Napa Has Something for Everyone

Napa Valley has something for everyone. I moved to the Bay Area five years ago. When I started my wine journey here, I had a limited budget, limited wine knowledge and limited access to the resources I now have today. But I always loved my weekend wine trips from San Mateo to Napa Valley. They were a chance to get out in nature and connect with friends over a glass of wine—a chance to meet with winemakers, explore new places and discover hidden gems.

And today, now that I live in Napa, I’m positively overwhelmed with options. Napa Valley offers wine lovers of all levels something special. From every budget point to every level of wine appreciation, there’s a plethora of options. With over 500 wineries, there’s a bit of everything: from picnicking in the vineyard to casual sit-down food and wine pairings to luxurious private vineyard tours and tastings with the winemaker. Whether you’re brand new to wine or an expert-level Somm, there is always something new to explore and discover in Napa Valley.

Napa Valley is the perfect destination for any wine lover. So come see what all the fuss is about—Napa has something for everyone!

Recommended Entry-Level Napa Experiences
If you’re new to the world of wine or looking to save money on your next Napa trip, here are three of my favorite “entry-level” Napa experiences to check out! ($20-40 per experience)

Rombauer ($20) - Rombauer offers one of the best values in the Valley. For $20, you get a flight of their critically-acclaimed wines, including their well-known customer favorites as well as a few unique single-vineyard bottlings. Their winery is stunning, with tastings held outside overlooking rolling hills and sprawling vineyards in St. Helena.

Napa Cellars ($30) - Napa Cellars was one of the first wineries I ever visited in Napa. Their tasting room is warm and welcoming, with vineyard views and cornhole game sets. Enjoy a flight of their easy-sipping wines for just $30. The best part? They’re one of the few wineries that allow you to bring in your own picnic, allowing you to save money by packing a delicious spread ahead of time!

Robert Biale Vineyards ($40) - Perhaps most known for their delicious Black Chicken Zinfandel, Robert Biale offers a relaxing seated tasting on their back patio with an exquisite view of wine country. Your wine educator will guide you through a personalized overview of Napa Valley, the family’s unique history, and the fine points of appreciating world-class Zinfandel. Looking for even more budget-friendly Napa experiences? Check out this blog post of affordable Napa wine tastings, all under $50!

Recommended Mid-Level Napa Experiences
When you jump up to dropping $50+ on a tasting experience, you can expect a more intimate and hands-on wine-tasting experience. These tastings typically include some sort of food pairing, and/or a deeper dive into the knowledge behind the wine. ($50-65 per experience)

Tres Sabores ($50) - There are certain wineries in Napa that hold a bit of magic—you can feel it in the air and taste it in the wines you drink. Tres Sabores is one of those places. Here, sloping vineyards meet wooded hillsides. It’s a different kind of Napa, a portal to a slower, kinder time in the world.  You can plan ahead to bring your own picnic to pair with their intimate wine tasting (this must be mentioned while making the reservations), or opt-in for a cheeseboard to share with the table for $28.

Trefethen Family Vineyards - Reserve Tasting at the Villa ($65) - Trefethen is one of my favorite family-owned wineries in Napa. Enjoy a flight of limited-production and reserve wines at the former Trefethen family residence, built in the early 1900s. Tastings include a charcuterie board with cured meats, local cheeses, and estate-grown preserves, providing a delightful experience of balanced flavors and enhancing the enjoyment of the wines.

Recommended High-End Napa Experiences
Napa offers a unique curation of high-end luxury wine-tasting experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. These experiences range in style, from those tailored to wine collectors to those looking for a bit of indulgence, or even those seeking once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. You’ll also find that the wine offered in these experiences is typical of higher quality. Here are a few of my favorite splurges in Napa Valley. ($100+ per experience)

B Cellars ($125) - I can’t rave enough about my tasting at B Cellars—everything was perfect down to the last detail! Their seated tasting includes a seasonal food pairing menu; both the wines and the foods rotate every few months to keep the experience fresh and tasteful. Wine and food pairings are orchestrated to leave an indelible mark on your senses. Each bite and each sip takes your experience to the next level.

Wheeler Farms ($145) - Wheeler Farms integrates sustainability into everything they do, but with a high-end, luxurious feel. All visits are private experiences, starting with a tour of their state-of-the-art winery and ending with seasonal savory canapés specially designed by Estate Chef Tom Harder to complement a selection of four wines. Every experience at Wheeler Farms celebrates both the wine and the agriculture of Napa Valley.

So there you have it... a few of my favorite spots for wine lovers in Napa Valley. I hope this list has inspired you to visit soon—there really is something here for everyone, no matter your budget or level of wine knowledge. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!