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Message
re: Napa Trip Last Week - updated report on Wineries
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:51 pm to WacoTiger
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:51 pm to WacoTiger
Waco
Planning a first time Napa trip for 20th anniversary. Planning late October 19-23 and will likely do 4 full days. Need lodging, tastings, and food recs. Was thinking 5 or 6 wineries. We’re not on any lists. Is $10-12k ish a decent budget for lodging, wine, and food? Is 4 days enough?
We drink too much wine and appreciate the good ones but we’re not connoisseurs. Lean toward bold cabs but want to dive into some good SB and Pinot N.
Thanks in advance.
Planning a first time Napa trip for 20th anniversary. Planning late October 19-23 and will likely do 4 full days. Need lodging, tastings, and food recs. Was thinking 5 or 6 wineries. We’re not on any lists. Is $10-12k ish a decent budget for lodging, wine, and food? Is 4 days enough?
We drink too much wine and appreciate the good ones but we’re not connoisseurs. Lean toward bold cabs but want to dive into some good SB and Pinot N.
Thanks in advance.
4
Posted on 8/19/25 at 8:31 am to Dodd
I've stayed at Hotel Yountville twice and really enjoyed it. I've also heard Bardesonno in Yountville is great.
There is an Auberge resort in Calistoga that looks incredible, we at lunch there one day but didn't stay there.
There is also a 4 seasons in Calistoga.
Depending on which wineries you're looking to hit, one place may make more sense than the other. Calistoga is north, Yountville is south. But it's not a far drive to any of the wineries from either spot.
You may also want to get a driver.
There is an Auberge resort in Calistoga that looks incredible, we at lunch there one day but didn't stay there.
There is also a 4 seasons in Calistoga.
Depending on which wineries you're looking to hit, one place may make more sense than the other. Calistoga is north, Yountville is south. But it's not a far drive to any of the wineries from either spot.
You may also want to get a driver.
Posted on 8/20/25 at 11:22 am to Dodd
quote:
$10-12k ish a decent budget for lodging, wine, and food? Is 4 days enough?
This is plenty unless you are planning on balling out. I was there in Mid June for a wedding, we ate at the French Laundry, and spent much less than that on average for the 2 nights we were in Napa. We got a driver for the 4 of us, and went to 3 wineries that day. I could have done a 4th but 3 was a good amount.
Some of the tastings are free if you buy a case or spend $100 or whatever. Then we went to one that was $50 and one that was by the glass.
I really didn't find it that expensive compared to the rest of California. But I don't know their seasons either in regards to pricing.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 1:56 pm to Dodd
Dodd,
I think that is doable for 2 people.
I would recommend staying in Yountville, because it is in the center and close to most wineries. Depending upon lodging availability and your price points, I would recommend Vintage House at the Estate of Yountville or Napa Valley Lodge. Vintage House would probably run about $1,200/night and Napa Valley Lodge is about $750/night during that timeframe. My brother and sister-in-law and their group of friends are staying again at Napa Valley Lodge next week and love it. If you want to stay at a B&B, my wife and I stayed at 1801 First in Napa about 10 years ago and it was also great. Prices run about $390/night and include a great breakfast and evening wine tastings on the property. This is a very romantic B&B and the staff is great. They can also help with wineries, but most of their suggestions will be on the lower end of what we now drink.
Hotel cost for 5 nights - high end $6,000, mid-end $4,000, $2,200 for the B&B.
For wineries, I would probably recommend 2 wineries per day One tasting starting around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and one around 3 p.m. That allows you time to eat lunch. Some people don't like tasting wine in the mornings, but not us. 3 wineries per day is pretty taxing. If you did tastings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, that would allow you to partially enjoy the other days. If you only want to do 5 total, you could plan an afternoon in St. Helena or Napa.
