The Pacific Ocean breezes, mountainous fog, temperate climate – Napa Valley’s average temperature is between 65 and 85 degrees – long growing season and wonderful soil are the core ingredients for grapevines to thrive on some 45,000 acres here. Napa Valley, which produces millions of bottles of wine each year, has achieved worldwide status in tasting competitions.
Beringer wines were one of the first in the region. Today, the well-known winery makes 70 different wines and grows grapes on about 1,900 acres in Napa Valley.
Tasting wine is a personal experience and there are many ways to taste wine in Napa Valley: barrel tasting, table service and wine bar tasting – the most popular. Or, the winemaker himself may serve you samples of this year’s vintage or show you the barrels where wine is aging. Expect to pay a tasting fee, and an even higher one to taste from a reserved bottle. Some wineries require appointments. Outside companies can be hired to provide guided winery tours.
Cuisine is another part of the Napa Valley experience – much of the dining is al fresco (outside) with vineyards as the backdrop. Sample a variety of different food via tapas or small plate dishes. Many chefs buy local ingredients from a farmer’s market so menus change daily. Several restaurants and wineries host wine pairing meals.
The main towns of Napa Valley each have their own look and feel – and wine of course. Below is a sampling of food and wine to savor as well as other things to do in the area.
Napa
Downtown Napa, on the banks of the Napa River, is gaining notoriety for stylish shopping, casual and fine dining, upscale hotels and wineries galore. William Hill Estate Winery is renowned for crafting elegant wines thanks to its exceptional location off the Silverado Trail. Oxbow Public Market houses about two dozen vendors and is a great place to taste some wine or share an artisan cheese plate.
Last year, Masaharu Morimoto, one of television’s first Iron Chefs, opened Morimoto Napa, a Japanese restaurant (his first on the West Coast), in Napa. Tyler Florence Rotisserie & Wine joined the Tyler Florence (Food Network star) Shop along the downtown waterfront; one side of the cafe mirrors a Parisian rotisserie while the other is dedicated to a wine shop.
The historic 860-seat Uptown Theatre has been restored as part of Napa’s renaissance in recent years. Napa Mill is home to unique shopping and dining. Take in a round of golf at one of two championship courses at the Silverado Resort.
St. Helena
St. Helena, Napa Valley’s first incorporated city, has a thriving downtown with a myriad of unique shops. Dinner at Tra Vigne is classic Italian. The restaurant’s handmade mozzarella is a must-try appetizer. Visit Beringer, Napa’s benchmark producer since the vineyard was established in 1876. It’s also the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley. The Harvest Inn hotel, spread over eight acres with Whitehall Lane Winery’s Leonardini vineyard and the Mayacamas Mountains just beyond, is the perfect setting for a relaxing trip. Most rooms have a gas or wood fireplace.
To get a behind-the-scenes guided tour of how some of the world’s best chefs got started, visit the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, a former 1800s winery. Get a taste of what professional and aspiring chefs learn by watching students hone their skills in the 15,000-square-foot teaching area. Visitors can participate in one of the school’s cooking demonstrations followed by a tasting featuring the flavors of wine country. Reservations are required.
Also, enjoy tastings at the flavor bar, experience the art of chocolate making in the chocolate room, shop in The Spice Island Marketplace or learn about wine and food pairings while dining in CIA’s on-site restaurant, Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, which overlooks the Charles Kruge Vineyard. The Vintners Hall of Fame room in CIA pays homage to people who have made Napa Valley what it is today.
Calistoga
Calistoga grows powerful red wines due to higher daytime and lower nighttime temperatures experienced in this northern end of the valley. Chateau Montelena Winery, on the northern tip of Calistoga, has tasting rooms inside and a courtyard and lawn areas outside. The winery’s 1973 Chardonnay victor in the 1976 Paris Tasting helped propel Chateau Montelena – and in fact all California wines – to the forefront of the wine world. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the actual location “Bottle Shock” was filmed. This 2008 comedy is based on the Paris wine competition. Vermeil Wines is the personal wine project of Super Bowl NFL head coach Dick Vermeil, who was raised in Napa Valley.
Aside from great wineries, Calistoga is home to world-famous, mineral-rich volcanic hot springs, hiking and biking trails, abundant shopping, live entertainment and great food. Want to get away from it all? Stay, dine and be pampered in the spa – all at Solage Calistoga.
Yountville
For 17 years, Cornerstone Cellars has been producing two distinct cabernets, Napa Valley and Howell Mountain. Sip wine and enjoy art at the same time at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley. Or, take a walk in their outdoor gardens landscaped with architectural remnants. There are several restaurants serving exceptional food in Yountville. Don’t miss Bouchon – you won’t be sorry. Dine at Bottega Napa Valley restaurant and meet chef/owner Michael Chiarello, an Emmy-winning Food Network host and also the founder of Napa Style, an upscale cookware and tools store, located in Yountville.
Ride the Rails
For the past 22 years, a popular attraction in Napa Valley has been a ride on the
Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy lunch or dinner and limited production wines in an elegant antique dining car as you journey through rolling vineyards, old haciendas and new chateaus of the region. The upscale menu features several starters, main courses and desserts to choose from. Whether it’s the daytime vistas or the romantic moonlight in the evening, the Napa Valley Wine Train is sure not to disappoint. Themed events take place throughout the year.
Reprinted with permission of AAA Journeys.
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