Cure to the Coronavirus Blues: A Trip to Napa Valley

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.

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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

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 :-)

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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.

Napa Valley Coronavirus Info: Planning a Trip to Napa 2020, Wineries to Close per Gov Newsom

Napa Valley

June 25 2020 UPDATE: NAPA IS OPEN BUT WITH MANY CHANGES

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. NO MORE WALK-IN’S. If you need help I have started a new service where I make the reservations for you for $40, Email me for more info.

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.

WHAT ABOUT DEALS?

Some wineries are raising their tasting fees as they have moved from bar tastings to seated tastings. However, my spot check of wineries shows that they will still be accepting the two for one PRIORITY WINE PASS. This is good news as the pass is still only $39.99 per couple (get it here https://prioritywinepass.com/exclusive-local-wally-discount/ref/2/?coupon-code=localwally ). Some quick math - you save $35 at Sterling, $40 at Krug, $45 at Grgich Hills. Yes, it pays for itself and with the new higher tasting fees it’s more valuable than ever if you don’t want to go broke.

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.

IS IT SAFE?

While deciding when to leave your home cocoon is a personal decision, everyone in Napa, whether a hotel, restaurant or winery, is well aware of the need to provide a safe environment. Still, I would still take precautions and wear a mask as the crowds are expected to be much larger than normal with people anxious to get out.

DO I NEED A DRIVER?

I would also strongly recommend you avoid Uber or shuttles and hire a personal driver. I am working with a small number of drivers who are very focused on keeping everyone safe and their vehicles spic and span and infection free. If you want a referral email me.

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

Wally

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LINKS TO MOST RECENT UPDATES ON NAPA AND CONVID-19

NAPA COUNTY OFFICIAL CORONAVIRUS WEBSITE: For the most up to date info on traveling to Napa.

CITY OF NAPA CORONAVIRUS OFFICIAL UPDATES: Stay current on the official City of Napa site.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND TIPS

Is BottleRock Cancelled?

BottleRock has been postponed until Oct 2-4. Here is the official article.

Should I Cancel My Trip To Napa Valley?

No! Napa is reopened as of June 6th, 2020.

Will I Need Reservations?

Yes, now more than ever you cannot kick back and decide where to go or where to eat. You need to commit, you need to make the call, you need to lock it in! Remember, I can help you pick wineries off the Priority Wine Pass as well as tell you which full priced wineries I think are “worth it” so just ask if you need help.

I’m Planning a Bachelorette Party or Corporate Event in Napa Later this Year - Should I Cancel?

No - but note that most wineries are limiting group sizes to 6 or less. But there are ways around this, such as hosting the event at a winery that can break up your large group into smaller groups. For this you need connections and you know me so there you go. Reach out to me if you have a group event as I can connect you with wineries who can possibly still host you as well as transportation companies. And I don’t charge, just happy to help.

Local Wally's Wine Tours, Napa and Sonoma Wine Tasting Packages for Every Budget

Happy Wine Tasters on a Local Wally Wine Tour

Local Wally Launches His Wine Tour Company

Over the years I’ve been asked to offer a complete Wine Tour option for my guide. I resisted. I procrastinated. That’s because 10 years ago when I started writing this guide most people just drove their own cars when wine tasting. But times change and now drinking and driving isn’t an option, at least not a very good one. That left sending my readers to Uber or Lyft which sort of worked, though long waits and high surge pricing left a lot to be desired. Add to that Covid-19 which makes getting into a strangers car perhaps more risky than you want. AND if that wasn’t enough, wineries now require reservations and no longer offer drop in bar tastings which means you need to be on time - or risk forfeiting your tasting fee.

Introducing Local Wally’s Wine Tours

You know me - I spend my days answering emails from my readers asking what wineries to go to. I’ve teamed with professional driving companies to offer customized Napa and Sonoma Wine Tours that stay focused on giving you the best Napa or Sonoma experience. Whether you’re coming here as a couple or planning corporate event, low budget or extravagant, we have it covered. Bachelorette party? Oh yeah, we can help!

Here’s how it works -

Option 1: Priority wine Pass Discount winery tour

Whether you pick your own wineries or you let me help, using the Priority Wine Pass will get you tremendous discounts, even if you are just here for a day. It’s a two for one pass that’s only $39.99 with my discount. Visit Krug, get two for one, save $45. List Beringer, get two for one, save $30. Grigch Hills, two for one, save $50. You get the idea. Look, if you’re on a budget or just want to keep that hundred dollar bill in your wallet at the end of the day then focus your winery picks on the ones that offer discounts. As always, email me if you have questions.

Part two is to add transportation. Just let me know how many people are in your group, the date, and if you are looking for someone to drive your rental, someone to drive you in their vehicle, and if you want standard or luxury. I have a list of drivers I trust, people who have driven a lot of my readers, and I’m happy to send you their names. There’s no fee, of course. Don’t guess, let me point you to good drivers!

