine bar, retail center and unique Centennial Museum where the winery’s fascinating history is showcased alongside Coppola film memorabilia. (Insider tip: Don’t miss the Chocolate Wine Sauce!)

Artesa Winery (Napa) – This Napa winery’s parent company – the renowned Spanish Codorníu Group – has combined art and architecture with winemaking for a good number of years. Way back in 1895, Catalán architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch was commissioned to design the Codorníu Cellars just outside Barcelona, and that building is now a Spanish national historical monument. The tradition begun by the Raventós family in Spain continues at Napa’s Artesa Winery, where fountains, sculptures and other works of art enhance the modernistic architecture and embrace the natural beauty you find here on the Carneros side of the Napa Valley.

Designed by renowned Barcelona architect Domingo Triay and built in the early 1990′s, Artesa (pronounced “ahr TESS uh” and meaning “hand crafted” in Catalan Spanish), the winery is set into the highest hill of this 350-acre estate and sports native grasses serving as its roof – the first “green” roof ever used in commercial construction.

Darioush (Napa) – With travertine quarried from Iran, Persian rugs and Le Corbusier furniture, this is another Napa Valley winery that will evoke a sense of transatlantic time traveling. The Persepolis-inspired design of the 22,000-square foot building and its surrounding landscaping celebrate owners Darioush and Shahpar Khaledis’ Persian heritage. Born to a winemaking family in Iran, Darioush immigrated to the U.S. during the Islamic Revolution found economic success with a Los Angeles based grocery store chain. This winery – and the superb Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Viognier wines it produces – allows the craftsman to pay homage to his roots and heritage. Several different tastings are available, and you may want to consider opting for one of the more expensive private pairings here given the knowledgeable staff and the quality of the wine.

Photo of Beringer Vineyards by lyng883 via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Chateau Montelena Winery by Julie Smith David via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Far Niente Winery by -Mark- via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Rubicon Estate Winery by carl_r_grant via flickr (Creative Commons); and Photo of waterfall stairway at Darioush Winery by vmabney via flickr (Creative Commons).

Napa Valley Wineries

Napa Valley Wineries with Art

Napa Valley Tours

Napa Valley Hotels

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

What follows are some recommendations for enjoying art at Napa Valley wineries, arranged from north to south, and you may find the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country map in this article provides a helpful orientation to the area’s various cities. (For an exhaustive map of Napa wineries – a great resource albeit somewhat overwhelming – click here.)

Clos Pegase Winery (Calistoga) – Designed by Michael Graves, this striking post-modern winery is home to nearly 1000 pieces of modern art, a collection assembled by founder and proprietor Jan Shrem with his late wife Mitsuko. Guided tours of the winery (including the caves and art collection) are offered daily at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for a small fee, or you’re welcome to use this handy Clos Pegase self-guided tour to investigate on your own. While there is no food for sale on the grounds, there’s a lovely picnic area (first-come, first-served) where you can enjoy Clos Pegase wine with items you bring.

On the third Saturday of each month (except in December and January) at 2 p.m. in the winery’s 350-seat Cave Theater, you can also partake of a multimedia presentation – “A Bacchanalian History of Wine Seen Through 4,000 Years of Art” – the focus of which is wine’s ancient sources and the art it inspired. The presentation is free and no reservations are required.

Sterling Vineyards (Calistoga) – Even though the Sterling Vineyards Visitors Center boasts one of the largest collections of wine-related art ever assembled, for most Napa visitors the draw here is the aerial tram that shuttles them 300 feet up the hill to the winery and tasting room. As you might imagine, the scenery from this vantage is fantastic, and with Castello Di Amorosa off in the distance it’s almost like time traveling.

The winery is designed to evoke memories of the white buildings found on the Greek island of Mykonos, and the bells you will see there are from London’s St. Dunstan’s church (destroyed in World War II). While Sterling Vineyards may not be the best choice for visitors who want to sample Napa’s superior wine offerings, folks looking for a “unique experience” that’s not too hard on the pocketbook are rarely disappointed.

Rombauer Winery (between Calistoga and St. Helena) – We’d be the first to admit that most Napa Valley visitors come to this winery to sample its famous Chardonnay – (and for good reason: according to Wine & Spirits magazine, their Carneros Chardonnay is the third most popular in American restaurants) – but we’re a fan of its gardens and quirky sculptures, too. Koerner Rombauer started the winery in 1982 with his now-deceased first wife Joan, who was an avid gardener, and her mark on the property remains. (By the way, if the Rombauer name sounds familiar to you that may be because Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer was author of the internationally renowned cookbook “The Joy of Cooking.”)

It’s not the easiest winery to find (the driveway is marked by a rather small sign) so you might want to consider making it an early-in-the-day stop, but if you enjoy sampling stellar wines coupled with beautiful scenery, a casual vibe and a friendly staff, this is a must-include winery for your planning list.

