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I am happy to help you plan your trip to Napa.  If you need a free winery trip planning agenda please give me as much time as you can due to the large number of requests.  I can typically turn around a custom agenda in 3 days.

Happy also to help you with restaurant and hotel recommendations, all honest and unbiased and based on my own experiences.

Cheers,

Local Wally

         

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Local Wally's Blog to Napa | NapaTouristGuide.com

Read Local Wally's Blog to Napa for up to date news, features, and stories from Napa Valley. Guest Posts Welcome!

Filtering by Category: Weekend in Napa

BEST New Winery Deals & Discounts in Napa and Sonoma on the Priority Wine Pass 2024

Local Wally

Incredible Artesa Winery in Napa - no reason not to go now that you can get a discount! Photo Credit: Artesa Winery

ARTESA WINERY: 20% OFF

Artesa is a celebration of the harmony between nature, art & architecture. It’s also one of the key locations in the Netflix movie “WINE COUNTRY” with Amy Poehler. Haven’t seen it? Then that’s on your agenda tonight, right after you book a reservation to Artesa Winery using the 20% off discount. Normally $65 per person, you’ll get two tastings for a bit over $100. Yes, yes yes! This stunning winery is worth it at full price but with the discount it’s a steal.

NEED A PRIORITY WINE PASS? get the lowest price on the internet right here!

To get all of the deals you’ll need one Priority Wine Pass per couple. Pay full price? Why?? Just use this link or click the button below that uses my PROMO CODE LOCALWALLY and you’ll get the pass for just $44, the lowest price on the internet. Use it all day (and all year, it’s good for 12 months). The more wine you drink the more you save - sounds good to me!

Ride the tram to the top of the mountain for stunning views at Sterling Vineyards

Ride the new tram (aka gondola) to the top of the mountain for stunning views and wines. Photo Credit: Napa Valley Register

STERLING VINEYARDS: 2 FOR 1, SAVE $55

If a little excitement and a big view is what you’re looking for in a winery then Sterling Vineyards is a MUST EXPERIENCE visit, especially now that you can save $55. You’ll ride in their new gondolas to the top of the mountain for a self guided tour which ends at a lavish observation deck with you holding a glass of wine. Is this a dream? If it is then dreams do come true and with a 2 for 1 it’s even better. Are you good at math? Then you know that just going to Sterling more than recoups the cost of the Priority Wine Pass.

Beaulieu Vineyards in Napa, one of the original wineries and now even better with a 2 for 1 deal. Photo Credit: Wine Spectator

BEAULIEU WINERY: 2 FOR 1 OFFER, SAVE $55

What a lovely place! In fact, it was so lovely that they named it Beau - Lieu, or BV for short. One of Napa’s oldest wineries, discover how the dirt influences the flavor of the wine (as in grown in dirt, not dirt in your wine) on their Discover Rutherford Dust experience, now 2 for 1 so you save $55. If you love cabs you are going to love this experience as much as your wallet will. Are you keeping score of all the money you are saving using the Priority Wine Pass??

Umbrellas on the patio at Etude Winery

Lovely Etude Winery, a hidden gem. Photo Credit: Napa Winery Project

ETUDE WINERY: 2 FOR 1, SAVE $40

For an elegant and relaxing tasting experience away from the crowds visit Etude Winery in the Carneros area in the southern tip of the valley. This hidden gem is close to Domaine Carneros, the famous “champagne” stop that everyone wants to make and not too far from Artesa Winery. Their Discover Etude is a nice overview of their wines with a keen focus on Pinots which are the specialty of wineries in this area. Bar tasting so you can experience their fine wines in a casual way while saving enough time to get another winery stop in :-)

Raymond’s Vineyards

Raymond vineyards: TWO FOR ONE, SAVE $50

Raymond’s vibrant main tasting salon offers expansive vineyard views and an elegant but whimsical environment. Your host will present several different wines from our portfolio that will delight both novice and experienced wine tasters. While visiting, don’t miss a walk through their Biodynamic focused Theater of Nature, explore The Corridor of Senses, and experience a winery like no other.

