St. Helena also lets the day flow naturally: coffee and pastries, a late-morning tasting, a long lunch, an afternoon of browsing, and back to the hotel before dinner with no one feeling rushed. Markham Vineyards sits right in St. Helena, which makes us easy to slot into any girls trip itinerary.
Make Markham Your Signature Wine Tasting Stop
A girls trip wine tasting should feel fun, comfortable, and memorable, and at Markham that begins with the setting. The Historic Stone Cellar remains the heart of the winery today: stone walls, deep history, and a story connecting the early days of Napa winemaking to the wines we craft now. For groups, it is intimate enough for conversation, beautiful enough for photos, and meaningful enough to make the visit feel like more than a stop on a schedule. Whether your group is full of seasoned wine lovers or includes friends newer to wine, our hospitality team keeps it approachable and unhurried.
Three experiences let you shape the visit around your group’s mood:
Discovery of Napa is an easy, welcoming introduction – a guided tasting of limited-production red and white wines sourced from renowned Napa Valley appellations. A great fit for groups that want to explore the range of the valley without formality.
Exploration of Markham is for groups that want to linger. This elevated cheese and charcuterie pairing brings together premium wines and library selections from our legacy of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with locally sourced artisan cheeses and cured meats, woven through with the story of Markham and the Stone Cellar. Food pairings are where group tastings come alive – everyone slows down, compares notes, and discovers why certain wines shine with certain flavors.
The Cabernet Connoisseur’s Experience is our most luxurious private tasting, rooted in more than 150 years of Napa Valley history. Guests go behind the scenes with rare library Cabernet Sauvignons, limited single-vineyard wines, luxury food pairings, and an exclusive barrel tasting of The Philanthropist Cabernet Sauvignon inside the cellar. For milestone birthdays and bachelorette weekends, it is a beautiful way to make the trip feel unforgettable.
Markham is especially known for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux-varietal wines: generous, expressive, and food-friendly. For a group, that means plenty to talk about: favorite pours, unexpected discoveries, and which bottles should come home for the next dinner party.
Plan Around a Markham Event
If your dates are flexible, planning around a winery event can add even more energy to the weekend. Third Thursdays at Markham, held every third Thursday of the month, bring together wine, food, music, and community in a relaxed St. Helena setting — an easy way to start the weekend early or add a lively evening to the itinerary. Depending on the season, Markham hosts other gatherings as well, so if your group is searching for unique wine events in Napa Valley, check our calendar before locking in travel dates.
A Sample Girls Trip Itinerary
Morning: Start slowly. Enjoy coffee and breakfast, and if your group loves wellness, fit in a walk, yoga class, or spa treatment. Napa mornings are not meant to be rushed.
Late morning to early afternoon: Wine tasting. Make Markham your anchor stop in St. Helena – Discovery of Napa for an approachable start, Exploration of Markham for wine and food together, or The Cabernet Connoisseur’s Experience for a milestone-worthy celebration.
Afternoon: Lunch and shopping in St. Helena, whether your group wants something casual or indulgent. This is also the moment to compare favorite wines and decide which bottles to ship home.
Evening: Keep it easy. Book dinner, catch a winery event if one lines up, or gather back at your rental with a bottle you discovered during the day. The best girls trips leave room for the unplanned moments that become the real memories.
Tips for Group Wine Tasting in Napa Valley
A little preparation goes a long way with a large group. Make reservations early, especially for weekends and peak seasons, and share your group size when booking so the hospitality team can recommend the best-fitting experience. Resist overbooking – two winery visits in a day is plenty, especially if one includes food, and breathing room between appointments keeps the day relaxed. Arrange transportation in advance, whether a hired driver or car service. Most importantly, choose wineries that genuinely welcome groups: the best group wine tasting in Napa Valley is as much about setting, pacing, and hospitality as it is about what’s in the glass.
Make the Weekend Yours
A girls trip to Napa Valley can be festive, restorative, indulgent, or wonderfully low-key – what makes it memorable is choosing places that match your group’s personality. At Markham, we love being part of those moments, whatever brings you here. So text the group chat, compare calendars, and start planning. When you are ready to raise a glass, we would love to welcome you to Markham Vineyards.
Common Questions About Planning a Girls Trip to Napa Valley
Where should a big group go wine tasting in Napa Valley?
Look for wineries that offer seated, reservation-based experiences and welcome groups – St. Helena is a great home base. At Markham Vineyards, group tastings range from approachable guided flights to private experiences with food pairings and barrel tastings in our Historic Stone Cellar.
How many wineries should we visit in one day?
Two is the sweet spot for most groups, especially if one tasting includes food. It leaves time for lunch, shopping, and conversation without anyone feeling rushed.
How far in advance should we book a group tasting?
For weekends and peak seasons (spring through harvest), book several weeks ahead and always share your group size. Larger groups may need more lead time for private experiences, and early booking gives the winery time to plan a great visit.
We hope to host your next girls trip soon here at Markham Vineyards!
Plan Your Visit
We’d love to welcome you to Markham Vineyards this spring. Browse our tasting experiences and check upcoming Third Thursdays dates to find the visit that fits you best.