OPTION 2: NO WORRY WINE TOURS

Sometimes you just don’t want to hassle the details. That’s when you reach out to me for a No Worry Wine Tour. I’ve been working with drivers I know to create unique and affordable Wine Country Tours in both Napa and Sonoma, a one call and it’s done sort of thing. Here are some options:

• THE ROMANTIC GETAWAY FOR TWO

• Visit four to five wineries per day, we’ll do all the picking and reserving for you for a nominal fee.

• DEEP DIVE NAPA FOR WINE LOVERS

• Discover the hidden boutiques with a true Napa wine expert. He’ll pick the wineries and make all the reservations for a nominal fee.

• SONOMA AND RUSSIAN RIVER, THE NEW FRONTIER

• Budget wine tasting now means getting out of Napa. Lucky for you I have some experts in the Sonoma and Russian River area who can take you to the best the area has to offer, all at an affordable rate. Yes, we’ll pick the wineries and make the reservations for a nominal fee.

• THE ULTIMATE BACHELORETTE PARTY EXPERIENCE

• I do a lot of bachelorette parties! I now can offer everything from budget events to luxurious extravaganzas and can even set up large groups, something that’s very hard to do during these Covid times.

• CORPORATE EVENTS, WEDDING PARTIES, THE BIG ONES

• Big events require big wineries willing to let you do a “take over” of their facilities. Do it yourself and pay big bucks. Or let me help and I’ll connect you with wineries who not only will allow you to host your big event at their winery but will offer you a discount since you’ve come through me.

OPTION 3: The Premium Experience

Coming from the Bay Area and just want to spend a few hours sipping wine, eating good food, and forgetting about Covid-19 for awhile? Then don’t winery hop where your risk goes up at every stop! Instead go to ONE winery but make it a good one, a long drawn out experience with the best wines and gourmet food to pair it with. I’m working with a small handful of premium wineries who cater to the higher end wine lover. Costs aren’t that much more than a standard day in Napa but the experience is over the top luxury, a feast for wine lovers and an experience that you won;t soon forget. Email me, of course!

COMING WITH A LARGER GROUP? In our Covid times it’s not as easy as you might think to book wineries with groups over 6 - but it can be done! Just email me. I’ll hook you up with some wineries who claim they can take larger groups and you can work it out with them. Do this as soon as you can as there are seriously only a handful of wineries who will take large groups and they book up fast.

Keeping Within Your Budget is My Goal

I know wine tasting can be really expensive so I do my best to keep transportation prices as low as they can go and stick to wineries that are within your budget. Not on a tight budget? Well I also know the very cool “over the top” experiences as well and can help you get discounts if available. In the end I try to keep everything super simple and give you the most bang for your buck, no matter what your budget is.

To get my rates you simply email me and I will get right back to you - pronto!

Spread out in a 14 person vehicle, just one of the many options if you use one of my preferred drivers.

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We know how to plan a GREAT bachelorette party!

Wally’s Bachelorette Party planning!

Did you somehow raise your hand and offer to plan a Bachelorette party in Napa and Sonoma and now have no idea how to do it? Make it easy on yourself and let us do it. Here are some tips:

• If you want to keep costs down keep your group size to 14 or under. A Ford Transit fits 14 but once you go over this number you have to rent a much larger vehicle.

• Wineries that offer two for one’s cap the number of people who can come in together with wine passes. If you are on a super tight budget keep your group ideally to 6 and make it an even number since you get two for one tastings. Note that due to Covid a lot of wineries are limiting group discounts to groups of 4 or less so bottom line, reach out to me and let me help. The rules keep changing and I can give you the latest info. Do I need to say it again? I don’t charge for advice so ask!

• Don’t ask anyone in your group what wineries they want to go to! Trust me, no one will ever agree on winery selection. If you want to keep it super simple I work with the owner of the Priority Wine Pass and between the two of us we know the wineries who will take your group. Best yet, we can get you discounts (yes!!) if you let us book it. So no extra fees for you, no extra work searching for wineries, a discounted rate, let me pass on my connections to help you shortcut the process. And as always, I never recommend places I don’t love. No dumps. No rip offs.

• Plan way ahead, set it and forget it! Give us as much time as you can as wineries that allow large groups (and specifically bachelorette parties) are not as common as you might think and fill up fast. As soon as you can, book it, reserve it, done!

• COVID-19 UPDATE: Wineries are limiting groups to 6 or less but larger groups can be done - email me for more info. I can connect you to wineries that might be able to take larger groups.

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*Standard Disclaimer: While I am happy to make driver recommendations I am in no way am I accepting responsibility or legalities should things not go as planned. Do your due diligence when choosing any driving company when it comes to safety, insurance, and licenses.

BottleRock 2020: Everything You Need to Know BEFORE You Get Here - FAQ's, Tips, Discounts

BottleRock 202 in Napa is May 22 - 24

QUICK BOTTLEROCK INFO

WHAT IS BOTTLEROCK?:

Napa Valley is a 3-day music, wine, food and brew festival in Napa, California May 22 -2 4, 2020. There are five music stages, a culinary stage and more. Basically it’s Woodstock done Napa Style, which means lots of food, wine, and great bands. Crowd size? 120,000 people! It’s big!