HALL (St. Helena) – Kathryn Hall is said to enjoy welcoming guests with a favorite toast — “Here’s to life and to special joys that come without warning” — and the whimsical, red, swirling metal sculpture at the entrance to HALL Wines St. Helena property seems to echo that sentiment. That sculpture’s whimsy and hue is repeated in the tasting room, this time executed with large rose-colored glass tear drops suspended from the ceiling. Along with her entrepreneur (and lifelong art collector) husband, Craig Hall, HALL Wines represents the realization of Mrs. Hall’s personal goal to continue her family’s wine-growing heritage, accomplishing it with style and a sense of humor.

The couple employed world-renowned architect Frank Gehry to transform the property way back in 2004 – with a projected $100+ million investment – and they even broke ground for the project in July 2007, but the plans are currently on hold according to the winery’s publicist.

Peju Province Winery (Rutherford) – Iranian-born owner Tony Peju, along with his Austrian-born wife, Herta, founded this winery in the mid-1980s with an eye toward harmonizing the land’s bounty and beauty via wine and art. As you experience the stunning grounds, it should come as no surprise that Peju ran a successful, high-end landscaping business in Southern California before purchasing the vineyard.

Although the grounds are dotted with unique sculptures the couple has collected and commissioned over the years, the property’s centerpiece is a 50-foot tall tower that sports a weathered copper roof crowned with a unicorn weather vane. Surrounded by a reflective pool and fountains, it is breathtakingly beautiful, but prepare yourself as you open the hard-carved front door and step inside. From the exquisite floor tiles imported from Turkey, to the Brazilian cherry woodwork, to the artisan-made stair rails and all the way up to the 22′ x 10′ chandelier that illuminates the space, The Tower is a wonder and testament to the couple’s commitment and devotion to their vision. The tasting room’s pièce de résistance is a 10′ x 20′ stained glass window created in 1906 that depicts the three Greek graces in a garden. It’s truly a sight to behold!

Mumm Napa (Rutherford) – Mumm Napa is known for its sparkling wines, but it’s also home to an outstanding photography gallery that houses a famed Ansel Adams collection as well as temporary exhibits that rotate throughout the year.

If you’re a sparkling wine fan, tastings here are not to be missed. You even get a little “souvenir art” in the form of the coasters they use for presentation purposes; on one side of the coaster they provide the name of the sparkling wine you’re sampling (to help you remember what you’ve tasted) and the other side shares a funny champagne quotation. What fun marketing! Oh, and if you have someone who isn’t tasting, be sure to tell them because Mumm provides designated drivers with an awesome juice (known as “wine soda”) that’s a tasty, non-alcoholic version of a glass of sparkling wine.

Robert Mondavi Winery (Oakville) – Hailed as an architectural masterpiece when it was built in 1966, this mission-style winery and its namesake founder must be given significant credit for Napa Valley’s present-day popularity and the American wine industry’s renaissance. Mondavi, who died in 2008 at the age of 94, shared in his “Harvests of Joy” autobiography that he sought “to do whatever it took to make great wines and to put the Napa Valley on the map right alongside the great winemaking centers of Europe,” and this winery stands as a testament to the success of his effort.

Set against the mountain range that separates Napa Valley from its Sonoma Valley neighbor, the picturesque Mondavi winery grounds include a demonstration vineyard, gardens, a restaurant and an extensive art collection. The entry’s welcoming St. Francis of Assisi – created by 20th century sculptor Beniamino Bufano – is in itself worthy of a visit, but the winery offers many other statues, artifacts and paintings to enjoy.

Please be advised the Robert Mondavi Winery is quite popular, and some people complain about the crowds and its “touristy vibe.” While there is some truth to those complaints, we recommend you simply adapt to the reality by planning an early-in-the-day visit. The tours here are quite educational and, we think, well worth your time and money. Again, advance reservations are recommended.

Cliff Lede Vineyards (Yountville) – In addition to some lovely pieces in a permanent collection, The Gallery at Cliff Lede (pronounced “LAY-dee”) Vineyards features four exhibits per year (click this link to see the current offering). The grounds are lovely, as well. Relax and enjoy yourself on this state-of-the-art winery’s welcoming terrace or warm yourself by its beckoning fireplace during cooler months. The winery is revered for its Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon.

Travel & Leisure magazine called the winery’s affiliated accommodations – Poetry Inn – “one of the most tranquil spaces in the buzzing Napa Valley,” and the Cliff Lede Vineyards and Winery evoke a similar vibe.

Silverado Winery (east of Yountville) – Founded by Diane Disney Miller (oldest daughter of Walt and Lillian Disney) and her husband Ron in the 1980s, this winery’s off-the-beaten-path location affords some absolutely spectacular vistas. They are truly some of the best views in the entire Napa Valley (and there’s quite a bit of competition for that title!), so don’t forget to bring your camera.

The upper hallways of the California mission-style building also offer a rare treat: Walt Disney’s collection of La Belle Époque vintage (1880-1920) posters, including four original posters by Leonetto Cappiello. In addition to the posters, the winery also owns some incredible plein air paintings. Oh, and if you go, don’t miss Silverado’s merlot-filled chocolates!

The Hess Collection (Napa) – This winery is about seven (long) miles from downtown Napa and sits atop Mount Vedeer, at the end of a (long) winding road. Once the home of Christian Brothers Winery – Hess actually has a 99-year lease on the property with Christian Brothers as its lessor – the original stone structures were built in 1903. After two years of extensive renovations, the remodeled facility opened to the public in 1989 and includes a tasting room, an audio-visual room, a 13,000-square-foot art gallery and an upscale store.

The grounds are lovely, with some of Mother Nature’s finest enhanced by dramatic bronze sculptures from an eclectic mix of Dutch, Danish, German and American artists. Once inside the building, visitors are only a short glass elevator ride away from one of the country’s largest private collections of contemporary art open to the public, compliments of Swiss millionaire-entrepreneur Donald Hess. (Interestingly, Hess made his fortune bottling and distributing mineral water – an offshoot of a family business that began in 1844 in Switzerland with a beer brewery owned by Johann Heinrich Hess – before moving on to wine production.)

Donald Hess began collecting modern art in the 1960s, and you will be treated to creations of well-known American and European artists (like Andy Goldsworthy, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, Magdelena Abakanowicz, and Francis Bacon – installations change from time to time), including large, striking canvases and provocative mixed-media pieces.

di Rosa Preserve (Napa) – While the di Rosa Preserve is not a winery – it’s a contemporary art museum and natural habitat – any list of Napa Valley’s wonderful art offerings would be incomplete without mentioning it.

The Preserve includes three large galleries and a sculpture meadow open for tours ($10-15) Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00-3:00 p.m. Visitors will enjoy the resident peacocks, migratory birds, ancient olive trees, a 35-acre lake, a 130-year old stone winery, vineyards and an amazing art collection – more than 2,000 pieces representing the work of more than 750 contemporary Bay Area artists – amassed over the last 50 years by Rene di Rosa and his wife, Veronica (both now deceased). The di Rosas made their money selling some of Napa Valley’s most prized grapes, and what an extraordinary way they chose to express their gratitude! Click the link for details about the di Rosa Preserve tour (reservations are required). Please also be aware some pieces in the collection depict nudity and may be considered by some to be unsuitable for children.

The Preserve’s art is displayed without identification (although references are available should you want to know details about a piece), as the di Rosas felt you should enjoy the art rather than read about it. This makes the experience even more unique.

Photo of Sterling Vineyards by vmabney via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of sculpture at the entry to HALL Wines by star5112 via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of sculpture in front of Peju Province Winery by Alaskan Dude via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of St. Francis statue at Robert Mondavi Winery entrance by Alaskan Dude via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Napa Valley from the Silverado Winery by Jim Ames via flickr (Creative Commons); and Photo of Outdoor art at the di Rosa Preserve by Telstar Logistics via flickr (Creative Commons).

Napa Valley Hotels

Napa Valley Tours

Napa Valley Wineries

Wine Country Tourist Attractions

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

This Wine Country vacation and travel guide will discuss two very special counties in the Golden State – Napa and Sonoma – home of America’s most established wine region. 

California’s Napa-Sonoma Wine Country is the state’s second most popular tourist destination (the first is Disneyland), and it offers superb culinary and spa offerings in addition to simply stunning natural environs.  In this section, you can learn about the cities of Napa and Sonoma, of course, but other wonderful places to visit, as well, for example: (1) Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga (in the Napa Valley); (2) Glen Ellen, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and Petaluma (in and near the Sonoma Valley); and, (3) Bodega Bay, Fort Ross, Sea Ranch and Gualala (found along and near the Pacific Ocean coastline).

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, you can follow this link to a California Wine Country Tourist Map and there are also links within that article to other handy winery map resources.

A little over an hour’s drive north from San Francisco will lead you to Wine Country’s beautiful rolling hills. (You may already be familiar with the springtime version of this view, actually, since it was immortalized by Microsoft and a photograph called “Bliss” that serves as the default wallpaper for Windows XP.)

The scenery you will find depends upon the season of your visit, but the vineyards are lovely all year-round – teeming with yellow mustard flowers in the spring or vines laden ripe, awaiting harvest in the fall – so be sure to bring a camera. Many Wine Country visitors, in fact, prefer to come during the off-season.  The area slows down a bit after the summer and harvest have passed, and for many people the winter and spring climates are more temperate, as well.

