We often get emails from first-time travelers to the Napa Valley asking advice for where to go or what “must activities” to include in their trip. Here is our list of what we think first-time visitors to the Napa Valley should consider doing. These activities don’t just apply to the first timer, anytime you visit the Napa Valley, these ideas should be considered. Read the rest of this entry »

There are a number of big construction projects in progress in the Napa Valley. It is almost as though the builders are ignoring the fact that we are in the worst economic time since the Great Depression. Undoubtedly, they are looking ahead to the years of good economic times and booming prosperity.

In the town of Napa the Westin Verasa opened in late 2008 and is selling luxury Condominiums. The concept is ownership of residences that have all the amenities of a hotel. The Condos start at $500,000 for a one-bedroom studio and move upward from there. The entire complex looks stunning. Read the rest of this entry »

Although the town of Napa may not be as chic as Yountville, lodging in downtown Napa offers the wine country visitor many options for activities and choices of restaurants. There are enough things to do in the downtown area to keep visitors busy for several days.

We booked two nights at the Blackbird Inn, a Four Sisters B&B. The Blackbird Inn is located on First Street and Jefferson in Napa. The B&B happens to be directly across the street from the very cool Craftsman home of the Wine Spectator’s Napa office. We supposedly got a winter/Internet special rate, if you stay two nights you get one free. Our tab came to $280 with tax for our two-night stay. Read the rest of this entry »

When you think of wines made from Spring Mountain, what immediately comes to mind are wineries like Smith-Madrone, Spring Mountain Vineyard, Pride Mountain, Paloma, or Keenan, wineries that are in the cult or mystic category of wine. But there is a little known Spring Mountain winery that is working hard to become a part of this famed wine community, the Frias Family Vineyards.

We stumbled on this winery when we met owner Manny Frias at an Olympic Club event in San Francisco. Soon afterwards, we made arrangements to visit his ranch on Spring Mountain. Two of Manny’s five children assist him in the operation of the winery. Manny Jr. does the PR and sales and son Fernando attends to the business end of the winery. Read the rest of this entry »

It was 2003 when we last visited the famous and historic Inglenook Chateau built by Gustave Niebaum in 1887. When we visited it was called Niebaum Coppola in honor of Gustave Niebaum and Francis Ford Coppola, the current owner who rescued the historic winery from the giant Heublein Corporation in 1975. The Chateau was still beautiful but the place reminded us of more of a carnival or circus event. The parking lot was full and the tasting rooms were lined with people. There was merchandise galore for sale and on the second floor visitors packed the displays anxious to see Hollywood memorabilia from various Coppola films. It was hard to figure out what this beautiful place was all about. Read the rest of this entry »

January is the slowest month in the Napa Valley. Any tasting room worker will tell you that they get the fewest visitors in January and their workdays just seem to drag. People tend to stay away from the Napa Valley during January for various reasons. The weather is unpredictable and there are no major events taking place in the Napa Valley until the Mustard Festival that begins officially on January 31st. People are recovering from the Holidays and are still keeping their New Year’s resolution about eating and drinking less, exercising more, and saving money. Nonetheless, this may be one of the most enjoyable times to visit the Napa Valley. You will almost get the feel of what the Valley was like 40 years ago. The Napa Valley is quiet and peaceful during January.

If you want even more of an escape to the olden days, spend time in Calistoga. Calistoga is a folksy town, more country-like and less posh than Yountville or St. Helena. Much of Calistoga looks and feels the same as it did 40 years or more ago. Just venture into the Calistoga Inn and you will see what I mean. Read the rest of this entry »

There are at least four wineries in the Napa Valley and Carneros that are making an Albariño wine. Could this be the beginning of a hot new wine in California? Albariño is a Spanish grape found in the area of Spain known as Galicia, in the wine region of Rias Baixes. The grape needs a cool and damp environment to thrive.

Here in the Napa Valley and Carneros the Albariño grape is grown only in the cool climate of the Carneros region and on Hendry Ranch. Both of these wine areas are in close proximity to the San Pablo Bay. The winds from the Bay provide cooling temperatures to both these areas during most of the growing season. The wineries that produce an Albariño in the Napa Valley and Carneros are Hendry Winery, Havens Vineyards, Mahoney Vineyards, and Artesa. An Albariño wine is a refreshing wine with lemony characteristics and good acidity. In Spain, this wine is very popular with all types of seafood. A huge amount of Spanish Albariño is exported to the U.S where the demand is increasing annually. Read the rest of this entry »