Just because you're broke doesn't mean you can't have a good time in Napa Valley. Take those beer cans piling up in your recycling bin and trade them in for a trip to Napa for some budget wine tasting travels! You CAN do Napa on a budget, especially when you use FREE two-for-one coupons and go on free tours. Dine in the best cheap restaurants and when it's time to crash, sleep well knowing you're in a best value Napa hotel. This is the Best of Napa... on a budget!
Looking for Sonoma coupons?
UPDATED FOR SPRING 2012
No tricks, no signing up, just click and go! If you find a coupon that's expired, if you find one I missed, or if you're a winery wanting to run a free coupons (that's right, I'll post it for free!), please email me at wally@napatouristguide.com.
Just click the coupon link and print it! And tell them Local Wally sent ya!
Acacia Vineyards: A bit off the beaten path but worth seeking out - reservations required but two for one is the deal. Coupon / Map
Beaulieu Vineyards: You'll forget about the low end BV Coastal after you try the good stuff. Coupon / Map
Beringer: An iconic winery, beautiful setting with the historic grounds and stone building. Coupon / Map
Bouchaine Vineyards: The oldest continually operating winery in Carneros with beautiful Chardonnays and Pinots. Coupon / Map
Bourassa Vineyards: Don't let the warehouse location fool you. Great wines at an unusual location at the Southern tip of Napa. Coupon / Map
Black Stallion: At the south tip of the Silverado Trail, a good place to start your wine tasting day. Coupon / Map
Burgess Cellars: Complimentary tasting in their barrel aging cellar. That's right. What a deal! Coupon / Map
Castello di Amorosa: The Napa castle is a "must see" winery. Get a two for one tour and tasting here. You're going to love this one! Tell them Local Wally sent you! Coupon / Map
Ceja: Cute little tasting room in the downtown Napa area! Coupon / Map
Charbay Winery and Distillery: Wine, port, apertif, a lot of everything for a unique experience that's different from a traditional winery. Coupon / Map
Cliff Family Winery: From the folks who make the Clif Bar (I am not kidding), wine and food pairing right in St Helena. Coupon / Map
Conn Creek Winery: Right in the heart of the valley on the Silverado Trail side, if you like cabs you need to stop in - made all the better with a two for one. Coupon / Map
Consentino Winery: Impatient? Then make the first winery on Highway 29 your first stop. Located next to Mustards, a great stop for lunch. Coupon / Map
Cornerstone Cellars and Stepping Stone Cellars: You can't ask for a better location in Yountville. Coupon / Map
Cuvaison Estate Wines: A cool contemporary winery in Calistoga area, perfect for a nice sunny day. Coupon / Map
Domaine Chandon: The coupon is back! Fantastic first stop for a glass of bubbly, essential! Coupon / Map
Etude: Cab lovers, pinot lovers, coupon lovers, this is your stop! Coupon / Map
Flora Springs: Whacky looking tasting room on Highway 29 next to Dean and DeLuca, another essential stop. Coupon / Map
Folie A Deux: Another great one! Pronounced "fo-lay uh doo", a fun stop and even funner with a 2 for 1. Coupon / Map
Franciscan: $5 off any tasting, or $10 off their upgraded Exploration tasting. Great winery! Coupon / Map
Freemark Abbey: Taste in a historic winery and sample their wine and cheese pairing, all the better with a 2 for 1. Coupon / Map
Girard: Located in Yountville, more like a wine bar than a winery with cool music. Coupon / Map
Goosecross Cellars: A great small winery with a barrel cellar, 10% off coupon. Coupon / Map
Grgich Hills: I can't believe it, one of my favorite wineries and part of The Judgement of Paris! Try the chardonnay. Coupon / Map
Hagafen Vineyards: Pay attention, free wine alert on the Silverado Trail! . Coupon / Map
Hess Collection: Off the beaten track, a scenic drive up the mountain, great art exhibit, two-for-one. Coupon / Map
Jessup's Cellars: Right in Yountville, close to The French Laundry. Coupon / Map
Long Meadow Ranch: Get a two fer one in the heart of St. Helena. Coupon / Map
Louis M. Martini: Stop complaining, it's a two-for-one! Coupon / Map
Ma(i)sonry: Another 2 for 1 right in Yountville. Why not, you're here? Coupon / Map
Michael Mondavi Family Estate: OK, not the Mondavi you were looking for but can you really complain when I found you a two for one coupon? Coupon / Map
Mondavi Winery: Robert Mondavi. That's right, the real deal, the big one, the essential stop, with a two for one tasting coupon. Coupon / Map
Mumm Napa: Free 2-for-1 flute tasting. Start your day with champagne, free tour at 10am. Coupon / Map / VIP Pass
Napa Cellars: Putting a modern spin on classic Napa in the Oakville area. Coupon / Map
Peju: Incredibly fun tasting, especially when Alan the server starts rapping about wine. I'm serious! Coupon / Map
