Table of Contents
Overview
We recently visited Napa Valley this past October for our 5th Wedding Anniversary. Even though it can be a little busy this time of year, October is my favorite month to visit the valley. The weather is perfect, harvest activities are underway and the leaves are starting to turn color on the vines. It’s a magical time to be in wine country.
The main focus of this trip to Napa Valley was finding some of the smaller wineries to visit. We spent a day near Howell Mountain and another day in the Stags Leap District. We also spent a lot of time up near Calistoga. It was fun to get off the main highway and explore some lesser known wineries. I’d highly recommend this itinerary if you’ve been to Napa Valley numerous times. Even if you haven’t traveled to Napa before, you’ll still find plenty of recommendations that are well suited for a first-timer. Cheers!
Where We Ate
Yountville:
- Ad Hoc + Addendum (Lunch)
- Redd Wood (Dinner)
- Bottega (Dinner)
- R + D Kitchen (Dinner or Lunch)
- Bouchon Bakery (Breakfast)
Downtown Napa:
- Morimoto Napa (Dinner)
St. Helena:
- Long Meadow Ranch (Brunch/Lunch or Dinner)
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Napa Valley Railway Inn in Yountville. You can’t beat the location and it’s much more affordable than the other hotels in Yountville. The rooms are very cozy, and it is equipped with everything we need. One of my favorite things is about staying here is watching the hot air balloons take off in the morning!
Wineries We Visited
We had a reservation at all of these wineries except for Alpha Omega and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. I always recommend making a reservation in advance!
- Schramsberg (Calistoga)
- Alpha Omega (St. Helena)
- Aonair Wines (Howell Mountain)
- Forman Vineyard (Howell Mountain)
- Seavey Vineyard (Howell Mountain)
- Clos Du Val (Stag’s Leap District)
- The Setting Wines (Oak Knoll)
- Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Stag’s Leap District)
- Davis Estates (Calistoga)
- Reverie II (St. Helena)
Itinerary
Thursday
- 9:30 AM – Landed at Oakland International Airport
- 11:30 AM – Lunch at Ad Hoc + Addendum
- 1:30 PM – Wine Tasting & Cave Tour at Schramsberg
- 3:15 PM – Wine Tasting at Alpha Omega
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at Bottega in Yountville
Friday
- 10:00 AM – Wine Tasting at Aonair Wines
- 12:00 PM – Wine Tasting at Forman Vineyard
- 1:15 PM – Quick Lunch from Gary’s Grocery in St. Helena
- 2:00 PM – Wine Tasting at Seavey Vineyard
- 4:30 PM – Stone Brewing in Downtown Napa
- 5:30 PM – Cocktails at Avow in Downtown Napa
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at Morimoto Napa
Saturday
- 10:00 AM – Wine Tasting at Clos Du Val
- 12:00 PM – Wine Tasting at The Setting Wines
- 1:30 PM – Lunch at Ad Hoc + Addendum
- 2:30 PM – Wine Tasting at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
- 4:00 PM – Shopping in Yountville
- 4:30 PM – Drinks at Restoration Hardware Wine Vault
- 5:30 PM – Appetizers and Drinks at R + D Kitchen
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at Redd Wood
Sunday
- 10:00 AM – Wine and Food Pairing at Davis Estates
- 12:00 PM – Wine Tasting at Reverie II
- 2:00 PM – Lunch at Long Meadow Ranch
- 3:30 PM – Leave for Airport
The Details
Thursday
Our first day in Napa was more of a half day since we flew in that morning. We arrived in Yountville around 11:30 AM and immediately went to Ad Hoc + Addendum for lunch. Ad Hoc is the sit down restaurant that is a little bit fancier, and Addendum is where you can get a casual lunch. One of the nice things about Addendum is that you can order your lunch to-go and bring it along to one of your wineries!
Addendum has a few different options on their menu, but they are most known for their fried chicken. It was delicious! Alex ended up getting the pulled pork sandwich, and he thought that was amazing as well. Basically, you can go wrong with whatever you order! The fried chicken meal comes with cornbread and two sides, so come hungry. We easily could have split that one meal between the two of us.