The summer and fall high seasons are, as you might imagine, quite crowded, and if this is when you plan to visit, advance planning can significantly improve your overall experience.  Some quick suggestions:

• avoid Highway 29 as much as possible (Silverado Trail can be a useful alternative, and a good map can guide you through some lovely back roads),

• visit wineries early in the day (swim, shop or visit a spa when everyone else is crowding the wineries in the afternoon); and

• make your dinner reservations months in advance, especially if the trendiest restaurants are on your “can’t miss” list.

When it comes to Wine Country dining, however, don’t forget about the picnic option because this may very well be the best place on Earth for a picnic!

Napa Valley is warmer in the summer than its western neighbor, and this is why it is better known for its Cabernet Sauvignon while Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are Sonoma’s most popular varietals. Each person has different tastes and preferences, of course. If you’re new to learning about wines,the variety that the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country offers makes it a perfect destination for a wine introduction vacation. Just remember that wine is really nothing more than a beverage – certainly nothing to feel intimidated about – and the most important thing is to have a good time during your visit.

Photo of the Wine Country Napa Valley scenery by someToast via flickr (Creative Commons)

Related posts:

Wine Country Tourist Attractions

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Compared with other California areas, Napa and Sonoma Counties may be a bit light on typical tourist attractions like amusement parks or museums, but they do offer oenological, culinary, artistic and natural delights that will stimulate your senses and soothe your soul. The California Wine Country map and information presented here will help orient you to the area and, it is hoped, help you make the most of your Wine Country visit.

Front and center are the area’s wineries, but you can also think of the entire countryside as one gigantic attraction. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most rewarding – pack a picnic, rent a bike and drink in the surrounding beauty as you enjoy some wine. Even the sky’s not the limit here because you can also take a Wine Country hot air balloon ride to soak in the beauty from above!

The printable maps (pdf files) found at the following links may help with planning the wineries portion of your California Wine Country visit – Sonoma County wineries map and Napa Valley wineries map – and the following articles should help you locate other attractions that may be of interest on your visit to Wine Country:

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions
Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions
Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

There is certainly no shortage of things to do in the California Wine Country, and as you will note on the main California Tourist Guide map there are also other areas nearby that you may want to visit while you are here.

The distance from San Francisco to Napa is only 50 miles (80 kilometers), so you may also want to consider some Bay Area vacation ideas in your planning process.

Since air transportation to the area is limited (Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County airport is the only local option), most people travel to Wine Country from either San Francisco International, Oakland International or the Sacramento airport. As you can see on the portion of a Google map above, San Jose airport is also an option. Knowing and exploring all these options can often help you save on air travel costs.

Related posts:

Wine Country Tourist Attractions

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

California Wineries

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Oh, are you in for a treat!  A Napa vacation, of any length, can refresh the body and the spirit in deep and authentic ways not offered anywhere else, with the possible exception of Tuscany.

Virtually every suggestion in our Wine Country Vacation Ideas article applies to a Napa vacation, especially the wonderfully unique places to stay, the exquisite cuisine, the palpable sense of relaxation you can enjoy and, of course, the world-class, working vineyards and wineries.

Most visitors to Napa Valley come as part of a family vacation (including weddings and family reunions), a romantic getaway, a corporate retreat or a solo adventure.  Regardless of why you come, Napa Valley is exquisitely well-suited to serve you. 

In fact, part of the charm of visiting Napa is the diversity of visitors – the couple from Seattle celebrating their 25^th anniversary sharing a B&B breakfast with a California family on holiday and a European student touring on his bicycle.  Even the range of “tourist attractions” and possible activities is unique.  Instead of bouncy castles or petting zoos, here you can experience an antique train with Pullman dining cars or a kayak trip down the Russian River!

First, remember that Napa Valley is a confined area of about 30 miles by 5 miles.  (See the Wine Country maps for further reference.)  So, regardless of where you stay, you are close to most things.  Then, look at the wonderful array of unique, attractive Napa Valley hotels, inns and other accommodations options.  There are Victorian houses near village centers, bungalows on working ranches, vacation rentals, resort spas and traditional hotels — allowing you to find a home base that suits your unique preferences. The choices range from budget-sensitive lodging alternatives to 5-star resorts.

Of course, wineries are the backbone of the area’s economy, with over 300 wineries in the valley.  You should definitely book one of the Napa Valley Tours to visit the wineries or just to enjoy the wonderful landscape and scenery, and you can do so on foot or by car, bike, antique train, hot air balloon or kayak.  If you plan to sample the wines, having a driver (and a guide!) is an especially smart decision.

