This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Looking for memorable wine tourism trips? Napa Valley, California is a must-see, as much for its wines as for its bucolic charm, rich history and activities. This week again, we are taking you there, this time to tour the tourist attractions.
To taste the Valley
In the Napa region, the art of living well is sacred! You eat there as well as you drink, and there is no shortage of good restaurants, both for large and small budgets.
The historic Oakville Grocery is a delicatessen, whose building dates back to 1874. You can find the best gourmet products in the region, sandwiches, wine shelves and a tasting bar. The establishment also has a restaurant, where you can enjoy fabulous pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, set up on a superb outdoor terrace.
Gott’s Roadside : For a snack, nothing beats hamburgers! The best can be found at this small local restaurant chain fast food to looks retro diners from the 1950s. Winemaker Joel Gott launched his concept in 1999 and it quickly made it onto the list of James Beard America’s Classics. Not only is everything good at this restaurant, but whether you have kale salad, chicken tacos or a burger, all the ingredients are sourced from local farms and most are organically grown. The choice of wine by the glass offered there is impressive.
Oxbow Public Market: Located in the bustling Oxbow district, this public market is the place to be for great food, wine and craft beer. People come here to eat local specialties, sip a drink on the outdoor terraces overlooking the Napa River, or to get gifts related to the culinary field.
Acacia House : The restaurant offers a seasonal menu of fine American cuisine, created by acclaimed Top Chef Masters chef, Chris Cosentino, showcasing the region’s finest local and organic ingredients. Located in a beautiful historic Georgian building, once a restored farmhouse, it is adjacent to the Alila Napa Valley hotel.
Farm at Carneros : The best brunch in the valley can be found at the restaurant of the Carneros hotel, in the town of the same name! It is also an opportunity to visit a Napa appellation known for its production of sparkling wines. The restaurant is aptly named, as the talented chef John Carney uses farm produce to create his succulent menus. He enjoys a large 120 square meter vegetable garden located next to the restaurant and a chicken farm, where he gets most of his vegetables, herbs and eggs for his menu.
To visit
In Napa, there are a few castles that transport us to another space-time.
One of the most fascinating to visit is the Castello di Amorosa, a reproduction of a Tuscan castle of medieval inspiration, which emerged miraculously unscathed from the serious fires that have plagued the valley over the past two years. The Castello is the brainchild of Napa winemaker Dario Sattui (V. Sattui Winery). It is so large that it has 107 rooms, 90 of which are dedicated solely to winemaking and wine storage!
This architectural masterpiece also features replicas of Tuscan frescoes painted by Italian artists, a drawbridge, a torture chamber and a 500-year-old fireplace! It is also the place to taste the property’s wines, including superb vintages made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot, as well as a whole range of refined wines inspired by Italian traditions.
Activities
Hot air balloon ride : One way to visualize the extent of Napa’s terroir is to admire it from the air with a hot air balloon ride. A fantastic experience offered by local company Balloons Above the Valley. In addition, we are given in-flight information about the wine region and its development.
A very special train ride : Running on one of the few historic railroads still in operation in the United States, the Napa Valley Wine Train promises a memorable experience as it criss-crosses the region’s vineyards. This fully restored, turn-of-the-century passenger train pays homage to the golden days of train travel, offering a choice of gourmet meals served paired with Napa’s finest wines.
Bike ride in the vineyards: A nice way to soak up the scenery is to ride the long bike path along the vineyards between Youthville and downtown Napa. Napa Valley Bike Tours rents touring bikes and e-bikes by the hour or by the day. Their motto is ” Will bike for wine !
Visit Historic Downtown Napa
There are a host of good restaurants and wine bars. The Visit Napa Valley tourist office is also located there. Useful information awaits you on where to stay, where to eat, what to visit, and even to book.
Where to stay
To soak up the charm of small downtown Napa and be close to restaurants and bars, the R Inn Napa boutique hotel offers a unique experience. The hotel is located in an old historic building which has been beautifully converted with all the desired modern comfort. We like the European style of the hotel, which has 10 comfortable rooms, 5 prestigious lofts, as well as a bungalow that can be rented. Outside there is a magnificent courtyard, Zen spaces and even a game of bocce !Inside, common rooms including a full kitchen with oven and fridge are available to guests, as well as meeting rooms.
Flight and transportation
New direct flights from Montreal to San Francisco, twice a week, are offered at good prices by Air Transat. We suggest renting a car and a hotel before arriving in San Francisco, as the night flight and the three-hour delay can be tiring. A good choice of hotel is the RIU Fisherman’s Wharf, well located if you want to visit the big city and then leave for the Napa Valley, which is an hour and a quarter from the hotel.
To learn more about Napa Valley wines and sub-appellations, visit Napa Valley Vintners.