Raymond Vineyards: Have to tell you, I drink a lot of Raymond wines these days. Use this two fer one and see why. Coupon / Map
Reata: Located before you get to the heart of Napa, make this a stop along the way. Coupon / Map
Rutherford Hill: With a great cave tour and picnic grounds, what's not to like? Coupon / Map
Sequoia Grove: Surrounded by redwoods, beautiful setting, 15% off wine. Coupon / Map
Silverado Vineyards: A beautiful setting, gorgeous views and great wines. Coupon / Map
St. Clement Vineyards: A small, premium winery with a great two for one coupon. Coupon / Map
St. Supery: One of my favorite boutiques with free self-tour and art gallery. Coupon / Map
Sterling: The tram ride to the top of the mountain is the main attraction, made better with $5 off coupon.. Coupon / Map
Steltzer: Stag's Leap area of the Silverado Trail. Good wine ahead with a two for one! Coupon / Map
Sutter Home Winery: They invented the White Zinfandel but don't be a wine snob, especially when the wine if free. Yes, free. You don't even need a coupon, but print one anyway so you remember. Coupon / Map
Tamber Bey Vineyards: 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay in St Helena. Did someone say FREE? Really?? Coupon / Map
Turnbull Wine Cellars: There really is a bull in the story about Turnbull. But no bull in this two for one coupon. Coupon / Map
V. Sattuii: Two fer One on a premium tasting, V. Sattuii is a great stop. Coupon / Map
Whitehall Lane Winery: Come visit a small, family owned winery in the Rutherford area and not only get a two for one, but a FREE t-shirt if you buy 6 bottles. Coupon / Map
Willaim Hill Estates:The Tasting Room overlooks 140 vineyard acres in the Silverado Bench. Coupon / Map
Wineries of Napa Valley: More of a wine shop than a winery, sample wines from various wineries in one stop. Coupon / Map
UPDATED WINTER 2010
FREE TOURS
Mumm Napa: First tour of the day at 10am is free. Website / Map
Clos Pegase: Free tour with a peek into the caves at 1130 and 200, no reservations required. Website / Map
St Supery: A free self guided tour, free art exhibit, and a cool aroma sensory interactive display so you can test your skills at sniffing out wines. Website / Map
BIG WINERIES WITH TOURS INCLUDED IN THEIR TASTING FEE
Inglenook (Rubicon Estates): The old Inglenook winery is reborn as Coppola's Rubicon and as majestic as ever. Free basic tour with tasting, plus entrance into the estate and Coppola's movie paraphernalia exhibits. Website / Map / Cost: $25
Robert Mondavi Winery: Signature tour and tasting takes you from grapevine to cellar, a terrific introduction to how wine is made. Website / Map / Cost: $25
Castello di Amorosa: Taking 13 years to build and using only authentic Old World construction techniques, the famous Napa castle is an essential stop. You can drop in for a basic tasting ($16) but to see the castle you must do the tour, which wraps you around the 121,000 square foot castle, into the dungeons and through the caves to a private tasting area. Website / Map / Cost: $33
Frog's Leap: An old frog farm becomes a winery and offers a tour of their facilities and farm. Fun and engaging, light and lively, you start the tour with wine and taste along the way, making this one of the best tours in Napa. Website / Map / Cost: $20
FREE BARREL TASTING WITH STANDARD TASTING FEE
Grgich Hills: Mike Grgich was the winemaker behind the "Bottle Shock" winning chardonnay in the 1976 Paris blind tasting's Visit the winery on Fridays from 2 to 4 for barrel tasting's, included in your tasting fee. Website / Map / Cost: $15
River Terrace Inn: A full featured hotel that acts like a resort, full complimentary breakfast with eggs and meats, contemporary room decor, walk to The Wine Train. Website / Best Rate Guaranteed
Best Western Elm House: A "charming" Best Western, this downtown motel is more like a boutique hotel than a budget chain motel. Best Rate Guaranteed
Embassy Suites: Not your typical corporate Embassy Suites, this one looks like a destination resort. Best Rate Guaranteed
Hilton Garden Inn: A smaller Hilton at a smaller price, located in-between downtown and Yountville. Best Rate Guaranteed
Marriott: A recent remodel updates the rooms and the full spa keeps the wife happy. Best Rate Guaranteed
Silverado Resort: Can be surprisingly affordable. Full golf course on site. Best Rate Guaranteed
Rancho Caymus Inn: An oddball eclectic boutique, located steps away from Rutherford Grill and right in the heart of Napa Valley. Best Rate Guaranteed
Dr. Wilkinson's: Home to the original mud baths and one of the best (and inexpensive) spas in Napa. For the adventurous, but why not? Best Rate Guaranteed
Napa Inn: A bed and breakfast in downtown Napa, nice rooms and setting. Best Rate Guaranteed