The Napa Valley Wineries themselves require closer consideration.  They are not all just “tasting rooms and gift shops.”  Many are active, working vineyards with a dormant period over the winter and super-active periods during harvest, crush and bottling.  (Spring and summer are busy, too, with visitors, of course.) If you want to dive deep into viticulture, this is the place to come for study and research, but most people will enjoy simply learning more about wine-making, the different kinds of wines and the lifestyle inherent to this agricultural yet artistic endeavor.

And, if that’s not enough to keep you busy, you may want to review the other Napa Valley tourist attractions available for your enjoyment.

So, imagine:

• a family vacation in a semi-rural area where everyone is relaxed
• a couple’s getaway in the lap of luxury
• a golf vacation with college friends
• a girls’ weekend filled with fun and laughter
• a private time for contemplation and healing surrounded by beauty
• an exploration of wines, fine foods, healthy living and the great outdoors
• a landscape unique in all the world, complete with geothermal geysers
• a place where a good time can had by all!

That is what awaits you on your Napa vacation!

Photo of Napa vacation scenery by derekskey via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Napa vacation balloon tour by leduardo via flickr (Creative Commons); and Photo of Napa red wine and sun by OmarG! via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Napa Valley Hotels

Napa Valley Tours

Napa Valley Wineries

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Was this article useful and/or interesting?
Would you please consider bookmarking or sharing it?
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In 1836, when George Yount established the first homestead in Napa Valley and planted vineyards in what is now Yountville, Napa Valley was mostly a wilderness inhabited by salmon, birds, bears and wildlife of all sorts. Charles Krug developed the first winery in 1861 and now there are over 300 Napa Valley wineries, many of them open to the public and worth a visit.

Why are there so many wineries in Napa Valley? Basically: the weather, the soil and the people. Take a wet winter-spring, add some hot, dry and very sunny summer days with cool evenings and nurture a soil that forces the vine to struggle a bit for its nourishment and you have a perfect combination for producing the richest sort of grape! Very few places on earth have this unique combination of natural resources.

As importantly, the people here really care – and they cared enough to rally to fight the phylloxera insects than nearly killed off the grapes of Napa. They cared enough to mobilize the scientists at the University of California (Davis) to create root stocks that match the attributes of the soil and add to disease resistance and the resilience of the vine itself. They cared enough during Prohibition to keep the wineries alive by making sacramental wines, which were exempt from the law. And after World War II, they formed an effective and civic-minded Vintners’ Association, which coordinated marketing programs, established quality controls, raised money for local charities and, in 1976, surprised the European wine world by beating the best French wines in a contest made famous in the 2008 movie Bottle Shock. (This is a fun movie to watch in conjunction with your Napa vacation — either before or after!)

You can visit many wineries in Napa Valley without an appointment along the Rt. 29 corridor, starting in downtown Napa and going north through Yountville to Calistoga and beyond. Don’t overlook the Silverado Trail, which runs parallel to and east of Rt. 29, and also passes many fine wineries. A wonderful loop can be created by going out on Rt. 29 and back on Silverado. You can find a link to a pdf Napa Valley wineries map here to help you plan your visit.

Our favorite part of winery-crawling is the tours of the vineyards themselves, the crushing area, the bottling plant, the cool wine cellar where wine is stored and, of course, the tasting room. As you enjoy the tours, be sure to absorb the family stories, the unique blends of each wine, the business issues involved in running the winery, and the pride and heritage still represented in each glass you enjoy.

Last, don’t overlook the non-wine parts of some of these vineyard tours: several house wonderful antique collections; other Napa wineries offer fabulous art and sculpture on their grounds; one has replicated an Italian castle on the site (Castello di Amorosa); another is fashioned to evoke the design of the ancient Persian city Persepolis (Darioush); and many wineries combine their experiences with a culinary component.

Napa Valley wineries truly offer something for everybody!

Photo of Napa Valley winery Chateau Montelena by naotakem via flickr (Creative Commons) and Photo of Napa Valley winery Clos Pegase sculpture by lyng883 via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Napa Valley Hotels

Napa Valley Tours

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Napa Valley is a hugely popular vacation destination in Wine Country — partly because it doesn’t have large, generic-looking hotels like those you’d find in any American city.

Instead, it offers small hotels on downtown squares, reminiscent of Old West movies. It has luxurious spas and resorts. It has B&Bs of all types, quaint inns, vacation rentals, ranch living quarters, cottages and guesthouses.

It has budget accommodations and, yes, it has hotels run by the national chains, too. So, first, you need to decide what sort of hotel you are looking for in the Napa Valley. This page will help you decide.

