Napa 101: First Timer's Day Planner (Copy)
Visit the BEST of Napa in a day, from big name wineries to local's favorite restaurants, all planned out for you stop by stop, perfect for first timers! Local Wally's Napa Tourist Guide is the #1 trusted source for unbiased info on Napa.
First Timer's Winery Guide: Napa 101
First Timer's Napa Trip Agenda
First time visitors to Napa Valley often feel overwhelmed planning a trip to wine country. With hundreds of wineries and limited tinme which ones do you choose to squeeze into a weekend trip? Trust that guy at work to help you pick wineries? You don't even trust him with your stapler!
Instead, let me show you the best Napa wineries to visit, the best deals, and the best winery tours. Forget about doing hours of research and creating huge spreadsheets of options. Instead, just listen to me. I know all the best wineries and have been offering my free, unbiased advice for over 15 years. Plus, you can email me if you have questions and I’ll respond within a couple of days. Who else does that? Nobody!
NAPA ON A BUDGET | NAPA ITINERARIES | NAPA 102, THE SILVERADO TRAIL
NEED HELP? FREE ADVICE! Don’t stress out! I can help you with picking wineries, finding a driver, hosting a bachelorette party or group event, just about anything you can think of. All of my advice is free and honest with no hidden agenda. Got a question? Just email me! Like what I do? Support my site (and fill my wine glass) by leaving a tip, even a buck is appreciated!
What’s the Priority Wine Pass (and should you get one)?
Wine tasting in Napa used to be a no brainer with free wine everywhere and later plenty of free 2 for 1 coupons on the web. Well those days are all gone - no more free tastings, no more coupons, Napa has become a “luxury” destination. That’s fine if you’re in the top 1% but for the rest of us there’s the Priority Wine Pass, the affordable annual pass that gets you 2 for 1 tastings all over Napa and Sonoma. If you’re planning a trip to Napa then do yourself - and your wallet - a favor and get a Priority Wine Pass. Just $39 on my site, the lowest price offered ANYWHERE!
GET THE PRIORITY WINE PASS FOR JUST $39! OFFER EXTENDED FOR CRUSH SEASON!
Getting Around Napa
Drinking and driving is so last decade. Don’t risk it, just hire a driver or tour company to take you around. I work with drivers who can legally drive your rental, drivers who drive you in their vehicles, tour guides who can custom design your trip, and tour companies who offer limos and even large busses for corporate events.
And let’s not forget e-bike tours that take you on least traveled paths next to vineyards or adventure tours where you’ll travel to wineries in a 3 wheeled tuk-tuk that can park right in the vineyards for a gourmet picnic lunch. Amazing!
Don’t drive yourself, don’t stress out hoping an Uber will actually show up on time, just reach out to me and I’ll give you names of people and companies I trust to take good care of you. I got you!
Yea! You’re Coming to Napa! Now What?
Let’s pick some wineries. Here is where I ask you to put aside everything you think you know and all of the good advice friends have told you and to just trust me. Yes, I know, that’s a lot to ask but while Napa has hundreds of wineries the average visitor gets to visit only 3 or 4 visit each day. That means every stop needs to be a good one and I know all of the good ones!
For Napa 101 we’ll travel up Highway 29, the main road that leads you from Yountville to Calistoga. I’ll show you your best options below and you can pick and choose depending on what sort of winery experience you want. In Napa 102 we’ll hit up The Silverado Trail, the other main road that parallels Highway 29 and is a bit less traveled. But today let’s hit the Highway!
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE: You can pick and choose from each stop if you want to “see it all” or just pick wineries along the way that look interesting. For example, you might not want to visit all the areas and just stick to one area. Or you might want to ONLY hit the wineries with discounts on the Priority Wine Pass. Whatever you decide space the wineries out every 90 minutes to 2 hours, give yourself plenty of buffer time because somehow with wine flowing the time seems to just slip away. And make reservations!!
Let’s Go Taste Wine on Highway 29
Stop 1: 9:00, Rise and Shine. Good Morning, Napa Valley!
You have options! Start your day either in Downtown Napa area or Yountville, both excellent choices. See the entire route on this google map.
Model Bakery
Downtown Napa in the Oxbow Public Market (google map)
Their English Muffins are not only life changing, they’re Oprah Approved! Breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and great coffee with a picnic table casual setting. There’s also a “Mini Model” in Yountville with a more limited menu (but still has the muffins).
Bouchon Bakery
In Charming Town of Yountville (google map)
Thomas Keller is a God, of course. He’s the chef behind The French Laundry, one of the best restaurants literally in the entire world. He’s also owns Bouchon Bakery where you’ll find best macaroons this side of Paris.
