Trip Guide: Napa Valley

I have literally been in a state of depression since Spring Break. Checking back into reality is so hard! I'm so happy and thankful that my final Spring break of my Undergrad was spent with some amazing people in the absolutely gorgeous Napa Valley, California.  The wine, the food, the views...everything about it was perfect. I went to so many wine tasting that I swear I swirl and smell every drink I'm handed! Napa is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the simple things in life. I miss it so much!

Napa can be a handful...I mean there are over a hundred wineries to visit! But don't you fret because I am here to give you some insider tips and tricks that will make you feel less like a tourist and more like a local!

Napa Valley, CA Trip Guide

Bakeries

I kid you not, I went to a bakery every morning while I was in Napa. And the one I kept finding myself going to was the Model Bakery.  Located right across from the Oxbow Market, this place has everything from croissants, sandwiches, loaves of sourdough, to their (no lie) world famous English muffins.  They have fancy coffee (think Blue Bottle) and even make pretty designs in your vanilla latte. There are also a bunch of little hidden gems...you just have to look! We found this great Portuguese bakery in downtown Sonoma that had croque monsieurs and amazing bunny cookies. And you can't forget to hit Bouchon Bakery in Yountville.  Their macarons are to die for!

A breakfast sandwich and latte from Model Bakery.

Small Wineries

It's very tempting to go to the big shots (think Domaine Chandon, Robert Mondavi) which are an experience in themselves, but the smaller wineries are where you learn the most.  Try Summit Lake on Howell Mountain -- a little farm (they seriously have goats and chickens) that makes one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons I've ever had. Our tasting here was like a French picnic in the park by the Eiffel Tower.  The owner provided the wine and we brought the cheese, bread, honey, and fruit! Hendry is another great spot and you can learn how the grape gets from the vine to the bottle from Mr. Hendry himself!

Splurge

You're in Napa Valley, after all! Our last night we went to Allegria -- a pretty fancy Italian restaurant where the food and drinks were to die for! This is where I got my cocktail fix (I was sick of wine by this point) and one of the best meals of the whole trip. It was worth every penny! I would suggest eating out for breakfast and dinner and then bringing a packed lunch when you tour wineries so that way you have a little extra spending money! One of the restaurants I wish we could have tried was Thomas Keller's French Laundry but reservations are booked for months in advance (that's how exclusive it is!).

Ahi tuna from Allegria.

If you love it, buy it!

Don't hesitate to hand over the cash for a good bottle of wine. You're literally in a place with some of the best wines in the entire world, so why not bring some home with you! I spent probably $150 on four bottles of wine and I don't regret any of them. Trying so many wines, it's important to note which ones stand out for you because those are the ones that your palette likes the most. In fact, if (nah, WHEN) I go back, I'm probably gonna bring an empty suitcase just to fill with wine! That's the whole point of Napa Valley after all!

Buy a "Taste Downtown Napa" Card

Best $30 I ever spent.  Head down to the Welcome Center on Main Street (down by the Napa River Inn) and pick up a card which will allow you to one free tasting at 12 different tasting rooms in downtown Napa. I thought this was worth the money by the second place we visited!  It's not only a deal but it also allows you to try a variety of places you normally would skip over. My favorite one? Vintage Sweet Shoppe -- they pair a piece of their chocolate with whichever wine you taste! I suggest the Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc so you can try their lemon white chocolate with it...amazing! Find more information here.



Talking about Napa just makes me want to plan my next trip! I was thinking it would be the perfect spot for a Bachelorette weekend...now I just need to find a man! ;)

Have you been to Napa? Did you go anywhere worthwhile there? Are you as obsessed with rosés as much as I am? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time my loves x.