Napa is comprised of an assortment of towns, as well as the wineries and vineyards. We have enjoyed exploring the various components of Napa Valley that go beyond the wine glass.

Beginning at the back end of Napa Valley is the quaint town of Callistoga. The town is surrounded by wineries and offers an assortment of options to for visitors to stay at; however, we recommend a stay or at least a visit to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. The state park has camping (bring quarters for showers!) and when we visited was a quiet, great little base to explore Napa valley. Boethe-Napa is right outside of the town, so it was perfect to drive in and stop off at Callistoga Roastery. The roastery is situated in a one-story building that provides the town with a great cup of coffee and delicious breakfast items centered around bagels. We highly recommend a visit to Callistoga Roastery before setting off on the wine trail!

The next little town is St. Helena, which is the next largest town until you reach the city of Napa metro area. St. Helena has a lovely little downtown district for visitors to walk along and peruse. Two points of note is Guigini Grocery and the Model Bakery. When we visited we were trying to be cost conscious, so we stuck to cafes as much as possible. W F Giugni & Son, or simply Giugni Deli, provides visitors the opportunity to get a delicious deli sandwich. The deli is located in a small, one-story building that often has a line wrapping around the tiny store. Giugni Deli makes the perfect afternoon lunch before heading off to your second (or third) winery! Additionally, if you want to grab a baked good for the afternoon, you can stop by Model Bakery. The bakery has breakfast, lunch, breads, and sweets, providing visitors with an assortment of options delicious options!

After strolling quaint towns, visitors must stop by the main attractions – the wineries! During our visit, we visited the following: Beringer Vineyards, Grgich HIlls, Louis Martini, Sequoia Grove, and Vincent Arroyo.

Wineries:

–Beringer Vineyards: For those looking for a long-established elegant wine-tasting experience, Beringer Vineyards provides a great experience with some solid wines.

–Grgich Hills Estate: If you enjoy old-stye wine, Grgich Hills is delightful for wine-tasting! Grgich is our favorite Napa winery so far!

-Louis M. Martini: Located right along the main road, Louis M. Martini produces small-batch wines and dining experiences. The wine tasting room is situated a bit back from the main road, providing a little solitude. The space is expansive with a focus on a fine dining experience. Louis M. Martini has an expansive indoor and outdoor area based on your preference. The winery focuses on reds, so if you enjoy a Cabernet in a nice dining experience, you can take a stop by Louis M. Martini.

–Sequoia Grove: Those looking for a relaxed wine-tasting experience along the main road can stop off at and enjoy wine under a grove of Sequoia.

–Vincent Arroyo: One of the top wineries in the region, but off the main road, Vincent Arroyo provides an opportunity for top-rated wines in a more relaxed setting.

There are over 400 wineries in Napa Valley, so this is just the beginning, but we definitely recommend getting off the main road, enjoying wine, and exploring the towns!