What’s the Best Way to Experience Napa Valley

Napa Valley is known for its wineries and internationally-acclaimed wines, making it one of the most well-known wine regions in the world. It is also home to delicious food and exciting outdoor adventures which everyone will definitely enjoy. Napa Valley is comprised of six towns – namely Napa, Yountville, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oakville. Each of these towns boasts their own unique specialties. 

Throughout the years, Napa Valley has become a very popular tourist destination. This all started when a local winery’s chardonnay won over nine others at the prestigious Judgment of Paris in 1976. Because it bested other popular wine regions such as France, people flocked to the area to see what makes Napa Valley wine so special. From then on, different wineries with their own crafted wines have emerged and flourished. 

Preparing to go to Napa

Before you go on your trip to Napa Valley, there are important things that you need to consider and plan for:

1. Research Napa Valley’s offerings. What are you looking forward to experiencing in Napa? Wine tasting and tours, outdoor activities, the hot springs, or all of the above? Planning your itinerary is the best way to start and to do that, you need to research all the things you can do in Napa Valley and then narrow down the list to what you want to do. 
2. Know the weather when you visit. Regularly check weather forecasts so that you have an idea of what to wear before going. You don’t want to be underdressed or overdressed as the weather in the area can change from morning to afternoon. 
3. Consider the time of the year of your visit. A lot of people come to Napa Valley during the summer and fall because it is their peak seasons. When you plan to visit during these times, make all your accommodations and tour reservations in advance. 
4. Limit winery visits to 1 to 3 per day. Your Napa Valley trip is not going to be complete without going on winery tours. You may be tempted to go on a lot of them in one day but this is not recommended. To avoid being overwhelmed and rushing from one place to another, only go to 1 to 3 wineries a day to at least give you some spare time to visit other places. 
5. Hire a driver. You may want to hire a professional driver to drive you around Napa Valley during your visit. This will lessen your burden of driving yourself or your group to different places. Drivers can also offer suggestions and recommendations if you have a hard time deciding where to go. 

 

The Napa Valley Experience

When visiting Napa Valley, you have the option to go around on your own or you could take advantage of a private guided tour to learn more about the region. For transportation, you could book a town car, limousine, or even a bus if you are travelling with a large group. You can also visit famous and historic wineries via the Napa Valley Wine Trolley or the Napa Valley Wine Train. After the train or trolley ride, its drop-off point is the downtown area where the Oxbow Public Market is within walking distance where you can buy souvenirs and locally-made olive oils. If you are looking for a much more exciting experience, try a hot air balloon ride early in the morning to witness the fantastic view of the valley and the vineyards. 

Visit Fantesca

Winery visits are a must when visiting Napa Valley. Fantesca Estate & Winery is one of the must-visit wineries which offers limited production, one-of-a-kind wines crafted by the famous winemaker, Heidi P. Barrett. Fantesca’s 10-acre vineyard planted with the best grapes and olive trees and the breathtaking Spring Mountain can be viewed at its private deck. You also have a chance to see the cave where wines are aged and proceed to wine tasting at the private wine tasting salon. Schedule an appointment now to fully experience this fantastic wine tour at Fantesca!