Visitors have long embraced the signature Cabernets and the laidback country vibe of Napa Valley with equal enthusiasm. With over 400 wineries spread across its bucolic landscapes, farm-to-table restaurants, and elevated boutique hotels, it is a perfect weekend escape, and a popular option for girls’ trips, honeymooners, and, of course, food and wine lovers. “There’s never a bad time to visit but spring is extra special,” explains Linsey Gallagher, president and CEO at Visit Napa Valley. “The new growing season is well underway, and, with the grapevines a verdant and vibrant green, it is storybook beautiful. Plus, it is brimming with live musical performances from world-renowned performers covering all genres of music,” she adds. This Memorial Day weekend, the 11th annual BottleRock Music Festival will take place with headline acts including Ed Sheeran, Stevie Nicks, and Norah Jones. Thomas Keller will also unveil his seasonal pop-up restaurant addendum—a more casual take on Ad Hoc, serving classic American comfort food (a great alternative to his famed restaurant, The French Laundry, where tables can be hard to come by).
Long weekends are always a popular time to visit, so you’ll want to map out your tour in advance and organize your mode of transportation (be it a guide or a private driver). But with such a vast array of options, choosing where to prioritize can feel overwhelming. Our top recommendations? Explore one of the region’s design-driven wineries such as Faust Haus, Ashes and Diamonds, and CADE, along with the more heralded establishments: Quintessa, Clos Pegase, Cardinale, Harlan Estate, and Inglenook—one of the oldest and grandest in the valley. And for a different type of tasting experience, Auberge du Soleil’s director of guest services, Sharon Wyatt, recommends a visit to one of the region’s nearby olive oil producers. “The Mediterranean climate of Napa Valley is not only ideal for wine growing, it’s also perfect for olives, and the start of summer is a wonderful time to take a shaded stroll through the orchards and learn about the region’s other signature crop, and taste how olive oils can enhance flavors,” she says.