This magnificent wine growing region is probably the best known in California. It’s also the perfect place to buy a bottle or two of high quality wine or to indulge in a wine tasting tour so you can try before you buy. Unsurprisingly, this region is incredibly popular with visitors from all over the world.
Napa Valley is located between two of northern California’s coastal mountains. As well as a famous wine region, it’s also an area of outstanding natural beauty, with exquisite rolling hills giving way to fields carpeted in wildflowers.
The region is also known for its exquisite cuisine, excellent gourmet restaurants, cosy inns and luxury spas, all set among the 18,000 hectare of vineyards. The climate of the Napa Valley region is ideal for winemaking, and is also loved by visitors with its long, sunshine-soaked days giving way to mild evenings, perfect for a stroll or a bike ride.
You’ll stumble across every type of winery within the Napa Valley region. It’s difficult to know where to visit. There are intimate family-owned farms alongside vast wineries with large grottos. A huge variety of grapes is grown here, used to produce every type of wine you could image, from chardonnay to champagne. Whatever your taste, there will be a wine you’ll love.
Wine tastings are a regular pastime here, with most vineyards welcoming you to tour their grounds and sample their produce. Many of the larger vineries have caves and gardens that you’re welcome to explore and there are even a couple of castles here! Sample some of best of the region’s wines accompanied by some delicious food in one of the many superb eateries, Michelin-starred restaurants among them.
Napa Valley is just over an hour north of San Francisco travelling by car.
