We get this question a lot and we normally respond with: “What’s the best Deli in New York City?” There are so many variables that define “The Best”:
There are many Napa Valley wineries that are simply stunning to visit based on the location. Others offer cult-status wines. Our goal is to create your itinerary with all of the above.
There are approximately 450 brick-and-mortar wineries in the Napa Valley. Another 425 in the Sonoma County offering no shortage of choices for the wine enthusiast. Most wineries are open from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
The Napa Valley enjoys warm, dry, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. The climate provides optimal grape growing conditions during a long, relatively stress-free season between April and October. The Napa Valley has 16 sub-appellations and each one has it’s own “micro-climates” allowing for a wide variety of grapes from Sauvignon Blanc to the King of Napa varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon. South Napa offers Pinot Noir and Chardonnay due to the proximity to the cool winds from the San Pablo Bay.
It’s hard to go wrong staying anywhere in the Napa Valley, with each town offering it’s own unique charms. Our top pick is the town of Yountville. Yountville is located in middle of the valley, minimizing drive time to wineries and offering Michelin Star restaurants within walking distance from each hotel. However, the town of Yountville becomes a sleepy time by 9:30 pm.
Downtown Napa is also great fun as it has more competitively priced hotels, window shopping, a cigar lounge, 12+ wine tasting rooms and great restaurants.
Napa and Sonoma are blessed with wonderful weather all year long, though the winters, while mild, can be wet from December until late February.
The default answer for this is “Harvest Season”!! Starts in August and usually finished by late October. During this exciting season, guests will enjoy the wineries processing the fruit, have an opportunity to taste freshly press juice, and enjoy the intoxicating aroma only one can understand once they experience it.
Springtime, aka, “Mustard Season”, is also great fun to visit as the mornings and evenings are cool with the afternoons hovering near 80 degrees.
If your flying private, the Napa Jet Center (APC) is the best. Then: