If you are looking for a romantic getaway, this one day trip through the Napa Valley is a great introduction to the wine country. It allows you and your date enough time to savor a unique experience of a lifetime and have time left over to do some exploring of your own.
START at the north end of the valley just north of St. Helena at the Castello di Amorosa. This enchanting, hillside Italian style castle, complete with a drawbridge, was built at the cost of around $30 million by Daryl Sattui. During a tour lasting more than an hour you’ll wander through the castle’s 107 rooms, including its underground cellars and wine cave. You will also learn the basic science and art that blend together to create fine wines. Make reservations in advance to hold your spot.
Next, drive about another mile north to Sterling Vineyards, a winery that looks like it belongs on an island in Greece. To get to this hilltop winery you hop on an tram that gently lifts you up more than 300 feet over a large waterfall. From the large balconies you will see sweeping vistas of the valley while enjoying Sterling’s wide variety of wines, everything from a Chardonnay to Sangiovese.
Now, it’s time for lunch. Head south along Highway 29 back to the picturesque town of St. Helena. Here, you can stroll Main Street to find an inviting outdoor cafe. Or, stop by the Sunshine Foods for a picnic lunch to share along with a bottle of wine. There’s a quiet, shady park close to City Hall where you can enjoy your meal.
But, you won’t want to stuff yourselves because next you’ll be tasting olive oil, produced locally. Drive south again and when you reach the town of Rutherford look for the St. Helena Olive Oil tasting room, which will be on your left. The store is also the company’s production facility, so you can see how the olive oil is made.
Your last stop will be to pay homage to one of the giants of the wine business, the Mondavi family. Robert Mondavi’s visionary winery is just south of Rutherford. The tour provides a history of the wine industry and how Mondavi’s business and marketing savvy helped turn the valley into a premier wine region and vacation destination.
One last tip - don’t forget your camera or camcorder, because there will be photo opportunities no matter what time of year you visit. During winter and early spring, rains help the wild, yellow mustard bloom in the vineyards. In summer, you can watch hot air balloons float over the valley and land in local parks, streets, or neighborhoods. In autumn during the “crush,” you can smell the freshly pressed grapes from one end of the valley to the next.
But no matter when you visit, chances are you will want to return again to discover more of what the Napa Valley has to offer.