Gott's Roadside: Formerly Taylor's Refresher, everything is the same except the name. A gourmet "drive in" burger joint, now with a location downtown in the Oxbow Market. Website / Map
Hog Island Oysters: Incredibly fresh oysters, half off during Happy Hour on Tues and Wed, making them basically a buck or so apiece. $3.50 pints to wash it down. Website / Map
Bounty Hunter: Home to the Beer Can Chicken dinner for 2 ($24), Happy Hour ribs for $5 and BBQ sampler plate for $10, 2 for 1 "house" wines (not crap, good stuff!) . Website / Map
Tra Vigne Pizzaria: While FoodTV chef Michael Chiarello is long gone from Tra Vigne, the food quality remains as good as ever. Huge pizzas and no corkage, fresh salads and reasonably priced pastas. Website / Map
La Luna Market and Taqueria: An authentic Mexican market aimed at he local workforce with a take out counter in back offering tacos, burritos, and other Mexican fare. Grab some to go for a delicious picnic, budget Napa-style. Website / Map
Red Rock Cafe and Back Door Barbeque: A tiny "locals only" eatery downtown, burgers, sandwiches and BBQ. Burgers for $6.50, or go large with the $18.95 combo with chicken, beef and pork, big enough to split. $1 corkage, so bring in that good bottle to enjoy with your budget meal. Website / Map
Buster's Southern BBQ: Rustic to say the least, Buster mans the BBQ's and everyone eats at picnic tables. Located as you enter Calistoga, a worthy stop for BBQ lovers. Website / Map
Uva Trattoria: OK, not really a cheap restaurant but you can get in and out without spending an arm and a leg if you stick with a pizza and split a salad. Stay for live jazz but don't blame me if you go over budget. Website / Map
STEP 1: BUY GOOD STUFF TO EAT
The ultimate cheap lunch in Napa is a fresh baguette, cheese, salami, and some gourmet mustard. Bring that extra blanket from the hotel and a bag of ice from the machine to keep things cool and let's go shopping!
Near Downtown: Trader Joe's (3654 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, 707.256.0806) or next door at Whole Foods (3682 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, 707.224.6300)
Yountville: Ranch Market Too! market and deli (6498 Washington St. Yountville, 707.944.2662)
Silverado Trail: Soda Canyon Store, market and deli (4006 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707. 252.0285)
Highway 29: Oakville Grocery, a great stop even if you're not shopping for picnic supplies. (7856 St. Helena Hwy, Oakville, 707-944-8802)
St Helena: Dean & DeLuca, a high end gourmet store (607 South St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, 707.967.9980)
STEP 2: FIND THE ULTIMATE PICNIC SPOT
Not every winery allows picnics due to code and those who do ask that you purchase a bottle to use their grounds. They'll even open it and supply you with glasses.
HIGHWAY 29
Inglenook Rubicon Estates: The bistro tables under the trees feels more like Europe than Napa. Though they officially do not allow picnics, they rarely kick anyone out for breaking out a snack. Website / Map
Alpha / Omega: With the comfy lounge chairs in front of the fountains on the dog friendly patio, you could stay here all day. website / map
Hall: A boutique winery with picnic tables under the trees surrounded by modern art. website / map
Frank Family: Beautiful grounds and picnic tables and off the beaten path. Worth seeking out. website / map
SILVERADO TRAIL
Regusci Winery: Picnic tables under the olive trees makes this feel like you're in the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". website / map
Robert Sinskey: Gorgeous winery and picnic ground website /map
Rutherford Hill: With picnic tables overlooking the valley below, a stunning view - though recommended by many concierges so can get busy. website / map
Rombauer: A secret find, the beautiful gardens take you to hideaway picnic spots and beautiful views. website / map
Clos Pegase: With a free cave tour and terrific picnic grounds, plan your lunch around a visit here. website / map
WHERE TO NEXT?
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER WITH A NAPA TRIP AGENDA
Hotel Deals
- Best Western, $95
- Hilton, $117
- Embassy Suites, $135
- Marriott, $149
- Travelodge, $65!
- Check All Rates
- TripAdvisor Reviews
Sponsored Ad
Free Coupons
Random Pics
Wally News
SPRING 2012: The bright yellow mustard plants, the vines starting to bud, and best yet, fewer crowds make this one of the best times to visit Napa. It certainly is my favorite time to go.
I've updated all the FREE COUPONS that you can print from home. And don't forget to spend a day in Sonoma where the tastings are often free the vibe more laid back.
If you like my site, please book your hotel through me and support my sponsors. And yes, you can even email me if you have questions. How cool is that?
Cheers!!
Local Wally