People who know Tres and I best, know we love wine. Several sweet years ago, we took a trip to Napa and San Fran and got engaged. Ever since, Napa has been one of our favorite places on earth, and we tend to make at least one trip a year.
California wine country is literally one of the most beautiful places on earth. I think it's the closest landscape you can get to Europe in the US. Having traveled to wine areas in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Argentina, I can honestly say California wine country is still at the top of our list - and it shows! We’ve been to Napa more times than I can count, and I know the place like the back of my hand. I call it my second home, and it really does feel that way.
Some people like to go to the beach... we like to go to wine country! With that known, I get asked a lot for recommendations of our favorite wineries and restaurants. So, here's a list to go by if you ever decide to take a trip to the valley.
*** I break the roads and areas of Napa Valley down on my Instagram page Highlights. You can find full maps and detailed areas of where to stay, where to drive, etc - @Andreas_Cooktales
WINERIES:
Domaine Carneros
I'm obsessed with this place because it looks like an absolute palace. It's incredibly beautiful. It's the first winery we ever visited and we keep going back. They are known for their delicious sparking wine. Order a tasting of all their wines and a small bite to eat - caviar, perhaps? Simply sit on the patio and enjoy the views and richness of this place. It’s a bit off the beaten path from the main highway, but there are two other must-visit wineries near it: Cuvasion and Artesa. Make an appointment for a seat on the patio.
Cuvasion
It's right across the road from Domaine Carneros and the views are absolutely gorgeous. I love the front door patio to sit, drink wine on, and just take in the absolute beauty of the landscape.
Artesa
Just about a 5 minute drive around the corner from Domaine Carneros and Cuvasion, the winery and views here are stunning. The art and architecture is modern and welcoming. I'm a bigger fan of the atmosphere here than the actual wines. But go for the views and chic feel. It’s completely worth a trip for the views alone.
Opus One
A very knowledgeable tour with a fascinating family story and interesting vine picking and winemaking process. This wine is some of the best you'll ever drink... Rare to see it under $300 a bottle, but you get a glass on the tour. This wine is liquid gold, I tell you! Make an appointment.
Robert Sinsky
Best winery tour ever. Make sure you get the Full Circle Tour and go hungry! You will tour the grounds and learn about the produce they use in their food before you taste it. You'll get to eat fruit off the trees when walking around! I even took some of their bay leaves home - directly off the property! The tasting is in their caves, full of great food, superb wine, and elegance!
Miner
We love this winery. Right on the Silverado Trail - my favorite road to drive down in wine country, as there are a number of great wineries one after another. Sit on the deck, enjoy the views, and make sure you try the chardonnay - it’s the best!
Frank Family
This is one of mine and Tres' favorite wines ever. The atmosphere is low key, casual, and comfortable. You can genuinely see why it's called Frank "Family" because you feel like family here. Also a good place to end the day.. Lots of fun. Tres bought this wine for all his groomsmen in our wedding and we just keep on buying it! The Zin is our favorite and we actually fell in love with Zins in general because of this place.
Regusci Winery
Absolutely unbelievable reds. This winery’s wines are what makes Napa, Napa!
Reynolds Family
The family here is so nice and personable... You get a real family feel. The grounds are pretty and it's nice to just sit and drink outside and enjoy the winery.
Alpha Omega
Beautiful, busy, and right on the main highway. It's easy to get to and another good stop on a day you're winery hopping.
Robert Mondavi
Also on the main highway, this winery is rich with history and the tour is one of the most legit in Napa. You’ll learn a lot.
Mumm
Best patio ever and delicious sparkling wines. When you're here you feel like if you weren't here you'd be missing something. The crowd hanging here is fun, attractive, and just enjoying life. Reservations are a must.
Taylor Family
Oh wow! This place is such an experience! Their cheese pairing is to die for and the views are fabulous! The owner and her granddaughter sat with me and my mom and we chatted the entire time. The wineries with “Family” in the name are always so welcoming and this one is beyond!
Schramsberg
THE place for champagne lovers. While this winery produces sparkling wine, they have the closest process to the way real champagne in France is produced. If you go on the tour, you’ll get a glimpse into pretty much the same way champagne is made!
ZD Winery
Right down the street from Mumm, Balducci, and Miner, this is a must-stop. Delicious wines and views to die for! Ask to do a seated tasting, upstairs, on the patio. It's so relaxing!
Spring Mountain
Amazing views and awesome tasting. You're literally on Spring Mountain here. They greet you with wine and you sit and enjoy the view. Tasting is outside which is great. You must make an appointment.
Rombauer
Some of our favorite wines come from here, and we are wine club members of this one. Walk around and enjoy the grounds here, and you might run into a very nice man who will tell you lots of great stories and explain all the work that goes into the landscaping!
