The entire valley is divided into grape growing regions or appellations, such as Carneros and Stag’s Leap in Napa, and Oakville and Rutherford to the north. An entire day can be spent exploring just one or two appellations, and the grapes and wines they have to offer. Upvalley from Napa lays the quiet, smaller towns of Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga. All have limited and quaint lodging and plenty of wineries and boutique shopping. Take Dry Creek Road to the Oakville grade and see spectacular views of the hilly, vineyard covered valley, where wine grapes grow in every possible spot. Carneros via Ramal Road in the south is a bumpy outdated road that hasn’t changed much in 20 years. It is lined with off-the-beaten-track wineries such as Acacia, McKenzie-Mueller and Buena Vista, all providing views of the SF Skyline and Sonoma on a clear day. Also in Carneros, Artessa Winery offers spectacular views from its modern spread atop a hill. Some require reservations. |