If I could only pick 5 or 6 and I wanted higher end wines, these are my picks (these don't require membership in their wine clubs) (no particular order):
1. Quintessa
2. Darioush (try to do the fine wines and artisan cheeses or combine with their olive oil, but not sure they still do an olive oil tasting)
3. Far Niente or Nickel & Nickel (both owned by the same family). Far Niente has the views. Both have great cabs.
4. Palmaz
5. Jarvis
6. Mowe (very small and tastings at their house in their dining room)
7. Chappellet - family owned winery, beautiful property and great wine
8. Opus One (very high end, great property, great wine)
9. Shramsberg (if you or your wife like champagne (I don't)). If not, skip this one.
Most of these tastings probably average around $150 - $200 per person per tasting. If you buy wine from them, you can ask to take the tasting fee off the price of the wine and most will.
If you do 5 tastings at 5 of these winers, I would estimate that you would spend $2,00 on tastings ($200 x 2 x 5). Of course, you can visit wineries that average $75 - $100 per person tasting fees and save money, but the quality of the wine will probably not be as good.
Dining - of course, you could spend $1,500 - $2,000 for 2 people at French Laundry (if you can get a reservation). It is a unique experience and the food was great, but it can blow your budget. Reservations for October open on September 1 and you need to be online when they open. Reservations go very fast (within minutes).
Bistro Jeanty is one of my favorites and for 2 it would probably average $250 - $400 for 2 people, depending upon alcohol. It is also located in Yountville so easy walk from these hotels.
Bistro Don Giovani is a good italian restaurant in Napa and probably $100 - $150 per couple.
Mustards is a reasonably priced restaurant near Yountville.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch is a high-end Michelin star restaurant. I have not eaten there, but friends love it.
Auberge du Soleil has great views and you can eat small plates on the outside balcony and the food is very good. My wife and I have eaten there.
There are a lot of restaurants in the Napa Valley and I could go on and on.
What can blow your budget is buying wine at each winery. You feel the need to purchase wine to offset the tasting fee, but you end up buying more than you want or need. Not boasting, but I've spent $10k on a 5 day trip and bought $14k for wine that was shipped home.
We typically fly into Oakland or Sacremento, because it is only about an hour to an hour and a half to Napa from those airports. San Fran airport is south of SF, so it takes about 30-45 minutes longer to get to Napa. Flghts are typically cheaper to Oakland and Sacremento. I fly Southwest and they fly to all 3 cities.
We do rent a car and i drive to my tastings. When I do 3 tastings in day (doesn't happen very much), I do get a little worried driving but the tastings are spread out over 8 hours. I don't have a problem with 2 tastings per day and driving. If you have a larger group, there are numerous drivers to take you around, but that will significantly increase your trip cost for just 2 people.
Napa is a great anniversary spot. If you want to visit by phone, shoot me an email at wacotiger@hot.rr.com and I can give you more tips. I can also give you spots for evening drinks (ex., Archer Hotel in downtown Napa has a great rooftop).
Have fun and Cheers!
I think that is doable for 2 people.
I would recommend staying in Yountville, because it is in the center and close to most wineries. Depending upon lodging availability and your price points, I would recommend Vintage House at the Estate of Yountville or Napa Valley Lodge. Vintage House would probably run about $1,200/night and Napa Valley Lodge is about $750/night during that timeframe. My brother and sister-in-law and their group of friends are staying again at Napa Valley Lodge next week and love it. If you want to stay at a B&B, my wife and I stayed at 1801 First in Napa about 10 years ago and it was also great. Prices run about $390/night and include a great breakfast and evening wine tastings on the property. This is a very romantic B&B and the staff is great. They can also help with wineries, but most of their suggestions will be on the lower end of what we now drink.
Hotel cost for 5 nights - high end $6,000, mid-end $4,000, $2,200 for the B&B.
For wineries, I would probably recommend 2 wineries per day One tasting starting around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and one around 3 p.m. That allows you time to eat lunch. Some people don't like tasting wine in the mornings, but not us. 3 wineries per day is pretty taxing. If you did tastings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, that would allow you to partially enjoy the other days. If you only want to do 5 total, you could plan an afternoon in St. Helena or Napa.