After enjoying lunch in Yountville, we made the trek up to Calistoga for our first tasting. We reserved a 90-minute tour and tasting at Schramsberg Vineyards. Schramsberg is most well known for their sparkling wines and their cave tour. If you get there early, be sure to take a stroll around the gardens outside. They have a nice fountain and a few different buildings on the property that are very historic.
The cave tour was really neat and very informational. We learned about the history of the winery, the winemaking techniques and everything else in-between. I thought the caves were fascinating, and it was crazy to see how much wine they can store inside them. You would think they would lose track of all these bottles since there are so many!
We tasted about 4-5 different sparkling wines during this experience, and it was interesting to compare and contrast the flavors. We had some of their current vintages and some older vintages dating back to 2010. Our guide said that some people think their sparkling wine tastes more “French” than some of the champagne coming out of France! I might have to agree with that because I thought their wine tasted extremely different than any of the other sparkling wines I’ve had in California. It was definitely a unique experience!
We didn’t have any set plans after Schramsberg, so we decided to try walking in to Alpha Omega. It was a little crowded when we arrived, but we were lucky enough to find a spot in the shade outside. They have a beautiful patio overlooking some of their vineyards, so it’s an amazing place to taste wine. I love finding wineries that have a great view because I think it can make the experience that much better.
We tried a wide variety of wines at Alpha Omega, but my favorite wines they produce are all of their Cabernet Sauvignons. We tried a few different vintages of Cabernet as well as some 2017 barrel samples. One of my favorite wines we tried during the visit was the 2010 To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon. The To Kolan Vineyard is one of the most famous and most coveted vineyards in all of Napa Valley. You won’t find a To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon for under $150 a bottle because the grapes are so expensive. If you ever get a chance to try Cabernet from To Kalon, do it!
After spending a few hours at Alpha Omega, we made our way back to Yountville to freshen up for dinner. We made reservations at an Italian restaurant called Bottega. We ordered a wide variety of dishes including crudo, brussel sprout salad and a few different pastas. It was all so delicious, and I would definitely eat here again. If you’re craving pasta in wine country, this is the place for you!
We went straight to bed after dinner, but there are plenty of places to grab a drink if you are wanting to extend the evening.
Friday
We spent the majority of Friday near Howell Mountain and had reservations to visit several smaller wineries. Our first tasting of the day was at Aonair. We originally heard about this winery from someone who sold us their wine fridge a couple years ago. They told us to visit the next time we were in Napa, so we did!
This was a very nice, private experience and we had the owner’s father as our host. He gave us so much information about the winery, the land and the history of it all. I love it when you get individual attention on wine tours because you always learn so much more.
I loved the tasting room at Aonair because they had gorgeous views of several vineyards on Howell Mountain. They have a beautiful patio where you can sit down and enjoy your tasting by the warm fire. It was so cozy, and it made for a relaxing experience.
We ended up going on an ATV ride down to one of the vineyards on their property that overlooks Lake Hennessey. The owner named it “Dad’s Block” in honor of his father. I couldn’t believe the views and how gorgeous it was down there!
Our host found out that we were celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary, so he opened a bottle of sparkling wine for us to celebrate. It was the perfect setting and the perfect place for us to toast to 5 years of marriage!
I really cannot say enough good things about this experience at Aonair. We had the best time, drank the best wines and learned so much. I would highly recommend this tour and tasting experience if you are looking for something more private and intimate.
Our second tasting of the day was just down the road at Forman Vineyard. This is another super small winery, but they make some amazing Cabernet Sauvignon. Their winemaker/owner, Ric Forman, used to be the winemaker at Sterling years and years ago. Eventually, he found land and started a winery of his own.
This tasting experience was private and was held inside an old stone building that kind of felt like a cottage or something. It was a very cozy setting for a wine tasting.
The tasting consisted of three wines: one Chardonnay and two different vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet was perfect and was one of my favorite wines that I tasted throughout the weekend. Both vintages were incredible and we ended up taking a few bottles home with us. These are definitely wines that we plan to age in our cellar for years to come.
After our tasting at Forman, we ran into a local grocery store/deli to grab a bite to eat before our next appointment. Gary’s Wine & Marketplace is located in St. Helena, and it used to be where Dean and DeLuca was located. We were able to grab a few quick snacks like nuts, charcuterie and some chips. If you’re looking for a super quick option for lunch, this would be a great place to stop!