HOW TO IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS WITH A VISIT TO THE FRENCH LAUNDRY
Oh no, I’m not suggesting you shell out the thousand bucks for dinner at The French Laundry - not today! I’m saying you stop your car as you drive by to get a photo of yourself standing in front of the iconic sign. Imagine how impressed your friends will be when they think you went to The French Laundry! And you did, sort of. google map
Stop 2: It’s 10:00, Let’s Drink Wine!!
Option 1: Chandon
Get there right when they open at 10AM to order a flight of sparkling wine, aka champagne. Chandon is so popular that it can become a zoo by the afternoon but in the morning it’s so quiet you can hear the bubbles pop. And don’t forget my money saving hack - they sell wine by the glass!
Option 2: Robert Mondavi Winery
I know that Robert Mondavi is on your bucket list but you’re just going to have to wait because in 2024 they’re going through a massive remodel and have closed the winery. Tastings are now done in a temporary downtown location that’s nice, but not the same. Skip it until they reopen, possibly not until 2026.
Option 3: Opus One
I only mention Opus One because I know that a lot of you out there really, really want to go. It’s out of my price range at $200 pp but those with curious minds and a tighter budget might want to indulge in a 4 oz pour for $30 to $60. No judging here, I totally get it if this is on your bucket list. If you go let me know what you thought!
Walk the Yountville Tasting Rooms (and get 2 for 1’s!)
Don’t want to drive? Short on time? Then use your Priority Wine Pass for 2 for 1 tastings at these Yountville tasting rooms. Start at Hill Family and make sure to try some of their Sauvignon Blanc, a classic Napa wine. (Two for $40 with pass). After that across the street is Cornerstone Cellars, a boutique winery with a superb Pinot Noir (two for $50 with pass). Then take the picturesque stroll past The French Laundry where you’ll find Jessup Cellars, a tasting room and art gallery combined (two for $30 with pass). Cost per couple without pass: $240. Cost per couple with the Priority Wine Pass: $164. (Need a Pass?)
Lunch? Pop into R+D Kitchen for a reasonably priced menu of Napa favorites. Or start your walk at Jessup Cellars and finish with lunch at Thomas Keller’s Addendum, the food(ie) shack serving his famous fried chicken during peak season on Fridays and Saturdays.
Stop 3: 11:30, It’s Still Early!
Option 1: Napa Cellars
One of the top things to do in Napa is to have a picnic and Napa Cellars has one of the best picnic grounds in the area. As a bonus you can even bring in your own food, a great way to stretch the wine tasting budget.
Napa Cellars Tasting Info | google map
Wine Pass Deal: 2 for 1 tastings, Mon, Thu, Fri, save $30.
Option 2: B Cellars
How many times have you been sold a “wine and food” pairing only to be served a slice of cheese and some nuts? Not the case here where gourmet bites equal the superb quality of the wines. $95 for food and wine pairings, a perfect light lunch and great experience.
Option 3: Nickel & Nickel
She’s a beauty, that’s for sure, with the elegant farmhouse and barn and top notch wines. Each visit includes a tour and small group tastings. Make reservations.
Option 4: Cakebread Cellars
A famous Napa winery known for their great chardonnay, I like how Cakebread Cellars puts everyone into small groups so that you feel a bit more like a VIP. A good, basic tour is included with the tastings. Make reservations.
Option 5: St Supery Winery
Their “aromatherapy” experience will help you identify the nuances of sight, taste, and smell of a wine and help you put into words what you’re experiencing. Impress your friends with your newfound wine knowledge!
Option 6: Beaulieu Vineyards
Iconic Napa winery with beautiful tasting room, experience how the soil can impact the final taste of their wines with their Discover Rutherford Dust experience.
Beaulieu Vineyards Tasting Info | google map
Wine Pass Deal: Two for one, save $50 on the Discover Rutherford Dust seated tasting experience.
Option 7: Elizabeth Spencer
The modest brick house, once the post office, belies whats behind the doors, a serene garden in back and a culinary museum inside all enveloped with their fine wines and hospitality. If Napa is swamped the day you are here then duck into here and escape the crowds.
Elizabeth Spencer Tasting Info | google map
Wine Pass Deal: Two for One, save $50.
Option 8: Inglenook
One of the most beautiful wineries in Napa. Looking so European, borrow a toy sailboat to launch in their giant fountain just like in Paris. Much better than their jug wine legacy, Inglenook now produces some fine wines and a lovely setting for sipping a glass under the shade of a mature tree.
Don’t Skip Lunch!