On-Vineyard Accommodations. As you look at the wineries you might visit, consider that some are associated with on-site lodgings. Meritage and Silverado wineries both have resort-level hotels associated with them, but these two are not the only ones. A good example of a mid-priced alternative is the RustRidge Ranch and Winery that offers rustic B&B cabins and an off-the-beaten-path location, and Milat Estates is another you might want to consider.

Boutique Inns. Napa Valley is home to a huge number of wonderfully restored Inns and hip, small hotels. Because the towns of Yountville and Napa are among the oldest in the Valley, most of the options for this type of accommodation properties are found in those two towns, although St. Helena offers some, as well. For a truly unique Wine Country experience, please do consider these hotels and inns. Many vacation destinations don’t offer this sort of intimate, edgy sort of lodging, and it’s an enjoyable change of pace.

With 12 to 30 rooms, these inns are often run by families and each offers its own unique views, prices and amenities. There are famous ones like La Belle Epoch in downtown Napa, but the nearby Hennessey House bed and breakfast is just as quaint and a bit less expensive.

Spas and Resorts. Napa Valley is world famous for having wonderful retreats that can soothe the body and the mind with massage, yoga, fabulous meals, outdoor activities and eye-pleasing vistas in every direction. All have pools, health/beauty services, hot tubs, pristine locales and superb dining, and some are adjacent to golf courses. Perfect for a romantic getaway, family reunion, wedding or corporate retreat, you should definitely consider a spa/resort if a primary goal for your Napa vacation is to refresh and renew your spirit and your body.

Vacation Rentals. We often enjoy renting a condo or a house, especially when we stay in a place for a week or more. If you are staying for more than a couple days, you may want to look at vacation rentals. Again, Napa doesn’t offer generic condos. There are cottages on working ranches, small Victorian houses in downtown Napa, one-bedroom bungalows and a townhouse in downtown Calistoga for your consideration. Especially if you want or need a kitchen for your stay and/or more than one bedroom, Napa vacation rentals offer just-like-home comforts (but no hotel services, although housekeeping services can sometimes be arranged).

If all of these options seem overwhelming, there are travel agents and concierge services that will help you find the perfect location for your visit. They can also suggest activities to suit your particular interests and match up one of the many Napa hotel alternatives to the rest of your itinerary.

Photo of Napa Valley vineyards view by jitze via flickr (Creative Commons) and Photo of Silverado Winery and Resort by r3v || cls via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Napa Valley Tours

Napa Valley Wineries

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Do you think you may get bored with winery tours and tastings in Napa Valley? Not to worry: Napa Valley tours encompass a wonderful variety of things to do and see.

Why not see the Napa Valley from the air with a balloon ride and tour? This is not a glitzy or tourist-y place, after all – it has some of the most beautiful landscapes and vistas in the world, marbelled with working vineyards, natural wonders, quaint downtowns, wildlife preserves, antique trains, old growth forests, wild rivers and dude ranches. Why not get a bird’s eye view of everything from a balloon?

Another option is to get an overview of the area — but from the ground — is a “limo tour” that offers flexible scheduling, a knowledgeable local guide and a built-in designated driver! With a private tour, you can select those wineries and other places that appeal to your tastes specifically and design your own schedule and route – for a price. If you’d prefer, there are also Napa Valley tour operators who offer less expensive “bus” tours. These go to the top tasting rooms and other sights on a pre-set schedule, and they are surprisingly affordable.

Winery tours are by far the most popular Napa Valley tours. With over 300 wineries to see — each with its own history, wines, family heritage and unique points of interest — the choices can be overwhelming. Because some wineries are available only by appointment, others are sometimes closed for weddings or private parties and some are staffed only part of the time, a winery tour or guide to choose where to go often offers a very helpful and pleasing option. (Not to mention — again! — a designated driver.)

Remember, though, that the Napa Valley is home to many points of interest other than wineries. Bicycle tours are very popular, with some that are guided and some that outfit you with a self-guided map (and bike/helmet rentals, etc.). Because the weather during the winter months can be unpredictable, some bicycle tour operators offer bus or mini-coach tours instead. But if you are adventurous, get the self-guided maps and make a full-day adventure. And, should you want to travel a bit more effortlessly, check out the Napa Valley Segway tours. It’s a great way to experience the valley!

The “wine and dine” tours take you into the winery you choose and end with a scrumptious dinner. This is not to be confused with the day-long tours, most of which have a picnic lunch or a box lunch associated with them.

A favorite of the kids (of all ages!) is the Wine Train — a scenic three-hour dining excursion aboard a fully restored 1915-1950 Pullman Dining and Lounge car. Our personal favorite is a package which leaves in the morning by bus, going up the Silverado Trail, traveling to join the train at the northern end of the valley after lunch and, finally, returning to Napa on the Wine Train.

Regardless of whether your visit is for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, a corporate retreat, a wedding or simply some exercise in the great outdoors, you are sure to find a Napa Valley tour that fits the bill.