WHEN IS IT AGAIN?:

The three day festival is on Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 - 24. The 3 Day Tickets are all SOLD OUT but you can still buy individual days.

TICKETS? HOW DO I GET TICKETS TO BOTTLEROCK?:

Go to the official BottleRock site to buy tickets - here is their link.

HOW MUCH DO TICKETS COST?

General Admission single day tickets are $159. You’ll get access to all stages and all the bands that day, can view celebrity chefs on the culinary stage, and purchase food, wine and beer from the various vendors. Upgrade to the VIP tickets which are $359 and you gain access to the VIP Village with premium bars, more food, comfy seats, up-close prime viewing near the stage, and Yes, VIP only bathrooms. That might be worth it right there!

PRO TIP: Ticket Prices increase as the event gets closer so buy them as soon as you know you are going. The prices quoted are valid as of Jan 9, 2020.

DANG IT! TICKETS TO BOTTLEROCK ARE SOLD OUT. NOW WHAT?

You waited too long, didn’t you? If you want tickets you can go to their link above and be put on a waiting list.

GETTING TO BOTTLEROCK AND WHERE TO STAY

WHAT AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO?

You have options - Oakland International is probably the top choice, followed by Sacramento, Santa Rosa and then San Jose. And yes, you can fly into San Francisco but my experience there is to expect flight delays if the fog rolls in, which is often.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

The key location is downtown Napa but be ready for sold out hotels and high rates. As of this writing there is only ONE Napa hotel that I could find that still has availability - the Motel 6 Napa. It’s nearly $400 a night, way more expensive than it’s worth but book it or you might be wishing you did. You can move out farther to the outlying areas like Fairfield where the Motel 6 Fairfield is currently $220 a night. Figure an Uber will set you back around $60 to $75, maybe more if they surge the prices.

WIN VIP ACCESS IF YOU CARPOOL

Attend with four or more people and you might be randomly picked to a VIP upgrade. That’s cool.

PARKING

Parking is free in the surrounding downtown area - head over to Fuller Park area as a starting point. It’s about a mile away. Look, parking is going to be tight so just grab a space there an walk past the line of cars searching for that one last elusive spot.

BottleRock Festival in Napa

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GO WINE TASTING ON A BUDGET IF YOU CAN’T GET INTO BOTTLEROCK

Have a bit of extra time and want to go wine tasting? Tried to get tickets and could not? Whether you’re a Bay Area local who comes to Napa and Sonoma multiple times a year or an out-of-towner who is just here for the weekend, if you want wine tasting discounts you need a Priority Wine Pass. The PWP gets you two for one tastings at a ton of Napa and Sonoma wineries, saving you $25 or more at every winery stop. The pass is just $39.99 using my promo code localwally and you only need one pass per couple. Basically you hit up two wineries and you more than break even and then you save again and again, enough for a nice dinner at the end of the day.

Click here for the complete 2020 updated list of deals on the Wine Pass.

Napa Wine Tasting

Napa Wine Tasting Tips During BottleRock Weekend (aka Memorial Day Weekend)

1. Wineries will be busy - try to find wineries that require reservations and book in advance. Make sure you keep your reservation, too. Many of the Napa wineries are small businesses who count on you showing up.

2. Hire a Driver! Uber can be tough during BottleRock so hire a driver and be treated like the VIP you are. Figure a driver will cost you $45 an hour, chump change when compared to a DUI. I’ve just started a new driving service called Nick + Wally’s Wine Tours where my driver can take up to 14 people in his vehicle. Interested? Email me for more info.

3. Groups of 8 or more are tricky! A lot of wineries, especially on a busy day like Memorial Day Weekend, will turn down large groups if you try to crash in without a reservation. If you are trying to do a day of tasting even with a group of over four email me and let me help you pick wineries and plan out your day. I don’t charge - just give me a shout and I’ll get right back to you.

Best Walk In Wineries That Accept the 2 for 1 Wine Pass (4 or less per group)

• Sterling: Normally $35 per person, get two for one and save $35.

• Beringer: Normally $25 per person, get two for one and save $25.

• V. Sattui: Great deli, normally $20 per person, get two for one and save $20.

• Grgich Hills: Come in without a pass and pay $40 per person, come in M-F with a pass and get a special flight, two for $25.

Downtown Tasting Rooms that Accept the Priority Wine Pass

• Gustavo Wines: Across the street from Oxbow Market, get two for one tastings, save $18.

• Krupp Brothers: Free upgrade from Signature flight to Reserve flight for two, save $40.

• Outland Wines: 2 Free tastings with a 4 bottle purchase, save $50. These are great wines at a nice price, recommended.

• JaM Cellars: 2 for 1 tastings, save $25, open late. No tasting flights on nights that have live music so call ahead.

• Wines in First: Happy Hour glasses of wine all the time and two free tastings with the purchase of one bottle, save $15.

• Cornerstone Cellars: M-F, two for one tastings, save $30.