Brian Arden Winery in Napa

BRIAN ARDEN VINEYARDS, TWO FOR ONE, SAVE $55

Modern without being cold, Brian Arden is a hidden gem of a winery with a friendly staff and beautiful surrondings. Enjoy the upbeat and energetic atmosphere of their Tasting Room bar and gaze out the 30 foot windows into the Palisade Mountains. Weather and space permitting, your experience may be hosted on their spacious 10 foot wrap around patios.

Stroll the lovely grounds at Cline Family Cellars

CLINE FAMILY CELLARS: TWO FOR ONE, SAVE $25

At the south tip of Sonoma near Carneros is Cline Family Cellars, a winery with lushly landscaped grounds and outside wraparound patio that seems perfect for a relaxing visit with a glass of wine. I like this old style tasting experience, just come up to the bar and let them take you on a tasting tour of their various wines. It makes for a faster wine tasting experience, though I bet you won’t want to leave too soon as the gardens beckon. Two for one excludes Saturdays but just buy two bottles and they’ll waive your tasting fee.

Beautiful Italian villa? No, Jacuzzi Winery in Sonoma.

Jacuzzi Winery impresses all!

JACUZZI FAMILY VINEYARDS: TASTE OF ITALY, 2 FOR 1, SAVE $30

Mind blown, this Italian villa is owned by the same people who make Jacuzzi’s?? And guess what, you can get their Taste of Italy experience which features a seasonal flight of Italian varietals accompanied by locally baked fresh bread with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip, Two for One?? Do this one and Cline back to back as they are across the street from each other. Super beautiful winery that looks like you are back in Tuscany. Like Cline, the two for one excludes Saturdays but no worries, you’ll still get club pricing on the All'Italiana food and wine pairing experience.

Wellington Cellars in Glen Ellen

Wellington Cellars in Glen Ellen

WELLINGTON CELLARS, GLEN ELLEN, 2 FOR 1, SAVE $30

It seems like the good old days are coming back with wineries like Wellington Cellars in Glen Ellen (north Sonoma) where you can just show up and walk up to the bar for a tasting experience - two for one! Afterwards buy a bottle of wine to savor the ambiance on their patio. So relaxing, so chill, a short drive north from Sonoma takes you to this experience and it’s worth the drive.

Wine Tasting in Your AirBnB! Private Chef? Discounted Rates? Yes Yes Yes!

Local Wally

Coming to Napa or Sonoma with a group and staying at an AirBnB or VRBO? End your day of winery hopping with a private wine tasting event at your place! My friend Laura from Wildcrafted Wines will come to you with her favorite wines from various wineries. She can also arrange food and private chefs to really knock this out of the park. Are you a local? Of course Laura can come to your house or even a work event.

Outdoor Private Tastings with Winemakers?

For smaller groups of 8 or less Laura can arrange to meet you at an outdoor location to pour wines, sometimes even bringing along the winemaker to discuss what you are drinking. Vineyard views, a shady tree, a glass of wine, doesn’t this sound better than being pushed around in a crowded tasting room?

Great for Bachlorette Parties!

Hit up some wineries but get back to your own place where you can really have fun! Let Laura know what sort of wines you love as she has access to, well, everything. You’ll love being about to just relax and sip wine, lots of wine.

Best yet, Laura will give my readers a nice price break off her already reasonable rates. Spoiler Alert: It’s cheaper than going to a winery! Interested? Then let me connect you to Laura and you can work out the details.

CAN IT BE DONE? NAPA ON A BUDGET 🤑 UNDER $150 A DAY?

Local Wally

Napa on $150 a Day? Can It Be Done?

I was wasting time on YouTube today and a recommended video popped up claiming you can do NAPA ON A BUDGET FOR UNDER $150 A DAY! Hmmm, Napa has gotten really expensive, especially after Covid-19 jacked up all the tasting fees. This looked like click bait to me and like a hungry trout sniffing a wriggling worm wrapped around a treble hook I bit down hard. Before I go on let first let me say that I really like Tim and Fin. They’re entertaining, they’re fun, and they do a good job at creating compelling content, certainly better than I could. But with all due respect, I think i could plan a better Napa on a Budget day than they did.

