Wineries
How can one possibly travel to Napa Valley and not visit a winery? Here in Wine Country, there are over 375 vineyards that celebrate their vibrant and varied flavor – which can make it hard to know where to start. But for this journey, let’s narrow our sights and look to St. Helena for inspiration.
St. Helena showcases the diverse climate between the northern and southern ends of the Valley, capturing flavors that mix the cool San Francisco Bay fog and ocean breezes with the warm Californian weather. Together, these flavors create a well-balanced and elegant selection of wines – from full- bodied, abundantly tropical whites to crisp citrusy reds.
Charles Krug Winery
If you find yourself in the St. Helena area, visit the winery known for being the home of California’s first tasting room. Charles Krug is Napa Valley’s oldest winery; their history will captivate you from the moment you set foot inside their beautiful Redwood Cellar. More than a vineyard or estate, Charles Krug is a world-class hospitality center where exceptional wines are born, and rich history is waiting to be rediscovered.
Home to Cucina di Rosa, a culinary program that pays homage to the family’s Italian heritage, Charles Krug Winery continues to elevate its offerings. Found in their Redwood Cellar, the kitchen offers an opportunity to enhance your tasting experience by combining their fine wines with artisan cheese, charcuterie, and other culinary offers. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you can expect their classic Mugnaini Pizza oven to be fired up!
V. Sattui Winery
Sitting in the heart of St. Helena is a winery that embodies the word celebratory. With over 60 different wines and dozens of award-winning batches among its current vintages, V. Sattui and its sprawling estate will transport you to a world of elegance. This family-owned property is known for its stunning and picturesque viewpoints. In fact, it often hosts lavish weddings and events. The estate includes two- dozen picnic tables beneath age-old Valley Oak trees and tri-level terraces that overlook their lush gardens and endless rows of sprawling grapevines. Their vine-colored buildings are surrounded by awe-inspiring landscape that will have you feeling like you stepped into a fantasy novel. Did we forget to mention that V. Sattui is one of the few wineries in Napa Valley that allow picnics on its property? Collect your favorite tastings of freshly made deli sandwiches, salads, fruit, and cheese from the on-site deli and enjoy a delicious picnic spread. They also make house-cured meats in their Salumeria, and gelato and sorbetto in the Gelateria. This artisan shop is every cheese enthusiast’s dream and is home to over 200 different kinds of cheese! It’s the perfect place to soak up the delicious wine you’ve sipped and savored while visiting St. Helena!
Restaurants
In a town filled with fine wine, it’s only natural to have excellent food to pair it with! Restaurants in St. Helena range from casual to fine dining, (some are even included in the Michelin Guide!) and offer hundreds of choices for every palate. With a menu that showcases locally sourced and fresh ingredients, Harvest Table St. Helena is the Wine Country kitchen experience you didn’t know you needed! A place to gather, savor and enjoy, this refined restaurant is the perfect place to come together and appreciate the tastes of Napa Valley.
The Legacy Tour
Have you truly experienced all that Wine Country has to offer if you’ve never ridden the famous Napa Valley Wine Train? Sip on your welcome glass of sparkling wine as you embark on a journey you’ll never forget! The Legacy Tour offers the very best of Napa — inspired hillsides, 4-course meal, two vineyard visits — all within a refurbished vintage train car. Those two vineyards we mentioned? You guessed it! This one-of-a-kind experience allows you to discover not one, but two of St. Helena’s prized wineries. The legacy of V. Sattui and Charles Krug combines winemaking history of over 200 years with fine wine and varietal vintages, coming together to offer a world-class experience.
Conclusion
The beauty of St. Helena speaks for itself, as do its wineries. Home to some of the most celebrated vineyards and estates in Wine Country, this town has an atmosphere all its own and a history waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re visiting just for fun, hopping from vineyard to vineyard to stock up the cellar, or to learn more behind-the-scenes of these famous wineries – every destination in St. Helena is sure to feel like home.