• Ancien: Special price of $40 per person gets you a VIP tasting with cheese and charcuterie, make reservations, save $40.

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Best Food at BottleRock - Don’t Miss!

Here’s the complete list of food offerings at Bottle Rock 2020 in Napa! OFFICIAL SITE

Fried Chicken from Ad Hoc

La Calenda

What sets BottleRock apart from other music festivals is that the food and wine are elevated to, well, Napa level. No crummy hot dogs that have been warming under lights for 5 hours, you can expect incredible food and drinks. My recommendation is to hit the Thomas Keller options - a bucket of Ad Hoc Fried Chicken is an absolute must. Don’t think about it. Do it. And for a snack later get the tacos from Thomas Keller’s new Mexican inspired restaurant, La Calenda. Is this the hip version of The French Laundry? Ha, I bet by the end of the day it costs just as much but what they hey, you only live once.

DID SOMEONE MENTION THE FRENCH LAUNDRY? HERE’S A VERY POPULAR ARTICLE I WROTE ON MY EXPERIENCE THERE.

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Who’s Playing at BottleRock Festival 2020?

FRIDAY BOTTLEROCK LINEUP, MAY 22

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Miley Cyrus, Brandi Carlile, Foals, Jimmy Eat World, Local Natives, Finneas, Milky Chance, Amos Lee, Village People, Muna, Ripe, The Frights, Digable Planets, Atlas Genius, Oliver Riot, White Reaper, Meg Myers, Tessa Violet, Uncle Blazer + DJ Ango from Workaholics, 99 Neighbors, In the Valley Below, Ryland James, Chris Pierce, Pacific Radio, The Haden Triplets, Grass Child.

SATURDAY BOTTLEROCK LINEUP, MAY 24

Stevie Nicks, Khalid, Janelle Monáe, Maggie Rogers, Blondie, Of Monsters and Men, Empire of the Sun, Tegan and Sara, CAAMP, Grace VanderWaal, Eric B. & Rakim, Hamilton Leithauser, Ra Ra Riot, Jack Harlow, MAX, DJ Z-Trip, TWIN XL, DeVotchKa, Reignwolf, slenderbodies, Smith and Thell, Madison Ryann Ward, JJ Wilde, Hembree, almost monday, Peter Harper, Lily Meola, Sam Johnson, Napa Valley Youth Symphony.

SUNDAY BOTTLEROCK LINEUP, MAY 25

Dave Matthews Band, Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals, Zedd, The Avett Brothers, Maren Morris, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Iration, Jon Bellion, Matt Nathanson, Trampled by Turtles, The Band Camino, Turkuaz w/ Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew: Remain in Light Turns 40, Mandolin Orange, Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers, Big Freedia, Absofacto, Eliza & the Delusionals, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Evie Irie, KOTA the Friend, Full Moonalice: The THC Revue, Buffalo Gospel, The Alive, Lily Meola, Obsidian Son, Silverado Pickups.

THANKS TO BOTTLEROCK NAPA WEBSITE FOR THEIR LINEUP PHOTOS. VISIT THEIR SITE AT https://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/.

Sterling, Beringer, Castello di Amorosa - Napa Holiday Hours - What Wineries are Open Christmas and New Years?

Top Napa Valley Wineries Open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day

STERLING VINEYARDS HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: Open 10 to 3 - Christmas Day: Closed. - New Year’s Eve: Open 10 to 3 - New Year’s Day: Closed

Ride the tram to the top and sip some wine - make sure you email me for the FREE $10 off Promo Code!

BERINGER VINEYARDS HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: Open 10 to 3 - Christmas Day: Closed. - New Year’s Eve: Open 10 to 3 - New Year’s Day: Closed

Iconic Napa winery that should be on your list.

CASTELLO DI AMOROSA (THE NAPA CASTLE) HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: Open 10 to 4 - Christmas Day: Closed. - New Year’s Eve: Open 10 to 5:30 - New Year’s Day: 10 TO 5:30

OMG, an actual castle? With wine???

BEAULIEU VINEYARDS (BV WINES) HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: Open 11 to 3 - Christmas Day: Closed. - New Year’s Eve: Open 11 to 3 - New Year’s Day: Closed

Historic Napa winery with a very cool intimate tasting bar.

CAKEBREAD CELLARS HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: Open 12 - 2 - New Year’s Day: Closed

One of Napa’s best tours, make sure you make reservations.

DARIOUSH WINERY HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: Closed - New Year’s Day: Closed

Sorry Griswald, it’s closed.

GRGICH HILLS ESTATE HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: 9:30 to 4:30 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: Open 9:30 to 4:30 - New Year’s Day: Closed

One of my favorites, an old school winery with an old school tasting room. Incredible deal on the Priority Wine Pass if you have one - normally people pay $40 per person to taste here but if you show them your pass you get two tastings for $25. Need a pass? See below for the link.

INGLENOOK WINERY NAPA HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: Open 10 - 5 - New Year’s Day: Closed

She’s a beauty!

V. SATTUI WINERY HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve: 9 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: Open 9 - 5 - New Year’s Day: 9 - 5

Super cool winery with a full deli because you will be hungry after drinking all that wine.

NAPA WINERIES ON THE PRIORITY WINE PASS HOLIDAY HOURS

Looking to save a bit of money on your wine tasting fees? Just use your Priority Wine Pass for 2 for 1 and other discountson the wineries below. Don’t have a pass yet? Get it here for $39.99, a $20 discount. You only need one pass per couple to get the deals. MAKE RESERVATIONS WHERE NOTED.

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Andretti Winery: Christmas Eve: 10:30 - 5 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10:30 - 5- New Year’s Day: 10:30 - 5 - TWO FOR ONE TASTING , MAKE RESERVATIONS

AXR Napa Valley: Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 5 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 5 - FREE TOUR AND PRIVATE TASTING WITH $100 COMBINED PURCHASE, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Beaulieu Vineyards: Christmas Eve: 11 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 11 - 3- New Year’s Day: Closed - TWO FOR ONE TASTING, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Bennett Lane Winery: Christmas Eve: 11 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 11 - 3 - New Year’s Day: 11 - 3 - FREE UPGRADE TO PRIVATE SEATED TASTING EXPERIENCE

Beringer Vineyards: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3- New Year’s Day: Closed - TWO FOR ONE TASTING, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Black Stallion Winery: Christmas Eve: 10 - 2 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 3 - TWO FOR ONE TASTING

Brian Arden Winery: Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: Closed- New Year’s Day: 11 - 4 - HALF OFF WINE TASTING FLIGHTS FOR 2, M - TH

Burgess Cellars: Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 4 - New Year’s Day: Closed - TASTING FEE WAIVED WITH 2 BOTTLE PURCHASE

Clos Pegase: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 4 - TWO FOR ONE TASTING, TWO FOR ONE TOUR, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Conn Creek Winery: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: Closed - New Year’s Day: 10:30 - 4:30 - TWO FOR ONE TASTING, or $25 OFF PER PERSON ON THEIR BLENDING SEMINAR, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Davies Vineyards: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3:30 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 5 - New Year’s Day: Closed - FREE UPGRADE FROM PINOT TASTING TO SPARKLING + PINOT TASTING

Delectus Winery: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 4 - TWO FOR ONE TASTING, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Elizabeth Spencer Winery: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 5:30 - EXTRA POUR WITH FLIGHT

Girard: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 4 - TWO FOR ONE, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Grgich Hills Estate: Christmas Eve: 9:30 - 4:30 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 9:30 - 4:30 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 4 - GET TWO TASTINGS FOR $25 - WITHOUT THE PASS TASTINGS ARE $40 PER PERSON

Hall Wines: Christmas Eve: 10 - 1 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3 - New Year’s Day: Closed - RESERVE WITH WINE PASS AND GET MEMBERSHIP PRICING ON EXPERIENCE AND PURCHASES

Hill Family: Christmas Eve: 10 - 2 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 -2 - New Year’s Day: Closed - TWO FOR ONE TASTING

JaM Cellars: Christmas Eve: 10 - 5 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 12:30 - New Year’s Day: Closed - TWO FOR ONE TASTING

Jessup Cellars: Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 2 - New Year’s Day: Closed - TWO FOR ONE TASTING

Judd’s Hill Winery: Christmas Eve: 10 - 4 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 4 - New Year’s Day: Closed - FOOD AND WINE PAIRING FOR $100 PER COUPLE, NORMALLY $135

Krupp Brothers Downtown: Christmas Eve: 2 - 6 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 2 - 8 - New Year’s Day: 2 - 8 - FREE UPGRADE TO RESERVE TASTING

Miner Family: Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 2 - New Year’s Day: Closed - TWO FOR ONE TASTING

Napa Cellars: Christmas Eve: 10 - 2 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 5 - New Year’s Day: Closed - TWO FOR ONE RESERVE TASTING

Rutherford Hill Winery: Christmas Eve: 10 - 2 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 5 - New Year’s Day: Closed - FREE UPGRADE TO SIGNATURE TASTING

Rutherford Ranch Winery: Christmas Eve: Closed - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 3:30 - New Year’s Day: 10 - 3:30 - FREE TASTING FLIGHT WITH EACH WINE PASS

Swanson Vineyards: Christmas Eve: 10 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10:30 - 3:30 - New Year’s Day: 10:30 - 3:30 - TWO FOR ONE, MAKE RESERVATIONS

Trinchero Family Estate: Christmas Eve: 10 - 2 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 10 - 5 - New Year’s Day: Closed - 20% OFF WINEMAKERS SELECTION FLIGHT

V. Sattui Winery: Christmas Eve: 9 - 3 - Christmas Day: Closed - New Year’s Eve: 9 - 5 - New Year’s Day: 9 - 5 - TWO FOR ONE TASTING

How Bad Are the Napa and Sonoma Fires? Should I cancel my Trip 2019?

