If your idea of a great getaway is an escape to wine country, you don’t have to go half way around the world to France to make your wish come true. Whether you have a weekend or a few weeks to spend, you can have an outstanding experience much closer to home by visiting northern California’s Napa Valley.
As one of richest wine growing regions in the world, Napa Valley lies a mere 2 hours by car, north of the Bay area. Napa Valley offers a Mediterranean climate with moderate temperatures and ample rainfall year around. Rolling hills, lush vineyards and black oak trees dot the country side along with some of the best wineries in the world.
Wine tasting tours and events are held year around. The range of winery tours is outstanding and festivals are held during the grape harvest. Art, gourmet food and special events play a big role in attracting both the faithful and new tourists to the region. Even in upscale restaurants, dress is casual with most folks wearing jeans and t-shirts with promotional sport bags slung over their shoulder.
A good place to start your tour is in the City of Napa. Located amid rolling hills the city is truly a unique and charming place. Theater, antiques, restaurants and art galleries do a thriving business as well as wine shops offering the best wines from the region. The selection for shopper is outstanding. Pick out some photographs for souvenirs or purchase lovely pottery made by a local artist.
Saint Helena with its oak lined streets, Victorian buildings and charming shops is a town you will enjoy. Stroll main street casually or spend an afternoon enjoying a leisurely lunch at one of the many wonderful restaurants.
Calistoga has a western look and feel and is known for its geyser, natural hot springs and spas. Spend a morning being pampered at one of the hot springs resorts. Enjoy a desert at the turn of the century ice cream store or take a bike tour to get a better feel for the area. Many foodies consider the restaurants in downtown Calistoga to be some of the finest in the country.
If you’re looking for a winery tour or two, here’s a list of wineries you won’t want to miss. Tours as well as wine tasting is free but reservations are required at some wineries:
Niebaum-Coppola Winery is owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola's and his wife. It is housed in a romantic chateau as worth seeing as sampling the delicious specialty wines.
Robert Mondavi Winery is one of the largest and best know wine producers world wide. They offer an interesting wine tour and tasting in a lovely mission style setting.
Chateau Montelena Winery won a prize in France for one of their wines in 1976 and put Napa Valley on the map. The winery is housed in a castle type building with a beautiful picnic area.
Domaine Chandon Winery makes a fine sparkling wine (also known as champagne). Their tours focus on the process of making sparkling wine. A lovely picnic area on the grounds is open every day.
If you’ve decided on Napa Valley for your getaway, grab your duffle bag, fill it with some necessities and let’s go!