Our final tasting of the day was at Seavey Vineyard. This is another winery located on the base of Howell Mountain, so it fit perfect into our schedule for the day.
We were given a really nice tour and overview of the winery, and it just so happened that we got to see all of the harvest activities in action. While we were visiting, we got to see the staff doing punchdowns and pour overs with the 2019 vintage, so I thought that was really neat.
I loved that the tasting experience consisted of all red wines, most of which was Cabernet Sauvignon. Seavey also makes a really good Merlot, so I appreciated trying something a little bit different. It can be hard to find Merlot by itself, so I get excited when wineries offer it on their testing menu.
Overall, I loved our visit to Seavey and the fact that we got personalized attention throughout the tasting. They were extremely passionate about everything they do and all of the wines they produce. I’d highly recommend a visit to Seavey if you’re looking for a nice experience, great wines and great people.
We ended the day by heading to downtown Napa for drinks and dinner. There are so many good restaurants and bars in the downtown area, and it’s always so hard for us to choose where to go. We ended up grabbing a beer at Stone Brewing and cocktails at Avow. I love the rooftop bar at Avow because it has the best views of Downtown Napa. They also offer an amazing selection of cocktails, wine and beer.
For dinner, we went to Morimoto Napa and sat at the bar. I think they have some of the best sushi and sashimi out of any restaurant I’ve ever been to. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The presentation is amazing, and the service has always been great. We’ve been here numerous times and we’ve never been let down. If you’re looking for amazing sushi or seafood in Napa Valley, this is your place!
Saturday
Our first tasting of the day was at Clos Du Val, which is located in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. I had heard a lot of good things about this winery, so I was excited to visit.
They have a beautiful tasting room that has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. If you snag a spot on the patio, you’ll have an amazing view of their vineyards.
Our tasting was private, and we had our own host who gave us a great overview of the winery and the history behind it. He took us on a little tour of the property, and we were lucky enough to see some harvest activities in action. I love getting some “behind the scenes” action when visiting a winery.
I loved everything we tried, but I think my favorite wine was their Cabernet Sauvignon. We had a couple different vintages and they were both fantastic. If you’re looking for a great Cab, be sure to check out Clos Du Val!
After an incredible start to the day, we hopped over to The Setting Wines for our next tasting. Something unique about this winery is that they have their own Bed and Breakfast! If you’re looking for a place to stay in Napa, be sure to check them out. They have a beautiful property with a gorgeous views of the nearby vineyards.
This tasting room has to be one of my all time favorites. It is absolutely adorable, and it makes me want to decorate our home like this. It’s extremely cozy, and they have plenty of places to sit and relax with a glass of wine. I also loved that they had TONS of different wine books laying around the tasting room.
Our tasting consisted of a Sauvignon Blanc and two different Cabernet Sauvignons. One Cab was from Oakville and the other was from Alexander. While they were both delicious, we preferred the Cab from Alexander Valley. We ended up purchasing a bottle to take home with us!
We enjoyed a little charcuterie with our wine pairing, so that was a nice touch. It’s always fun to try the wine with and without food. The cheese was delicious, and I loved the olives as well. It’s always nice to get a little snack with your wine tasting.
After our tasting, we went to Ad Hoc + Addendum to grab a quick bite to eat. Even though we had just eaten cheese, we knew we needed something more substantial before drinking more wine. We ended up splitting one of the fried chicken lunches from Addendum and it was delicious. If you’re short on time, ask to take your lunch to-go! Several wineries will let you bring in a picnic lunch if you ask.
Our last tasting of the day was at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. We mainly wanted to visit because of the historical significance with the Judgment of Paris. The 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon took first place in the wine competition and the rest is history. Ever since that day in 1976, California wines took off in popularity and Napa Valley started to boom.
We sat outside on their terrace while we tasted three different Cabernet Sauvignons. Everything was delicious, but each wine had its own unique flavor profile. It’s crazy how much of a difference I was tasting between all three wines. It’s funny how the same grape can taste completely different based off age and winemaking techniques.
Of course, like many wineries in Napa Valley, Stag’s Leap has an amazing view overlooking one of their vineyards. I could have sat out there all day looking at those beautiful vines.
After our tasting at Stag’s Leap, we drove back to Yountville to enjoy the rest of the evening.