Kincade Fire Nearly Contained as of 11-5-2019

Photo: Josh Edelson, AFP Via Getty Images

11-5 Update on the Sonoma Kincade Fire

The fire is nearly contained and things are getting back to normal - despite the 3rd earthquake in the past week. But don’t worry, if you are planning a trip to Napa or Sonoma just keep the plans and come on in - the wines are pouring and everyone in the industry is looking forward to your visit.

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10-30 Update on Sonoma Kincade Fire

The Kincade Fire has scorched 76,825 acres and is only 30 percent contained as it continues its destructive path across Sonoma County, This morning is a critical time for firefighters as gusty winds pick up.

Napa remains fine though planned power outages are having impact on visitors this week. If you are coming I would stick to the plan and not postpone but would recommend you call each winery the day before and the day of visiting to make sure they have power.

AS OF THIS MORNING RIGHT NOW THE SKIES IN NAPA ARE BLUE AND THE POWER IS ON. Here is a photo taken just a few minutes ago - 10-30-2019 at 19:00 AM

It goes without saying that our thoughts and prayers go out to our Sonoma neighbors and fire fighters. But if you are visiting Napa I would still come. The last fire had a devastating effect on the tourist economy and was deeply felt by the wineries, restaurants, and many small business owners as visitors stayed away thinking that Napa was burned to the ground. The Sonoma fire is serious but Napa is largely unaffected, as is the bulk of Sonoma. Feel free to email me if you have questions or concerns.

Wally

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10-29 UPDATE

The Kincade Fire has spread to 75,415 acres and is 15 percent contained. Of the 124 structures destroyed, Cal Fire says 57 are homes. Of the 23 structures damaged, officials say 15 are homes.

Winds eased overnight, but firefighters have concerns about gusty winds that are expected to pick up this afternoon.

Last night, Cal Fire issued an evacuation warning for parts of Lake County due to the Kincade Fire, including Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.

Meanwhile, some evacuation orders have been downgraded for parts of western Sonoma County, including Bodega, Bodega Bay, Carmet, Muniz Ranch, Sebastopol, Occidental, Freestone, Camp Meeker, Forestville, Rio Nido, Hacienda, Monte Rio, Cazadero, Guerneville and Valley Ford.

OCT 28 UPDATE ON SONOMA KINCADE FIRE 2019

The Sonoma Kincade fire is now in its 5th day with only 5% containment. Most of the destruction is on the Sonoma side towards Geyserville but Calistoga is now nearing evacuation.

Evacuation for Sonoma Kincade fire as of 10-28, 2019

How is Napa Valley Impacted by the Sonoma Kincade Fire? Should I Cancel my Trip?

Tough call as I don’t want to send you into a fire area but Napa Valley is marginally impacted, mainly forced power outages and reduced air quality. However, here is a photo of Napa taken 10-27-2019. As you can see the fires are having minimal impact but you will want to keep an eye on this if you are coming this week, especially if you are staying towards Calistoga. The best source is your hotel - call them before you jump on the plane.

I’ve been getting emails from people asking if they should cancel their November plans and I think in that case I would not - a lot can happen in a few days and it would be unthinkable that the fires will still be raging another week or more. So be calm, stay on top of the news, but don’t cancel just yet.

Napa is marginally impacted by the fires in Sonoma.

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UPDATE FROM 10-25: Fires are raging in the northern section of Sonoma - if your plans were to visit the Healdsburg or Geyserville section of wine country you might want to reconsider.

Note where Calistoga is, the north tip of Napa Valley

But What About Napa and the Fires? Should I cancel My Trip? How Bad is It?

While fires can swiftly change, as of this morning the skies are blue and everyone is cautiously optimistic about the impact to Napa Valley. So if you have a trip planned just keep an eye on things but don’t cancel! Everything should be fine and if the air quality later isn’t perfect remember that the wine will be.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the people impacted by the fires and to our fire fighters keeping the blaze in check. We love you guys.

Napa 101: First timers Guide to Napa

Not Napa Auto Parts! I Want Napa Valley Deals!!

Yo Google, I know you do the best you can but when I search for Napa I mean Napa Valley, not Napa Auto Parts! I want to go wine tasting, not change my oil. And I want deals. Lots of them.

No Auto Parts here at Napa Style - but lots of good Wine and Food stuff!

What Kind of Deals Are There for Napa Valley?

You can search the internet for Napa Wine Tasting Deals and they basically fall into these categories:

• Coupons: Pro’s - free. Con’s - lots of fake coupon sites out there that make you jump through hoops only to find that there really isn’t a deal.

• Phone Aps: Pro’s - Cheap way to get some deals. Con’s - Not always up to date, some deals are actually just reworkings of deals offered for free on other sites.

• Chamber of Commerce Passports: Pro’s - Some have some good deals such as the Downtown Napa card that let’s you taste for pennies at the downtown tasting rooms. Con’s - The Chamber of Commerce deals are very limited in scope as they want you to stay in their own little area.

• Priority Wine Pass: Pro’s - Lots of wineries, from big names like Beringer to small boutiques. There are even deals on hotels and the Napa Wine Train. Con’s - Like the other deal options you won’t find Castello di Amorosa (the Napa Castle), Robert Mondavi, Domaine Chandon, or Mumm Napa on it.

