If you’ve never been to Napa Valley, there are some must-do’s on the list before you leave! This itinerary will make sure you cross those off as well as discover a few hidden gems not a lot of people know about!
Where you’ll stay: Yountville
If you’re traveling to Napa Valley for the first time, my advice is to stay in Yountville. This is one of the towns in Napa Valley and is famous for being home to one of the most famous restaurants in the world - The French Laundry. It can take months to just get a reservation at this legendary Michelin 3-starred spot and once you’re there, expect to shell out a minimum of $500pp. And while you COULD put it on your list this trip, there are a few ways to get a “taste” of the laundry without shelling out the dough.
Beyond The French Laundry, it’s quintessentially Napa Valley and filled with tons of other amazing restaurants, hotels, tasting rooms, and shopping. The walkability makes it so that you’ll feel like you’re just living in a small town, and the central location in the valley makes it easy to get to many different wineries without it being too much of a haul. Seasoned vets may find Yountville a little touristy, but even as a local I adore the charm and everything it has to offer.
Day 1
Afternoon: Check-in to your hotel in Yountville
Top Picks:
Late-Afternoon: As you’re likely to arrive in the afternoon, ease in to this trip with a walk around the town and pop into the JCB tasting lounge for a little pick me up and some bubbles.
Evening: Freshen up for dinner at Bouchon where you’ll begin with some freshly shucked oysters and salmon rilette, followed by either the Croque Madame, Boudin Blanc, or the Saffron mussels and fries. Bouchon is the sister-restaurant to The French Laundry from Chef Thomas Keller and this French-bistro meets Napa Valley fare is always consistently divine. You’re likely to spot a few local celebs, vintners, and winemakers and while Napa Valley doesn’t really do fancy, you wouldn’t be wrong to dress it up just a touch.
Day 2
Morning: Quick pastry/coffee run to Bouchon Bakery
Napa Valley is more of an early town than a late one, and early bird gets the croissant. Wake up and walk over to Bouchon Bakery for a pastry and a coffee before heading to your first visit, but be sure to get there as early as possible as there tends to be a line. As the name and location will suggest, this is the sister-bakery to Bouchon and TFL.
10:00-11:30am: Far Niente Estate Tour & Tasting
A beautiful, idyllic, fairy tale like winery that will ensure you FEEL like you’re in Napa Valley. Get your phone out for that drive down the tree-lined driveway and into the gardens which will make you feel like a wine-fueled Disney princess. The winery is a classic and has some great history to boot.
11:40-12:20: Oakville Grocery pit stop
Stop here for a quick coffee, refreshment, or leisurely break between appointments.
12:30-2pm: Vineyard to Table lunch at Robert Mondavi
Mondavi is The Godfather of Napa Valley and pretty much everyone in the valley has worked at the winery at some point during their career. This wine-paired lunch gives you a great sense of not only the wines and how they work with food, but also includes a complete tour of the winery and property. You’ll get a great sense of the valley and the history while being smack dab in the center of the Napa Valley wine universe. It may seem touristy but ask any local and they’ll tell you a visit here is a MUST on your first visit.
3pm-4:30pm: Signature Seated Tasting at Frog’s Leap
My quintessential Napa Valley winery, this gives crazy “don’t mind my I live here” vibes in this very classic Napa Valley setting. The wines are all made from organically farmed grapes and have crazy age-ability despite their very modest price tag. Enjoy some snacks on the patio and take a stroll around the gardens.
4:45-6:30pm: Sunset 🌅 Cocktail on the Terrace at Auberge du Soleil
Traffic from 4:30-6 is a nightmare so instead of trying to fight that good fight, skip over to the ultra-fancy Auberge du Soleil hotel which is just down the street. Their beautiful western facing terrace is open to the public and my favorite way to feel fancy on a budget.
7pm: Dinner at The Charter Oak
As the sun continues to fall, take the Silverado Trail north toward St. Helena and watch as the sky turns magnificent shades of orange and pink over the vineyards. Once you arrive at The Charter Oak, order the vegetables from our farm and don’t skip the house-made sourdough with cultured butter. Everything else is fair game too, but I am partial to the Short rib when it’s on the menu accompanied by a side of komachi rice. The restaurant is the more “casual” outpost of our other Michelin 3-starred chef in the valley, Christopher Kostow. While the Restaurant at Meadowood suffered catastrophic damages in the fires of 2020, the garden that once supplied the restaurant continues to prosper and supplies The Charter Oak with its goodies.
Day 3
Morning: English Muffin at The Model Bakery (St. Helena Original Location)
As you make your way north from Yountville to your first winery, make a stop at the Model Bakery for their world famous English Muffins. These are adored by Oprah and Ina Garten alike and sell-out every day. Coffee is by stumptown and they also have a wide array of breakfast sandwiches and other goodies if an english muffin isn’t your thing. Pro-Tip: Order ahead online and skip the line!
10:00-11:30am: Failla
While yesterday was more about some notable classics, today is all about something off the beaten bath. Failla offers a super low-key, no-frills experience and a morning free from Cabernet Sauvignon. You may not believe me, but you will probably want a break at this point. Founder/winemaker Ehren Jordan is a master of the lighter bodied varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot and somehow the wines still manage to be one of the better kept secrets in the valley.
12pm-1:30pm: Seavey Vineyard
You’ll weave slightly back down the trail before taking a left to head up Howell mountain where you’ll find one of Napa Valley’s great hidden gems about 15 minutes away. Just shy of the elevation needed to be called Howell mountain, Robert Parker has called Seavey “one of the great, unheralded, under-the-radar terroirs in all of Napa Valley.” These wines were built for the long haul, are super reasonably priced, and absolute favorites when I worked at press. The family held back 25% of production since they began in the early 90’s and continue to make their older vintages available for sale.
2-3pm Lunch at Gott’s Roadside (St. Helena Original Location)
Before you head out, use the wifi to order some lunch at the original Gott’s location in St. Helena. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, Gott’s is Napa Valley’s version of a roadside stop with casual fare ranging from salads to burgers to poke tuna tacos! Beer and wine is available and I highly recommend getting that order in before you arrive as the lines can get quite long.
3pm-5pm Walking around/Shopping in Yountville
There’s tons of great little shops in Yountville where you can find everything from clothing to an authentic Panamanian hat shop (one of my favs!). Walk along Washington Street and see what you find, or find some respite in your hotel room before dinner.
You could also squeeze in another visit after lunch and with so many tasting rooms in Yountville, you might even choose to do that instead of shopping.
7:30pm: Dinner in Downtown Napa at Torc & Champagne at Cadet
While the city of Napa wasn’t traditionally a place we’d direct tourists, there has been a major resurgence over the last 5 years with new hotels, restaurants, tasting rooms, and shops popping up every month. It’s a departure from the more sedated vibe up-valley, but live it up on your last night! Dinner is at Torc, one of my favorite Italian restaurants with a brilliant wine list to boot. After dinner drop in at locals-fav Cadet for a proper glass of Champagne and vintage vinyl. Who knows, maybe we might see each other there ;)