A Weekend in Napa Valley: The Best Things to Do

Napa Valley, California, is full of charming little towns, gorgeous scenery, and delicious food. If you’re planning a trip to Napa Valley, it’s important to plan ahead so you can hit the ground running and enjoy your time in the area as much as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Napa Valley. Enjoy!

Hess Persson Estates

Hess Persson Estates founded their winery on the slopes of Mount Veeder. They strongly believe the thin volcanic soil would yield better quality berries.

Today, the second generation oversees a portfolio of family-owned vineyards that consistently produce exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. This prime location provides an ideal environment for growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that produce concentrated yet balanced wines with velvety tannins.

Take a tour, enjoy one of their year-round events or sit back and relax while you take in the scenery and delicious wine.

Napa Valley Open Air Wine Trolley Tour with Lunch

The Napa Valley Open Air Wine Trolley Tour is a gorgeous 5-hour trolley ride that travels from winery to winery with wine tastings at three of those stops. Enjoy the scenic view in the comfort of the Trolley, and listen to the Guide in between stops to learn the history of each winery. Food is included at one of those stops, and your hostess gives you a little lesson on each wine before you enjoy it.

Jarvis Estate

This is a beautiful winery/estate which you can tour when visiting Napa. They have the first and largest (4500 sq ft) cave complete with a waterfall to conserve the humidity and temperature necessary for the completion of Jarvis’s Estate Signature Style extended aging process in French Oak Barrels.

If you have time and are planning on enjoying a wine tasting experience, it is definitely worth considering adding Jarvis Estate to your itinerary. You will find views of rolling hills filled with grapevines, as well as vineyards throughout their estate.

Jarvis Estate also hosts yearly events at their 100-year stone winery building like Operas, film workshops, and Napa Valley Youth symphony.

Wine Country Hot-Air Balloon Ride

If you have ever considered taking a hot-air balloon ride, now is your chance. This trip departs from Yountville, CA, and includes a flight over Napa Valley Wine Country.

This is such an exciting way to view the wineries. They offer pre-flight refreshments to warm up as it gets a bit chilly up in the air and a sparkling wine celebration with the pilot afterward. The whole ride lasts about 4 hours but is filled with lots of information from the pilot.

Sequoia Grove Winery

It’s easy to feel like a celebrity when you make your way up to Sequoia Grove Winery. Surrounded by chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot grapes, and rolling hills of golden grass dotted with sycamore trees, it’s an idyllic setting for an afternoon lunch and wine tasting.

The winery was founded in a small 100-year-old barn located under a patch of Sequoia trees. Today the Winery covers over 100 acres and works with nine different varieties of grapes to produce their beautiful full-bodied wines.

Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros will take your breath away with its grand staircase and beautiful well-manicured gardens, marble-floored fireside salon, and beautiful breathtaking views of the vine-covered hills. They allow Service animals but no pets. This looks like the perfect Winery to formally celebrate many occasions.

Take a tour of Domaine Carneros, which produces some of California’s most revered wines—its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are particularly notable.

Sonoma Horseback-Riding Tour

Visitors who are eager to see California’s Wine Country from a horseback perspective shouldn’t miss an opportunity to take a Sonoma Horseback-Riding Tour.

This excursion will be something you never forget, thanks in part to your guide, who is sure to point out local sights, including historical landmarks and natural wonders that couldn’t be seen on foot. Some of these activities include visiting a world-class winery, as well as lunch at one of several excellent restaurants.

Self-Guided Napa Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game

Napa is chock-full of wine tasting rooms, world-class restaurants, galleries, and spas. If you’re looking for something unique and fun that’s not on your average tourist map, try a self-guided Napa scavenger hunt walking tour and game. A self-guided walk can be enjoyed by groups or individuals with little or no mobility issues (depending on pace). It is such a Wheelchair and stroller-friendly thing to do while learning about the history of downtown Napa including learning about some of the hidden gems that are not talked about. Be competitive and have a good time with friends.

