Travel Guide: Napa, CA

Last October, I had the wonderful privilege of visiting Napa for the first time for the PGA Tour’s Safeway Open. Known for some of the best wine in the world and for culinary expertise, Napa is a place with which I quickly fell in love.

Vineyards//Wineries

Alpha Omega

My visit to Alpha Omega was my favorite wine-tasting experience. The view is gorgeous and the wine is excellent.

Reservations are required on Saturdays after 2 p.m. for non-Wine Club members and for groups of six or more at all times.

Frank Family Vineyards

Rich Frank served as an executive at Walt Disney before following his passion for wine and starting a vineyard. This family-oriented wine label is full of history and tradition.

Reservations are required Friday-Sunday and are recommended for the rest of the week.

Caymus

My personal favorite wine! Many of the tastings at Caymus take place on a gorgeous, outdoor terrace. The magnificently colorful foliage in the fall is a bonus.

Reservations are recommended.

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Silver Trident Winery

For a very unique, cozy, and inviting tasting experience, visit Silver Trident in the heart of Yountville. The small production wine company is housed in a Ralph Lauren Home showroom. The tastings are held in the living room, dining room, or library of the house and each wine is paired with a delicious small bite.

Reservations recommended for parties of six or more.

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For a Quick Bite:

Gott’s Roadside

For super yummy burgers or amazing tuna tacos in a roadside diner setting you must give this place a try! There are multiple locations in Northern California and we visited the one in downtown Napa.

Nearby, you will find the Oxbow Public Market, which is a vibrant venue featuring a diverse collection of local food vendors, decadent cafes, and delicious organic produce. It easily became one of my favorite finds!

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For a tasty lunch:

Bistro Jeanty

Nothing says quaint quite like a French bistro located in the heart of charming Yountville. The tomato soup enclosed in a puff pastry is unbelievable!

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For a delicious dinner:

Bistro Don Giovanni

An exquisite Italian restaurant recommended by locals, Bistro Don Giovanni is a must visit! The Mandilli pasta with pesto is to die for!

For a sweet treat:

Bouchon Bakery

Esteemed chef Thomas Keller’s Bakery, Bouchon, usually has a line out the door and for good reason! Do not miss out on their macarons and a cup of coffee. I highly recommend the C’Macaron, which is made with chocolate, caramel, and coconut!

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In addition to visiting vineyards and eating fabulous meals:

Take a stroll around the charming and quaint town of Yountville.

Walk by Chef Thomas Keller’s culinary garden, where the featured fruits and vegetables of his ever-changing menu at his highly acclaimed restaurant, The French Laundry, are grown.

Visit the Silverado Resort, home of the PGA Tour Safeway Open.

I am already looking forward to a return visit to Napa! If you have traveled to Napa, I’d love to hear some of your favorites below!

Always finding joy,

Francie

1 Comment

  1. March 11, 2017 / 6:14 pm

    Great post! You hit all the best wineries and my favorite food spots. We live in Napa so we get to try new places every weekend but end up going back to our faves. For your next trip to Napa, check out our wine country blog for some suggestions: http://www.topochinesvino.com

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