California and Napa Valley Wine Guide

Between its beautiful National Parks, culture-defining entertainment industry and world-changing tech innovations, California has a lot to be proud of - and its wineries are no exception.

Though Napa and its neighboring vineyard towns may not be as well known (outside of the US, at least) as the French Bordeaux or Burgundy, the quality of their wines is definitely similar and the views are just as beautiful. Even if you’re not a wine fanatic - or a wine drinker at all - you'll never get bored traveling around Napa and Sonoma Valley.

So if you’re planning a trip to San Francisco or Northern California any time soon, or if you'll lucky enough to be visiting during California Wine Month then definitely make sure to free up one or two days for a wine stop!

The top producers of California wines are situated in Napa Valley, the true heart of it all. You will find plenty of big and small wineries throughout the rolling hills of this valley, soaking in the glowing Californian sunshine. The region is lucky enough to have a mild to warm climate all year round, with only a small chance of rain during the winter months, perfect for growing grapes. 

In and around the quaint towns of Napa, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Santa Helena, Rutherford and Calistoga you will see a collection of numerous ‘chateaus’ or wineries, each with their own signature. Even some Hollywood celebrities have their own domain here, for example the famous film director Francis Ford Coppola, who makes his own wine in his winery in Geyserville, a small town up north of Santa Rosa.

The best way to learn about the intricate processes behind the art of wine making is by visiting a winery and taking part in a tasting. With one or more glasses of wine in your hands, the host will tell you all about wine making and how to recognize good quality wine. If you’re still not satisfied after a few tasters, you'll also have the chance to buy your own bottles to take back home with you. 

If you don’t have the time for a full tasting, you'll most likely also get the chance to buy just a glass of wine on the winery’s property and enjoy drinking it in the wine cellars surrounded by the barrels or sitting outside on the property terrace while admiring the wonderful views of the colorful wine gardens.

We're sure we don't need to tell you - wine pairs really well with good food. Luckily, you'll be able to find many nice restaurants and farmer’s markets around where you can sample local wine combined with a delicious cheese platter or a perfectly seared steak. Some wineries even have their own 3-star restaurant, such as Scribe Winery in Sonoma, a family-owned wine property with its own food menu to taste at their breathtaking ‘Hacienda’.

If you really want to try something else than wine, then the Russian River Brewery is the place to go. This beer brewery and draft house is located in downtown Santa Rosa and attracts many wine, beer and food lovers throughout the year to enjoy a nice tasting moment around its tables. Russian River Brewery has won many awards with various signature beers, such as the popular Imperial IPA “Pliny the Elder”.

For everyone who needs to detox after all of the drinking and eating, you should visit the upscale town of Saint Helena, known by many for its luxurious spa centers. Wellness and wine make a great combo, so why not treat your body and soul to a relaxing afternoon in one of the many elegant resorts, such as the exquisite ‘Atrio Spa Las Alcobas’ on Main Street. Las Alcobas also has its own hotel, so if you are planning to stay longer than 1 day, then this is the perfect lodging for you.

In Saint Helena, often nicknamed as “Napa Valley’s Main Street”, you will also find Greystone restaurant, owned by the Culinary Institute of America, where most American top chefs get schooled. Their menu gets prepared by the student chefs with local ingredients such as herbs from their own herb garden. And if you rather want to get behind the stove yourself, then you can book a cooking class in one of the kitchens of the institute’s enormous college campus in Hyde Park.

In Calistoga you will not only find wine but also natural wonders such as the Petrified forest, a preserved ancient forest where you can go on a hike between the trails scattered with petrified remains of 3.4 million year old sequoia trees created by a volcanic explosion. Or go admire Old Faithful, an active geyser (hot spring) sharing its name with a more famous geyser in Yellowstone.

On your way back to San Francisco you might want to fit in a last stop at the Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, where you will find a national park covered in dense forests of coastal redwoods. These redwood trees are a close relative of the Giant Sequoia trees and tend to become thousand years old. The highest redwood in Muir Woods is 80 meters high and most of the trees at the park are between 500 and 800 years old.

You can easily travel to Napa and Sonoma Valley from the international airports of San Francisco or Sacramento by car. Pick-up your own rental car at the airport or book a private charter if you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself (or if you plan on consuming alcohol).

If you prefer to combine your trip with a city trip to San Francisco, then you could book one of Klook’s guided 1- or 2-day tours departing from the city centre.

Here are a few of our favorite tours:

If your journey takes you south, be sure to stop by Paso Robles en route!

You didn't think we'd forget SoCal, did you?

Heading out on a Californian road trip? Check out our US blog for more travel tips and hidden gems to include in your itinerary. Don't forget to tag us on social! @KlookTravel