Use this guide to learn everything there is to know about Napa Valley so that you can visit the region like a true sommelier!

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📍- Napa Valley, California

Nestled between the Vaca and Mayacamas mountains and just 70 miles north of San Francisco there hides hundreds of hillside vineyards. This valley, with mountainous walls that shield it from the excessive California heat, is also known to be a basin of pre-historic volcanic soils which make it one of the best environments in the world for winemaking grapes to flourish.

Napa Valley is famous for producing some of the most intricate and uniquely complex wines in the world. It attracts nearly 4 million visitors every year, each of which hopes to catch a glimpse of the vineyards which tapestry the golden California hillsides and taste the robust wine that is created there.

If you’re anything like me, however, you might feel overwhelmed, and perhaps a bit undeserving to sample some of this wine while rubbing elbows with wine connoisseurs and blossoming sommeliers. Please, oh please, don’t let that fear stop you from planning the trip to Napa Valley that you’ve always dreamt of. I felt that same intimidation before our recent two-week stay in Napa, but after spending that time learning everything I could about the area, I’ve discovered some secrets which should help you experience this wine country with confidence. So, if that sounds like just the thing you’ve been searching for, continue reading this beginner’s guide to Napa Valley so that you can visit Napa like a true professional.

Whether you can bring your own snacks to a wine tasting will depend on the policies of each winery. Generally, more relaxed wineries such as Hagafen Cellars that do not serve their own food will let you bring your own snacks along to the tasting. Any that offers charcuterie selections or has their own kitchen will ask you to leave outside food off the premises. These policies are typically listed on their websites for easy reference.

Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi was the very first winery that we tried while in Napa Valley and it remains memorable for its exquisite estate, notable wines, and top-notch service. Upon entering their vineyard, the host immediately offered to take our photo in front of the vineyards. We were seated immediately on their white tablecloth patio and were quickly met with a wine expert who took the time to teach us how to do a proper Napa tasting before leading us through a personalized tasting of their wines. This was one of the more expensive tastings that we did, at $85 a person excluding our charcuterie board, but the experience was definitely worth it.

Hagafen Cellars

Hagafen was the winery where I felt like I could be my most authentic self. With bench seating within their fairytale garden, we were welcomed with a glass of champagne while listening to wind chimes and overlooking their newly replanted vineyard. This organic, award-winning, family-owned winery has an intimate feel and is recognized as the only kosher winery in Napa Valley. As a bonus, they take their commitment to sustainability seriously. They hold the badge of being a Napa Green certified winery, are solar powered, and even have an electric vehicle charging station in their parking lot. While there is a pre-set tasting menu here, they encourage you to swap any wines you aren’t interested in with any of their others. This winery had a 2019 Sauvignon blanc which ended up being one of our favorite wines that we tried while in Napa.

Shadybrook Estate

Aside from having one of the best Pinot Noirs I have ever tasted, Shadybrook is a newer winery that has already reached international fame due to its standards and quality. If you visit in the summer months, you will likely be seated in one of their large and comfortable outdoor seats set within their spacious patio. The service here is very intimate with the servers taking the time to sit and discuss the wines with you in between moments where you have the opportunity to look out onto their 12-acre, premium vineyard. It was here that we had one of the best charcuterie boards we had ever tried which included a truffle cheese that I can almost taste again if I concentrate hard enough. While we didn’t opt for the experience, you can actually tour their estate atop horseback before your tasting which I can only imagine being a fun and unique way to introduce you to this Napa Valley gem.

Gott’s Roadside

If you’re hankering for a bite to eat and don’t have a reservation anywhere, you would be hard pressed to find a casual restaurant that serves up anything tastier than what you’ll find at Gott’s Roadside. In a relaxed and friendly environment, this burger joint serves elevated American fare which is so good it brought us back for seconds. Our favorites here included the California burger, the black and white milkshake, the garlic parmesan fries, and the ahi tuna tacos. The excellence of this place is no secret so you will come upon a line to place your order. The queue tends to move quickly though, and shouldn’t leave you waiting for too long.

Hal Yamashita

If you are a sushi lover then Hal Yamashita is the place for you. We had been dreaming of fresh California seafood after traveling inland for months, and this restaurant checked all the boxes. Hal Yamashita serves some of the freshest seafood in Napa Valley within a modern, sophisticated and upscale atmosphere. Their menu has options from simple traditional rolls to 6-course dining experiences that will leave your tastebuds feeling like they’re in an amusement park. If that isn’t enough, their menu features a wide assortment of Japanese Sake, some of which have Hal Yamashita as their exclusive home within the United States.

Mustards Grill

Mustards Grill is a favorite in the area, known for its infamously dense wine menu that you could easily get lost in, and its one-of-a-king pork chop that will surely blow your socks right off your feet. From start to finish, we loved absolutely everything that touched our table throughout our dining experience. From the ahi tuna crackers, Mongolian pork chop, grilled salmon drizzled with sundried tomato butter, and a healthy serving of pineapple upside-down cake, we left Mustards feeling satisfied on every culinary level. In the summer, its outdoor patio is decorated with hallways of blooming sunflowers while the winter allows guests to marvel at the blossoming mustard flowers which surround the restaurant. We recommend booking reservations a week ahead of time.

Vine Trail

The Napa Valley Vine Trail is currently a 12.5-mile bike trail leading from Kennedy Park in Napa City to Yountville. The ultimate goal is to continue the trail north for a total of 47 miles, connecting Napa to Calistoga’s Hot Springs in a stunning path that will weave through the world-renowned vineyards of Napa Valley. If you enjoy biking, or if you would prefer to walk, this path is relatively flat and gives tourists a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature while getting in some exercise to counteract the overconsumption that has likely filled the rest of your time here.

Skyline Wilderness Park

Another area that offers a bounty of fresh air and outdoor recreation is Skyline Wilderness Park. We camped our RV here for two weeks during our stay in Napa which helped make the trip a lot more affordable than it would have been otherwise. The park offers plenty of opportunities for biking, walking, and hiking, even featuring a well-used disc golf course that you can take a stab at completing if you feel so inclined.

Oxbow Public Market

If you’re looking for a social hub with great shopping, dining, and occasional entertainment, then we suggest checking out the Oxbow Public Market. We stopped here several times to take a walk and grab a casual bite to eat, but it's also a fabulous place to find a souvenir. Its riverside deck offers great views where you can sample a couple of locally harvested oysters. When we were there during the Fourth of July weekend, the marketplace even hosted a concert which was complete with a fireworks show. 

We hope you enjoyed this guide to the beautiful Napa Valley wine country. If you have any questions or perhaps a tip that I may have missed, please share it in the comments below so that we can help future travelers together!

Thank you for joining us at Discovery Detour, where the destination is always unknown.