Napa Valley
Things to Do
Come early, stay late. These are the places we send everyone. Most are walkable from the Estate at Yountville, and the rest are a short, pretty drive up the valley.
Walk to dinner in Yountville
All of these are within a few blocks of the Estate.
French bistro
Bouchon Bistro
Steak frites, oysters and a proper zinc bar. The easiest wonderful meal in town.
Visit →Morning pastries
Bouchon Bakery
Queue for the ham and cheese croissant before a walk down Washington Street.
Visit →Family style
Ad Hoc + Addendum
One four-course menu each night, served in bowls to pass. Fried chicken on Mondays.
Visit →Napa classic
Bistro Jeanty
Tomato soup in puff pastry and coq au vin in a room that never changes.
Visit →Roadhouse
Mustards Grill
Just south of town grilled everything, and the famous mile-high lemon pie.
Visit →Patio lunch
R+D Kitchen
Sunny terrace, great burgers and salads, no fuss. Good with children.
Visit →Italian
Ciccio
Wood-fired pizza and pasta in an old grocery store. Cash-warm and buzzy.
Visit →Tasting rooms & wineries
Book ahead nearly every winery in the valley is by appointment.
Sparkling · Yountville
Domaine Chandon
Bubbles on the lawn, a ten-minute walk from your room. Start here.
Visit →Cabernet · Silverado Trail
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
The wine that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, tasted where it's made.
Visit →Oakville
Robert Mondavi Winery
The valley's most famous arch, and a beautifully run tour.
Visit →Calistoga
Castello di Amorosa
A genuine 13th-century-style Tuscan castle, moat and all. Wonderful with kids.
Visit →Rutherford
Frog's Leap
Organic farming, a red barn, and porch tastings with garden vegetables.
Visit →Caves · Calistoga
Schramsberg
Candlelit hillside caves and traditional-method sparkling wine.
Visit →Rutherford
Inglenook
Coppola's restored château estate history, gardens and grand reds.
Visit →Art & wine
Hall St. Helena
Glass-walled tasting rooms, big Cabernet and a giant rabbit sculpture.
Visit →Out in the valley
Morning adventures, before the afternoon heat.
Sunrise flight
Napa Valley Balloons
Lift off from Yountville at dawn over the vines. Book well in advance.
Visit →Two wheels
Napa Valley Bike Tours
Rent bikes in Yountville and ride the flat vineyard trail to Oakville.
Visit →Vintage rail
Napa Valley Wine Train
Lunch in a restored 1915 Pullman car rolling up the valley floor.
Visit →Downtown Napa
Oxbow Public Market
Oysters, tacos, cheese and coffee under one roof. An easy afternoon.
Visit →Food campus
CIA at Copia
Cooking classes, a garden and a chocolate shop from the Culinary Institute.
Visit →Hiking
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Redwood shade and creek trails when you want a break from tasting rooms.
Visit →Trails & views
Skyline Wilderness Park
Wide-open ridge walks above Napa, best in the cool of the morning.
Visit →Day trip
Calistoga hot springs
Mud baths and mineral pools at the north end of the valley.
Visit →Slow mornings & spa
For the day after the dancing.
On property
Spa at the Estate at Yountville
Massages and facials without leaving the grounds. Book before you arrive.
Visit →Yountville
The Spa at Bardessono
Suite treatments in a quiet courtyard hotel a few minutes' walk away.
Visit →English muffins
Model Bakery
The griddled English muffin Oprah made famous. Go early.
Visit →Sweets
Kollar Chocolates
Tiny Yountville chocolatier in V Marketplace perfect gifts to take home.
Visit →Shopping
V Marketplace
Boutiques, art and wine bars inside a restored 1870 brick winery.
Visit →Town guide
Visit Yountville
The official town directory for hours, tastings and seasonal events.
Visit →Regional guide
Visit Napa Valley
Everything else in the valley, from farmers' markets to art walks.
Visit →Art
Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
217 acres of Bay Area art and sculpture on the Carneros hills.
Visit →