Highway 29: Bisecting the Napa Wine Valley

The Drive past the Vineyards and Small Towns Is a Scenic Must

Jun 30, 2008

To get a full appreciation of the Napa Valley in northern California, you should drive as far north as Calistoga and return to Napa. Some recommendations follow.

Assuming that you staying in or near the town of Napa on your visit to the Napa Wine Valley, it is time to get up early, enjoy a delicious breakfast and head north on Highway 29. The highway extends as far as the lake town of Lakeport, some 80 miles away, but most visitors will only travel as far as the northern town of Calistoga. Calistoga is about 25-30 miles from Napa and is a good place to start working your way south from there as you enjoy the wineries.

This is a tip for wine tasters, who for the most part, are those travelling the wine valley for the day. It was mentioned in the film "Sideways." If you are planning on tasting wine throughout the day it is wiser to finish up closer to your hotel or bed and breakfast. If you are staying near the town of Napa, then start off the trip in Calistoga. The drive to Calistoga from the town of Napa is only about 30 to 40 minutes if you don't stop.Calistoga is the spa capitol of northern California with its hot springs and mineral baths. Main Street dates from the early 1900s and the town is much quieter and more low-keyed than the rest of Napa Valley. It is fun simply to walk from one side of town to the other. The summer can be quite hot so it is the perfect place to start your tour in the morning.

Calistoga to St. Helena

The eight miles from Calistoga to St. Helena are some of the most breathtaking scenery in the valley. The road winds past lush vineyards, forests, bowers, and elegant wineries. You can stop off at Sterling Vineyards on the left when driving south. The vineyard is a cluster of white buildings scene high on a bluff and must be reached by a tram that provides a pretty view of Napa Valley. The trip costs $20 per person but is worth it for a one time experience at an excellent vineyard unusally located above the valley. The grounds are very lush and landscaped beautifully. The wines are excellent also.

St. Helena

St. Helena is a small sophisticated wine town with a charming main street lined with boutique shops, restaurants, winetasting and olive oil tasting establishments. If you are ready for lunch the Market is an excellent choice and is not real expensive. However, a little past the town going south is Taylors which is reputed to have the best hamburgers in the valley. It will save you a few dollars and have you licking your lips while you continue on your winetasting tour.

V. Sattui Winery has an excellent market and a picnic area to relax either before or after winetasting. The wines are very good and plenty to choose from.

Peju Province Winery is a little further south and has scenic gardens with fountains. Their wines have little national distribution which is the beauty of the wine valley, that it is sometimes very difficult to buy these wines outside of the local area.

Robert Mondavi is good for first time wine valley tourists, especially for the tour which is thorough and informative.

Tips for the Wine Tasting Trip

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