Napa Valley is a place you can never get tired of. Within a few short miles, there is everything you’ve ever wanted—incredible wine, stellar views, great hikes, and always, the best of company to go with.
The past several weeks have been difficult for the Napa region due to the treacherous fires, but it is back in action with the support of the Bay Area. A few weeks ago, I ventured up north for the weekend to explore the part of Napa that I’d yet to explore—St. Helena.
Deep in St. Helena are a few wineries securely nestled in. They are so snug that you can miss them if you’re not looking, as they appear off scarcely marked roads. On this day, we went to Robert Keenan and Viader Vineyards. Both have some great wines and even better views. Their tasting rooms overlook acres of grapes, and if you’re not in a rush, you can take a tour, which at Viader, included checking out the wine cellar in a cave!
Viader is also special in that it’s helmed by a woman winemaker, who created Viader while also being a single mom. #whoruntheworld
After a day of wine tasting, Calistoga is a lovely town to eat, relax, and spend the night/voraciously Monopoly Deal (remember how much I love this game). There are also hiking trails right outside town to have an active Sunday before heading back to San Francisco.
If you visit Napa Valley, be sure to check out my top spots:
Robert Keenan Winery { St. Helena // Great Cabernet Franc }
Viader Vineyards { Deer Park // Anything from their 2012 collection is wonderful }
Sam’s Social Club { Calistoga // A cozy local restaurant with a lively atmosphere. The pasta and churros were my favorite }
Bella Bakery { Calistoga // Great for a morning quiche! }
Oat Hill Mine Trail { Calistoga // A solid hike with some amazing views. Not more than 4-5 miles round trip }
Indian Springs { Calistoga // Book ahead for a massage; it’s worth it }
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