WWWD? (What Would Wally Do?)

First, who am I? I’m Local Wally. I wrote the original batch of articles on Napa for TripAdvisor, the ones you probably already read and are woefully out of date. I came up with the Napa on a Budget tagline back when Napa wine tasting was still cheap and no one cared about budget and the very first guy to collect and publish every deal in Napa on a website. I’ve worked with all of the discounters and know all of the deals out there.

So for me the best Napa Valley deal is the Priority Wine Pass. You only need one pass per couple, it’s good for a full year from purchase, it works in Napa and Sonoma, and if you get the pass you also get something that no other discounter can offer - ME. That’s right, I want to make sure that if you bought the pass because of my recommendation that in the end you LOVE the pass so every pass comes with free advice from me, including a stop by stop itinerary that I custom build just for you - not a cut and paste copy job.

GET THAT PASS - ONE PER COUPLE - IT’S DISCOUNTED $20 IF YOU USE THIS BUTTON TO BUY.

Are there Deals at Castello di Amrosa?

How to Get a Deal at Castello di Amorosa, the Napa Castle

Everyone wants to go to the Napa Castle. It’s a full scale, Game of Thrones castle but instead people killing each other there’s wine. You will see other sites that claim to have an “exclusive” deal at the castle but as Elaine said on Seinfeld they are most likely fake, fake, fake. The ONLY legit deal I know is on the Priority Wine Pass but there is a catch - it comes with the Napa Wine Train excursion. That ain’t cheap but it’s a fun splurge. You can read all about the Napa Wine Train Castle Winery Tour Excursion here but to cut to the chase it’s $300 per person.

With your Priority Wine Pass they will knock off $25 per person, up to four people with one pass. Hey, it’s something, right? And it’s legit. Reservations required please call (707) 253-2111 and mention you are a wine pass member during booking. At check-in please bring ID and wine pass to obtain special pricing.

Sterling Vineyard and the Tram Ride

How to Get a Deal at Sterling Vineyards

After the castle everyone wants to ride the tram at Sterling Vineyards and taste wine at the top of the mountain. If you have the Priority Wine Pas you get TWO FOR ONE so you save $35. No need to make reservations either, you just show up and show your pass.

I also have a FREE $10 off promo code I will send you if you email me. Totally free, no catches. By now you must know how to email me, right? OK, one more time….

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What's a Good Gift for Wine Lovers? Christmas Gift Idea for Wine Lovers!

Looking for a GREAT gift idea for your wine loving friends? Stumped looking for that ultimate wine Christmas, Birthday or Holiday gift?

If you have a Wine Loving friend but stumped on what to get him or her for Christmas, Birthday or Holiday, the answer is easy - Get a Priority Wine Pass for them! The Wine Pass is a $39.99 card that gets your friend two for one tastings all over Napa, Sonoma, and other big wine regions. It’s either a digital or hard card (like a credit card) that you can give as the perfect gift, stocking stuff, or LAST MINUTE OMG I NEED A GIFT NOW Idea!

You only need one pass to get the two for one’s - and in Napa it works at Beringer, Sterling, Charles Krug, Grgich Hills, BV, Napa Cellars, Rutherford Ranch….. yes, most of the big names are on the pass as well as tons of hidden gems. Your wine friend is going to love you for this!

Here’s how it works - they walk into a winery wanting wine, drooling for wine. They show the pass on their phone. They get two flights of wine, not one, for the same price. That’s half off! Here are all of the deals on the pass.

THE NAPA WINE TRAIN? YES, IT’S INCLUDED!

Want to kick it up a few notches? The Napa Wine Train discount is included on the pass for $25 to $35 off per person, up to 4 people. This includes the popular Castillo di Amorosa train excursion. If you want to really impress your friend or loved one book a train excursion and tell them you have the Priority Wine Pass. You won’t need to show it until you arrive so you can book now knowing you will get the discount when you arrive.

BAY AREA PEOPLE, I’M TALKING TO YOU

Whatsa matter, you have so much money that you want to pay full price for wine tastings? If you live in the Bay Area I know you go to Napa more than once a year. The Wine Pass is good for a full year so your friends can go again and again. And there are no limitations as to how many times you visit each winery and use the discount. This isn’t some lame coupon book where you only get one shot - that would be stupid.

If you have questions you can read all about the pass here. Or just buy it. At $39.99 it’s one of the best gifts you can give to your wine loving friends.

What Are the Best Restaurants Open in Napa Valley for Thanksgiving 2019??

Thanksgiving 2019 in Napa Valley! Lucky you treating yourself to a grand holiday feast in Napa Valley. Here are my top picks for dining in style on Thanksgiving in Napa. Call ahead to make reservations and to check their hours - some only serve food during the day and seating is limited all over the valley.