Their strategy for keeping costs low was to only go to one winery per day. In their case they picked Castillo di Amorosa, the Napa Castle. I like the castle, and I totally get how they wanted to simulate a trip to Italy since they had to cancel their trip to Tuscany. But the castle is $55 per person for the tour and tasting. That means they pretty much blew their entire budget on one stop. And while the castle is unique, it can border on being a bit touristy. If they had asked me how to do it here is my plan.

First, I would buy a Priority Wine Pass. This is the 2 for 1 Pass. It’s $40 but you only need one per couple. Let’s see, $150 - $40 leaves you with $110.

Then I would go to these wineries:

  1. Beringer: Stunningly beautiful, it’s iconic Napa. Use the Priority Wine Pass and get 2 tastings for $30. That leaves you with $80.

  2. V Sattui: Tim and Finn went to Castello di Amorosa but I would instead go to V. Sattui, the original winery owned by the same person who built the castle. They have a full deli here and huge picnic grounds. Plus, you get half off one tasting so you save $17.50. If your budget is tight split the tasting and get yourself a sandwich. Let’s assume you spend $20 for lunch and $17.50 for a shared tasting, total $37.50. This still leaves you with $42.50.

  3. Merryvale: Let’s do a boutique winery with exceptional wines. Use the Priority Wine Pass and get 2 tastings for $30. With that you end the day with $12.50 left in your pocket. enough for some tacos at La Esperanza Taco Truck for dinner.

The entire day comes in under $150 which includes a picnic lunch and a Napa local dinner “destination”, a taco truck. I know, you might need to search for quarters in the seat cushions in your car if you want to splurge at V. Satuii and yes, i am totally stiffing the servers on tips which is not going to give you good Karma, but you did get to visit three wineries AND if you are coming back to Napa in the next 12 months you can use the Priority Wine Pass again as it’s good for a full year.


napa Updates for Fall 2020

New Wally Preferred Drivers, the Safe and Fun Way to Get Around Napa!

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Just about everyone wants a driver these days when wine tasting in Napa. Sipping and Driving isn’t tolerated and Uber is no longer a good option since you now need to be ON TIME for reservations, something Uber was never that good at in Napa. Don’t hire a driver based solely on price - get one that has a track record of doing a good job, a driver that I’ve already vetted out for you. I don’t charge you to connect with them - just let me know when you are coming, how many people, and if you would rather have someone drive your vehicle/rental or if you want them to drive you in their vehicle. I’ll match up your needs to one of my Preferred Drivers and send you their info. Simple as that. No hassles, no upcharges, and no wondering if you’ve made a good decision or not. And driver rates are all very competitive so don’t worry about my gold plated service costing you more than a Craigslist driver. Email me to connect - from couples to bachlorette parties I have drivers who can handle it all.

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Sterling $10 Off Freebie Still Available, a Local Wally Exclusive!

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Yes, Sterling was hit by the Napa Glass Fire and as of mid-October is currently still closed but the main winery was not impacted and sources say that they are rushing to reopen as soon as possible. If you coming to Napa towards the end of October there is a very good chance they will be open for tastings again.

Make sure you request my free $10 off code! It’s totally free, no catches, but you do need to email me to get it.


Planning a Trip to Napa Summer or Fall 2020 - Are Wineries Open After Coronavirus and Are There Deals?

Local Wally

No Social Distancing Required in 2017 - What About 2020?

No Social Distancing Required in 2017 - What About 2020?

June 6 Update: Napa Poised to Re-Open!

Big News - As of June 6, 2020, Napa has been given the green light to reopen. However, that’s not to say that you and your buddies should jump in the car this weekend and willy-nilly hit the wineries. Many of the wineries are not set to reopen until sometime next week and when they do there will be these new rules in place:

  1. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: Assume you will need reservations at every stop.

