Planning a trip to Napa can be overwhelming. There is an endless amount of wineries. What ones are the best for pinot noir or cabernet or merlot? What wineries are worth visiting? It can seem daunting. But, this guide should put you at ease! I’ve done the research for you by listing the spots I recommend to my family and friends. These are places I would spend my money and time on again and again. For a full day guide to Napa, check out my three day itinerary.



NAPA

HOW TO SPEND YOUR MONEY


STERLING VINEYARD TROLLEY RIDE

One of the best wineries to visit in Napa Valley is Sterling Vineyard. Yes, their wine is good but the experience and tour of it all is what I recommend. If you get the priority wine pass, noted below, be sure to use it for a two-for-one trolley ride at Sterling!

PRIORITY WINE PASS

This is by far the most recommended thing about Napa Valley that I tell my friends and family about. This pass saved us so much money in the long run. Instead of paying for two wine tastings or two tours at some of the best and prestigous wineries in Napa, we paid for one. You can purchase your pass directly on the website, but be sure to print your pass before visiting!

CAKEBREAD cellars TOUR

I can’t recommend Cakebread Cellars enough. It’s where I fell in love with Pinot Noir and a very special kind of wine that is unique to the winery called the Rubaiyat. While the tour doesn’t come with a two-for-one with the priority pass, it is well worth purchasing at this winery. Their tours are by appointment only, so be sure to book in advance on their website. From the vineyards to the wine itself, this spot is one of a kind.

WINE, OF COURSE
recommendations
  • EATS
  • oxbow public market
  • farmstead at long meadow ranch
  • sunflower cafe
  • ad hoc
  • girl and the fig
  • r&d kitchen
  • bars
  • carpe diem wine bar
  • anna’s cantina
  • jam cellars
  • WINERIES
  • beringer
  • castello di amorosa
  • cakebread cellars
  • grgich hills estate
  • robert mondavi
  • sterling vineyards
  • v. sattui
  • raymond vineyards

HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME



I talk more about my love for each winery in my 3-day travel itinerary, but for some inspiration on the wineries worth visiting and how to spend your time in Napa, take a look below.

NAPA VALLEY RIVER
NAPA VALLEY SIGN
OXBOW PUBLIC MARKET
CAKEBREAD CELLARS

ROBERT MONDAVi
CASTELLO DI AMOROSA
BERINGER
RAYMOND VINEYARDS
GRGICH HILLS ESTATE
STERLING VINEYARDS
JAM CELLARS
happy travels, liz stanford