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Thanksgiving Dinner on the Napa WIne Train

Napa Wine Train Thanksgiving Excursion

Hang on to your drumsticks, what an adventure! Dine in one of the elegant luxurious dining cars on the Napa Valley WIne Train. Departs at 5 on Thanksgiving, Full on turkey feast with a view to remember. GET MORE INFO HERE

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Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc restaurant in Napa

Ad Hoc

I don’t need a holiday to dine at Ad Hoc, one of Thomas Keller’s top rated restaurants. It’s a prix fixe dinner, everyone gets the same thing based on what’s cooking in the kitchen. And it’s always delicious. You normally have to wait until the day of to see what’s on the menu but lookie here, I have a link to the Thanksgiving dinner menu - spoiler: there’s caviar involved!

Ad Hoc’s Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

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Angele Napa Valley

Angèle Restaurant and Bar

You can’t get much more romantic than Angèle - that is if you equate romance to a lovely French bistro on the river. The food here is always top notch and if this year is like the past you can expect a pre fixe Thanksgiving menu with plenty of wine pairing options.

https://www.angelerestaurant.com/

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Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley

Auberge du Soleil

The restaurant at 5 star resort Auberge du Soleil is one of the classiest dining experiences in Napa, often rivaling The French Laundry in top pick. You can bet that the food here will knock your socks off, make reservations if you want an elegant dining experience where the food lives up to your expectations.

Auberge du Soleil Menus

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Bistro Jeanty in Yountville (Napa Valley)

Bistro Jeanty

You know how to find a good restaurant, right? You go where the locals go and the locals flood Bistro Jeanty, a casual French bistro that balances exquisite cuisine with prices that won’t make you gasp. I have loved every dining experience I have ever had here.

https://bistrojeanty.com/

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Celadon Napa

Celadon Napa

A tiny dining room, a warm and inviting patio with outside fireplace, make reservations early for Celadon, one of my favorite restaurants that serves upscale “comfort food” from around the glove, from Asian to Italian to Mediterranean.

https://www.celadonnapa.com/menu/

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Farm Restaurant in Napa in the Carneros area

Farm Napa Valley

Located in the upscale Carneros Inn, Farm Napa Valley is right in between Napa and Sonoma, a perfect location if you are in the south part of the valley. Thanksgiving is served from noon until 6, a three course family style dinner serving traditional Thanksgiving fare with an upscale twist.

https://www.farmatcarneros.com/

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Harvest Table, Napa Valley

Harvest Table

Harvest Table is located in the posh Harvest Inn resort and is one of Napa’s best dining experiences, a bit of a hidden gem. Incredible cocktails as well as an incredibly well executed gourmet feast right down to the traditional turkey. Set price, including a reduced price for children making this a family friendly option.

https://www.harvesttablenapa.com/

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La Toque in the Napa Westin

La Toque

Michelin star Thanksgiving, anyone? That’s what you’ll find here at La Toque, the famous restaurant inside of the Napa Westin serving up their Thanksgiving feast from 1 to 5.

https://latoque.com/

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Meadowood Grill in Napa Valley

Meadowood Grill Napa Valley

Fancy, fancy, fancy! Meadowood Grill is located in the Meadowood Resort, a 5 star luxury resort that looks a bit like an East Coast country club. Dress up a bit for this one, the menu has both Turkey and Lobster, my kind of Thanksgiving.

https://www.meadowood.com/dining/the-grill

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Solbar in Napa Valley

Solbar

You know that resort I told. you about called Auberge du Soleil? Well they also own the more trendy Solage resort which is where you will find Solbar. Totally upscale without any of that stuffiness nonsense.

https://aubergeresorts.com/solage/dine/

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More Napa Thanksgiving Dining Options

Shout out to https://www.visitnapavalley.com/ for compiling this list. Go check their site out!

ALBA (707) 320-9000 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

All Seasons Bistro (707) 942-9111 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Bank Café and Bar (707) 257-5151 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Boon Fly Café (707) 299-4870 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Brix (707) 944-2749 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Calistoga Restaurant & Brewery (707) 942-4101 1:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Charlie Palmer Steak (707) 819-2500 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Cordeiros Bar & Grill (707) 244-1960 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Crush Ultra Lounge @ The Meritage (707) 251-1900 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Downtown Joes (707) 258-2337 8:00 AM - 1:15 AM

Fume Bistro (707) 257-1999 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Galapao Gaucho (707) 255-5121 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grill 29 Restaurant at Embassy Suites (707) 253-9540 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Le Paris Artisan (707) 731-0948 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Lovina (707) 942-6500 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Lucy Restaurant & Bar (707) 204-6030 11:00 AM-9:00 PM

Napkins (707) 927-5333 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Redd Wood (707) 299-5030 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Sam's Social Club (707) 942-4913 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM / 3:00, 5:00 or 7:00 PM

Siena Restaurant @ The Meritage Resort (707) 251-1950 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM / 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Silverado Resort Grand Ballroom (707) 257-5495 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Silverado Resort Grill (707) 257-5400 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar (707) 819-2490 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tarla (707) 255-5599 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

VINeleven @ The Napa Valley Marriott (707) 253-8600 6:30 AM - 11:00 PM