❱❱ NAPA
WINE: Experience Napa’s nested appellations at Mia Carta, a thoughtfully designed tasting lounge in downtown Napa. Home to a collective of five family-owned and operated small-lot Napa Valley wineries—including Earthshine Wines and McKahn Wines—the restored space offers wines by the glass and bottle as well as rotating themed offerings.
DINE: Gentleman Farmer Wines recently opened their downtown space, Gentleman Farmer Bungalow, where owners and husbands Joey Wołosz and Jeff Durham serve their inspired wines, thoughtfully paired with a multicourse breakfast, lunch or dinner. Check out the unique Breakfast of Champions experience, which starts with a guided 5K run along the Napa River.
STAY: Overlooking the Napa River, River Terrace Inn is the perfect blend of urban hospitality and serenity, and their ideal location is steps from Oxbow Public Market and Copia. The renovated rooms are spacious and the entire hotel is dog-friendly, offering treats, a dog bed and a surprise gift for your four-legged friend.
❱❱ YOUNTVILLE
WINE: Handwritten Wines welcomes guests to their village-like collection of spaces, one of which includes an antique drafting table for letter writing with a quill—a nod to Handwritten’s name. Visitors can taste single AVA Cabernet Sauvignons in a side-by-side comparative format or opt for the Bread & Butter Experience, where wines are accompanied with a baguette, three butters, jamón and shaved cheese.
DINE: Beloved by locals and visitors alike, Ciccio offers a California-Italian inspired menu with wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas and salads featuring ingredients from their nearby farm. Their wine list includes many Napa Valley offerings and a full bar featuring a selection of aperitif-inspired cocktails. Insider’s tip: get there at opening to snag some spots at the six-seater bar.
STAY: Discover The Cottages of Napa Valley, a hidden gem featuring historic cottages in a tranquil garden setting. Fully refurbished, rooms include a kitchenette and private patio with an outdoor wood-burning chiminea for relaxing. Enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine, a breakfast basket of Bouchon Bakery pastries, bicycles, picnic backpack and more. A true delight for a mini getaway.
❱❱ ST. HELENA
WINE: Nestled into the foothills of St. Helena, Boeschen Vineyards welcomes visitors for a personalized tour providing unique insight into their winemaking process and family history. The 11-acre estate features wine caves, an extensive rose garden and a car barn showcasing co-founder Dann Boeschen’s vintage racing collection.
DINE: One of St. Helena’s best new restaurants, Charlie’s is a family-run business dedicated to highlighting the bounty of the region with globally inspired flavors. Open Thursday through Monday for lunch, dinner, happy hour and even late-night dining, anything on their seasonal menu can be made gluten-free— including their fried chicken, which is also offered after 5 p.m. as a six-piece takeaway bucket alongside a bottle of sparkling wine.
STAY: With expansive vineyard and mountain views and a property rich with culture and history, Alila Napa Valley is a retreat designed to immerse guests in Napa Valley’s charm. Set amid Beringer Vineyards, its rooms and suites feature private balconies, stunning views and every comfort imaginable, offering guests the opportunity to unwind in luxurious serenity.
❱❱ CALISTOGA
WINE: Experience the quiet beauty of Laura Michael Wines, a boutique winery specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon and estate-grown Zinfandel. Tastings are offered daily and are often hosted by one of the owners, Laura and Michael Swanton. Take in your experience while enjoying a picnic in their extensive gardens featured in Sunset magazine.
DINE: Get a taste of Southern hospitality at Evangeline, a “casual French bistro with a Creole soul.” Take a seat in the cozy dining room or heated outdoor patio and enjoy staples like steak frites, shrimp etouffee and gumbo. Cocktails showcase the classic spirits of New Orleans while the wine list pays homage to the wines of Napa Valley. Come for the food and wine, stay for the vibe.
STAY: Looking for something different? Check out Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, an iconic resort and spa. Founded in 1952 by pioneering wellness experts John and Edy Wilkinson, the renovated mid-century-inspired resort offers mud baths and spa treatments, healing mineral pool soaks and House of Better, a new restaurant featuring Southwestern food with a nourishing slant.