  2. GROUP SIZE LIMITS: Depending on the winery, assume that group sizes will be limited. Many are saying they cannot accept groups over 4 or 6.

  3. MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING: You know the drill by now. Napa wineries are not a free for all, things are not “back to normal”, but you can still have fun. Just respect the rules and keep everyone safe.

I will be contacting the wineries next week to check on deals and discounts but for now if you are planning on using your Priority Wine Pass I recommend you ask the wineries what their offers are. My site was written pre-Cornona and wineries can change their deals at any time so don’t assume the deals are still the same.

ALSO - BUY WINE! Wineries have been deeply hurt by Covid-19 so buy wine, as much as you can! It’s a solid win-win. You get great wine, the wineries get some revenue, I see no downside here.

More to come - The articles below will be updated later this weekend.

Wally


What to Expect in Napa in Summer or Fall 2020

I’m writing this April 9, 2020. Right now the entire planet is basically on hold with most of the US in lock down. But it doesn’t take a genius to predict that someday this will all be over and when it is you will want to be in Napa, drinking wine, wine, and more wine. I will be the first to tell you that I have no crystal ball but I will say that it’s safe to assume that Napa will be as packed as Castello di Amorosa on a busy Sunday when the virus is over. So that means you need to plan. Here are my predictions on what to expect in Napa if you come in Summer or Fall 2020.

MAY 17 2020 UPDATE: NEW GUIDELINES JUST PUBLISHED - It’s as you might guess, 6 feet apart, face masks, etc. The biggest impact though appears to be on group size - 6 or less - as well as wineries being required to move to RESERVATIONS ONLY. More info coming as I get it.

THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE WINERIES

Napa has both big wineries owned by giant corporations and small family run wineries and all of them will be greatly impacted by the lack of tourism by the time they open. We know that Napa struggled to rebound after the recent fires in 2017 and 2019. The Convid-19 will have even greater impact. Napa wineries rely on visitors, people like you, tasting and buying wine. They also rely on restaurants who buy and serve their wines. Both of these are shut down right now. Big wineries will show low profits this year but small wineries will be hanging on for dear life. If you are coming after the Coronavirus please focus on the smaller wineries first and BUY WINE - I can help you pick, that comes later, but know that while all the wineries will be hurting the small wineries really need your help.

WILL WINERIES BE OPEN IN SUMMER OR FALL 2020? JUNE, JULY, OR AUGUST 2020?

The second the social distancing ban is lifted you can expect the wineries to all reopen. I have not heard of any wineries closing their doors as of today - but a lot can happen before Summer. I also suspect there will be plenty of deals once Napa is reopened. If you have not followed my site until now then know that I was the first guy to put all of the Napa deals on one site, the guy who wrote the original TripAdvisor articles on Napa, and your best source for all of the two for one or discount wine tasting deals in Napa. I know all the deals and happy to send them your way - including the exclusive and free $10 OFF Sterling Vineyard tram ride and tasting offer. Email me for deals, it’s that easy.

However, you can assume that some of the wineries will be changing their deals and offers (and tasting fees) once Napa reopens. We do know they will be moving to a Reservations Only model based on the new regulations I got to preview.

WILL IT BE SAFE TO GO TO NAPA OR SONOMA IN SUMMER OR FALL 2020?

My guess is that Napa will only reopen when it is safe enough for everyone to feel secure. I mean, wine tasting isn’t going to be any fun if you are thinking it might be your last hurrah, right? But I have confidence based on Gov. Newsom’s plan that opening Napa or Sonoma for wine tasting is not going to be a quick decision so when it does open, well, you can assume it’s because those in charge believe it is safe.