Stags Leap Winery

Located just outside of Calistoga, California, Stags’ Leap Winery is a popular destination among travelers. Stags’ Leap has won more than 400 wine awards since 1989 and has been voted Winery of the Year twice. Explore the valley and caves, visit their tasting room and learn about their intriguing brand story. This Winery is by reservation only as it is situated on private grounds.

Private Wine Country Tour Including Photography Services

Explore the Wineries in Napa Valley California in VIP style when you choose Private Wine Country Tour Including Photography Services. The owner of this service Dandy Noel was an LA Video/Producer and Photographer before moving to Napa and pursuing her Passion for Wine and Photography.

With their extensive knowledge of the Wineries and connections, you can sit back, put the phone away and enjoy the scenery with all senses. You’ll have plenty of time to photograph gorgeous views and record your happy memories for years to come professionally. They can drive your rental or arrange their own transportation.

Castello di Amorosa

The best thing you can do on a weekend in Napa is visited Castello di Amorosa, a spectacular reproduction of a 13th Century medieval Tuscan castle. The castle spans over 136,000 square feet with 107 rooms, four underground levels, and four above-ground levels.

Dario Sattui envisioned the castle being built the old-fashioned way from hand-chiseled stone and using only old interiors that mimic those of the 700 to 800 century. To visit and tour the castle and grounds is a truly enchanting experience and perfect for celebrating special occasions.

Built as an exclusive resort complex, Castle di Amorosa features several restaurants (including its own on-site brewery), rooms for rent, and even has its own vineyard. There’s also a shop full of wine, food items, and souvenirs that make perfect gifts for friends back home. They also host several events throughout the year, be sure to check their website.

If you want to take home something extra special from your trip, consider signing up for one of their winemaking classes or wine tasting experiences – both are incredibly popular with tourists and locals alike! With over 100 different wines available at any given time (most made right there at Castello di Amorosa) it’s hard not to find something that will pair perfectly with your meal.

Hiking and Wine Tasting Tour in Napa Valley

Hiking and Wine Tasting Tour in Napa Valley is famous for supporting the smaller “Boutique Wineries” as they are known, very fitting for hikers to enjoy. The trip starts off bright and early. Hike through 3 to 4 miles of lush greeneries and redwoods as the guide educates the group on the plant life as well as a little history of the wineries visited.

Then enjoy a meal with the perfect wine pairing of the Boutique’s premium wines. Tasting fees and wine pairing are included in their ticketed price which is a big plus! This is an excellent day trip for those who want to experience some of California’s breathtaking natural beauty and sip on some fine wines.

O’Brien Estate Winery

The O’Brien Estate Winery is more of a mom-and-pop winery in contrast to the others out there with only 33 Acres of the estate to grow their grapes. However, with age and constant improvements, their wine became recognized by the legendary critic Robert M. Parker Jr. with glowing reviews. So to try a glass of wine from the O’Brien Estate Winery, they could be the next big deal in Napa Valley.

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Situated on one of California’s most picturesque mountains, Pride Mountain Vineyards offers a stunning view from its veranda. For those who want to expand their wine education, take a tour of the Pride Mountain Vineyards facilities or join one of their wine-tasting classes.

During these educational excursions, you can also sample some of Pride Mountain Vineyards’ award-winning wines. Additionally, you can purchase bottles directly from their online store and have them shipped directly to your home. In addition to tours and tastings, Pride Mountain Vineyards also has several events throughout the year that you can enjoy with family and friends.

6-Hour Private Limousine Tour for Napa and Sonoma Valley Wineries

Spend your day wine tasting in luxury with a private limousine tour of Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries. This is the perfect way to enjoy multiple larger wineries in one day without having a designated driver. Tours and Tickets by Rodney B is one company that offers its service. Celebrate all your special occasions in style.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that Napa Valley is world-renowned for its incredible wineries and expansive vineyards. From scenic hikes along with vistas with breathtaking views of sprawling valleys and rows upon rows of grapes to tasting some of the best wines ever crafted by man, there are many things you can do on a trip to wine country.