Photo of wine tour bus outside of Clos Pegase by star5112 via flickr (Creative Commons) and Photo of Napa Valley Wine Train by Hav n Knit Lover via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Napa Valley Hotels

Napa Valley Wineries

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions

Western and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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For many people, the main objective for their California Wine Country vacation or weekend getaway is to enjoy the area’s fabulous food and wine offerings, but you may want to consider adding a few Wine Country tourist attractions to the mix, as well. (You may be all set with just the food and wine, too, and that’s certainly okay!)

In addition to the lure of Wine Country spas, golf courses, shopping and other activities, the attractions discussed below can enhance your visit by providing you with a bit of history and a better “sense of place” for the area. As you investigate the alternatives, you will likely conclude there is a whole lot more to do in Wine Country than you imagined!

Since there are three distinct sub-areas in our California Wine Country area – Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley and Western Sonoma (which includes the Wine Country beaches and its coastal activities and attractions) – it makes sense to use these geographic categories to guide our investigation. A general discussion of all Wine Country tourist attractions follows, but you can use the links to proceed to the more detailed discussion of a particular Wine Country locale. (You also may want to refer to this California Wine Country map and/or this list of California cities to help you get your bearings and plan your itinerary.)

Napa Valley Tourist Attractions – The 1976 “Judgment of Paris” may have put Napa Valley on the map in terms of international acclaim for its wines, but the area has a deep and rich history which you can learn about at the area’s enjoyable museums. If museums aren’t “your thing,” perhaps the luxury of traveling in a vintage rail car while sampling gourmet foods and superb wines or investigating down-to-earth sightseeing opportunities like the Old Faithful Geyser and the Petrified Forest will be more to your liking. Napa Valley certainly has something to excite and entertain, no matter your interests.

Sonoma Valley Tourist Attractions – Sonoma is an Indian word meaning “many moons,” and hopefully your visit to the area will include enough “suns” and “moons” to enjoy everything thing this lovely area has to offer. Whether your interests lean toward history or hiking – or even NASCAR or gardens – the Sonoma Valley has you covered. If you’re traveling with young children, don’t miss Train Town, and photographers will likely enjoy the moody lighting at Mission San Francisco Solano and Cornerstone’s quirky “garden art.”

Western Sonoma and Sonoma Coast Tourist Attractions – Can you think of another place where you can enjoy an African safari on one day and a factory tour for a popular sticker manufacturer on the next? How about an almost 8.5-mile paved trail on which you can walk, roller skate or ride bicycles and horses? Even the Sonoma Coast, known primarily for its whale-watching and hiking opportunities, offers you a chance to eat dinner in an iconic film location. Sonoma County is roughly the size of the State of Rhode Island, and it makes the most of every splendidly scenic inch!

As you can tell, there are A LOT of things to do in Wine Country. It’s not just wonderful wineries and irresistible restaurants! Whether you’re headed here for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, there is quite likely a Wine Country tourist attraction that has your number. Don’t miss it!

Photo of Wine Country Napa Wine Train by garybembridge via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Wine Country Vacation Ideas

California Spa Vacations

California Culinary Vacation Ideas

California Wineries

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
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People are often surprised by the size of this area and by the abundance of Western and Sonoma Coast tourist attractions to enjoy. Santa Rosa is the biggest town between San Francisco and Portland, and it definitely has a lot to offer. And, like those two cities, there is a focus in the area on walking and biking that many people from other parts of the country find very inviting – some so much so that they end up moving here!

Some of the things to do in Western Sonoma may seem a tad quirky, but that’s part of the charm! Whether you go for quirky or lean more toward the area’s natural or historical tourist attractions, Western Sonoma is fun for the whole family. Check it out!

Safari West, Santa Rosa – Called “the Serengeti of Sonoma” by some, this 400-acre wildlife preserve offers an intimate experience with hundreds of African mammals, including zebras (three babies were born in January 2010), giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, buffalos, wildebeests, monkeys and lemurs. The habitat is designed to give the animals the ability to interact and roam about freely, so you never really know for sure what you might see. Safari West’s expeditions are by appointment only and last about three hours. Overnight accommodations in tent cabins with hardwood floors, private baths, plush beds and a view of “the savanna” are also available. (safariwest.com)

The Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa – The Peanuts gang is celebrated and immortalized at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in permanent displays and a variety of changing exhibits. It is a must-visit for budding cartoonists, and they can access a library of instruction books, drawing tables, writing and art supplies should inspiration strike. There is a gift shop, of course, and the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, still owned by the Schulz family, is located directly across from the museum. (charlesmschulzmuseum.org)

Howarth Park, Santa Rosa – This large city park is seamlessly joined with Spring Lake Park (a county park) and Annadel State Park. Howarth Park offers canoe and paddle boat rentals, pony rides, a merry-go-round, a miniature train ride and a large, well-developed playground with a climbing net, bridges and a play town. There are also picnic areas and campsites. There are lakes in the parks, and Spring Lake has a swimming lagoon, too. Lake Ilsanjo in Annadel State Park, considered a “local secret” natural swimming location, can be accessed by a short hike (about two miles) on the Vietnam Vets trail (off Annadel Heights Road) which leads to the Spring Creek Trail. The parks’ abundant hike and bike trails vary from paved paths to open trails and connect to the Bay Area Ridge Trails.