If I could only pick 5 or 6 and I wanted higher end wines, these are my picks (these don't require membership in their wine clubs) (no particular order):
1. Quintessa
2. Darioush (try to do the fine wines and artisan cheeses or combine with their olive oil, but not sure they still do an olive oil tasting)
3. Far Niente or Nickel & Nickel (both owned by the same family). Far Niente has the views. Both have great cabs.
4. Palmaz
5. Jarvis
6. Mowe (very small and tastings at their house in their dining room)
7. Chappellet - family owned winery, beautiful property and great wine
8. Opus One (very high end, great property, great wine)
9. Shramsberg (if you or your wife like champagne (I don't)). If not, skip this one.
Most of these tastings probably average around $150 - $200 per person per tasting. If you buy wine from them, you can ask to take the tasting fee off the price of the wine and most will.
If you do 5 tastings at 5 of these winers, I would estimate that you would spend $2,00 on tastings ($200 x 2 x 5). Of course, you can visit wineries that average $75 - $100 per person tasting fees and save money, but the quality of the wine will probably not be as good.
Dining - of course, you could spend $1,500 - $2,000 for 2 people at French Laundry (if you can get a reservation). It is a unique experience and the food was great, but it can blow your budget. Reservations for October open on September 1 and you need to be online when they open. Reservations go very fast (within minutes).
Bistro Jeanty is one of my favorites and for 2 it would probably average $250 - $400 for 2 people, depending upon alcohol. It is also located in Yountville so easy walk from these hotels.
Bistro Don Giovani is a good italian restaurant in Napa and probably $100 - $150 per couple.
Mustards is a reasonably priced restaurant near Yountville.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch is a high-end Michelin star restaurant. I have not eaten there, but friends love it.
Auberge du Soleil has great views and you can eat small plates on the outside balcony and the food is very good. My wife and I have eaten there.
There are a lot of restaurants in the Napa Valley and I could go on and on.
What can blow your budget is buying wine at each winery. You feel the need to purchase wine to offset the tasting fee, but you end up buying more than you want or need. Not boasting, but I've spent $10k on a 5 day trip and bought $14k for wine that was shipped home.
We typically fly into Oakland or Sacremento, because it is only about an hour to an hour and a half to Napa from those airports. San Fran airport is south of SF, so it takes about 30-45 minutes longer to get to Napa. Flghts are typically cheaper to Oakland and Sacremento. I fly Southwest and they fly to all 3 cities.
We do rent a car and i drive to my tastings. When I do 3 tastings in day (doesn't happen very much), I do get a little worried driving but the tastings are spread out over 8 hours. I don't have a problem with 2 tastings per day and driving. If you have a larger group, there are numerous drivers to take you around, but that will significantly increase your trip cost for just 2 people.
Napa is a great anniversary spot. If you want to visit by phone, shoot me an email at wacotiger@hot.rr.com and I can give you more tips. I can also give you spots for evening drinks (ex., Archer Hotel in downtown Napa has a great rooftop).
Have fun and Cheers!
This post was edited on 10/13/25 at 5:13 pm
Posted on 8/21/25 at 2:56 pm to WacoTiger
quote:
1. Quintessa
Definitely recommend. A great experience and beautiful property. It's different tasting than you will get at other places, because they only make one wine. We got the current release, a library vintage, and a couple of pours from the component barrels to highlight different parts of the estate. Those barrels ultimately get blended into the rest of the estate barrels to make the final product. But they harvest blocks individually and ferment them separately to make the blend rather than harvesting everything at one time and mixing the juice prior to fermentation.
One winery we really enjoyed, with a very relaxed atmosphere and a lower price point tasting, was Bremer, near Howell Mountain. The wine is fantastic, the tasting was only about $40. And they don't upcharge for library vintages. They age 3 years in the barrel and 3 years in the bottle, so their current releases are from 6 years ago. next year they'll be pretty much library vintages only because of the 2020 wildfires.
quote:
Bistro Jeanty is one of my favorites and for 2 it would probably average $250 - $400 for 2 people, depending upon alcohol. It is also located in Yountville so easy walk from these hotels.
