If you’re planning a trip to Napa…

Here are a lot of photos and a few words about the best places to visit in Napa Valley if you’re staying in Yountville.

Here’s the thing about a Napa Valley Vacation: it’s not just about the wine.

It is ultimately about the wine, of course – but it’s about the agriculture, the thought, the process, the creative details, and the people that make the wine.

And the wine-friendly food.

We’ve tasted wine and explored Napa and Sonoma many times over the years and it’s absolutely our favorite vacation.

Napa Tips

• Make dinner reservations
• Make wine tasting reservations
• Drink a lot of water / bring a water bottle to fill up at wineries
• Wear layers because the temps vary throughout the day
• Carry a baguette in the car because you never know when you’ll need carbs

Here are our favorite wineries + restaurants in wine country.

Watch our YouTube video:

Breakfast at Bouchon Bakery in Yountville

Start your day with carbs and caffeine.

Bouchon Bakery in Yountville is a must. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• First, coffee.
• Muffins are cake in disguise, so why not order cupcakes or cake for breakfast?
• Get an assortment of macaron flavors.
• Try all the treats because you’re on vacation.
• Add at least baguette or the bread vine to keep it in the car for carbs after a wine tasting.

Tasting at Trefethen

Book a wine tasting experience.

Trefethen is a family-owned winery that makes one of the best Cabs you’ll ever try.

• The small wine-tasting experiences feel unrushed, educational, and special.
• Beautiful gardens and wine tasting room
• Try wines you’ll find on fine dining menus you’ll want to order back at home

Gott’s Roadside is better than fine dining

Under no circumstances should you drive by Gott’s without stopping.

Gott’s Roadside looks like a fast-food joint. It’s not. The food rivals white-tablecloth fancy restaurants.

• Pick it up to go or grab a picnic table
• Try the ahi tuna tacos
• Burgers are divine
• Fried Brussels sprouts are insane

Mustard’s Grille is our favorite for dinner

Order the life-changing pork chop.

oh, this restaurant. Fly me today. We first tried Mustard’s on the recommendation of our friend Heidi… and we’ve been back every trip since.

• This is a must-stop.
• The food is out-of-this-world delicious.
• The atmosphere is casual.
• Service is impeccable.

DoN’t Skip Inglenook Winery

You might run into Francis Ford Coppola.

Francis Ford Coppola lives behind Inglenook Winery, and the tasting and tour is one of the most unique experiences you’ll find in Napa. The historic building is filled with dramatic rooms and a museum filled with Coppola movie items. Don’t skip this one!!

• Inglenook is one I would put at the top of your list.
• Coppola has a favorite table outside of the cafe so you could run into him.
• The property is stunning. Coppola’s home is on the back side of the winery.
• Book a wine tasting experience – the wine is fantastic and you’ll be in a cool, private wine cave room
• Coppola created a movie museum in the winery – it is very cool!
• Plus, you’ll find one of the best gift shops in any winery in Sonoma or Napa Valley!

Read more about Inglenook Winery

Ad Hoc for a surprising, shareable dinner

You never know what you’re going to get at Thomas Keller’s restaurant

Ad Hoc is one of the coolest restaurants because you never know what’s going to be on the menu.

• It changes daily. No order anxiety for you – just enjoy the dishes paraded to your table throughout the evening.
• It’s always an incredible experience!

Tasting at Chimney Rock

for serious Stag’s Leap Napa Cab lovers

If you love Stags Leap Napa Cabernet, you’ll want to visit Chimney Rock.

Read more about Chimney Rock

Morning at Mumm Napa

Starting your day with bubbles is NEVER (ever ever ever) a terrible idea 🥂

If you love sparkling wine, as everyone should, Mumm Napa will be your favorite.

• This heavenly porch overlooks vineyards while you sip Mumm Napa sparkling wines and nibble on wine snacks.
• And there’s an art gallery.
• You’ll sip the best sparkling wines.
• Bliss.

Dining Al Fresco at Bistro Don Giovanni

a magical outdoor Italian dining experience

Bistro Don Giovanni is located in Yountville

• Order the Ravioli with spinach, pecorino, bellwether ricotta lemon cream. It’s delightful.
• Sit outside if the weather is nice.
• You will love the fresh salads.
• Pizza may seem too basic for such a nice restaurant…but it’s not. It’s fancy and delicious and you’ll love it.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Historic Tasting

Legendary.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is pretty spectacular…

• Learn about the 1976 Judgement of Paris
• Sip iconic Napa Valley cabs including Artemis, Fay, SLV, and Cask 23 overlooking vineyards and mountains 
• Grammar matters: You’ll find out about the apostrophe that defines the brand.
• You’ll taste arguably the best Napa Cabs in the prettiest setting overlooking the actual Stag’s Leap.
• Also, tour the wine cave!!

Cheers! I hope you have the best time!

Photography notes / I also am a little bit obsessed with cameras and photography and attempting to make videos. I love Fuji cameras (Fuji x100 series, Fuji xs20) and a little action camera is easy to use (GoPro, insta360) and a little versatile point & shoot – the Sony v1.

California Wine Travel Guide

Wineries, tasting experiences, and the best restaurants in Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles for your California wine vacation!

Read our Guide to Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma