A Sweet Escape: Valentine’s Day in Downtown Napa

In Napa, things are rosy year-round. During the month of February, though, things sparkle a little brighter here in the heart of wine country. There’s something about Valentine’s Day that just makes everything already great about Downtown Napa — the abundance of wine tasting rooms, the stunning shopping options, the gourmet cuisine — seem extra special. To celebrate our favorite pink-tinged holiday this month, bring your sweetheart to an escape you’re both sure to fall in love with.

Every Pair of Lovebirds Needs a Cozy Nest

How’s this for a match made in heaven: you, your partner and private affordable to luxury accommodations suited to your every need? Napa is known for excellent service you’re unlikely to find anywhere else, making it a perfect escape for couples that can appreciate the finer things in life. Throughout the month of February, discover unique lodging specials for you and your plus one, each with extra perks to make this holiday a special one. Enjoy spa treatments, complimentary bottles of bubbly and more.

Rise and Shine, Valentines

The celebration goes all day during your Downtown Napa retreat. Start the day off on the perfect romantic note with a private breakfast for two, cozied up in your very own igloo. All month, you can reserve the Rise & Shine Igloo Breakfast experience at the Meritage Resort & Spa. Their igloos are perfectly serene, offering an intimate venue for a breakfast for two. Share specialty coffee and tea, handmade pastries and jam, fruit and more as you prepare to face the day together. Or, if you’re a late riser, book the Love in the Afternoon Igloo Picnic experience instead, and dig into a light lunch menu with your lovebug.

If you prefer a simple, slow start to the day, we recommend stopping for a cup of coffee at Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company, where, on February 16th, you’ll also be able to purchase heart-shaped bagels made by Napa’s favorite bagel bakery, Toasted. Once you’ve secured your coffee and bagel, why not go for a stroll along the riverfront? Hand-in-hand with your sweetie, the view will seem even more beautiful than it usually does.

Candlelit Dinners for Two

Foodies, prepare to fall head over heels with Napa’s world-class cuisine, curated to celebrate Valentine’s Day with added flair and elegance. There’s simply nothing better than an evening out with someone you love, enjoying gourmet flavors and stunning, intimate dining atmospheres as you soak in each other’s company.

They call Paris “The City of Love,” and even though we’re halfway across the world from that iconic city, you and your amour can indulge in a little taste of French culture at Angèle, a small, intimate French bistro tucked along the Napa River. Unwind inside or on their heated patio and enjoy a specially curated menu this Valentine’s Day, which offers classic French dishes such as escargot, as well as more specialized examples of Napa cuisine, such as lobster pot pie or truffle risotto. Top it all off with a bottle of champagne, and you have the recipe for a perfect Valentine’s Day dinner.

Head to the Charlie Palmer Steakhouse at the Archer Hotel for a sumptuous four-course meal of caviar, steak and more available for a fixed, per-person price of $125. You can add a wine pairing as well for an additional $50. And trust us, the wine pairing is a worthwhile addition — Charlie Palmer features an award-winning wine list recognized by Wine Spectator, showcasing the absolute best wine available in the Napa and Sonoma region.

Over at the Meritage, there is no shortage of stunning cuisine to experience, at any of the resort’s elegant eateries. All month, Olive & Hay offers their Buon San Valentino Dinner pre-fixe menu, available at $85 per person, with an additional wine pairing for $45. This meticulously crafted three-course meal is the perfect way to celebrate your love, especially if they consider food a love language. You’ll both receive a welcome glass of sparkling wine, and each course brings a new and unique dish to savor. On the evening of Valentine’s Day, you can also head to the Village Bistro for their Joyeuse Saint Valentin Dinner, a truly magnificent four-course meal featuring brie en croute, lobster and coq au vin — all for $100 per person, with an additional $55 wine pairing.

You could also head to where some of Napa’s finest culinaries have trained, the CIA at Copia, for their Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Grove. For $75 per person, you can choose from a seasonally-focused, exclusive Valentine’s Day menu, featuring fresh ingredients sourced from Copia’s own in-house culinary gardens.

For a truly special, once-in-a-lifetime kind of meal, secure a reservation at La Toque, a Michelin-starred restaurant and winner of the Wine Spectator Grand Award. For the most romantic night of the year, they’re offering an exclusive, limited seating six-course dinner that is sure to wow both you and your date. For this event, executive chef Ken Frank is pulling out all the stops: caviar, veal, Wagyu steak and much more. There is also a fully vegetarian menu available for those with dietary restrictions. Make your reservation soon, as space is sure to fill up fast.

Special Events to Bring that Special Someone

Whether you’ve been together twenty years or two months, Valentine’s Day should be a special experience for a couple every time it comes around. There are plenty of unique experiences available here in the Wine Tasting Room Capital of the World — grab your special someone and join us for any of these fun events, or, come on your own and see what kind of exciting new connections you can form as you experience the magic of Downtown Napa.

If there’s anything we almost universally share a love for, it’s dogs, especially here, wine country’s pet-friendliest spot. Provided you and your partner are the puppy-loving type, stop by Outer Space Wines to attend their Valentine’s Day, Doggie Night mixer. From 5:30 to 7:30 pm, you can enjoy snacks, wine and dogs, all in one spot. You can also get to know Wendi Piscia, Executive Director of Napa Humane, and the rest of the Napa Humane team — and, all gratuity will be donated to Napa Humane. It’s free to attend, and all their wines will be offered at happy hour prices.

Add a sweet soundtrack to your Valentine’s Day plans and stop in at Be Bubbly, where Nick Foxer will be serenading couples all evening with love songs old and new. His soulful, melodic piano renditions of everything from Abba to Zeppelin will have you singing — and maybe even dancing — along. Small, heartwarming bites will be available throughout the evening, and of course, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide selection of sparkling wines at Napa’s only dedicated sparkling wine and champagne lounge.

For those of you that consider shopping your second (or first) love, XOXO Weekend at First Street Napa is a must-stop ahead of Valentine’s Day. From 12 pm to 4 pm on Saturday, February 10th, you’ll have the chance to fall in love with the hottest Valentine’s Day trends to be found all along First Street. There will also be live music to provide lots of good vibes all afternoon.

If you’re in your single era, we’ve got you in mind, too! Drop by the Mix & Mingle Singles Event at Azur Wine Lounge on Saturday, February 10th from 6 pm to 8 pm, to enjoy an evening of great wine and great company. Whether you’re open to a new romance or you’re simply searching for other wine enjoyers to chat with for an evening, you’re sure to have a lovely night with the folks at Azur.

You’re Meant to Fall in Love Here

Don’t let Valentine’s Day be the only time of year you show your loved ones how much they mean to you. An escape to Downtown Napa is always available, always magical and always appreciated. Book your stay today and discover all there is to fall in love with in the Wine Tasting Room Capital of the World.