Very good, traditional French food. Coq Au Vin, Beef Bourguignon, etc.
quote:
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch is a high-end Michelin star restaurant. I have not eaten there, but friends love it.
Ate lunch there. Great, great restaurant and property.
Ciccio in Yountville is where I had one of my favorite meals ever.
quote:
We typically fly into Oakland or Sacremento, because it is only about an hour to an hour and a half to Napa from those airports. San Fran airport is south of SF, so it takes about 30-45 minutes longer to get to Napa. Flghts are typically cheaper to Oakland and Sacremento. I fly Southwest and they fly to all 3 cities.
I haven't flown into Oakland, but Sacramento is an incredibly easy airport. I feel like it's way overbuilt for the amount of traffic it gets. And the drive from there to Napa is really easy.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 5:38 pm to Dodd
@Dodd What’s your preferred (and cap) on price point and preferred wines you buy now? As WacoTiger noted, it can get expensive quick. Armed with that info, I can offer some additional tailored recs on wineries. Happy to chat offline at humpty_grumpy@yahoo.com and move to phone/email.
I concur with—stay in Yountville, eat at Bistro Jeanty, have bubbles at Schramsburg, visit Mowe, fly in/out SMF
Lots of good suggestions above
Unpopular opinion—get a driver if you’re doing 3 or more tastings or if you want to ‘enjoy yourself’… Even more unpopular opinion, book your own tastings
@WacoTiger— in Napa/Sonoma last week, Mowe ‘23 SB is badass. You on CT or WB?
I concur with—stay in Yountville, eat at Bistro Jeanty, have bubbles at Schramsburg, visit Mowe, fly in/out SMF
Lots of good suggestions above
Unpopular opinion—get a driver if you’re doing 3 or more tastings or if you want to ‘enjoy yourself’… Even more unpopular opinion, book your own tastings
@WacoTiger— in Napa/Sonoma last week, Mowe ‘23 SB is badass. You on CT or WB?
This post was edited on 8/21/25 at 5:46 pm
Posted on 8/21/25 at 6:13 pm to Humpty Grumpy
You on CT or WB? - sorry, not that hip. What does this mean?
Posted on 8/21/25 at 6:20 pm to WacoTiger
CellarTracker & WineBeserkers
WB is a forum. CT is to keep track of your cellar and tasting notes
WB is a forum. CT is to keep track of your cellar and tasting notes
Posted on 8/21/25 at 7:31 pm to WacoTiger
Great info here 
I'm headed out that way in slightly over a month
Staying in SF one night then out to Napa - staying at Vintage House for 3 nights. Will have a car. Pretty much no budget for anything.
Will have 2 full days to do tastings and restaurants. Missed out on French Laundry, but lots of options. Looking at Bottega and lunch at the Auberge for two of the meals.
Suggestions on vineyards - not wine experts at all and want to do 2 per day, so 4 total. Plan would be tasting before lunch, then afternoon tasting then dinner. I'm thinking hopefully won't need a driver - but maybe for the afternoon tasting?
Possible ones I was looking at were Carneros for bubbles, Caymus, Cake bread, Jarvis, etc...
I'm probably not going to buy much wine - want good views and experiences at the tastings mostly, maybe one with cool caves
Appreciate all recs
I'm headed out that way in slightly over a month
Staying in SF one night then out to Napa - staying at Vintage House for 3 nights. Will have a car. Pretty much no budget for anything.
Will have 2 full days to do tastings and restaurants. Missed out on French Laundry, but lots of options. Looking at Bottega and lunch at the Auberge for two of the meals.
Suggestions on vineyards - not wine experts at all and want to do 2 per day, so 4 total. Plan would be tasting before lunch, then afternoon tasting then dinner. I'm thinking hopefully won't need a driver - but maybe for the afternoon tasting?
Possible ones I was looking at were Carneros for bubbles, Caymus, Cake bread, Jarvis, etc...
I'm probably not going to buy much wine - want good views and experiences at the tastings mostly, maybe one with cool caves
Appreciate all recs
Posted on 8/21/25 at 7:36 pm to Hou_Lawyer
Thanks for the explanation. I use CellarEye to keep track of the wine in my 2 EuroCaves. I only have about 350 bottles valued at about $80k (average about $250/bottle) .