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, Santa Rosa – As a world-renowned horticulturist and botanist, Luther Burbank developed more than 800 new varieties of plants – including over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains plus hundreds of ornamental flowers (including the Shasta Daisy, which he named after California’s spectacular Mt. Shasta) – and he also made Santa Rosa his home. In 1875, he declared, “I firmly believe, from what I have seen that this is the chosen spot of all this earth as far as Nature is concerned.” The home and surrounding one-acre garden, a registered National, State and City Historical Landmark, is now a Santa Rosa city park and is open to the public. (lutherburbank.org)

Railroad Square, Santa Rosa – Not far from the Schultz Museum, this historic town square’s early-20th century stone and brick buildings presently house cafes, shops and nightspots, and a California Tourist Information Center is located here in the 1904 landmark Northwestern Pacific Railroad Depot. You can pick up a self-guided walking tour map of the area at the center, or you can also access a Railroad Square walking tour map here for easy at-home printing (pdf file). Don’t miss the bronze statues of Charlie Brown and Woodstock in nearby Depot Park or the First Friday art walks during the summer months. (railroadsquare.net)

Joe Rodota Bike and Pedestrian Trail, Santa Rosa to Sebastopol – This multi-use trail extends from downtown Santa Rosa (where it connects to the Prince Memorial Greenway near the Courtyard Marriott in Railroad Square) all the way to downtown Sebastopol, several miles to the west. Except for small portions near those city centers (especially in Santa Rosa, where the path traverses a few streets), it is a completely off-road experience and a great way alternative to driving between the two cities. This area is blessed with an abundance of open spaces to enjoy, and you can order a map here that will help you enjoy them.

The Hand Fan Museum, Healdsburg – This exquisite and unique one-room museum is devoted entirely to hand fans, and it is the only one of its kind in the country. The general collection of over 3,000 fans covers a wide variety of periods and places, and they are artfully arranged in exhibits that change every three to four months. (handfanmuseum.org)

Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory, Petaluma – Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory has been making stickers since 1979 and is the nation’s oldest and largest sticker company. Available by reservation, one-hour factory tours follow workers as they print, package and ship stickers and can give children an insider view of a product they know and love. (mrsgrossmans.com/tours)

The Old Potter Schoolhouse, Bodega – Used as a filming location in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” this building was slated for demolition when Hitchcock discovered it. He had it shored up and rebuilt for the filming, and it is the only original building used in the film that still exists. The public is welcome to view the outside of the schoolhouse, but it is a privately-owned residence.

The Tides Wharf Restaurant, Bodega Bay – This restaurant and parking lot also appeared in “The Birds” in the gas station, cafe and boat dock scene (although the gas station was blown up on the studio lot). The Tides complex has since been expanded and remodeled, and it is a great place to enjoy Cioppino or a a fresh salmon dinner.

Bodega Bay Kayak – Let’s end on a creative note and think of the sunbathing and surfing seals as a tourist attraction. One- and two-person kayaks can be rented for a self-guided tour, and they also offer guided kayak tours along the Russian River where it empties into the ocean. In the spring, the seals give birth to their pups here, away from deep-sea predators.

Chansolor Guest Ranch, Bodega Bay – Again, not technically a Wine Country tourist attraction, but if horseback riding or fishing are of interest, you would be hard-pressed to find a better place to enjoy them than this 373-acre historic working ranch that is surrounded by some of the finest beaches in California and over 10,000 acres of parks and protected land. (chanslorranch.com)

Did you find any Western and Sonoma Coast tourist attractions that interest you? There are a lot of things to do in Wine Country, and this California Wine Country map will help you find them. You may also want to check out our Sonoma Valley tourist attractions and Napa Valley tourist attractions articles for some additional ideas.

Photo of Snoopy at Charles M. Schultz Museum by bryce_edwards via flickr (Creative Commons) and Photo of Old Potter Schoolhouse from Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’ in Bodega by mrjoro via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Wine Country Vacation Ideas

California Wineries

California Tourist Attractions

Things To Do In California

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Would you please consider bookmarking or sharing it?
We appreciate it!