A True Wine Insider’s Guide to Napa Valley: The Ultimate Guide to Napa Valley 2024

Nov 23, 2024
by Greg Martellotto

There are literally hundreds of wineries and restaurants to visit in Napa Valley. Here are some tips from BHW wine experts and locals. In addition, we regularly poll our suppliers who live and work in the various wine regions around the world to keep us updated on places they love to eat, drink and sleep and what they recommend to their friends and family. This is a true insider’s guide to the Napa Valley.

It’s a good idea to look at a map and understand the geography of the region before you go. It’s important to know that when people say they are going to “Napa”, it’s a very large area that encompasses 790 square miles. Sonoma County is more than twice the size of Napa with 1,768 square miles. Even if you’re staying in downtown Napa (the city), it can take almost one hour to get to Calistoga in the northern part of the Napa Valley. Without traffic, it takes less than 30 minutes to drive from Sonoma Square to the city of Napa, but it can take an hour or more in traffic or on busy weekends.

Therefore, you really need to plan and focus on the goals of your trip.

First, decide where you’ll be staying and then plan visits based on the proximity to where you’re staying. Remember, you do not want to be driving long distances, especially if you’re tasting wine all day. My suggestion is to pick an appellation (AVA) or specific area with 1-2 wineries you’re interested in and then, explore nearby wineries and places.

Once you determine where you’re staying, come back to this guide to decide where you’ll eat and wineries to visit. Remember, you don’t want to be driving while drinking. During busy times and late at night, there are not enough Uber and Lyft outside of downtown Napa.

Many wineries are by reservation only. Look them up online or call first to determine if you must reserve in advance. Some people try to visit as many wineries as possible in a day and we do not recommend this. Three wineries in a day is ambitious, especially if you’re driving and planning a stop for lunch. Two wineries in a day is a good goal. If you’re planning to visit more than three wineries in a day, we recommend you spit the wine while tasting. Otherwise, your tongue will be numb and near the end of the day every wine will be the best wine you’ve ever tasted. We have heard many stories from visitors who purchased wine and signed up for wine clubs at the end of a long tasting day only to later realize they didn’t really care for the wines once they had their wits about them.

People live in Napa and this was once just a farming community. So, there are plenty of things to do even if you’re not drinking wine. See some of the experiences we’ve listed below. If you’re interested in shopping, most of the small towns have boutiques on the main streets.

This list is a compilation of our frequent visits and recommendations from long-time locals and friends and winemakers in Napa Valley. We try to keep it updated.

Hotels near Downtown Napa

Downtown Napa

Archer
Andaz
Silverado Resort
The Knoll Hilton Tapestry Collection
Stanly Ranch - the third and newest L’Auberge resort. A refined cowboy esthetic, it’s relaxed and operating at a very high service level. It’s expensive. If you’re not staying there, check it out for brunch.

Wineries to visit near Napa:

Donum Estate - Undoubtedly some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in all of the US. One of the most impressive art collections at any winery anywhere in the world. A special experience.
Palmaz - If you like a Bond or Villain theme, go here.
Far Niente
Ashes & Diamonds - Playful and fun to lounge on their lawn on a sunny day.
Maison Fayard - One of our favorite consulting winemakers. You can taste many of the wines he makes here.
Be Bubbly - If you’re looking for sparkling wine, try this place.
Gentlemen Farmer

Napa Vineyard

Tasting Room at Covert Estate

Looking to shop while in Napa?

Much of the Shopping is on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd streets.

Where to eat if you’re staying in Napa:

Bistro Don Giovanni - One of the best and most consistent Italian restaurants in the area. You’re likely to see winemakers here.
Morimoto - The original and famous Iron Chef is still going strong with quality sushi. Check out the new Morimoto Asia for Japanese bistro fare.
Zuzu - A local favorite for over two decades, this is a tapas taberna with a deep Iberian wine list.
Angele - A lovely French bistro with a patio near the old railroad stop.
Compline - Owned by a Master Sommelier, the wine list is full of interesting international wines.
Model Bakery - With locations in both Napa and St. Helena, this bakery is worth going out of your way to visit. In addition to excellent pastries and bread (which you’ll want to coat the stomach before and during a day of wine tasting), the English Muffin Breakfast Sandwiches are a true breakfast of champions.
Oxbow Market - This is a public market and perfect for groups of people who want different foods. Several of the restaurants are excellent and you can pick up any cheese, wine, or other goodies for a picnic or dinner in.
Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Copia - This is a student-run restaurant that does a very good job. Limited hours and a better atmosphere for lunch than dinner.
Coles steak and chop house
Southside Cafe - Open for breakfast and lunch, excellent casual fare. They have a strong following for their Fried Chicken Fridays which are ordered to-go.
Scala Osteria & Bar - new kid on the block with solid Italian style pizza and a variety of pastas and other italian dishes.
Waterfront Grill
Bear Stanley Ranch - A Michelin-rated experience from Auberge Resorts, this is one of the newest and most luxurious experiences in town. Highly recommended for breakfast too.
Kenzo - A true Japanese kaiseki experience. Michelin-rated, luxury quality and experience.
La Toque - For more than forty years, this restaurant has set the standard for Michelin quality fine dining in the area with a very deep wine list.

Napa Bars

Hank’s
Chispa - Good for tequila, tapas.
The Fink
Cadet Bar

Where to eat and stay in St. Helena:

St. Helena Hotels:

Harvest Inn (request vineyard view rooms)
Meadowood
Wydown

Restaurants in St. Helena:

Charter Oak - Opened by the former chef from Meadowood, this is a casual fine dining experience with an outstanding bar. The food revolves around an open fire.
Farmstead - One of our favorite lunch spots in the valley, this place nails the American bistro.
Brasswood - Great casual bistro.
Gotts - Want a great burger and fries just to pop in and out? This is the spot.
Tra Vigne Pizzeria
CIA Greystone - How about dinner in a castle? Go here.
Charlie’s - Eating here feels like you’re going over to a friend’s house, except he’s a great chef.
Roman Holiday for Gelato - If you still haven’t had enough food and there’s room for a proper Italian gelato, visit here.

Wineries near St. Helena:

The Castle (Castello di Amorosa) (request VIP barrel room)
Reverie
Roundpond (request Victoria)
Trinchero
Wheeler Farm
Smith-Madrone - Spring Mountain, down to earth.
Dunn - Howell Mountain.

Where to stay and eat in Rutherford:

Rutherford Hotels:

Auberge de Soleil

Wineries near Rutherford:

Restaurants in Rutherford:

Where to visit, stay and eat in Yountville:

Bistro Jeanty in Yountville

Yountville Hotels:

Wineries near Yountville:

Yountville Restaurants:

There are too many great restaurants in this tiny town. It’s a great place to stroll.

RH
Bottega
Bistro Jeanty
The French Laundry
Ciccio Pizza
Bouchon - Part of the Thomas Keller empire, go here for authentic French pastries or for a true French bistro experience. There is often a line out the door.
La Calenda - Mexican from Thomas Keller.
Ad Hoc - Thomas Keller fixed menu family style meals.