With toast-worthy events happening year-round, there’s always something to celebrate in Downtown Napa! Take a peek at what’s coming up and start planning your next adventure.
Known as the Wine Tasting Room Capital of the World, Downtown Napa features more than 55 tasting rooms, most within walking distance of your hotel, especially if you book a room at one of the many renowned lodging options in the area. In fact, you can leave your car at the hotel (or park for free anywhere Downtown!) and take a leisurely stroll around Downtown Napa, visiting the wide variety of wine tasting rooms and restaurants sure to please any palate.
If your goal is to hold costs down so you can extend your stay and partake in everything Downtown Napa has to offer (or perhaps splurge on a Michelin-star meal), we’ve got wallet-friendly wine tasting room suggestions that will surprise and delight. Also be sure to check out the lodging specials available at a number of Downtown Napa inns and hotels.
WINE TASTINGS
Photo: @BuenaVistaWinery
CHATEAU BUENA VISTA
Founded 165 years ago, Buena Vista Winery is California’s first premium winery. Enjoy a vision of its past, present and future with “A Taste of Buena Vista” at their newly-opened swanky Downtown Napa outpost. Make a reservation and sample a flight of four exceptional varietals from Sonoma and Napa counties for $40 per guest. Buena Vista Winery also hosts a Thursday Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m., with a 25% discount on featured by-the-bottle and by-the-glass wines; no reservation required.
Photo: @FeastitForward
FEAST IT FORWARD
Wine lovers, furry friends and just about everyone else will enjoy the unique experience of sitting in a live studio/experiential showroom. Wine tastings, held in The Studio at Feast it Forward, run $35 for four wines, or take advantage of a better deal by trying six wines for $45. On Saturdays and Sundays, Wineland tastings are $25 per person, a cost that is waived with a purchase of a bottle of wine.
Photo: @gamlingmcduck
GAMLING & MCDUCK
You’ve got to love a wine tasting room that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Visit Gamling & McDuck’s website for a truly fun read, then visit the winery for truly impressive Cabernet Francs and Chenin Blancs (including the whimsically named Poor and in Love wine). Make a reservation for the weekend tastings or smaller weekday tastings. Either way, the $35 per person charge is a steal!
Photo: @housleynapa
HOUSLEY NAPA VALLEY
The laidback family atmosphere is immediately apparent the minute you enter Housley Napa Valley. Run by the Housley family, the winery boasts numerous award-winning Northern California wines and scrumptious food. You’ll feel like you’re at home while you partake in five wines for only $25, and you may want to indulge in chocolates paired with the vino for an additional $12. Don’t bother trying to make a reservation; Housley doesn’t take them.
Photo: @RebelVintners
REBEL VINTNERS
Although Rebel Vintners has only been open since 2018, the word has gotten out about their cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and unique tasting room. Rebel Vintners is a collective tasting room, featuring more than 30 different wines from three small independent wine producers: Cadle Family Wines, Leaf & Vine and Uncharted Wines. The wine tasting experience, which includes white and red wine from each of the three winemakers, is only $30. Appointments and walk-ins are welcome.
Photo: @shadowboxcellars
SHADOWBOX CELLARS
Producing wines from superior grapes sourced from Napa County, Sonoma County and other quality vineyards, Shadowbox Cellars, located in the heart of Downtown Napa, offers four wines for $40. The winery, founded by two families with a long history in the wine industry, features one of the smallest tasting rooms in the area, but also one of the most intimate. Reservations are required for wine tastings.
Photo: @waltwines
WALT WINES
Enjoy a variety of the latest selection of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays during Walt Wines’ Current Release Tastings, priced at $40 per person (reservations required). Held daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Walt’s recently remodeled and state-of-the-art facility in the Oxbow district, the staff will guide participants in a journey of the wines that are crafted from some of the top vineyards along the Pacific Coast.
Photo: @WestinNapa
Plan a few days or a week or two in Downtown Napa, where you’ll find so much more to do in addition to enjoying some of the best wines in the nation.
Please note that prices are subject to change and it’s best to call ahead for the most up-to-date info.
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