That said - and remember, I am no doctor - staying safe will rely on decisions you make as to what sort of Napa experience you take. Personally, and I err on the side of safety, I would go with a private driver in their largest vehicle to mitigate any social distancing issues in transportation. If that means hiring a 14 person vehicle for your group of 6 I would consider it. The cost difference isn’t huge between hiring an SUV or a large shuttle van, especially when split up between the group. Second, until I see how the big wineries will handle crowds I would stick to the boutiques, the private tastings where crowd control is a given. This is all very fluid - I am writing this on May 5, 2020 - but if I am working with Nick who drives a lot of my readers and we are brainstorming a Napa adventure where you safety is the main concern and focus. You’ll be picked up in a just-cleaned van, you’ll be taken to select wineries who are on-board with our plan, you’ll dine in a picnic area away from others, and all wine purchases will be wiped down and disinfected before you pick them up. If you are interested just email me and we can work out the details.

WILL NAPA BE BUSY IN SUMMER OR FALL 2020?

With rampant unemployment it’s very likely that all tourist destinations will be down in 2020. But a huge part of Napa tourism are locals from the Bay Area or other parts of California and a quick day trip or weekend in Napa will be a very popular escape from recent reality. I predict that Napa will bounce back faster than the Stock Market and tourism will be huge once it is reopened.

HOW WILL CORONAVIRUS IMPACT TASTING ROOMS?

Until there is a vaccination the need for social distancing will be a part of the “new normal”. This most likely means that the massive, crowded, party atmosphere of the popular wineries will most likely give way to smaller tasting room experiences and crowd control. I predict that most wineries will move to a “reservations required” mode to control the total number of people entering the winery. This isn’t bad - anyone who has tried to go to Domaine Chandon or Castello di Amorosa only to find Disneyland sized crowds will appreciate a bit of crowd control. And yes, I can help you pick - it’s what I do and I never charge for advice.

BUYING WINE, TIPPING THE SERVER

Before the virus if you asked me whether you need to buy wine I would have told you that it’s not mandatory. Today, I suggest that if you are visiting Napa after the Coronavirus that you plan on buying wine, at least a bottle or two at every stop, especially if you are going to the smaller wineries. Join their wine clubs and make sure you tip the server. The server doesn’t benefit much from wine sales but a $5 tip for their time really helps them bridge that gap. I wrote this article on tipping recently and now more than ever it’s required reading if you are coming to Napa or Sonoma.

ARE THERE WINE TASTING DEALS I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

There are always deals in Napa. The bulk of them will be on my site but it’s too early to tell what the deals will be once the Coronavirus is over (or the social distancing ban relaxed). Right now we are working with the wineries to be ready for the day that Napa is reopened and to help them get their post-virus deals ready to go. Email me - I’ll give you everything I have so you can visit Napa without going broke.

WHAT EVENTS ARE HAPPENING IN NAPA IN SUMMER OR FALL?

Assuming Napa is reopened there will be plenty of events happening to lure people back in. Subscribe to my newsletter and I’ll keep you up to date on the best events and dates. BottleRock has been moved to Oct 2 - 4 so avoid that weekend unless you have tickets. And fall is the time for Grape Stomps - Grgich Hills has an annual stomp as do other wineries - I’ll know more when we get closer to Fall so make sure you subscribe or email me to stay up to date.

I’M TRYING TO PLAN A BACHELORETTE PARTY - HOW DOES CORONAVIRUS IMPACT MY PLANS?

Assuming Napa is back in business, you’ll want to take extra precautions if you are planning a bachlorette party or corporate event. First, knowing that people are drinking and that social distancing will still be the responsible thing to do you will want to make sure that every winery you pick is PRIVATE and offers you your own space and server. You’ll also want to make sure that the transportation you select has the same level of concern that you do. Look, let me just toss this out there - I have helped a lot of people plan big events so let me help you. I would avoid all wineries that have big crowds and focus on wineries that will give you personal attention and your own space. And I can get you deals, of course. Just reach out to me. I don’t charge to help and happy to give you my contacts at the wineries to set this up.

MAY 17 UPDATE: I just heard that wineries will be limiting groups to 6 or less - but not sure whether this applies to wineries who do private tastings. I am working on this! If you have a bachlorette party coming reach out to me and I’ll work with you personally as the details unfold.