When I go wine tasting I don’t like to waste a lot of time sitting in a restaurant. These two options are fast and easy and offer great food while getting you back to the task at hand, namely tasting more wine. You can also do what I’ve been know to do and just buy a baguette and some cured meats and cheese and snack on them in the car on the way to the next winery. Totally acceptable!
Option 1: Long Meadow Ranch Cafe
Long Meadow Ranch is a winery that also has a great restaurant called Farmstead as well as a super casual cafe with picnic and bistro tables, panini’s and salads - and wine!
Option 2: Oakville Grocery
For an even faster lunch stop by Oakville Grocery where there’s an excellent sandwich shop as well as grab and go sandwiches and lunch items. Tables on the side.
WALLY’S PICK: A visit to Napa isn’t complete without stopping in at Oakville Grocery, serving Napa since 1881 - that’s not a typo. It was once a hidden gem of a grocery store but now is a high end gourmet foodie stop that still retains its country charm. Lines can be long so check if they have any “grab and go” sandwiches if you are in a rush or just get a baguette and cheese for a snack in the car. BUT remember, stopping for lunch will eat up an hour of your time so plan accordingly so you aren’t late to your next stop.
Pro Tip: If you happen to be end up at either Beaulieu Vineyards or Elizabeth Spencer then you are steps away from Rutherford Grill. I know, it’s part of the Houston restaurant chain but there is something there that makes it a top draw for both locals and visitors alike. Very nice setting and that grilled artichoke, that grilled artichoke….! And no corkage fee?
GOTT’S ROADSIDE BURGER AND MERRYVALE WINE, A PERFECT PAIRING!
Avoid the lines at St. Helena’s popular Gott’s Roadside by reserving your own burger and wine tasting experience at Merryvale Winery. Your Burger Butler Experience begins with their Signature Tasting, during which you’ll sip and savor five of their most popular Napa Valley wines. Your tasting will be followed by the delivery of your pre-ordered burgers on either their Tasting Terrace or Veranda.
Or enjoy on artisan pizza paired with Merryvale and Starmont Pinots. The Pinot and Pizza flight features four different pinots followed by pizza from the famous Tra Vigne restaurant. Limited to groups of 8 or more.
Stop 4: 2:00 - Decisions, Decisions, and It’s Not Going to be Easy!
Option 1: Grgich Hills Estates
A historic Napa winery with an unpretentious tasting room and lots of great wines. One of the iconic wineries, if you want to buy wines then make this your stop.
Grgich Hills Tasting Info | google map
WINE PASS DEAL: 15% off in-person purchases of current release wines, and 10% off in-person purchases of library.
Option 2: Alpha Omega
How times have changed. I once considered A/O a secret find, a tiny winery serving out of a trailer. Today A/O is one of the most popular wineries with a coveted seat by the outdoor fountain. Fairly reasonable tasting fees, well for Napa anyway. Walk-in’s now accepted too so pop in if you can.
Option 3: The Prisoner Wine Company
What started as a cult wine in 2000 quickly got the buzz, an Instagram worthy winery filled with a modern, hip vibe and a happy hour crowd to match. If you’re looking for an intimate and educational tasting experience, this isn’t it. But if you want a place fun and happening scene then The Prisoner should make your short list.
Option 4: Whitehall Lane
As Napa wineries are being bought out by large corporations it’s nice to support the true family run wineries like Whitehall Lane. Super friendly, great wines, how can you not have a good time?
Whitehall Lane Tasting Info | google map
Wine Pass Deal: Two for one on Winery Exclusive Flight, save $60.
Option 5: Del Dotto Estate Winery & Caves
I really like the original Del Dotto and caves on Atlas Peak Rd. They have 3 locations now and the Estate Winery looks a bit like a mausoleum to me but can’t deny its popularity. I mean, people love it so I’m being open minded!
Option 6: Raymond Vineyards
A fun and quirky winery with plenty of photo ops. Super friendly staff, at times it feels like what a winery would be like if The Addams Family owned it. Farm animals, oddball art, it certainly isn’t like every other winery!
Option 7: V. Sattui Winery
Built by the same guy who built the Napa Castle, V Sattui certainly looks old world, almost like a castle if you squint just right. One of the first wineries to offer picnic services, V Sattui’s main draw is its onsite deli and picnic tables.
But note that the marketplace and deli are closed for remodel and won’t open until Spring 2025, though a temporary marketplace still offers deli and hot items with food trucks supplementing on weekends.
