As I’m drafting this, today is National Pinot Noir Day. And one place in the US that is known for pinot noir grapes is Napa, CA wine valleys in California’s Napa and Sonoma counties.
If you have an artist’s eye, these wineries are like none other as there are modern art features and statue inspos throughout the wineries. All you have to do is look!
And there are distinct architectural designs to make the buildings stand out with exaggerated arches and spires. And soft, romantic touches.
There are many fabulous wine trails, but the Napa Wine Trail is world-famous. The best visits are still the larger producers, such as Robert Mondavi and Sutter Home. It’s not hype.
Quieter areas like Napa are not touristy, so you wanna visit the more happenin’ places so you don’t fall into a-nappa.
There are less people around, so you’re not dealing with crowds.
Beringer is another one that has the Harry Potter Alnwick Castle look.
And then when inside, you’ll see they will have the tasting rooms that you’re accustomed to in your local wineries. It often feels like you’re in a cozy cave like I’m used to in Virginia wineries. And inside there are plenty of one-of-a-kind souvenirs you can take home and make great holiday gifts.
I still have an artsy painted glass coaster from Robert Mondavi that I’ve kept for a quarter of a century. So visiting the unique Napa Valley, CA wineries is definitely worth visiting at least once in a lifetime!
And of course, home to the one-of-a-kind Napa Valley wine train for a cork-and-fork foodie experience. 🍽️
On my first visit, I bought a bottle of Robert Mondavi wine sherry for cooking that was so amazing to pair with mushrooms… and enhanced the nose and tasting sensory kitchen cooking experience.
You can also explore Antinori Napa Valley in California with dominant Cabernet Franc grapes. The family winery is world-famous as a large Italian wine producer (12 million bottles in the Tuscan Hills), who’s known for Tignanello.
I visited the Italy-located vineyards in one of my 4 visits to the wine capital, Florence, Italy. I remember tasting Peppoli that’s a blend of Chianti and Sangiovese grapes. That’s perfect under the Tuscan sun that’s flowing with Sangiovese grosso grapes to make Brunello, and near Chianti. Something to dream about 💭
And when in the Napa, CA wine valleys that could be closer to you, you can drive up the trail to Calistoga… you may have heard of or been to the Hot Springs? And that’s a great place to stay for great value hotels to enjoy your day and night experience. It would be great for a birthday celebration 🎂 or girl’s weekend!
There, you can travel west to Sonoma and find a few gems like Korbel (champagne maker) champagne room in Guerneville near Santa Rosa that also has cute hotels and vintage motels (that are not your roadside roof).