WHEN SHOULD I START PLANNING AND BOOKING HOTELS?

As long as the hotel offers a fully refundable rate I would book right now. Below is a screen shot of a very popular hotel in Napa that normally charges $600 a night during the Fall. Rates right now are in the $209 range. Rates have not been this low since 1990. So book it and cross your fingers and you might end up with a killer deal.

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As for wineries, it’s not too early to reach out to me and I’ll help you at least start building a short list of wineries you might want to visit. I can show you what the deals are right now and you can book your reservations with the wineries. I predict more deals once Napa reopens so just be on top of it, watch the deal list on my site, sign up for my newsletter where I’ll provide deal updates.

Remember, a big part of what I do is help people plan their trips. I don’t charge, all of my advice is free, and right now I’m doing nothing so it’s a good time to start a conversation.

ONE LAST QUESTION - WILL NAPA TOURIST GUIDE BE AROUND AFTER CORONAVIRUS?

Yes, I will be here. Luckily my overhead is very low so as long as I don’t die from either the virus or boredom I plan to be here when this is all said and done. I do have bills to pay, however, so I’ve used my spare time to reopen my online store.

NAPA VALLEY HOME + GARDEN

Visit my online store to purchase Napa items that I personally love and use. All items are fulfilled by Amazon and the cool thing is if you go to Amazon through my site and then buy anything, even products that are not in my store, they will pay me a tiny little marketing fee. I am hoping that these pennies all add up to pay for my hosting fees. And you don’t pay more, you just shop Amazon like you always do and know that you are helping Local Wally stay in business whenever you buy something.

Also, you probably know that I support the Priority Wine Pass on my site. I know the owner and she is also a small micro business. The wine pass gets you two for one’s and is good for a full year. I’ve worked out a deal with the owner that if you purchase a pass today and cannot use it due to the Coronavirus that she will extend it for another year for no additional charge. When you buy a pass from me I not only give you a $20 discount but I get paid a referral fee - so buy a wine pass now if you can and know that we will totally take care of you if something comes up. Remember, you only need one pass for every two people. It’s $39.99 after my discount and you’ll save $25 to $50 per winery stop so it pays for itself many times over.

Cure to the Coronavirus Blues: A Trip to Napa Valley

Local Wally

Walking through the redwoods on the AXR tasting experience

Walking through the redwoods on the AXR tasting experience

MAY 15 UPDATE: GOV NEWSOM HAS REQUESTED THAT ALL WINERIES AND BREWERIES CLOSE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS. STAY TUNED - UPDATED COMING.


Is Napa Valley the Cure to the Coronavirus Blues?

Everywhere you look is bad news. The Coronavirus aint no joke and I’m not here to make it one. But I’m bummed. My vacation to Italy, cancelled. That’s OK, how about a trip to LA to hit the Grand Market and then a day at Disneyland? Nope, avoid big crowds they say, All right, I’m going to the movies. Wait, a sneeze from 6 feet away could be a problem? Damn, Redbox? Does the DVD Player still work? Oh crap, there are germs on the touchscreen? Ahhgggghhhh!

I Need Wine. Good Wine.

The good news is if you live driving to distance to Napa Valley you can do a mini vacation getaway, a sure cure for the Coronavirius Blues. Look, I’m no doctor. But I do know that drinking good wine makes me happy and Napa has plenty of good wine. And with visitors down a bit it’s a good time to visit. For the super cautious you can avoid the big crowds by hitting some boutique wineries where you’ll get one on one tastings away from everyone but your date and your server. I can’t guarantee anything but hand sanitizer is your friend wherever you go - cleanse your hands after sitting down, after touching the menu, you know the drill. Now let’s drink wine.

Napa Getaway On a Budget?