Option 8: Hall Winery
It’s been fun watching Hall Winery grow from a tiny tasting room with a bar no bigger than the one in my house to a massive (and massively popular) winery. Modern inside and out, lively and fun. Look for the huge silver rabbit sculpture in front and you know you’ve arrived.
Hall Winery Tasting Info | google map
Wine Pass Deal: Priority Wine Pass Members and one guest will receive Membership pricing on the Cabernet Collector Tasting by appointment only and Membership discounts on wine purchases for the day. Save $50.
Stop 5: 3:30 -Time For One More!
Option 1: Davies Vineyard
Davies makes Schramsberg sparkling wine, arguably the best in the US, but they also make stellar still wines and you can taste both at their modern and upscale tasting room. Great wine and food program as well, including a brunch with caviar to go with your bubbles.
Davies Vineyard Tasting Info | googlemap
WINE PASS DEAL: $20 off in the wine only experiences and up to $40 off their wine and food pairing experiences.
Option 2: Merryvale
There’s a lot to like about Merryvale, from the cozy seating alcoves with sofas to the impressively giant barrels in their grand hall. Expansive outside patio with fountain and live music and food trucks on select Friday nights.
Merryvale Tasting Info | googlemap
LUNCH OPTION: Groups of 4 or more can have Gott’s Refresher burgers or Tra Vigne pizza delivered right to the winery. Email me for more details.
Option 3: Beringer Vineyards
One of Napa’s most strikingly beautiful wineries, the self guided tour lets you check out the grounds but cave lovers will want to upgrade to their cave tour experience, a steal at only $35, kid friendly too.
Beringer Vineyards | google map
WINE PASS DEAL: 2 for 1 Sip and Stroll around Beringer with a Glass of Wine (Fri through Mon), save $20.
Option 4: Charles Krug Winery
An oldie on the outside but modern inside, Charles Krug offers a premium tasting with wines that will surprise you if you’ve only had their supermarket offerings. Food onsite, picnic area. Make reservations.
Charles Krug Tasting Info | google map
WINE PASS DEAL: 1 Estate Tasting fee waived for every $100 wine purchase, save $50.
Option 5: Frank Family Winery
Ahhh, I remember when Frank Family was served out of a funky trailer with irreverent servers tossing out F-Bombs as fast as they could pour wine. Today Frank Family is a bit more refined, a well known maker of exceptional wines served in a very respectable craftsman house surrounded by picnic tables.
Option 6: Schramsberg Winery
This is the cave tour you’re looking for. With “real” caves hand dug by Chinese laborers (versus concrete lined tunnels found at most wineries), be prepared for a unique and romantic experience all enhanced by some of the best sparkling wine you’ve ever had. You’ll walk away with a deep appreciation of their wines and history - highly recommended and the best cave experience in Napa.
Option 7: Sterling Vineyards
Ride the famous tram to the top of the mountain where you’ll be greeted with wine, a self guided tour, and a patio with stunning views of the valley. Super fun and a great experience, especially for first timers. Kids welcome with fee.
Sterling Vineyards Tasting Info | google map
WINE PASS DEAL: 2 for 1 tasting, Save $55.
WALLY DEAL: Use promo code WALLYNAPA for $10 off. Cannot be combined with Priority Wine Pass offer.
Option 8: Castello di Amorosa
Also known as the Napa Castle you have to see this one to believe it - a full blown castle built the way they used to. The basic tasting gets you into the castle and the main area (no freebie lookie loo’s), upgrade to the tour if you want to see it all and learn more about how the castle was built and marvel at the attention to detail.
Option 9: Tank Garage
An old gas station becomes a winery with Tank Garage, a fun and certainly unusual winery making small lot and one-off wines. Irreverent, cool, quirky, this isn’t like any other winery or wine tasting experience in Napa. Not pretentiously trying to be hip, an authentically hip experience and labor of love for the winemakers pushing the limits and expanding horizons.
Tank Garage Tasting Info | google map
Wine Pass Deal: More info coming
Option 10: Chateau Montelena
If you remember the movie Bottle Shock you might recall it was the chardonnay made at Chateau Montelena that won the Judgement of Paris competition. Now you must try it! With it’s medieval architecture and Chinese lake in the back it’s an odd juxtaposition that should have you wondering what is going on here.
Option 11: Hans Fahden
If your experience in Napa has been long lines, busy parking lots and rushed servers, then get off the main path and head a bit north to Hans Fahden Winery. Lush landscaping, old wooden bridges over reflecting ponds, and wine caves that look like caves (versus a cement tunnel), there’s no rush, no crowds, and plenty of good wine.
Hans Fahden Winery Tasting Info | google map
Wine Pass Deal: 2 for 1, save $40.
