From the budding vines and mustard blooms of spring to the vibrant vineyards and luscious, ripening grape clusters of summer to the artful industry of autumn harvest, wine follows the cycles of the seasons. While some people only consider visiting wine country in the warmer months and during harvest, locals and insiders know that the winter months are the perfect time to come to wine country. For those eager to experience the best of Napa Valley, during winter the pace is slower and more serene, the roads and towns less crowded, and everything feels cozier and more personal. We hope that our 3-Day Napa Valley itinerary for winter will help you plan your next trip to the wine country.
The AVAs We Call Home
Not everyone knows that the greater Napa Valley Appellation (AVA) is made up of 17 nested AVAs, each with its own unique soils, climate and terroir. These include Atlas Peak, Calistoga, Chiles Valley, Coombsville, Crystal Springs, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, Carneros, Mount Veeder, Oak Knoll, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Spring Mountain, Stags Leap, Wild Horse Valley, and Yountville. Here at Markham, we have deep roots in four of these AVAs, with our historic stone winery located in St. Helena, and estate vineyards in Calistoga (Rockerbox Vineyard), Yountville (Yountville Ranch and Hopper House vineyards) and Oak Knoll (Little Cannon Vineyard).
St. Helena
For those planning a trip to wine country, St. Helena makes an ideal home base for your explorations. Home to the picturesque town of St. Helena, as well as our winery and historic stone cellar built in 1879, St. Helena is a food and wine lover’s paradise. It offers an unforgettable destination where you will find luxurious hotels, charming bed and breakfasts, Michelin-starred restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Of course, any trip to St. Helena needs to include a visit to Markham. Whether you’re enjoying the beauty of our garden patios, the fire pits in our stunning courtyard, or a pampering seated tasting experience in our gorgeous tasting room, a visit to Markham is a fantastic way to explore some of Napa Valley’s greatest AVAs through our acclaimed District Series wines.
After your visit, stroll the streets of St. Helena’s classic downtown, where you can peruse jewelry, clothing, and handcrafted gifts in the boutique shops or catch an independent film in the quaint Cameo Cinema. For foodies, a visit to the Culinary Institute of America is a must, as is a lunch or dinner at Brasswood Bar and Kitchen or Pizzeria Tra Vigne. If you’re staying in the area, we recommend the Wine Country Inn. Located less than a mile from Markham Vineyards, our club members enjoy special rates at the Wine Country Inn. Simply mention your Markham membership when booking by phone at 888.465.4608 and you’ll receive the exclusive rate.
Calistoga
After a restful night’s sleep in St. Helena, head north to Calistoga, which is home to our Rockerbox Vineyard. A nod to the original owner of our stone cellar, Jean Laurent, who journeyed from Bordeaux to California in search of gold, our 72-acre Rockerbox Vineyard is named after the mining tool used to separate gold from sand and gravel. Located at the foot of Mount St. Helena and the headwaters of the Napa River, Rockerbox is cradled in a natural canyon, surrounded by bay laurel, wild fennel, and oak woodlands, and is the source for some of the AVA’s best Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
After starting your day with a savory breakfast treat and coffee at the Calistoga Farmers’ Market, (open Saturdays, year-round), browse the locally grown seasonal produce, gourmet food, creative crafts and gift items, and enjoy live music! It is truly a community experience, where the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to strike up a conversation with friendly Napa locals and farmers. If you’re staying in Calistoga, we love the Calistoga Inn, home to one of the most popular outdoor dining venues in the Napa Valley, The Calistoga Inn Restaurant and its award-winning micro-brewery, the Napa Valley Brewing Company, which offers a welcoming fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Other great dining options include Bricco Osteria, which offers a Napa Valley twist on rustic Italian cuisine and Buster’s BBQ, where open-air grills have filled the streets with the aromas of Louisiana-style tri-tip, pulled pork, hot links and ribs since 1965
Yountville
Once you’re rested and rejuvenated during your time up north, head south to Yountville, where our rich and storied history began. Purchased by Bruce Markham in 1975, Yountville Ranch is one of Markham’s original estate vineyards and the source for some of our most sought-after wines. This legendary 78-acre vineyard sits along the southern edge of the Rutherford Bench in the Yountville District. Considered the heart of Napa Valley, Yountville offers exceptional terroir for classic Bordeaux varieties, most notably Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Adjacent to the Yountville Ranch Vineyard is our Hopper House Vineyard, where our founder, Bruce Markham used to live in a charming craftsman-style bungalow nestled amid the Hopper House Vineyard.
At the end of January, the valley’s landscape transforms as it begins to bloom with mustard flowers. As you drive along historic Highway 29, you’ll be awed by the radiant green of the valley floor and the lush yellow mustard blooms between the vines. For those who enjoy great art, Yountville offers a rich art scene rooted with the Napa Valley Museum Yountville, which is currently running a show called Treasures from the GAIA Foundation featuring works by Matisse, Pissarro, Picasso, Chagall and other fine artists. If you’re staying in Yountville, consider Hotel Yountville. Rooted in Yountville history, guests are welcome to experience a luxury spa resort inspired by a quintessential wine country home with building constructed from Napa River rocks. For an unforgettable meal, Chef Thomas Keller’s casual dining venue, Ad Hoc restaurant, is a must. Showcasing the American comfort food of Keller’s childhood, Ad Hoc has received a three-star rating from The San Francisco Chronicle and was featured as one of Food and Wine magazine’s “25 Places to Try.”
Oak Knoll
Located just south of the Yountville AVA, the Oak Knoll appellation is situated at the mouth of the Napa Valley, where moderate temperatures shaped by cool breezes off of the Bay mean that the fruit ripens slowly, maintaining freshness and aromatic lift. Because of its unique climate, Oak Knoll is ideal for cooler-climate grapes, which is why we grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot at our Little Canyon Estate Vineyard in Oak Knoll.
Oak Knoll is also great for dining out. Some of our favorite spots include Bistro Don Giovanni which locals affectionately call Don Gs. A valley favorite for over 30 years, Don Gs boasts stunning terrace views while you enjoy a quintessential Napa Valley dining experience. For another classic Napa Valley dining experience, go to Mustards Grill, where renowned Chef Cindy Pawlcyn sources ingredients from the restaurant’s own gardens for her seasonally inspired cuisine.
Whether you’re seeking world-class wineries, some of America’s best restaurants, or just a relaxing and rejuvenating stay amid the beauty of wine country, winter is one of the best times to visit Napa Valley. We hope to see you soon!