If you’re trying to escape reality don’t make it worse by racking up a huge wine tasting bill by the end of the day. Napa wine tasting can be notoriously expensive. $25 per person, $50 per person, not unusual. But do the Napa hack to save money - get a Wine Pass for two for one’s. The Priority Wine Pass is the annual pass that gets you half off or other discounts all over Napa and Sonoma. If you live in the Bay Area and don’t already have this pass, you need one. And yes, you only need one pass for every two people. You can get it here with my $20 discount, making the pass only $39.99. It pays for itself before you leave the second winery and you can use it again and again for the next 12 months. It’s a deal - a sweet deal for sure.

GET IT HERE: DISCOUNTED WINE PASS FROM LOCAL WALLY - One Per Couple

Charles Krug Winery

Charles Krug Winery

Wineries That Deserve to Be on Your Short List

BERINGER: Iconic winery, the perfect photo opp. The tasting room is inside their retail shop with plenty of room to spread out. As a bonus, you can use their gorgeous picnic grounds for free - and you can buy bottles to entertain yourself and outside food is allowed. It’s two for one with the pass, save $25.

CHARLES KRUG: Huge tasting room, separate tables to really spread out, a sprawling picnic area (no outside food allowed), another iconic Napa winery. Two for one, save $40.

DUTCH HENRY: Fun and funky, an industrial looking winery set among oak trees and picnic tables, plenty of room inside and out, and great wines - I mean, really great wines. Two for one, save $25.

CLOS PEGASE: Strange architecture by Michael Graves, semi-private seated tastings, it feels fancy and you’ll feel like a VIP for a price that’s very agreeable with the Wine Pass. Two for one, save $40. Make reservations for this one.

AXR: A true hidden gem tucked away near Beringer. If you want to experience some of Napa’s finest wines without going broke, then AXR needs to be on your list. Incredible deal with the Wine Pass - the private tour and tasting is normally $75 per person but they will waive fees for two people if you buy a total of only $100 worth of wine, basically two bottles. Let me run that by you again - you save $150 in fees, you take home $100 worth of wine. It’s a private experience, they even have picnic tables for you to enjoy after your tour. Charming winery, you will love this one. Make Reservations.

AUBURN JAMES: More really great “high end” wine, served in a private setting inside their winery cottage. You’ll have the cottage to yourself and your server, it’s two for one per couple with the Wine Pass, save $40. If you have never done a private tasting before don’t worry, it’s not snobby or intimidating. Auburn James is very friendly, you’ll love this experience. Make Reservations.

STERLING VINEYARDS: The famous tram ride to the top is included with all of their tasting experiences. Don’t forget, I have a ten dollar off code I send out for free that’s good for all of their experiences. I like the more exclusive experiences there a lot, including their sparkling wine on weekends. Email me if you would like the code.

And There’s More….

Go here for the complete list of discounted wineries and remember that I’ll help you pick if you get totally overwhelmed. And if you need to still buy a wine pass, well, here is the link below with my discount. Remember, you only need one pass for every two people.

Stocking Up on Supplies Includes Wine

You have 14 days of toilet paper, mac and cheese, and essentials but do you have wine? Now is the time to buy that case or two of really great wine, you know, just in case. Focus on wines you can drink now but will age gracefully. Oh heck, just buy lots of wine you can drink right now. I’m not kidding, you are going to be thanking me if you wake up one morning to find yourself quarantined to your house. And if you’re not quarantined you’ll still be thanking me. There is no downside to stocking up on good wine.

Napa Wine Tasting… Chasing the Blues Away, One Sip at a Time

I hope you don’t think I’m making light of a very serious world crisis. I’m frankly as freaked out as the rest of us. But I also know that it’s easy to over react and you can only binge Netflix for so long. Of course, you need to use your own judgement anytime you leave the house these days but I can’t help thinking that a day in Napa, done right, is about as safe as hanging out with friends in your backyard. Cheers to you, no hugs please but I know you want to :-)


CORONAVIRUS CONVID-19 UPDATE

Valuable News Links to Napa Coronavirus Updates

County of Napa Official Page: March 12, 2020 - Napa County has 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and additional testing kits are gradually becoming available to Napa County. Right now the risk of infection still appears to be MODERATE in Napa County.