Beringer
This winery was a pleasant surprise. I promise it's not wall to wall with white zinfandel. The wines here are quite good! The Victorian house on the main road is difficult not to miss, and when you go in for a tasting you'll feel like you've gone back in time. It's a stunning place and worth a stop!
Caymus
Some of the best wine in the valley. Make an appointment for a great tour. I love how beautiful the grounds are here and the story of the family is so interesting. Our favorite wine here is Belle Glos Clark and Telephone!
Pride Mountain
The mountain wineries are some of the best, and Pride has a lot to be proud of. Their wines are delicious, their tour guides are great, and their views are some of the best. We took tons of pictures here!
Kuleto Estate
One of the best winery experiences we have ever had! Up a winding mountain, you'll think your lost on the journey up there, but once you get to the top it's like a spotlight is on Kuleto and all its glory! You'll feel like you were transmitted to an Italian vineyard. Farm animals run free, produce is abundant, and the panoramic views of the valley are that of what you can't get anywhere else. The wine is exceptional too. We took several bottles home a couple of years ago and haven't touched them yet.
RESTAURANTS:
Auberge du Soleil
Hands down #1 food rec I have for Napa. Best brunch ever. Of all time. It's a multi-coursed brunch with some of the most delicious food you can imagine and the best views of the valley from your patio table.
Farmstead
Rusic, casual, fun, farm to table restaurant. It's right on the main highway, and a great lunch stop if you've been drinking wine all day and get hungry. The food here is some of my favorite! We have done dinner here, too, and would do it again!
Ad Hoc
A Thomas Keller must! What am I saying... All Thomas Keller restaurants are a must! But this place is legendary when it comes to fried chicken night! Make sure you book on the right night. It's everything it's hyped up to be... Promise!
Bouchon
Another Thomas Keller favorite - we never go to Napa without a stop here for lunch. We sit on the patio, drink champagne, and eat as many oysters as we can stand!
Torc
Right in the main town of Napa. The food here is unbelievable and the atmosphere is lovely!
Archetype
A great brunch stop with a cool atmosphere, fun menu, and ambiance that could keep you there all day!
Dean and Deluca
If you're a food person at all, this is just a must. Even if you just walk around, but you won't want to do that. It's difficult to go in and not buy everything you see. We always get our picnic spread here and take it to a winery to consume with a bottle of wine!
Clif Family Winery Bruschetteria Truck
Clif Family is a must! It's a winery complete with bike rentals and a Bruschetta truck! It's a great lunch stop, and if you go at the right time, you can do a Bruschetta Wine Tasting. Their delicious wines are paired with bruschettas from their food truck.. Yum!
The Model Bakery
If you stay in or close to St Helena, this is the perfect pre-wine tasting stop. Delicious coffee and pastries, and the best homemade English Muffins you'll ever eat in your life live here!
Press
If you want steak, this is your place!
Tra Vigne
Amazing amazing amazing Italian food and pizza! I can't even with this place! Sit on their lovely patio for dinner and have one of their pizzas and the Rabbit Ragu!
Mustards Grill
A great, low-key, casual dinner spot. Don't let the casual throw you off - the food is to die for!
Goose and Gander
An upscale pub with great food and the best cocktails in the valley! If you can stand to drink more, go here after dinner for a nightcap. Or have dinner here - it will knock your socks off!
Bottega
A delicious Italian restaurant with a menu you will love and an atmosphere you want to be immersed in. Their cocktails are great too. It's fun to try a little bit of everything off the interesting menu.
Bistro Jeanty
i love this place because it's like being in France! You get the best of both worlds... Ideal French cuisine in the middle of Napa Valley. From foie gras, to pate, to escargot, to onion soup, this place screams French food and does it just right.
Brix Restaurant and Gardens
Beautiful patio overlooking gardens - great for a daytime stop for lunch. Fantastic food.
Solbar
The food here is superb but once you sit on the lush patio, you'll realize everyone really comes here for the sophistication. The ambiance at night cannot be beat... It's so chic!
Gott’s Roadside
You’re going to hear the burgers are to die for, and it’s ALL TRUE! Literal best burger ever. A great stop for lunch on the main highway - soak up all that wine! There’s also one in Oxbow Public Market now too if you’re in the Napa town.
Russian River Brewing Company
If you're staying in or around Santa Rosa, you don't want to miss coming here for a beer or two. We did the beer sampler and I would go back 100 more times! Sure, you're in wine country, but you may want to take a break for a cold one.
Willi's Wine Bar
Willi's is off the beaten path from the main area of wine country but if you're staying near Santa Rosa, this restaurant needs to go on your list. I couldn't even decide what to order here there was so much that looked good! You leave very full and happy.
The Girl and the Fig
This place is in Sonoma and it's my favorite restaurant there! I have the cookbook and love it - if that tells you anything.
*** This list used to be a hodge podge for any and all things in Napa, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, and Healdsburg. I am currently working on separate lists for all these! If you have any questions about specific places in any of these, Contact me… I will tell you my favs!
