Since SFX headquarters are located in California, we have a lot of wine experts who enjoy spending weekends in sprawling vineyards and relaxing wineries. When aficionados start on a wine-tasting adventure, California’s Napa Valey is always a top destination. Its pastoral views along and absolutely delicious wines make it a must-go. There’s even a special train route just for those interested in visiting and tasting all that Napa has to offer. California vineyards stretch for miles while visitors sip an array of white, red, sparkling and rose wines. There are also a number of vineyard spas that pair delicious wine with relaxation.
So what’s the best way to unlock the beauty of wine country in California? Here are a few tips from our SFX staff.
Open Wine Tasting Rooms
If you are a first timer visitor to Napa or you’re not too picky where you go for wine, it’s better to choose larger vineyards that will have open wine tasting rooms. These don’t require reservations, so you don’t have to stick to any schedule. Some of our favorites include
For those who really want to have a special experience, then you’ll need to get a little deeper into the wine country and start exploring some of the more exclusive areas of Napa.
Finding Your Napa Legs
For those first time visitors to Napa, it’s important to understand that Napa Valley isn’t really centrally located to one or two vineyards. IT’s a long, linear strip of geography that runs North up Highway 29 from Carneros to Calistoga. In fact, you’ll spend about an hour driving the length of it, and that’s when there isn’t any traffic.
The best way to navigate around Napa is to look at a map of the region and plan winery visits based on the south or north end, then move your way up or down according to the region you want to visit. To make it easy, Napa Valley Vintners has created an interactive map and trip planner just for travelers headed to the wine country. This way, you won’t miss any of the best spots while being captivated by glorious views of the vineyards.
Buying Your Favorite Wines
People pick wines for all types of reasons. For some wine lovers, it’s all about the taste of the grape. Then, a certain wine may relate to a beautiful memory. When a vineyard really speaks to you, then purchasing a bottle or two is in your best interest! You’ll be able to visit memories from that vineyard again and again.
Some tasting events are free, but they require significant planning. Typically, you’ll spend anywhere from $25 to $60 for one tasting. You may also spend more at exclusive wineries where you have to make an appointment. These tastings are well worth it at some of the better wineries, where your party will be guided by an expert guide, winery manager or even a winemaker. This way, you really learn about the wines and the story of the winery as you taste some of the fruits of their labor. Ultimately, any good winery guide is going to suggest that you purchase some of what you taste. These bottles can get pricy, so it’s best to do some research before you go.
Want to make an appointment at a specialty winery so you get a real experience? These are some of our choices:
Best Time to Visit Napa
Determining when to visit Napa largely depends on your own tastes. For some, going to Napa when the clusters of grapes are hanging from the vine is the perfect time to visit–and that’s late July through Fall.
However, while harvest season may seem like the best time to go, it’s not the best if you want a more relaxed appointment host. Harvest is one of the busiest and stressful times for wineries. Harvesting grapes is measured in days and hours, not necessarily weeks, and a good harvest is dependent on weather and climate conditions.
The most beautiful time to visit Napa is the spring. This is when vines have started to flower. You’re also much more likely to get a laid-back host as harvest has been over for quite some time.
We hope that you enjoy your next trip to Napa Valley. Want to stay in an SFX Resort when you go? RiverPointe Napa Valley and WorldMark Windsor are located right by fantastic vineyards.
Happy wine tasting!