I am not on WB and I don't use CT.
I used to keep track of my wines with ViVino.
I am not on WB and I don't use CT.
I used to keep track of my wines with ViVino.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 7:38 pm to Hou_Lawyer
quote:
CellarTracker & WineBeserkers
WB is a forum. CT is to keep track of your cellar and tasting notes
Someone knows the boards . . .
Posted on 8/21/25 at 7:57 pm to metallica81788
I would skip Caymus and CakeBread. Very commercial and large volume of wine. Wagner (Caymus) family makes some good wines, but there are much better vineyards in Napa.
I would strongly suggest Jarvis. Great tour, property and great wine.
We loved VIntage House. Stayed there the first time during covid and it was awesome. The accomodations remind me of the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Great choice.
I would recommend contacting Dustin and Renee Mowe and tell him that you saw this post. They are great and their SB and Cab are both great wines. (Search for Mowes on this site). Very small production. They probably would not charge for a tasting, but not sure. Not big enough for a wine tour. Dustin and Renee are great people and I am a big fan of their wines.
Try Darioush also. Beautiful property (Middle Eastern influence) and the food is good. Their signature cab is in a lot of high end steakhouses. They also make a Duel, which is a blend of Cab and Shiraz. Really different.
If you want to try something different, I would suggest Lewis Cellars. They should have their new tasting room open (went to the old one, which was not very nice), but their wine is very good. Lewis Cellars' 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was named Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2016, which is how I found them. They did change owners since 2016, but we still love their wine. Their Cuvee L (about $350/bottle) is one of my top 5 wines. If you go to a tasting, you might have to ask to get a tasting of that wine.
I would also suggest Palmaz. The owner invented the heart stent. They provide a great food pairing with their wine. They are from Argentina. Dr. Julio Palmaz is a physician and inventor of the Palmaz coronary stent. They start with a Riesling (not aware of anyone in Napa making a Riesling), and it is sweet but a great starter. Then, you get to their great wines. They are a gravity vineyard, meaning they don't use any electric pumps to move their wine. Very techonology driven. Their onsite chef is fantastic.
Shoot me an email if you need any other information. wacotiger@hot.rr.com Always happy to share information. There are close to 500 wineries in Napa and I believe that all wine tastes great at the winery. Everyone has an opinion on restaurants and I don't think you can go wrong at any restaurant in the valley.
I would strongly suggest Jarvis. Great tour, property and great wine.
We loved VIntage House. Stayed there the first time during covid and it was awesome. The accomodations remind me of the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Great choice.
I would recommend contacting Dustin and Renee Mowe and tell him that you saw this post. They are great and their SB and Cab are both great wines. (Search for Mowes on this site). Very small production. They probably would not charge for a tasting, but not sure. Not big enough for a wine tour. Dustin and Renee are great people and I am a big fan of their wines.
Try Darioush also. Beautiful property (Middle Eastern influence) and the food is good. Their signature cab is in a lot of high end steakhouses. They also make a Duel, which is a blend of Cab and Shiraz. Really different.
If you want to try something different, I would suggest Lewis Cellars. They should have their new tasting room open (went to the old one, which was not very nice), but their wine is very good. Lewis Cellars' 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was named Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2016, which is how I found them. They did change owners since 2016, but we still love their wine. Their Cuvee L (about $350/bottle) is one of my top 5 wines. If you go to a tasting, you might have to ask to get a tasting of that wine.
I would also suggest Palmaz. The owner invented the heart stent. They provide a great food pairing with their wine. They are from Argentina. Dr. Julio Palmaz is a physician and inventor of the Palmaz coronary stent. They start with a Riesling (not aware of anyone in Napa making a Riesling), and it is sweet but a great starter. Then, you get to their great wines. They are a gravity vineyard, meaning they don't use any electric pumps to move their wine. Very techonology driven. Their onsite chef is fantastic.