We walked around Yountville for a little bit and went into a couple shops. I always love stopping in Kollar Chocolates for a sweet treat. They have the most amazing chocolate! Be sure to try the dark chocolate almond bark if you’re in the area.
After walking around for a bit, we went to Restoration Hardware Wine Vault to grab a glass of champagne. They have the most beautiful space I’ve ever seen. The outdoor area has several fireplaces, couches and beautiful trees. If you’re ever in Yountville, you HAVE to stop in to see this place. It’s stunning.
Before dinner, we grabbed a cocktail and a little appetizer at R + D Kitchen. It was a nice restaurant with a pretty casual atmosphere inside. They have plenty of bar seating and a bunch of tables outside if you’re looking to grab a quick drink. We didn’t eat a full dinner there, but their menu looked like it would please just about anyone
We had dinner at Redd Wood, which is an Italian restaurant that specializes in pizza. We ordered pasta, a pizza and some of their meatballs. Everything tasted amazing, and I would highly recommend this restaurant if you’re looking for pizza/pasta in Yountville. Alex says that was one of the best pizzas he’s ever had! This dinner was a great ending to our day in Napa.
Sunday
Our first tasting on Sunday morning was up near Calistoga at Davis Estates. We joined the Davis Estates wine club back in 2018 after our visit to the winery. We loved the experience and the wines, so we figured it would be a good club option for us!
Their property is gorgeous and has some amazing views of the valley floor. They didn’t open this tasting room until 2016, so it’s all still fairly new.
I love their wine and food pairing tasting because you get to try a few different light bites with each wine. The pairings are incredible and the chef does a fantastic job with the menu. Everything we’ve had there has been delicious, and I always want a copy of the recipe!
I love all of their wines, but one of my favorites is the Cabernet Franc. Apparently, it was everyone else’s favorite too because they were completely sold out of it! Luckily, our tasting room host was able to snag us one of the last bottles at the winery.
Overall, we had another great experience at Davis Estates, and it validated why we joined their club in the first place. They make you feel right at home, they have the coziest space and the wines are fantastic. Be sure to book an experience here the next time you visit Napa Valley!
Our final tasting of the day (and the weekend) was at Reverie II. This is a winery that re-establishd itself in 2017 after new owners took over. Even though they are still fairly new, they are making some outstanding wines.
I loved that this winery had several different areas to sit and taste. They had an indoor tasting room with plenty of couches and sitting areas. They also had an outdoor fire pit with chairs and another outdoor space under an umbrella. I was really impressed with how many different areas they can offer a tasting.
Reverie II offers a wide variety of wines that you don’t usually see in Napa like a Barbera. We tried about 4-5 different wines throughout the experience, and they were all delicious. Our host gave us a TON of information, and he was very knowledge about each and every wine.
My favorite part of the experience was taking a ride in the ATV up to top of the hillside. They have an INCREDIBLE view of the valley from up top and it was one of the prettiest sights I’ve ever seen. I could have sat up there all day drinking their delicious wines.
Another really cool thing we did on the tour was getting to go behind the scenes and see the harvest activities in action. Some of the grapes were already in the fermentation tanks and in the midst of fermentation. We tried several different wines directly from the fermentation tanks, and it was really interesting. Some wines were close to being done with fermentation and others hadn’t even started fermenting. We tried a Cabernet Sauvignon that hadn’t gone through fermentation yet, and it was one of the sweetest things I’ve ever tasted! It’s crazy how much the flavor can change throughout the fermentation process.
The experience at Reverie II was fantastic, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Between the amazing views, the unique wines and incredible staff, you can’t go wrong with this place!
Before heading to the airport, we decided to grab a late lunch at Long Meadow Ranch. We had never been here before, but I’ve always heard good things about this place. They have a winery, a restaurant, a general store and a café. We ended up finding a spot at the bar inside the restaurant, and it was the perfect way to end our long weekend in Napa. Everything we ordered was delicious and had so much flavor. I highly recommend this restaurant for brunch, lunch or even dinner!
Per usual, it was never enough time, but I’ll know we’ll be back again soon enough. If heaven was a place on Earth, this would be it.
If you’re looking for more information on Napa Valley or if you’re wanting to see a few different itineraries, check out some of my other guides linked below:
As always, let me know if you have any questions about traveling to wine country. Cheers!
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