Shoot me an email if you need any other information. wacotiger@hot.rr.com Always happy to share information. There are close to 500 wineries in Napa and I believe that all wine tastes great at the winery. Everyone has an opinion on restaurants and I don't think you can go wrong at any restaurant in the valley.
Posted on 8/22/25 at 6:33 pm to WacoTiger
Thanks Waco and others. I need to digest this info. Awesome stuff!
Posted on 8/27/25 at 3:43 pm to Dodd
Let me know if you need more suggestions.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 11:41 pm to WacoTiger
Dr. Palmaz invented the drug- eluting stent! He didn't have research dollars to complete his idea of making a drug-eluting stent that would be coated with a drug that would prevent scar tissue from growing around stent and ultimately collapse the stent. By chance one day he was playing golf in San Antonio Heart Association golf tournament at Dominion CC in San Antonio and he was paired with Phil Romano of Macaroni Grill Fame. Julio told Phil about his project and how he thought it would change the Cardiac world for the better. Phil asked how he got research dollars, and Julio said that they trickled in in 5-10,000 increments from various sources....Phil asked Julio if he wrote a check for 250,000 to help his research would that get product to market quicker...Julio said hell yes and he said that would make you my partner in this venture. They sold it to J&J for 10 million plus royalties ..over 1 billion so far...
Posted on 8/28/25 at 5:41 am to Poppy201
What a great followup to the story. Thank you for sharing.
Posted on 8/28/25 at 8:12 am to Poppy201
That is a really cool story - also ironic given the nutritional content of Macaroni Grill's menu 
Waco, really appreciate your recommendations and I have all of my stuff set up for next month - I am very excited
Jarvis and Palmaz day one
Chappellet and Darious day two with lunch at Auberge in between
Dinners at Ciccio, Bottega, North Block
My only concerns at this point are should I get a driver (honestly would prefer not to) and will I have enough free time to chill
Waco, really appreciate your recommendations and I have all of my stuff set up for next month - I am very excited
Jarvis and Palmaz day one
Chappellet and Darious day two with lunch at Auberge in between
Dinners at Ciccio, Bottega, North Block
My only concerns at this point are should I get a driver (honestly would prefer not to) and will I have enough free time to chill
Posted on 8/28/25 at 11:35 am to metallica81788
Metallica,
I don't think you need a driver with just 2 tastings per day. You have a great lineup. I might use Uber or Lyft for my dinners, if you plan on drinking a little more, but only if you are not staying in Yountville. All of those restaurants that you list are in Yountville and easy walks from a Yountville Hotel. You will definitely have enough time to chill.
If you have time, Archer Hotel in Napa has a great rooftop and the Oxbow Market in the town of Napa is a fun place to walk around. I would also hit up Model Bakery if you like pastries for breakfast or Gott's for lunch burgers. Oakville Grocery is a great quick lunch spot as well.
Give me a report when you get back. I would love to hear how you enjoyed it.
I don't think you need a driver with just 2 tastings per day. You have a great lineup. I might use Uber or Lyft for my dinners, if you plan on drinking a little more, but only if you are not staying in Yountville. All of those restaurants that you list are in Yountville and easy walks from a Yountville Hotel. You will definitely have enough time to chill.
If you have time, Archer Hotel in Napa has a great rooftop and the Oxbow Market in the town of Napa is a fun place to walk around. I would also hit up Model Bakery if you like pastries for breakfast or Gott's for lunch burgers. Oakville Grocery is a great quick lunch spot as well.
Give me a report when you get back. I would love to hear how you enjoyed it.
Posted on 9/3/25 at 8:15 pm to WacoTiger
Any reports from Napa as it relates to this post?
Posted on 9/11/25 at 7:22 am to WacoTiger
Heading out to see Renee & Dustin in December. Picked up my MOWE allocation on Monday too.
I’ve hit a lot of the usual wineries and restaurants in Napa that have been recommended, but looking for some hidden gems or must-visit spots if you’ve got recommendations.
I’ve hit a lot of the usual wineries and restaurants in Napa that have been recommended, but looking for some hidden gems or must-visit spots if you’ve got recommendations.
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